Contact: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839

RHINELANDER – Governor Scott Walker promoted Wisconsin’s booming economy and a historically low unemployment rate of 2.9 percent at Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Meeting in Rhinelander. Grow North is an economic development organization spanning eight counties: Forest, Florence, Marinette, Lincoln, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties. The organization works to promote economic development and business intelligence throughout the region.

“With unemployment at a historic low and more people working in our state than ever before, it makes workforce development even more important—we cannot afford to have anyone on the sidelines,” said Governor Walker. “Each county in the Grow North region has seen unemployment fall over the last year. We are working together to keep improving our state’s economy, developing our workforce further, preparing students for the future, and creating family-sustaining jobs.”

Since 2011, WEDC has invested in several large economic development projects in Grow North:

  • Fincantieri Marine (Marinette Marine): $28 million in tax credits for a $90 million project.
  • Printpack, Rhinelander: $1.7 million loan from WEDC and $300,000 in tax credits to support a $75 million expansion.
  • WD Parket, Laona (Forest County): $750,000 loan from WEDC for a $7.5 million project.
  • Winsert, Marinette: $880,000 in tax credits for a $16 million expansion.
  • Advanced Barrier, Rhinelander: $36,000 in tax credits for a $7.6 million project.

    To help Wisconsin’s northern counties expand further economically, Governor Walker has invested in Fab Labs in schools, broadband grant programs, welfare reform statewide, and grant programs to help businesses grow.

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