The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) has respectfully requested Governor Jim Doyle to sign Assembly Bill 208 - Rural JOBZ - into law. AB 208, which WEDA registered its support for, was introduced by Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) and Sen. Dave Zien (R-Wheaton).

Rural JOBZ is a rural economic development program that aims to level the playing field with our surrounding states. Highlights of AB 208 are:

• It will provide rural communities with the economic development tools needed to attract and retain jobs, by creating 10 Rural Job Opportunity Business Zones.
• Companies expanding or locating within these Zones will be eligible to receive refundable tax credits for: corporate franchise taxes; income taxes for operators or investors; capital gains taxes; sales taxes on goods and services used in the zone (if they are purchased from other businesses within the zone); and property taxes on improvement projects.
• These Zones also create employee training tax credit incentives, as well.

Contact Governor Jim Doyle at 608-266-1212 and urge him to sign AB 208 - the Rural JOBZ bill - into law.

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Amy Boyer (Hamilton Consulting Group) at 608-258-9506.