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Driving into Wisconsin,
visitors are welcomed by a sign that proclaims the cornerstones of
Wisconsin’s economy: agriculture, industry, and tourism. With one out of
every ten Wisconsin jobs related to agriculture, farming has been and always
will be one of the economic engines of our state. That is why I have focused
on passing measures to boost growth in our agricultural sector and
strengthen our rural communities.
For starters, we extended important job creation incentives to more meat and
dairy processing companies - businesses that help bring products from the
farm to your dinner table. These incentives encourage investments in new
equipment, expansions of operations, and the hiring new workers. Communities
across the state have seen the positive impact of these incentives.
I also supported providing critical funding for the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin
Program. This innovative program encourages schools, businesses, and
hospitals to buy locally produced food. By keeping our food dollars in local
communities, we will support local farmers, businesses, and jobs.
At the same time, the Assembly invested more than $29 million to expand
broadband in rural communities. It’s nearly impossible these days to run a
small business - including a farm - without high-speed internet. One of the
best ways to create new jobs is to create new businesses, and connectivity
is an important piece of the puzzle. Through targeted investments, we will
help spur economic development and increase access to critical education and
health care services.
It was also announced last week that Whitehall Holdings of Trempealeau
County will receive $130,000 in economic development tax credits for an
expansion project that will create 22 new jobs for the community. Whitehall
Holdings is closely affiliated with Whitehall Specialties, Inc., which
produces and markets cheese and cheese substitutes. Most of its customers
are industrial users that incorporate the company’s products into frozen
pizzas and other entrees. The company recently completed an 18,000 square
foot addition to its Specialty Way facility. The new addition is home to a
new sliced cheese manufacturing line that will represent $6,150,000 in total
investment.
While these steps are important, I believe that more needs to be done to
strengthen Wisconsin’s $59 billion agricultural industry. That is why we are
working on passing additional measures that will, among other things,
encourage food processing companies to invest in Wisconsin, help farmers
modernize their operations, and spur the use of renewable fuel sources like
woody biomass.
With news that Wisconsin added 5,600 jobs in January and 5,200 jobs in
February, I am confident that our economy is beginning to turn around. The
steps that the Assembly has taken to strengthen our family farms and rural
communities will continue to help boost Wisconsin’s economy and create jobs
in our community.
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