WEDA Wire – March 26, 2024

Melissa Hunt, CEcD, planning and economic development professional with Ayres, was elected chair of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) Board at the WEDA Governor’s Conference on Economic Development held Feb. 1-2 in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Founded in 1975, WEDA is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to expanding Wisconsin’s economy. It represents the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through advocacy, networking, and education to provide members with the resources and tools to strengthen their skills in economic development, help achieve their professional goals, and promote economic growth.

Hunt has been a member of WEDA since 2006 and has been on the board since 2021. She became Board Chair-Elect of the WEDA Board of Directors in 2023. She also has been on the Education Committee for many years and currently chairs that committee and the Conference Planning Committee. In 2022 Hunt was honored with WEDA’s Andy Lisak Young Professional Award.

Hunt has worked for the past few years toward establishing a Young Professionals Engagement Network (YPEN) to provide a safe and inclusive space for new economic development professionals to network, engage, share ideas, ask questions, and seek help.

“It is imperative to support emerging professionals as we continue to grow the industry and promote Wisconsin,” says Hunt, who noted the YPEN officially launched during this week’s Governor’s Conference.

Hunt’s next goal is to establish a Women in Economic Development Network. It is hoped that this group can launch at WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference in September.

Hunt has nearly two decades of experience assisting communities with crafting and implementing effective economic development strategies. Based in Ayres’ Madison office, Hunt collaborates with regional and state organizations, community leaders, business owners, and key stakeholders as she guides visioning, data analysis, master planning, and studies that successfully lead to and support opportunities for growth and development. She works with Ayres’ planners, economic development specialists, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and engineers to turn plans and studies into buildable design solutions that bolster local vitality and economies.

Hunt also offers expertise to assist with job creation and increased tax base through business growth and retention for Ayres’ clients. She has helped Wisconsin communities access grant dollars to implement projects of various scales.

Hunt is a certified economic developer (CEcD) and economic development finance professional (EDFP), as well as an active board member for the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council (WDAC).

Happy Spring WEDA Family— We’re thrilled with the buzz of activity and progress within WEDA! From active participation in committees across the state to attending both our online and in-person gatherings, our members are making significant strides. A recent highlight was our presence at the Business Development Tax Credit (BTC AB627) bill signing alongside our esteemed partners from WEDC, with special thanks to Governor Evers for making it possible.

In equally exciting news, we’re proud to announce the launch of the WEDA Young Professional Engagement Network (YPEN). After years in the making, YPEN kicked off with a spectacular event in Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari, complete with networking over pizza and an exhilarating round of Laser Tag. Stay tuned for more on YPEN’s upcoming virtual and in-person meetups.

Our first two Academy events took place in person at the Kalahari where many of our state utility members produced the Energizing the Future Seminar. It was a real hit! And our March Academy just wrapped up virtually. The Think Like a Developer Academy was produced by Ayres Associates.  Initial member feedback is that they are thrilled with the new structure: All Academy events are now exclusive member benefits—offered at no cost to you!  If you’re not a member yet, you can attend these at a nominal registration fee.

There’s more to come and we can’t wait to partner up with AARP and the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council in Wausau in May for a double play:  WDAC’s Downtown Summit, Evolve Downtown, followed by WEDA Downtown Development Academy with nationally renowned speaker, Jeff Siegler, founder of Revitalize or Die.

The Academy Planning Committee is also announcing its 2024 line up soon—stay tuned!  The Fall Best Practices Conference Planning and Production Committee is also putting the sessions together for a super strong lineup in Eau Claire this Fall.  Since WEDA is member driven, we always produce what YOU, our members request through our conference Call for Presentations RFPs.

More things to be excited about: IEDC’s accredited WI Basic Economic Development Course registration is open now!  Register for the WI BEDC here!  We are producing it May 6-9^th at the Chippewa Valley Technical College campus in Eau Claire.  Scholarships are available.

Let’s say you are up to speed on best practices in economic development, but some of your elected officials and citizens could have a better understanding. The ED 101 curriculum is designed as a three-hour training session specifically addressing the issues affecting your city or county.  If you would like your public officials, board members and residents to better understand and support economic development efforts, this is a program for you!  Contact mperry@weda.com to learn more.

Not a Member?

