Walker Attends Northern Economic Development Summit
For the City-Times
Governor Scott Walker today kicked off the eighth annual Northern Economic Development Summit. The Northern Economic Development Summit is a two-day event held at The Waters of Minocqua Resort.
“From tourism to manufacturing to forestry, the key industries which support the communities in the northern part of the state are important to the success of our economy as a whole,” Governor Walker said. “The summit today provides us the opportunity to focus on ways to grow the economy with our partners in the local area businesses. In better understanding the unique challenges and needs of these job creators, we are better able to serve them and ensure that the economy continues to grow and thrive in the north, and throughout Wisconsin.”
The summit allows for dialogue between local business leaders and the Governor’s Cabinet, and features several workshops and keynote speakers, each of which hone in to focus on a crucial topic or industry in order to provide an all-encompassing learning experience for attendees.
Highlights of the agenda include:
General Session Keynote Address: Wisconsin Department of Revenue Chief Economist John Koskinen will discuss the economic outlook for Wisconsin over the next three years, including trends affecting northern Wisconsin.
Workforce & Business: Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Chief Labor Economist Dennis Winters will present on the northern Wisconsin labor market, outlining current trends, and issues. Other representatives from around the state will share resources available to employers to fill available jobs and train skilled workers.
Natural Resources & Businesses: Wisconsin’s chief state forester will share how Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the federal government are working together to tackle Wisconsin forest issues to keep timber moving in the Northwoods.
Tourism & Business: Leaders from the Department of Tourism will show how to complete a destination self-assessment, a project designed help destinations understand how they are perceived by their customers, what attracts visitors to their community, strengths, challenges, and the development needed to advance their tourism economy.
Data Privacy & Business: Leaders from Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will share how to ensure data privacy and security for Wisconsin businesses, including information on Wisconsin’s data breach notification law and what personal information is covered to protect businesses and their customers.
Broadband Expansion & Business: Public Service Commission’s Broadband team will answer questions about the Broadband Expansion grants that have been awarded in the Northwoods and their impact on economic development in the Northwoods.
Regulatory Reform & Businesses: Directors from the Office of Business Development, part of the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and known as the “concierge service for business,” will share how the organization works to give business a voice in guiding government reforms and support business interests from within government.
Freight Trains & Businesses: High Priority Freight Network will discuss specific regional and major commodity freight movement opportunities, along with freight generators and oversized-overweight considerations to help connect regional businesses to the freight network and rail systems.