State imports hit $38.9B in 2024, WPF report shows

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

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Study: bills to curb foreign land ownership popular in many states, including Wisconsin

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

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Bill would enter WI into multi-state cosmetology licensing compact

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

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BioForward says tech hub initiatives ‘advancing swiftly’ 

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,

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Forward Janesville rolls out new child care directory

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

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UW-Stout students design and present prototypes for Ashley Furniture

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

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Circulating bill would create dairy farm innovation program

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

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Archeus Technologies, WARF launching clinical trial this year for cancer targeting molecule

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

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Wisconsin Grocers Association raising concerns over proposed FoodShare cuts

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

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Busy Q2 expected as companies take advantage of tariff reprieve

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

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Dairyland exec touts potential of wind energy plus battery tech

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

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State imports hit $38.9B in 2024, WPF report shows

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

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Assembly committee approves bill to form State Film Office

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

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Study finds union programs dominate construction apprenticeships

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

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MMAC report shows ‘mixed’ employment trends for metro Milwaukee

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

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Panel explores energy challenges, opportunities linked to data centers

The energy grid challenge posed by more data centers coming online presents an opportunity to accelerate new technologies in this space, according to former state PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner.  Huebner, who now works for Google’s energy market development team, was a featured speaker at this week’s Customers First Coalition 2025

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Lawmakers reintroduce bipartisan advanced practice registered nurse bill

Lawmakers are reintroducing a bipartisan bill they say would help the state’s health care workforce by changing regulations for advanced practice registered nurses.  The APRN Modernization Act was highlighted yesterday during a news conference at the state Capitol, where both Dems and GOP legislators expressed confidence in getting the bill

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