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You and all WEDA members are being requested to immediately contact your local legislators and urge them to support SB 513, a measure that would provide increased state funding for Forward Wisconsin for the first time in its 21-year history.

Increased funding for Forward Wisconsin is one of WEDA's legislative priorities as approved by the Board of Directors. We now need the support of all WEDA members to turn that priority into reality. A stronger marketing effort will benefit the entire state. Here's a status report and a requested call to action:

  • SB 513 would increase matching state funding for Forward Wisconsin in FY 2006-07 by $590,000. It was introduced by Senators Stepp, Plale, Harsdorf, Lassa, Zien and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Cullen, Jeskewitz, Turner, Krawczyk, Fields, McCormick, Lehman, Seidel and Molepske.
  • The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs. Committee members include Senators Kanavas (Chair), Decker, Lassa, Reynolds and Zien.
  • SB 513 is critical for Forward Wisconsin and our state because it will address the current lack of resources for business attraction and economic development that has put Wisconsin at a serious disadvantage with other states and regions. See the "Quick Points" below for details.
  • Please contact both your State Representative and your State Senator to encourage his/her support of SB 513.

Peter Thillman
President

QUICK POINTS

FORWARD WISCONSIN'S ROLE

  • Forward Wisconsin is the state's business marketing arm responsible for attracting new business to the state. It is the only state group that markets the state for business recruitment.
  • Over 21 years, the State of Wisconsin's $9 million marketing investment in Forward Wisconsin has leveraged $13.0 million in private sector investment.

SUCCESSES and IMPACT

  • Involvement in 280 business projects that have initially generated nearly 16,000 jobs.
  • Annual impact (2000 study by outside firm) of these projects generates about:
    • $460 million in wages and salaries
    • $300+ million in purchases of Wisconsin based goods and services
    • $40 million in personal income and corporate tax revenue
    • $4.6 million in donations to community interest groups

OUTREACH

  • Forwardwi.com receives over 7,000 visits per month seeking business information and will soon include information on every Wisconsin community.
  • Forward Wisconsin mails more than 6,000 letters to CEOs annually and meets with hundreds of CEOs each year encouraging their expansion to Wisconsin.
  • Forward Wisconsin utilizes special events, tradeshows, advertising, media relations, e-mail and direct mail marketing to reach potential business prospects.

FUNDING

  • 1984-85 state investment = $500,000; 2005-06 state investment = $320,000
  • State of Wisconsin's current annual investment of $320,000 is the second lowest in the 21-year history of Forward Wisconsin.
  • Adjusted for inflation, Wisconsin's $500,000 investment in Forward in 1984 would be $909,000 in 2005.
  • Wisconsin's 2004-05 investment in Forward represents 1/3 of what it was TWENTY YEARS AGO in terms of buying power!!

COMPETITION

  • Ohio Business Development Coalition - $5.2 million
  • Michigan Strategic Fund Agency - $8.0 million
  • Pennsylvania Dept of Community & ED, Office of Marketing - $5.0 million to $10 million

For more information on SB 513 and how you can help support it, go to http://www.forwardwi.com and click on "Legislative Action Center."