Save the dates for upcoming events:

• Virtual Energizing the Future Academy Webinar in April (TBD)
• WI Basic Economic Development Course in Eau Claire from May 6-9
• Wisconsin Rural Partners Summit in Ashland on May 14
• WDAC Evolve Downtown Summit in Wausau from May 20-21
• WEDA Downtown Development Academy with Jeff Siegler in Wausau on May 22
• Wisconsin Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in Platteville from May 30-31
• Virtual YPEN on June 13
• WEDA CRA CDFI Round Table in Wausau on June 26
• YPEN in Stevens Point in August (TBD)
• Virtual YPEN on September 12
• WEDA Fall Best Practices Conference and CEDA in Eau Claire from September 25-27
• WEDA Academy Seminar in Eau Claire on September 25
• WEDA CRA Network in Iron Mountain on September 25
• WEDA Community & Economic Development Awards in Wausau on September 26
• WEDA CRA Network in Milwaukee on November 13
• Virtual YPEN on December 12
• 2025 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in Milwaukee from February 5-7

Join us for these exciting opportunities to learn, network, and grow with WEDA.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) has elected three new members to its Board of Directors. The three highly qualified new directors, who were elected at the WEDA annual meeting held on February 1, 2024, during the association’s Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the WEDA leadership team. Please meet our new Board members:

• Keri Schreiner – Keri currently serves as the Economic Development Manager for the City of River Falls.
• Dale Shaver – Dale currently serves as the Director of Parks and Land Use for Waukesha County
• Rachel Smith – Rachel currently serves as a Small Business Specialist Manager for US Bank.

The full WEDA Board membership can be reviewed HERE.

By WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes

There’s been a lot of good news about Wisconsin lately, and it’s only just the start.

First, recent Census figures show our state’s population grew by about 20,000 in 2023, the biggest one-year increase in this decade.

Among Midwest states, only Indiana and Minnesota were ahead of us for population growth. Iowa and Michigan both grew, but more slowly, while Illinois’ population declined.

More importantly, our rural communities — which make up the heart and soul of our state — are also holding their own.

A recent report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that between 2010 and 2020, Wisconsin’s rural population growth was second to North Dakota among 12 Midwest states.

During that same period, Wisconsin was one of only four states in the region whose rural population held steady or increased. This is important because, other research has shown, Wisconsin tends to be a state of “stayers,” so once you’re here, you’re likely here for good.

These statistics suggest that while we still must draw new workers to our state and keep the ones we have, we’re working from a solid base.

Those attraction and retention efforts are about to get a big boost as the global spotlight turns to Wisconsin. Over the next year or so the world will be seeing our state in new and different ways – from food to politics to sports.

Beginning later this month, viewers of the TV phenomenon known as Top Chef will be spending the season in Wisconsin – offering an up-close look at the amazing culinary diversity and incredible quality of life we enjoy here.

This summer, Milwaukee will become the center of the political world as thousands of delegates will attend the Republican National Convention, covered by the world’s media. In addition to being a major boost for the entire region’s hospitality industry, the event provides a chance to see the vibrance and resilience of our state’s biggest city.

And then next spring, the eyes of sports fans will be on Green Bay for three days as it hosts the NFL draft – football’s biggest off-season event, and another chance for visitors and the media to learn more about Wisconsin.

All this attention comes on top of a spate of remarkable economic news, including Microsoft’s decision to build a huge data center in southeast Wisconsin, the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s designation of our biohealth industry as a Regional Technology Hub, and the upcoming launch of the $100 million Wisconsin Investment Fund, the largest public-private investment start-ups in state history.

WEDC is building on this momentum with the launch of Look Forward Wisconsin, which combines online and TV advertising with person-to-person follow-up to attract potential new residents.

Our new website, LookForwardWisconsin.com, provides detailed information about all the ways people can live, work, and play in the Badger State – including the incredible opportunities available to veterans. The site also highlights Wisconsin’s unique regions, whether it’s the Northwoods or the Driftless, big cities or small towns.

What distinguishes this from previous initiatives is the emphasis on getting results. Folks who are interested in moving to the state fill out an online form, and they’re connected with local ambassadors who can help with everything from finding a job to choosing the right neighborhood. We’ll get a better sense of what newcomers are looking for and how to maximize Wisconsin’s appeal to them.

Our state is clearly having a moment. If we seize it, we’ll be celebrating many more.

Missy Hughes is the Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s leading economic development organization.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association recognized Melissa Meschke as the 2024 Andy Lisak Young Professional Award winner at the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development held in early February in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The prominent award, given every other year, was established in 1985 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of economic development early in their career.

