Contact: David Volz, 608-266-2125
MADISON – The budget bill signed by Governor Walker over the weekend makes a critical investment in Wisconsin’s job creation and business assistance efforts, according to the official leading the state’s economic development functions.
A major provision of the budget is the elimination of the Department of Commerce, whose economic development role will be delivered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Commerce Secretary and WEDC CEO Paul Jadin thanked lawmakers for keeping the promise made to Wisconsin residents that job creation is their top priority.
“In a difficult budget climate, this commitment to economic development will spur job creation and raise household and individual income for Wisconsin workers,” said Jadin. “It will increase the local property tax base and state revenue collections that will help government fund its core services from education to health care, even while reducing the tax burden on families and businesses.
Under the budget bill, other responsibilities that had been tasked to Commerce will transfer to other agencies. The Division of Safety and Buildings and the Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services will transfer to the new Department of Safety and Professional Services, while housing positions and programs will transfer to the Department of Administration. According to Jadin, the reorganization provides a more appropriate location for these functions, enabling the WEDC to forge ahead on its charge to promote private sector job creation.
Jadin added that budget’s bold action to address its structural deficit and embark on a pro-growth future has gotten the attention of employers.
“Surveys of Wisconsin employers and CEOs nationwide prove that job creators are taking notice of Governor Walker’s call that Wisconsin is open for business,” Jadin said. “Thanks to the Governor and the legislators who supported the budget, the WEDC stands prepared to assist businesses looking to create high quality jobs for Wisconsin workers.”
The WEDC is Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency. Created in statute as a public authority, the WEDC is responsible for economic development activities previously administered by the Department of Commerce, a state agency that will be eliminated on July 1, 2011.
