As Wisconsin’s economy continues to improve, our administration has taken numerous steps to ensure businesses of all sizes and all industries can succeed and thrive in our ever-changing global economy.
Since 2011, we’ve cut taxes by $4.7 billion, made state government more efficient, adopted pro-business policies such as the state manufacturing and agriculture tax credit, and invested more than $110 million in workforce development.
And we are continuing to provide support and assistance to Wisconsin companies looking for ways to grow their business and expand into new markets by exporting their products internationally.
As the annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference kicks off in Milwaukee, the importance of exporting to our state’s economy cannot be overstated. In 2016, about 8,500 Wisconsin companies exported $21 billion worth of goods and services to 200 countries. While some may think only major corporations can succeed in exporting, the truth is that nearly 90 percent of the companies selling overseas are small and midsize companies.
Regardless of the size of your company, you can succeed in exporting, and the state of Wisconsin, through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., has experts in the state and around the world poised to help you develop a successful exporting strategy.
One of best ways to develop a strategy is through the ExporTech Program, which serves as a gateway to exporting by offering companies guidance and structure in creating and implementing an exporting plan. Assistance also is available to help companies grow their exports through the Global Business Development Grant Program, which supports strategic export expansion initiatives such as website translation, market assessment, partner and distributor searches, and trade show attendance.
In the past six years, Wisconsin also has dramatically expanded its global network of trade representatives who can help address the concerns and challenges companies may face when entering new markets in 79 different countries.
Another great way to expand or start exporting efforts is to take part in one of the WEDC’s trade trips, and I would like to invite you to join Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch on her trade mission to Mexico in June. During the six-day trip to Mexico City and Monterrey, representatives from your company will have the opportunity to take part in individualized, one-on-one meetings with potential partners handpicked by WEDC’s international team. For details, learn more at inwisconsin.com/mexico2017.
As we look forward to honoring this year’s finalists and winners of the Governor’s Export Achievement Awards, it’s worth noting that each of these companies had to build its exporting efforts from the ground up and is now seeing the results pay big dividends in terms of market growth and increased revenue. For more on how your company can start or expand its exporting efforts, visit inwisconsin.com/export.
Sincerely,
Gov. Scott Walker
