Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839
Madison – Wisconsin moved into the top 10 best states for business for the first time ever, Chief Executive Magazine recently announced. Before Governor Walker took office in 2010, Wisconsin was among the 10 worst states for business with a ranking of 41. Thanks to Governor Walker’s leadership and a commitment to lowering taxes and a building a better business climate, Wisconsin has moved up an impressive 31 places to 10th best in the nation.
“We have worked hard to get Wisconsin out of the worst states for business and into the top 10 best states in the country,” Governor Walker said. “We did it by cutting taxes, putting the power back in the hands of Wisconsin workers, and enacting common sense conservative reforms. At a time when Wisconsin is joining the best states for business, we cannot afford to go backward by increasing taxes on Wisconsin families. We want Wisconsin to stay inside the top 10 best states for business.”
Governor Walker was featured in Chief Executive Magazine’s 2017 Best/Worst States for Business to talk about Wisconsin’s steady rise in the rankings. See excerpts from the article below.
Business-Friendliness, Location Fuel Wisconsin’s Rise
by Dale Buss
Chief Executive Magazine
Wisconsin’s rise into the top 10 of Chief Executive’s “2017 Best States for Business” has been the steadiest ascension in the rankings over the past five years—and one of the most deliberate.
“[Governor Walker’s] done a tremendous job of communicating to the world that Wisconsin is open for business,” Anthony Pratt, CEO of Pratt Industries, which recently decided to place a new box-manufacturing plant in Beloit, Wis., told Chief Executive. “And on a macro level he’s done a great job of bringing down costs in Wisconsin.”
Another recent haul for Wisconsin was the first North American plant for Haribo, the giant German confectioner that chose a site in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., just north of the Illinois border. “This location offers us access to talent, flexible supply opportunities and exceptional community support,” said Keith Danoff, vice president of marketing for Haribo America.
Blake Moret, CEO of Rockwell Automation, a long-time industrial stalwart of Milwaukee, underscored that fact that leaders of existing companies are also pleased with Wisconsin’s progress. “The state recognizes its heritage and opportunity for manufacturing,” Moret told Chief Executive.
See the full rankings for Chief Executive Magazine’s 2017 Best/Worst States for Business.