State Resources


Wisconsin Business Resources

Wisconsin holds several ports along its Lake Michigan coast to accommodate shipping to and from the Atlantic Ocean. One export is lumber, which covers 40% of the state. The port city of Green Bay has one of the largest pulp and paper-products industrial complexes in the nation.

Wisconsin is also has a renowned dairy industry, which leads the nation in cheese production and is ranked second in its production of milk. In agriculture, the most important crop is corn, which is primarily used as feed for cattle. The state also leads the nation in production of oats, cranberries, and cabbage.

Milwaukee, famous for its brewing and meatpacking industries, is also a home to manufacturers of vehicles and transportation equipment, metal products, medical instruments and equipment, farm implements, and lumber.

Business Data

Per Capita Real GDP$35,390 Rank: 25/50 (2006)
Population5,363,680 Rank: 18/50 (2000)
Per Capita Personal Income$34,701 Rank: 22/50 (2006)
Unemployment Rate4.90% Rank: 32/50 (2008)
Business Tax Climate IndexRank: 39/50 (2008)
Corporate Tax Rate7.9%
Individual Tax Rate 4.6% - 6.75%
Sales Tax Rate 5%

Business Tax Climate Index

Individual Income Tax Index Rank42
Sales Tax Index Rank23
Unemployment Insurance Tax Index Rank27
Property Tax Index Rank37
Business Tax Climate Index39
Corporate Tax Index Rank30

State Information

AbbreviationWI
CapitalMadison
Nick NameBadger State
State Web Sitehttp://www.wisconsin.gov
MottoForward

Top 5 Export Partner Countries

Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, United Kingdom

Top 5 Export Merchandise

Transportation Equipment Sales Machinery Sales Machinery Manufacturing Computers and Electronic Products Manufacturing Electrical Equipment Manufacturing

Major Cities

Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee

GDP

Total Gross Domestic Product (USD Millions) $232,293.00 (2007)
Per Capita Real GDP (USD)$34,890.00 Rank: 29 (2007)

Population Stats

Population 5,627,967 Rank: 20 (2008)

Age Distribution

Under 18 Population1,368,760
Under 18 Percent of Total Population26%
65 and older Population702,553
65 and older Percent of Total Population13%

Gender Distribution

Male Population49.4%
Female Population50.6%
Non-English Speaker (at home)281,807
Net International Immigration46,106
Birth Rate12.7%
Percent of People Under Poverty Level10.2%
Rank42

Expenditure

Per Capita State Spending$36,091
Rank8
Energy Expenditures per Person$3,718
Expenditures of State and Local Government Employee-Retirement Systems$3,280,970

Revenue

Personal Income$33,663
Rank22
State Internal Revenue Collection$43,778,325
Rank21
Cash and Deposits by State Government$1,144,670
Per Capita State Tax Collection$2,483
Rank19

Education

High School Graduation Rate81.3%
Rank6
Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree16.8%
Rank26
Percent of Population with an Advanced Degree8.3%
Rank32

Largest Universities

University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Marquette University
High School Graduation Rate81.3%

Logistics

Public Road Length (Mile)114,485
Gas Tax Rate (%)30.9%
Highway Planning and Construction (USD Thousands)637,629
Number of Public Airports132

Main Airports

MKE: Milwaukee

Ports

Duluth-Superior Green Bay Milwaukee

Weather


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State Business Links

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
http://www.jsonline.com/

Secretary of State

Small Business Administration

Wisconsin Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/wi/index.html
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nations. Small business is critical to our economic recovery, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Through its extensive network of field offices and partnerships with other public and private organizations, SBA is able to deliver its services to the most remote areas of the U.S.

Top 10 Business Links

Center for International Business Education and Research
http://www.bus.wisc.edu/ciber/home/home.asp
This center is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. It provides a calendar of events related to international business, as well as business grants, and selected research material.
Forward Wisconsin
http://www.forwardwisconsin.com/
A site promoting Wisconsin as a business destination, Forward Wisconsin has an extensive bed of links and resources devoted to doing business in the state. It also includes a job bank, fact sheets, and a database of statewide buildings and sites.
Milwaukee World Trade Association (MWTA)
http://www.mwta.com/
The MWTA is dedicated to helping its members tap learn, and tap into the international market. Aside from holding regular meetings and sponsoring trade conferences, it also publishes a monthly newsletter, and holds events to enhance members’ knowledge of international cultures.
The Office of Corporate Relations UW-Madison
http://www.ocr.wisc.edu/
The office is a division of UW-Madison that aims to foster a stronger economy for Wisconsin. The website has numerous links to recruitment initiatives, executive development, and assistance for entrepreneurs. Additionally, the office allows access to several of the institution’s specialized centers of research.
U.S. Export Assistance Center of Illinois and Wisconsin
http://www.buyusa.gov/midwest/
The Midwest branch of the Department of Commerce that specializes in helping small to medium sized companies develop and execute exporting strategies. Fees vary and are based on the service being provided. Available on the site itself are industry reports, a trade events calendar, and information on financing resources.
U.S. Export Assistance Center of Illinois and Wisconsin
http://www.buyusa.gov/midwest/
The Midwest branch of the Department of Commerce that specializes in helping small to medium sized companies develop and execute exporting strategies. Fees vary and are based on the service being provided. Available on the site itself are industry reports, a trade events calendar, and information on financing resources.
WisBusiness.com
http://www.wisbusiness.com/
WisBusiness.com provides daily updates and commentary about business news in the state of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Foundation (WCCF)
http://www.wischamberfoundation.org/index.cfm
Established in 1980, the WCCF provides educational information on the state and its economy. Resource range from economics and business, to workforce development, and even school improvement initiatives.
Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)
http://www.weda.org/
WEDA is a non-profit organization devoted to the economic development of Wisconsin. Member services include executive development, networking opportunities, and advise on legislative affairs.

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