We’re here to help guide Wisconsin’s success.

WEDC strives to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Part of that is being transparent about how we’re applying those dollars and their return on investment. Our Annual Report on Economic Development provides objective data to help policymakers and other interested stakeholders evaluate the effectiveness of the economic development programs of WEDC and other Wisconsin state agencies. In fact, a number of state agencies are required by the Legislature to report each year by Oct. 1, per 2007 Wisconsin Act 125.

This report includes program information from all participating state agencies; information from agencies other than WEDC is current as of June 30, 2024. WEDC’s online data generally will be updated quarterly and is currently updated through through June 30, 2024.

Involved Agencies

This report recognizes the contributions of economic development partner organizations throughout the state whose work at a local, regional, and statewide level contributes to Wisconsin’s economic vibrancy. The agencies participating in this fiscal year 2024 (FY24) report are:

  • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
  • Department of Administration (DOA)
  • Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
  • Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Department of Tourism (Tourism)
  • Department of Workforce Development (DWD)
  • Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
  • Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS)
  • University of Wisconsin System (UW System)
  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization, works with each of these agencies to identify their economic development programs as defined by state statute and to report on those programs’ performance goals and outcomes.

These program reports reflect only a fraction of the initiatives undertaken by each agency to build and sustain a healthy Wisconsin economy. The agencies participating in this report engage in numerous additional activities—from talent development and infrastructure investment to community development, industry development, and state and regional asset marketing—to help ensure the economic well-being of all Wisconsinites and invest in the future success of our state.

Fiscal Year 2024 Requirements

For FY24, each agency was required to provide the following information about its economic development
programs:

  • a description of the program;
  • the location of each job created or retained;
  • the industry classification of each job created or retained;
  • a comparison of expected and actual program outcomes;
  • the number of grants made under the program;
  • the number of loans made under the program;
  • the amount of each grant and loan made under the program;
  • the recipient of each grant and loan made under the program;
  • the total amount of tax benefits allocated, and each recipient of a tax benefit verified to the Department of Revenue, under the program; and
  • any recommended changes to the program.
An infographic representing all the partnerships with WEDC. This includes local government, tech colleges, state agencies, workforce network, regional EDOs, UW System, and more

WEDC collaborates with more than 600 economic development partners throughout the state in fulfillment of its mission:

To strategically invest in Wisconsin to enhance the economic well-being of people and their businesses and communities.

Economic Development Program Details

Program Deliverables

View the total measurable outcomes of WEDC’s FY24 economic development investments, including capital investment and job impact data.

Key Strategic Partners

See the organizations whose skills and expertise help WEDC meet its strategic goals each year.

Program Summaries

View a summary of each economic development program, including its goals, its outcomes, and more.

Searchable Databases

WEDC Awards Data

Search the data from WEDC and other agencies featured in this report.

Department of Commerce Awards Data

Search data from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

WEDC COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Program Map

View an interactive map representing recipients of WEDC COVID-19 program funds.

Awards Data

Search through an Excel workbook of the updated COVID-19 award information.

Annual WEDC Report Archives

In this section, you’ll find an archive of annual WEDC performance reports, organized by year and quarter, that goes back more than a decade. Some are spreadsheet files that will automatically download, while others are PDFs that open in your browser.