As we work to continue to strengthen and grow Wisconsin’s economy, helping businesses and communities turn possibilities into realities is at the heart of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) mission.
Whether it is working with our partners to provide capital to an entrepreneur launching a new business, assisting a Fortune 500 company seeking to expand or establish operations in Wisconsin or helping a community revitalize its downtown, WEDC uses the power of collaboration to ensure our state thrives in a globally competitive economy.
As the state’s lead economic development organization, WEDC has always worked closely with its more-than 600 partners to help fulfill the potential that exists in every region of the state. That partnership is growing stronger as WEDC and its stakeholders unite behind a new message that accentuates the unique opportunities Wisconsin offers for business, professional and personal fulfillment—Think-Make-Happen In Wisconsin.
Once again this year, WEDC is proud to collaborate with BizTimes Media on its annual WisconsinBiz Magazine to showcase the state’s numerous attributes, and to highlight some of the successes we are seeing in all aspects of our economy. In this publication, you will learn more about the Think-Make-Happen initiative, as well as our efforts in workforce development and in creating strong communities and successful businesses.
These pages also are filled with success stories from every region of the state that illustrate how companies and communities are making a positive impact on the state’s growing economy.
On behalf of all my associates at WEDC, I congratulate the business, community, academic and economic development leaders whose accomplishments are celebrated in this issue. We applaud them, as well as thousands of individuals and businesses throughout the state, for their role in helping to ensure Wisconsin’s continued economic success.
Mark R. Hogan
Secretary and CEO
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
