What is the Wisconsin Business Council?

The Wisconsin Business Council is a new advocate for Wisconsin’s business climate and our state’s quality of life. With members including some of Wisconsin’s best-known private sector employers, the council aims to support public policy and private sector initiatives that will help our state revive the economy and prosper in that growth.

Who are the members?

Members of the Wisconsin Business Council include American Transmission Co., Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, AT&T Wisconsin, Commerce State Bank, Midwest Natural Gas, MillerCoors, Orion Energy Systems and Park Bank, among others.

These businesses span a broad range of industries but their leaders are united in the belief that a new level of collaboration is needed to improve Wisconsin’s economic performance and thereby, its quality of life. The council intends to start by tackling four major issues that currently impede businesses and entrepreneurs from achieving their true potential.

What issues has the council identified?

The concerns that led to the council’s formation are concerns shared by citizens, educators, elected officials and private sector leaders representing a broad range of business interests. These concerns include:

• the need to create jobs that will attract and retain a well-educated, younger generation;
• increase the relevant skill and knowledge base of our existing work force;
• improve our ability to conduct our lives and commerce through a safe, sound, modern infrastructure; and
• establish a fair and progressive tax climate that encourages investment and rewards hard work.

Given these shared concerns, Wisconsin Business Council leaders intend to focus policy and private sector efforts on 1) economic development; 2) education and work force training; 3) infrastructure; and 4) taxes and regulation.

Aren’t other statewide groups already doing the same thing?

Wisconsin’s existing business and industry trade associations often organize their efforts around narrow topics rather than the broader issues that affect the business climate and economic opportunity for all. Members of the Wisconsin Business Council favor a proactive, collaborative approach that will complement the efforts of existing business organizations.

Some other business groups have significant political ties. Which way will the Wisconsin Business Council lean?

The Wisconsin Business Council is a nonpartisan group that intends to use the best available information and research, as well as successful initiatives from other states to find the best solutions. We expect these solutions to draw input, constructive criticism and ultimately, support, from across the political spectrum. Ultimately, we are seeking results that can be measured in terms of:

• reduced unemployment;
• increased personal income;
• improved educational attainment; and
• thus, an improved quality of life.

When can we expect to see results?

Wisconsin Business Council leaders intend to provide monthly briefings and public updates on statewide progress toward these goals. We welcome public involvement and will be scheduling meetings with additional business groups to actively encourage their engagement in the process.