Wisconsin residents’ debt-to-income ratio was 11th lowest among U.S. states in 2024, a new Forward Analytics report shows.  The research organization, part of the Wisconsin Counties Association, yesterday issued its “Badgers on a Budget” report, which explores household finance trends in the state and compares them to the rest of

Manufacturing and construction employment in Wisconsin is projected to shrink this year as the state’s overall labor market “continues to grow at a modest but steady rate.”  That’s according to the state Department of Revenue’s economic forecast for May, which shows job growth in Wisconsin this year is expected to

The head of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says farmers are “as concerned or more concerned than any other industry” about tariffs, though trade uncertainties haven’t yet had a major impact on agriculture.  WFBF President Brad Olson said in a recent interview the threat of tariffs hasn’t resulted in many

As Wisconsin lawmakers debate competing approaches to restricting foreign ownership of land, a new study finds similar bills elsewhere are more likely in states with Republican legislative majorities, military installations and more foreign-owned cropland.  Michigan State University recently published research findings focused on legislation being introduced across the country to re… Please

Authors of a bill to enter Wisconsin into a multi-state licensure compact say it would break down employment barriers for cosmetology professionals looking to work in the state.  Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hobart, are circulating a cosponsorship memo on the legislation, which would ratify and

WMC’s latest survey finds fewer business leaders are struggling to find workers, though this is likely being driven by economic uncertainty putting a damper on hiring and other decisions.  That’s according to Kurt Bauer, president and CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. In a statement on the findings, he said

Leaders of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub say three of the effort’s main initiatives are “advancing swiftly” as partners leverage state and federal dollars to boost the sector.  Lead partner BioForward yesterday announced projects are underway to drive workforce development in Madison and Milwaukee, bolster statewide networks for biotech startups,

Economic development group Forward Janesville has launched a new directory of local child care services as part of an effort to address concerns around access and availability.  The organization this week rolled out the new online resource, which aims to help Rock County residents find nearby child care providers more

Students at UW-Stout recently took part in a product design project for Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture, one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world.  As part of a new product development course at the university, the students were tasked with conducting market research before designing, testing and building professional prototypes

GOP lawmakers are circulating a bill to establish a dairy farm innovation program, which would offer no-interest loans to qualifying milk producers.  Sen. Rob Stafsholt of New Richmond and Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie on Friday sent a cosponsorship memo to other lawmakers detailing the bill. The noted dairy farms

Archeus Technologies in Madison and WARF are launching a clinical trial this year for a targeting molecule used in treating prostate cancer.  The organizations yesterday announced the plans to further develop ART-101, a receptor-based targeting molecule developed at UW-Madison’s Advanced Radiotheranostics lab. It’s designed to deliver radioactive isotopes within the

The Wisconsin Grocers Association is raising concerns about “deep cuts” to FoodShare included in the federal budget reconciliation bill.  FoodShare is the state’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income recipients. WGA says the program is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of state

The head of Milwaukee-based customs broker M.E. Dey says “it’s going to be a busy Q2” as companies rush their imports and exports during the current tariff reprieve.  Sandi Siegel, the company’s president and CEO, notes the international trade landscape remains fraught with volatility despite the U.S-UK trade deal announced

An executive with Dairyland Power Cooperative says wind energy coupled with battery storage will be a “monster workhorse” for the western Wisconsin region where the co-op operates.  Kevin Nordt is executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Dairyland, based in La Crosse. He spoke yesterday during a Wisconsin Technology

Legislation authored by GOP lawmakers would expand eligibility for a state tax credit that encourages business investments in child care.  Sen. Howard Marklein of Spring Green and Rep. Karen Hurd of Withee recently circulated a co-sponsorship memo for the bill, which would change the child care portion of the WEDC

Businesses and consumers in the state bought $38.9 billion in imported goods last year, a decline from the recent peak of $43.9 billion in 2022.  That’s according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s latest report, which shows the inflation-adjusted value of state imports has risen 32.4% since 2016.  As Wisconsin imports

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee has voted unanimously in favor of AB 231, which would create the State Film Office and a tax credit incentive for producing films in Wisconsin. Filmmakers told lawmakers at a public hearing last week the bill would boost Wisconsin’s economy by providing resources and

Madison-based Realta Fusion is targeting the mid-2030s for commercial fusion energy production as it continues raising funds and growing its team.  “For some, that may sound like a long way away, but I think in the world of energy that we operate in, that’s actually a pretty normal project timeline

A recent study from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute shows union training programs enroll 77% of the state’s construction apprentices, despite just 22% of Wisconsin’s construction industry being unionized.  The Wisconsin Building Trades Council is touting the findings of this report, which also shows union journeyworkers in the state typically

Just seven of the 23 economic indicators tracked by the MMAC improved over the year, the group’s March economic trends report shows, marking a slowdown from February’s 11 positive indicators.  Bret Mayborne, vice president of economic research for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, says employment trends for March were