“WEDA is excited to recognize Melissa for her contributions, leadership, and achievements in the field of economic development. Her dedication to the profession and exceptional work to advance growth in her community and across Wisconsin this early in her career is highly commendable,” said Mary Perry, WEDA President and CEO. “The economic development profession can be challenging, and it is critical for Wisconsin to retain the best and the brightest, like Melissa, who will help shape the state’s economic future.”

Melissa currently serves as the Executive Director of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation, a dynamic countywide economic development organization that focuses on fostering local growth through business attraction and retention, workforce development, housing, and entrepreneurial development. Prior to her work in St. Croix County, she served as the Economic Development Outreach Manager for the University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship and worked for several years driving small business development in central Wisconsin.

Meschke said, “I have been a part of the WEDA family for seven years and can say with full confidence that I would not be where I am today in my career without this incredible network of wonderful humans”. She continued, “I hope to be able to live up to Andy’s legacy as this year’s awardee.”

The Andy Lisak Young Professional Awrad was created by WEDA to acknowledge the rising stars of the economic development industry who are committed to meeting the economic challenges of today and positioning Wisconsin for a more successful tomorrow. The award is named after Andy Lisak, a former WEDA president and highly respected leader in Wisconsin’s economic development community who passed away in December 2020.

Alliant Energy was presented with the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) Organizational Excellence Award at the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development held in early February in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The prominent award, given every other year, was established to recognize WEDA member organizations that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to economic development and have made outstanding contributions to advancing Wisconsin’s economy.

“Alliant Energy is a valued WEDA member with a strong record of driving economic growth and an unwavering commitment to serving businesses vital to Wisconsin’s success. We are thrilled to recognize them with our Organizational Excellence Award,” said Mary Perry, WEDA President and CEO. “Alliant Energy’s leadership in the economic development space is exceptional, and their work on key state policies and economic incentives has opened the door to new investment in the Badger State.”

With roots dating back to 1917, Alliant Energy has played a key role in the attraction and retention of key Wisconsin industries. In addition to their dedication to fueling investment and growth in their service territory, Alliant Energy is being recognized for their leadership role in the passage of legislation to encourage the development of hyperscale data centers in Wisconsin. The new law, which creates a sales tax exemption for hardware and software used in large data centers, is a key business incentive that allows Wisconsin to be competitive with neighboring states. In fact, within weeks of the bill’s passage, Microsoft Corporation announced the development of a $1 billion data center in southeast Wisconsin.

“Our purpose-driven strategy to serve customers and build stronger communities is what sets us apart from our peers,” said Coleman Peiffer, manager of customer and community development at Alliant Energy. “We understand the more we grow and attract business in Wisconsin, the more it helps keep energy costs affordable for all our customers. Championing pro-growth policies and investing in economic development are among the many ways we deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service our customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently, and responsibly.”

The WEDA Organizational Excellence Awrad was created to acknowledge economic development organizations, businesses, and other entities dedicated to prosperity and growth. Past winners have excelled in innovative program development, introducing new services to market and providing solutions to local economic challenges.

Guest Column – State Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac)

The 2023-2024 session has come to a close and there were more than a few legislative accomplishments that will spur economic development in Wisconsin.

First, we were finally able to repeal Wisconsin’s antiquated Personal Property Tax. This is a big deal. Not only are we lowering taxes, but how often does Madison actually get rid of an entire tax? The red tape and paperwork that came with the personal property tax put an unnecessary burden on Wisconsin businesses and I am happy to see it finally wiped off the books.

In the 2023-25 budget we were able to continue the highly successful Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit. This credit has been instrumental in the successes of Wisconsin’s manufacturers and farmers, giving us an enormous competitive advantage over neighboring states.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technical Colleges, one of my main focuses this session has been the workforce challenges faced by our business community. I’ve heard from countless individuals in every field that there just aren’t enough people in the state to fill all of the high-paying jobs we have available. We need to bring more people into Wisconsin, but we are unable to do this without having somewhere for them to live or a dependable child care facility or daycare to send their children to.

To that end, the Legislature passed a budget that included $95 million in child care assistance as well as a substantial, $525 million housing package. This set of bills created four revolving loan funds for:

• Creating and restoring housing in the upper levels of Main Street buildings.
• The conversion of vacant commercial buildings to workforce or senior housing.
• Upgrades to infrastructure for housing projects.
• Keeping our current housing stock in good condition through improvements to the Home Repair and Rehab loan.

