Governor Jim Doyle today launched Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps, his strategy to strengthen the economy. The comprehensive plan invests in real priorities to foster innovation, seize new energy opportunities, make health care more affordable and build an educated workforce ready to compete around the world. Yesterday, Governor Doyle delivered his sixth State of the State address and laid out his plan to confront national economic challenges and invest in Wisconsin’s long-term growth.
“Our changing world and difficult national economy bring new challenges, and new opportunities to grow Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “Not only must we seize this opportunity – Wisconsin can lead the way. Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps is my strategic plan to move this state’s economy forward and invest in long-term growth. With this plan, we will make aggressive investments in the next generation of Wisconsin’s bedrock industries, build an economy based on innovation and unleash the entrepreneurial sprit of Wisconsin.”
Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps will prepare Wisconsin’s traditional industries to compete in the global economy with efficiency and innovation. It will also promote a high-end vision and enable existing businesses and entrepreneurs to seize new opportunities in expanding markets. Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps will move the state forward to invest in education, reform regulations to make government more responsive and create and maintain a competitive business climate.
To read Governor Doyle’s new economic development initiative, Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps, visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=12933.
Create and Maintain a Competitive Business Climate
To continue to retain Wisconsin’s high-quality businesses and foster new business growth, Governor Doyle will support efforts that will:
· Continue to manage Wisconsin’s finances without increasing general sales, income or corporate taxes;
· Provide a comprehensive and world-class infrastructure including roads, rail, air and water;
· Expand broadband access to provide tools to develop all areas of the state;
· Invest in renewable energy and fuel production to create a stable, secure energy supply;
· Provide broad access to health care and helping businesses control the costs to make Wisconsin a health care leader; and
· Support a thriving Milwaukee, to drive growth throughout the state.
Invest in People
To invest in Wisconsin’s greatest asset – its people – Governor Doyle will promote efforts to:
· Provide opportunities for all students for higher education through the Wisconsin Covenant;
· Increase student access to the University of Wisconsin system through its Growth Agenda;
· Expand partnerships in workforce development to develop a highly-skilled workforce;
· Increase the minimum wage to the scheduled federal rate of $7.25 per hour to boost the income of 230,000 workers; and
· Make investments in early childhood education and raise education standards so each child goes to school ready to learn and is prepared to compete in the new economy.
Invest in Business
To give businesses the resources they need to flourish in the new economy, Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps proposes to:
· Accelerate Wisconsin by supporting new businesses with more funding for bridge grants and loans, continuing Accelerate Wisconsin tax credits, making tax-creditable investment more flexible and encouraging capital re-investment back into Wisconsin companies;
· Innovate Wisconsin by fostering research and development by creating new tax credits to reward companies that increase R&D spending or purchase R&D equipment;
· Support research initiatives by providing state-of-the-art facilities for researchers to make pioneering discoveries at our colleges and universities;
· Modernize Wisconsin’s agriculture industry with a Next Generation Agriculture Plan to update meat and dairy processors, invest in cheese cooperatives, fund nutrient management and land conservation programs and enter growing international markets for whey;
· Launch a Next Generation Manufacturing Plan to make manufacturers leaner and help them produce and export the highest-quality products made by the most skilled workers;
· Invest in bio-industry and renewable energy to seize green opportunities for growth;
· Promote tourism through a new branding initiative, tribal tourism and the green travel program; and
· Pursue federal tax credits and expand support for business and community investment.
Reforming Regulations and Making Government More Responsive
To build on Governor Doyle’s aggressive regulatory reforms, Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps proposes efforts to reform regulations and make government more responsive by:
· Directing state agencies to reform regulations to ensure uniform and fair regulations across the state;
· Eliminating barriers and inefficiencies at state agencies to provide prompt and responsive delivery of services; and
· Reforming hospital regulations to streamline rules, promote safety and enhance patient care.
Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps also highlights the next generation of Wisconsin industries including stem cells, manufacturing and trade, and the bio-economy.
