Economic Development
Issue #1: Workforce Training & Retention Pipeline
Data: According to a 2022 US Chamber of Commerce report
- Wisconsin Worker shortage crisis is considered “More Severe”
- Wisconsin has 58 workers for every 100 job openings
- 221,000 Job openings
- 102,116 unemployed workers
The statewide data is staggering and we know rural communities often lack the resources to
adequately address the workforce training skills, upskills and retention gaps. We support
additional resources for colleges and universities to expand their capacity and build upon proven
strategies that successfully move students through programs aligned to address the workforce
shortage. Expanding capacity and by meeting the growing demands that are needed to build a
talented workforce with industry-aligned skills, is necessary for long term success.
Highlight:
Dental Therapy and Oral Healthcare Workforce Investments - Support SB689,
SB702/AB667 and similar legislation that would address the shortage of quality
dental services in rural and underserved communities.
Issue #2 Support programs, policies, and tax incentives to strengthen the early childcare
workforce. Employer Child Care Tax Credit SB 623/AB660, tax credits and/or incentives
for employers who share in the cost of employee child care. Incentives for school
districts to create before and after school programs. Remove burdensome regulation
barriers in order to increase access to affordable childcare for Wisconsin rural working
families.
Data: According to a February 2023 Wisconsin Economic Development Institute report
- Approximately 4 out of 5 Wisconsin employers say the state economy is impacted by
parent’s access to affordable, high-quality childcare.
- Two-thirds of employers say childcare is a way to retain valuable employees.
- The long-term economic impact of Wisconsin’s childcare crisis is estimated at $4.2 to
$6.4 billion.
- The average Wisconsin family with one infant is spending 1/5 of their annual income on
childcare.
- Typical family with an infant and 4-year-old are spending 1/3 of their annual income on
childcare.
- Rural employees report that issues with childcare are affecting their ability to work.
Impacts include being late to work, unable to focus or be as productive while at work, and
even keeping otherwise healthy able to work parents out of the workforce.
- Businesses are reporting the childcare crisis is affecting their ability to recruit and retain
employees.
Issue #3: Housing Development - Support policies that encourage the development of
workforce housing in communities across Wisconsin, including tax credits,
infrastructure supports, TIF incentives, creative financing tools, zoning and land use
reforms to encourage development in rural communities.
AB124/SB293 Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund, AB268/SB295 Commercial to Housing
Revolving Loan Fund, AB265/SB294 Main Street Housing Rehabilitation Revolving Loan
Fund
Data: According to WHEDA, the shortage of affordable workforce housing in rural Wisconsin
poses far-reaching challenges. Access to safe, affordable shelter is fundamental to the
sustainability of our communities because housing provides a foundation for public health,
economic well-being and environmental stewardship. If Wisconsin is to thrive, rural communities
require effective tools and support to develop greater workforce housing.
Without stable, decent quality affordable homes near jobs it is harder and harder to recruit and
retain talent especially in the Northern region of the state. The shortage of workforce housing
makes it incredibly difficult for businesses to sustain themselves, muchless grow. Employers
struggle to recruit and retain workers due to lack of housing and it is a detriment to our
economic sustainability. We support access to public/private partnerships, the ability to
incentivize developers through tax incentives and grants and incentives that will spur investment
in the region.
Issue #4 Business Development Tax Credit Revision SB 585/AB627
We support revisions to the Business Development Tax Credit and/or incentive programs
to ensure they align with today's economic realities in order to remain powerful tools that
can promote business attraction, expansion and incentivise innovation, the use of
technology and automation to address the rural business environment including
workforce and childcare shortages.
Data: According to the Tax Foundation Wisconsin's Tax System ranks 24th in Business Tax
Climate.
The statewide data is staggering and we know rural communities often lack the resources to
adequately address the workforce training skills, upskills and retention gaps.
The current Wisconsin Business Development Tax Credit has become outdated in recent years
due to the leaps in technology, transportation and automation just to name a few. The state's
Business Tax Credit should address today's evolving needs of new and existing businesses and
provide businesses the tools and incentives needed to address the workforce shortage and
skills gaps especially in rural communities. Addressing incentives that are no longer relevant in
today's climate, incentivise businesses to innovate, automate and address issues affecting their
workforce like affordable housing and childcare shortages their employees are facing in rural
communities.