Top 10 characteristics of a thriving downtown
Each downtown has its own personality and unique landmarks. However, there are some common elements that thriving business districts share. Read More
Wisconsin courts foreign investment at SelectUSA
WEDC and a coalition of partners pitched Wisconsin as an ideal venue for foreign direct investment (FDI) at the SelecUSA Investment Summit in Maryland in early May. Read More
Making cleaner, safer, and more efficient batteries right here in Wisconsin
Carol Hirschmugl, co-founder of COnovate, discusses Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem—including industry-university research and development connections—and the role a strong supply chain plays in the battery technology industry. Read More
WEDC offers a world of export growth through upcoming trade ventures
Wisconsin businesses will have a chance establish or expand their export sales in a series of eight trade ventures spanning the globe through April 2024. Read More
Winning downtown revitalization strategies
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) recognized the best downtown revitalization projects of 2022 at the 32nd Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony held Friday at the La Crosse Center in downtown La Crosse. Read More
Signs of the times: New approaches to Main Street signage regulations
Main Street business signage is vitally important not only for businesses but also for establishing the district’s character. Read More
The flexible workplace trend can benefit downtowns
The pandemic forced a lasting transition to hybrid and work-from-home models, dramatically shifting downtowns’ daytime customer base. But communities are discovering that coworking spaces offer an important way for businesses to find and engage daytime workers downtown and keep Main Streets vibrant. Read More
Main Street Bounceback Grants create a model for success
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re also looking back on the completion of one of Wisconsin’s most successful small business development initiatives—the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program. Read More
Wisconsin companies achieve growth through exporting
The IMAG Program, launched in 2014, lets Wisconsin companies get reimbursed for specific expenses connected to an export project that will help them boost their presence in an international market. Read More
New tool gives small businesses access to big data intelligence
To help the state’s small and midsize businesses get ahead, WEDC is providing them with access to the SizeUpWI tool, a customized platform that provides data-driven answers to questions about competitive performance indicators, local opportunities, and advertising hotspots. Read More
WEDC helps preserve brewing tradition, enliven downtowns, and boost economies
Main Street Bounceback Grants helped many of Wisconsin’s small brewers keep their footing, emerge from the crisis, and tap into success. Read More
Build your small business into a powerhouse
The 2022 MARKETPLACE put the focus on diverse business owners with more than 600 people attended the event, which was held Dec. 6-7 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. Read More