Lastly, we were able to get modifications to the Business Development Tax Credit to make the program more accessible to more businesses. I authored this bill with Representative Dave Armstrong to refocus the BTC on capital investment instead of jobs created. Businesses can create all the jobs they want, but if they don’t have the people to fill the positions, the job is meaningless. Wisconsin needs to continue incentivizing growth, while reframing how we measure success. ‘Jobs created’ just wasn’t cutting it anymore.

The BTC was also expanded to include a tax benefit of up to 15% of a business’s investment in workforce housing or up to 15% of their investment in child care programs for eligible employees. Government isn’t always the best problem solver, many times it takes the private sector to come up with innovative solutions to the issues we’re facing. This bill will help to get government out of the way and the business community involved in solving both our housing and childcare challenges.

This was a great session for economic development, but as you know, the work never really stops. I’m looking forward to next session where we can continue our mission of taking Wisconsin’s economy to the next level.

Sen. Feyen currently represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the cities of Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. He serves as the Assistant Majority Leader and is the Chair of the Senat Economic Development and Technical Colleges Committee.

Loan applications available soon

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) recently announced that award plans and term sheets for the Housing Infrastructure Access Loan Program are now available online. Documents are available on the site for both developers and governmental units. The application for Infrastructure Access funding will be available at the end of March. You can sign up HERE for regular updates and an invitation to WHEDA’s launch event on March 28.

Created by 2023 WI Act 14, the program establishes a $275 million residential housing infrastructure revolving loan fund administered by WHEDA. The program allows developers and local units of government to apply to WHEDA for a loan to cover infrastructure-related costs of workforce and senior housing developments.

WHEDA encourages those who plan to apply to set up their Procorem WorkCenter while waiting for the application period to open. Developers and local units of government intending to apply for the first round of Housing Infrastructure Access Loan funding and other funding opportunities through WHEDA must complete this form and submit it to CLproductsupport@wheda.com.

Governor Evers Signs BTC Modernization Bill into Law

Great News! Gov. Tony Evers has signed Assembly Bill 627 into law as 2023 WI Act 143. A top WEDA legislative priority, the legislation modernizes the state’s Business Development Tax Credit (BTC), changing it from a job-focused incentive to a capital expenditure-focused program. The bill was approved by the Assembly earlier this year and cleared the state Senate on March 12 – the last day of the 2023-24 legislative session.

While the BTC – a performance-based, refundable income tax credit designed to encourage business development – has been used successfully to attract new businesses to Wisconsin, the program had lost considerable value due to the state’s changing economic environment. The outdated law had also put Wisconsin at a competitive disadvantage.

Under previous law, BTC awards were based on job creation, which was extremely challenging amid a growing and likely long-term workforce shortage. One of the biggest challenges currently facing Wisconsin employers is their inability to find enough workers, and they are increasingly turning to automation and other substantial capital expenditures to bridge the labor gap. The new law will make the BTC program more flexible and competitive, by steering primary eligibility for tax awards away from job creation and instead emphasize capital investment.

In addition to eliminating the requirement that a business must increase net employment in the state year over year, the law will now offer BTC eligibility if a business makes a capital investment in the state and retains existing jobs. The recently signed legislation also creates additional BTC tax awards for businesses that invest in workforce housing and childcare for their employees. Lastly, the bill recognizes the importance of business decision timelines by requiring WEDC to approve or deny BTC awards within 90 days.

Please CLICK HERE for an overview of AB 627, and HERE to read the new law.

Governor Evers Signs BTC Modernization Bill into Law

Great News! Gov. Tony Evers has signed Assembly Bill 627 into law as 2023 WI Act 143. A top WEDA legislative priority, the legislation modernizes the state’s Business Development Tax Credit (BTC), changing it from a job-focused incentive to a capital expenditure-focused program. The bill was approved by the Assembly earlier this year and cleared the state Senate on March 12 – the last day of the 2023-24 legislative session.

While the BTC – a performance-based, refundable income tax credit designed to encourage business development – has been used successfully to attract new businesses to Wisconsin, the program had lost considerable value due to the state’s changing economic environment. The outdated law had also put Wisconsin at a competitive disadvantage.

Under previous law, BTC awards were based on job creation, which was extremely challenging amid a growing and likely long-term workforce shortage. One of the biggest challenges currently facing Wisconsin employers is their inability to find enough workers, and they are increasingly turning to automation and other substantial capital expenditures to bridge the labor gap. The new law will make the BTC program more flexible and competitive, by steering primary eligibility for tax awards away from job creation and instead emphasize capital investment.

