Why Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin’ss Business Climate Is For You
We believe you will find Wisconsin an outstanding place to live and work. Only Wisconsin has been recognized for both its manufacturing strength and its ideal family living (Readers Digest and Industry Week, 1997). You will find Wisconsin is top-quality education; Wisconsin is affordable, quality housing; Wisconsin has the facts on tax; Wisconsin is the agricultural heartland; Wisconsin state government works for you; and Wisconsin is the Midwest’s number-one tourism destination. Just check out the facts below, and you’ll see why Wisconsin’s business climate IS FOR YOU.
Wisconsin’s 2004 GSP $194 billion, a 4.2-percent increase that topped the overall Great Lakes increase (2.8 percent) and the increases of each of the other Great lakes States (Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio)
For 2004, Wisconsin is the fifth smartest state in the union, up from eighth in 2003, according to a new study by the The Morgan Quitno Press, an independent research and publishing company based in Lawrence, KS.
In 2004, Wisconsin high school seniors topped the nation in ACT scores for the 10th straight year.
From 2003-04, workers’ compensation rates for all state industries dropped by an average of 4.15 percent, according to the state Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Business taxes are lower in Wisconsin than those in 35 other states, according to a 2005 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which measures more than 15 taxes that can affect corporate profits.
On the Inc. Magazine 2004 Top 25 Cities for Doing Business in America list, Green Bay and Madison ranked 1-2 among medium metro areas and La Crosse ranked 17th among small metro areas.
UW-Madison ranks first among the nation’s public universities in R&D spending.
According to the US Department of Education, Wisconsin has the nation’s third-lowest dropout rate.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, commercial property increased in value by $5.15 billion (8.16 percent) and manufacturing property increased $181 million (1.62 percent between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004. Residential property value increased $24.67 billion (9.70 percent) for the same period.
Wisconsin's top five industries are dairy products, motor vehicles, paper, meat products, and small engines.
According to the most recent data available from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Wisconsin has the nation’s lowest homeowner insurance premiums.
Favorable business tax policies
Changes in Wisconsin's incorporation law have caused a number of state companies to reincorporate in Wisconsin from Delaware. Wisconsin has the most up-to-date law on the books, and does not charge a franchising fee.
International Trade
Wisconsin exports increased by 10.4 percent to a record $12.7 billion in 2004, up from a 7.7 percent increase the state recorded in 2003.
Exports to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international exporting market, grew by 11.66 percent to $4.86 billion.
Mexico is now Wisconsin’s second largest export market, up from third in 2003, as exports grew 35.07 percent to $1.06 billion.
Japan was third despite a 23.52 percent decline to $656.63 million, and China again ranked fourth with a 6.4 percent increase to $583.3 million. The United Kingdom was fifth with a 4.72 percent increase to $517.30 million.
Industrial machinery, including computer equipment, continues to be Wisconsin’s top export commodity, growing by 14.73 percent to $4.46 billion.
Medical instruments ranked second with an increase of 1.61 percent to $1.63 billion.
Electrical machinery surged into third place with a 43.09 percent increase to $1.28 billion.
Transportation equipment ranked fourth with a 0.36 percent increase to $968 million.
Paper and paperboard was the state’s fifth largest export with a 17.45 percent increase to $686.63 million.
Leasing Inquiries:
Dave Young
Phone: 920.568.3130 ext. 116
Julie Henningfield
Phone: 262.473.8957 ext. 210
Media Inquiries:
Julie Henningfield
Director of Corporate Communications
Phone: 800.229.8957 ext. 210
Email: jhenningfield@verlo.com