Find out if your businesses is eligible for a federal disaster loan program due to this year’s unusually mild winter.

LEVERAGING PROVEN INDUSTRY STRENGTHS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE

Born from a strong foundation in manufacturing and a spirit of discovery, our key industries give an avenue to businesses and an ambitious workforce to do what they do best: advance innovation and build a smarter future. WEDC works to implement strategic initiatives that support businesses within established and emerging industries where Wisconsin exhibits a distinct advantage. We invest in our most competitive established and emerging sectors to help diversify our economy, and through public-private collaboration, we accelerate growth and high quality job creation.

Wisconsin understands how to leverage intersections across complementary fields to build the infrastructure and talent pool necessary for success. We’ve established nationally and internationally recognized centers of excellence in water technology, energy, power and control and other industry sectors to answer the challenges of sustainable resource management throughout the globe. WEDC and its partners across the state help set Wisconsin apart for its comprehensive industry cluster development approach designed to boost our state’s economic performance while solving global challenges.

WEDC PROGRAMS

TARGETED INDUSTRY PROJECT

The Targeted Industry Project (TIP) program provides grants to advance targeted, high-growth business consortia and industry clusters critical to Wisconsin’s economy. These funds support the establishment of centers of excellence for the water, software engineering, cybersecurity and energy, power and control sectors.

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FABRICATION LABORATORIES GRANT

This grant allows public schools to purchase equipment, such as 3D printers, laser engravers and plasma cutters, and expand labs in support of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Through Fab Labs, students are equipped with skills that are in high demand in the job market, helping us all thrive in today’s global economy.

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WEDC SUCCESS STORIES

Scale Up Milwaukee

​While numerous programs in Wisconsin provide support and assistance to startups, Scale Up Milwaukee, a Greater Milwaukee Committee initiative, focuses on helping business in all stages prepare for rapid growth. Read More

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SUM-logo

Water Technology in Wisconsin

​Milwaukee and Wisconsin have been cited as being best-in-class for their water technology development, and the state’s leadership in this area is widely recognized for its success. Read More

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Milwaukee Tool Corp.

An industry-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty, portable electric power tools and accessories for professional users worldwide, ​Milwaukee Tool Corp. has expanded its Brookfield headquarters, will create up to 600 new jobs. Read More

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milwaukee-tool-logo

Fab Labs Program

The Fab Labs Program helps create a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of Wisconsin manufacturers as students learn skills to use in future employment. Read More

Read Story

​While numerous programs in Wisconsin provide support and assistance to startups, Scale Up Milwaukee, a Greater Milwaukee Committee initiative, focuses on helping business in all stages prepare for rapid growth. Read More

Read Story
SUM-logo

​Milwaukee and Wisconsin have been cited as being best-in-class for their water technology development, and the state’s leadership in this area is widely recognized for its success. Read More

Read Story

An industry-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty, portable electric power tools and accessories for professional users worldwide, ​Milwaukee Tool Corp. has expanded its Brookfield headquarters, will create up to 600 new jobs. Read More

Read Story
milwaukee-tool-logo

The Fab Labs Program helps create a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of Wisconsin manufacturers as students learn skills to use in future employment. Read More

Read Story
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INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FUNDED OVER 5 YEARS
$ 9.5
MILLION TOTAL INVESTMENT IN ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT PROJECTS
3.5 x
MULTIPLIER ACHIEVED ON WEDC INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
34
FAB LABS FUNDED TO PROVIDED ADVANCED MANUFACTURING EDUCATION AND SERVICES THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN

AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING

Wisconsin’s expanding aerospace sector now has ties to more than 900 companies in nanotechnology, engineering and more.

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BIOHEALTH

Through developments in medical devices, biotechnology and digital health, Wisconsin is addressing global health challenges.

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ENERGY, POWER & CONTROL

With renewable energy on the rise, Wisconsin’s 900 energy, power and control companies are evolving to meet the country’s power needs.

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

Years of research and innovation have resulted in global recognition for our technological advancements in food science.

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FOREST PRODUCTS

Wisconsin forest product companies are focusing reforestation, research and other practices to protect the health of our forests.

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MANUFACTURING

Technological advancements in electrical equipment, metal and more have continued to lead industry trends.

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WATER TECHNOLOGY

Our access to ample fresh water has put us at the forefront of commercial activity in agriculture, power generation and more.

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“By accelerating innovation in this rapidly growing global market through regional collaboration, the Energy Innovation Center will energize new and existing businesses.”

MIKE LASZKIEWICZ • VICE PRESIDENT, ROCKWELL AUTOMATION

“WEDC has indeed been a key financial supporter as Milwaukee’s water technology has grown and developed as a world water hub, but what cannot be quantified is the value that all of the staff has provided as vital advisors and champions. WEDC’s vote of confidence has been instrumental in helping the Water Council, Global Water Center and our cluster as a whole to solidify our foundation and launch us to new heights.”

DEAN AMHAUS • PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WATER COUNCIL

“Astronautics is excited about the possibility of creating and hosting a center of excellence that will leverage Wisconsin’s position as a leader in innovative technology, especially within the global aviation and aerospace industry. The unique competitive advantage of this center will be the blending of aerospace and cybersecurity solutions that will benefit both industry and higher education.”

CHAD CUNDIFF • PRESIDENT, ASTRONAUTICS

“One of the opportunities these Fab Labs offer is the link to local businesses and the community. They break down some of those barriers between schools and the community. These are dynamic spaces. With the investments that WEDC is making, their numbers are growing very rapidly. I don’t think anyone wants to contain that energy, but we have a prime opportunity to advance it even more by coordinating efforts.”

RANDY HULKE • DIRECTOR OF THE DISCOVERY CENTER FAB LAB AND DIRECTOR OF APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT