Rep. Lori Palmeri Recognized as a WEDA Champion of Economic Development
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) recently presented state Rep. Lori Palmeri
(D-Oshkosh) with its Champion of Economic Development Award for her leadership during the 2025-26 Wisconsin Legislative Session on key legislation to boost economic growth. Her efforts at the State Capitol will help promote local housing development, strengthen Wisconsin’s workforce, and drive community revitalization. The award was presented to Palmeri at a local business event in Oshkosh, WI.
“Recognizing Rep. Palmeri with the WEDA Champion of Economic Development Award was an easy decision. Her work on key policies and programs to encourage housing development and economic growth in Wisconsin should be applauded, and we were excited to thank her for her leadership,” said Michael Welsh, WEDA V.P. of Legislative Affairs. “The legislation she sponsored and supported during the 2025-26 session will have a real impact across state. Thanks to Rep. Palmeri’s work, communities will have access to new policy tools to help address housing and workforce challenges.”
Palmeri earned WEDA’s Champion of Economic Development Award for her work on legislation to address some of the state’s biggest economic challenges. More specifically, WEDA is recognizing her key support for proposals to enhance financing programs for workforce housing and provide communities with more flexibility to encourage residential development.
“Local governments across Wisconsin are struggling to meet the housing needs of their communities. With rising costs and shrinking options, it is vital our state continue exploring innovative ways to increase accessible and affordable housing. I was glad to support legislation last session that did just that,” said Palmeri. “Housing impacts all of us. Ensuring everyone in our community has access to safe and affordable housing is the first step to a thriving community and economy.”
Palmeri, who was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2022, serves on several key committees in the legislature, including the Assembly Housing and Real Estate Committee, as well as the Local Government Committee. She represents the 54th Assembly District, which includes the City of Oshkosh.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association, founded in 1975, is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy. Driven by the needs of our members, were present the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through professional development, best practices, and advocacy.
