Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) applauds recent action by the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to direct $4 million in state funding to a statewide talent attraction and retention initiative, with $2 million of the funding dedicating exclusively to attracting veterans to live and work in Wisconsin. The budget initiative was based on stand-alone talent attraction legislation (SB 284) introduced by Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron).
The talent initiative approved by the budget committee would also require the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s economic development agency directed to oversee the program, to evaluate their talent attraction efforts, including the number of military members who choose Wisconsin for their first move after leaving active duty.
“There is no better class of people to try and bring to Wisconsin than those who are leaving military service,” said Senator Quinn. “We are finding creative solutions to fix our workforce shortage. This critical piece of the new state budget will market how wonderful our home state is to people who are ready to work here and put down roots here on day one.”
There are numerous reasons behind the state’s growing worker shortage, with much of it rooted in demographic shifts, but there are few solutions. However, spreading the message Wisconsin is a great place to live, with tremendous opportunities and an excellent quality of life, can help fill the state’s talent pipeline. Wisconsin has a good story to tell military veterans, as the state is consistently ranked as one of the top states to live for veterans. Almost 200,000 U.S. military service members leave active-duty each year, and these new veterans can provide a work-ready talent pool for employers.
“One of the biggest challenges facing Wisconsin employers is the state’s growing workforce shortage crisis, which is negatively impacting production and future growth,” said Mary Perry, WEDA President and CEO. “The WEDA membership thanks Sen. Quinn for his leadership on critical workforce issues and efforts on statewide talent attraction. His work will help encourage skilled, work-ready military veterans and their families to move to Wisconsin for career opportunities and a great quality of life.”
The talent attraction and retention initiative approved by the Joint Finance Committee must still be passed as part of the 2023-25 state budget bill by the full Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers.
About WEDA
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association, founded in 1975, is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy. Driven by the needs of our 400-plus members, we represent the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through advocacy, education, and leadership on statewide initiatives.
Last Update: Jun 05, 2023 9:40 am CDT