In addition to eliminating the requirement that a business must increase net employment in the state year over year, the law will now offer BTC eligibility if a business makes a capital investment in the state and retains existing jobs. The recently signed legislation also creates additional BTC tax awards for businesses that invest in workforce housing and childcare for their employees. Lastly, the bill recognizes the importance of business decision timelines by requiring WEDC to approve or deny BTC awards within 90 days.

Please CLICK HERE for an overview of AB 627, and HERE to read the new law.

Submitted by WEDA member The Sigma Group, Inc.

You’ve probably read in the paper about contaminant [harmful] vapors causing serious issues for redevelopment projects, with a few notable projects in the Milwaukee area where tenants had to be moved out of their apartments until the vapor risk could be properly addressed.

Risk to human health occurs when potentially harmful vapors or gases enter and accumulate within buildings. Current regulatory policy is directed at these frequently encountered volatile organic chemicals:

• Dry cleaning solvent (tetrachloroethylene, aka Perc);
• Chemicals for paint thinning and degreasing (commonly trichloroethylene, petroleum naptha, mineral spirits, xylene & toulene); and
• Ingredients in Petroleum based fuels (including benzene and naphthalene).

In addition to chlorinated solvent and petroleum vapors, methane can be produced in the subsurface from buried organic material including waste (municipal refuse or industrial byproducts) and/or naturally occurring organic deposits (for example former water bodies and wetlands).  Radionuclides, most notably radon, can also be present within native soil at concentrations requiring active mitigation.

It is critical to a successful redevelopment project to effectively and efficiently identify and manage potential risk through a systematic approach:

• Evaluate and define the potential risks through investigation of the site’s history and current conditions.
• Develop an appropriate source reduction/remediation and vapor mitigation strategy that dovetails with existing building conditions, adaptive reuse, and/or new construction.
• Implement and document the remediation and mitigation system installation.
• Commission the mitigation system(s) to demonstrate effectiveness to building occupants and regulators.
• Implement long-term monitoring (including continuous remote monitoring, where appropriate) and system maintenance ensuring effective mitigation, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Sigma has decades of experience evaluating and addressing vapor intrusion concerns at existing facilities and new developments for residential, commercial, retail, industrial, healthcare, and public/governmental entities.  In addition, Sigma is currently one of the WDNR’s Vapor Intrusion Zone Contract Consultants—keeping us up to date on the latest technologies and policy decision making.

We’d welcome the opportunity to talk about potential vapor intrusion conditions as you evaluate redevelopment opportunities in your community.  Feel free to call us to learn more about Vapor Intrusion and to discuss your situation at (414) 643-4200.

Last spring, the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute (WEDI) – WEDA’s non-profit, non-partisan foundation – published it’s Childcare and the Workforce report that illustrated how the scarcity of childcare in Wisconsin is making it increasingly difficult for many workers looking to enter, re-enter, or remain in the workforce.

The report was WEDI’s first research project in over a decade and signaled WEDI’s return as a key information resource for Wisconsin’s economic development community. WEDI continues to advance its mission and is excited to announce its next research project – the Wisconsin Economic Development Handbook – to provide stakeholders, policymakers, and the public with critical information to promote economic growth and prosperity.

The project, which is currently being developed with a target completion date of July 2024, will establish a user-friendly, web-based interface that summarizes Wisconsin’s economic development programs across all state agencies. The Handbook will list each economic program by state agency and include the following info: 1.) Name of program; 2.) Purpose of program; 3.) Program criteria and requirements; 4.) Overall available funding for the program; and 5.) An example of a successful project that utilized the program.

The Handbook will also identify state economic development programs that require job creation for eligibility and whether economic development practitioners struggle to take advantage of incentives tied to job creation.

Stay tuned for project updates in future editions of the WEDA Wire and other WEDA publications.

Check out the latest job opportunities in the economic development field on the WEDA Job Board:

• Greater Dunn County Director of Economic Development – UW-Stout
• Senior Policy Analyst – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• Housing Initiatives and Programs Specialist – City of Fitchburg
• Community Development Specialist– City of Fitchburg
• Executive Director – Oneida County Economic Development Corporation
• Economic Development Specialist – City of Appleton
• Federal Grant Compliance Specialist – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• Community Development Specialist – City of Kenosha

Please CLICK HERE to view job descriptions.