— Kwik Trip is now eligible to earn up to $41 million in state tax credits by continuing to expand its operations in Wisconsin, according to WEDC.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. yesterday announced the La Crosse-based convenience store chain plans to invest more than $151 million across multiple sites in the state and create more than 500 jobs by 2027.
Due to the company exceeding targets for previously authorized Enterprise Zone tax credits, the state agency’s board recently voted to amend the contract between Kwik Trip and WEDC to provide up to $15 million in additional tax credits that can be earned through job creation and capital expenditures. That’s on top of the $26 million the company was previously eligible for, according to the WEDC release.
The latest plans include expanding Kwik Trip’s dairy, commissary and bakery operations in La Crosse, as well as buying and renovating an office building in Onalaska and building a new satellite distribution center.
“Growth is good, not only for Kwik Trip, but most importantly for our coworkers and the communities we serve… We appreciate the support from the WEDC to make this happen,” Kwik Trip President and CEO Scott Zietlow said in a statement.
The company has invested more than $325 million into its support center operations in the state since entering the original tax credit agreement with the state in 2017, the release shows. It has also created 1,793 new jobs at non-retail sites that are eligible for tax credits, which WEDC says is “well above” what was planned at the start of the expansion effort.
Kwik Trip has so far been verified for $1.3 million in job creation tax credits and $22.2 million in capital investment tax credits, according to a WEDC spokesperson. And the company has also been verified for $2.5 million in WI Supply Chain credits. The $41 million total includes the tax credits the business has already earned through the agreement, and the timeframe for earning them runs through Sept. 30, 2027.
Kwik Trip now has 506 stores in the state and 865 stores in total across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and South Dakota. Its total eligible in-state employee number has increased from 4,342 in 2017 to 12,442 this year, according to WEDC.
WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes called Kwik Trip one of the state’s “most instantly recognizable success stories” and praised its rapid growth.
“While most of us are familiar with Kwik Trip for its retail operations, the company continues to grow its manufacturing and supply chain base in our state, which is creating hundreds of jobs and new investments even faster than anyone could have anticipated,” she said.
See the release: https://wedc.org/blog/kwik-trip-continues-to-expand-operations-in-wisconsin/
— TruStage and OPEIU Local 39 are both applauding a new labor agreement approved by workers at the Madison-based insurance company, though one member of the union’s bargaining team says “we still have a ways to go” in future contracts.
The new contract, effective through March 2028, was approved after more than a year and a half of negotiations between the business and the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 39. It comes after workers were on strike for more than two weeks earlier this year.
It includes pay raises of 15.5% retroactive to 2022 and 13.25% over the next four years, along with provisions on remote work, monthly allowance for expenses, employee pensions and more, according to the announcement.
“We got across the finish line with the support of the community, the labor movement, and the strength of our membership,” Will Roberts, a member of the Union’s bargaining committee, said in a statement.
In an emailed statement on the new contract, the company said “we are pleased” that union members have ratified the collective bargaining agreement.
“At TruStage, we believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to all, and our employees work hard to make that mission a reality. TruStage is looking forward to continuing our decades-long, productive relationship with OPEIU Local 39 and their leadership.”
Chapter Vice President and Chief Steward Mike Farwell said members’ top concerns in the process included wages keeping up with inflation, protecting access to remote work options, maintaining their pension, having a “strong healthcare package” and ensuring job security. He says the agreement “made progress” on these priorities.
Steward and bargaining committee member Sarah Larsen said the contract also includes enhanced language protecting workers from discrimination and harassment.
“It really mattered to our group that we get this in writing from the Company… We still have a ways to go in future contracts, but it feels good to have this victory,” she said.
See the release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/opeiu-39-members-ratify-contract-at-trustage/
— UW-Madison will cover the full cost of attendance for Wisconsin tribal citizens seeking undergraduate degrees beginning in fall 2024.
The announcement comes amid GOP efforts to eliminate race-based programs in higher education. It also follows a deal between the Universities of Wisconsin and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, which curtails diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in exchange for a host of Universities of Wisconsin financial priorities.
“As a university, we are deeply committed to a future of mutual respect and cooperation with the American Indian tribes in Wisconsin,” Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said yesterday. “This program is another tangible, meaningful step in that direction.”
The Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise program will cover tuition and fees as well as housing, meals, books and any other educational expenses for Wisconsin tribal members admitted to the university. Attendance costs approximately $28,916 annually.
The initiative also includes a five-year pilot program to cover in-state tuition and fees for tribal citizens in the state pursuing J.D. (law) or M.D. (medical) degrees. Tuition and fee costs are $35,197 annually for J.D. students and $42,198 annually for M.D. students.
Carla Vigue, UW-Madison director of tribal relations, praised the new program.
“It is our hope that more Native students will take a second look at UW–Madison and realize that we are not out of reach,” Vigue said. “And I want Native students to know that, once here, we have support and services that can help them thrive and feel a real sense of belonging at this world-class university.”
See the release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/uw-madison-to-cover-full-cost-of-undergraduate-degree-for-students-from-wisconsin-indian-tribes/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Black patients are less likely than white patients to be referred to home health care when being discharged from a hospital, researchers at Marquette University and the University of Michigan found.
And Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced it will resume providing abortions at its Sheboygan clinic Dec. 28.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# Wisconsin made progress toward clean energy transition in 2023, but more work is needed
# UW-Madison to cover full cost of college for Wisconsin Native students
# Kwik Trip awarded more state tax credits for $151 million expansion
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– 3 districts open WI corn board seeks new members
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1089&yr=2023
– Dodge crowned king Wisconsin wheat tops in 2023
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1090&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Building blocks: Kay C. Mackesey Administrative Building in Lake Delton
# EDUCATION
– UW-Madison to cover full cost of college for Native students from Wisconsin tribes
– Cutting 1 of 6 positions at UW-Oshkosh saved $15M, but there’s still a $3M shortfall
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is planning to open new locations in these Wisconsin cities
– Third Space Brewing will open a taproom in Menomonee Falls
# HEALTH CARE
– Planned Parenthood to resume abortion services in Sheboygan
– Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to resume abortions at its Sheboygan clinic within days
– Milwaukee Health Department plan targets racism as public health crisis
– How to know if your information was involved in Bellin ‘cybersecurity event’ in October
# MANAGEMENT
– Zurn Elkay names new president as COO transitions to new role
# NONPROFIT
– Bradley Foundation awarded $15.7 million in grants to Wisconsin organizations in 2023
– United Way Fox Cities selects Lisa Kogan-Praska as president and CEO
# REAL ESTATE
– Multiple buyers line up to redevelop Marcus Center parking structure
– Third Space to open an innovation brewhouse in Menomonee Falls
# RETAIL
– Kwik Trip plans $151 million food production, office, distribution expansion
– Kwik Trip plans $151 million expansion of its Wisconsin operations
# TRANSPORTATION
– Milwaukee receives $4 million for safe street improvements
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
UW Health, UnityPoint Health: Meriter adjust masking guidelines
