WC Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers proudly points to some of the changes he argues the state has undergone since his administration took over.

“We've made Wisconsin the top state for directing ARPA aid to businesses and economic development—and our investments are paying off,” he posted on Twitter recently. “Between 2019 and 2021, there have been nearly 21,000 new businesses started in Wisconsin—an increase of 42 percent.”

The Department of Financial Institutions now counts the number of businesses making their home in Wisconsin at 71,151, up from 50,277, with the largest increase coming between 2020 and 2021 (24.3%).

With the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Research rating the state tops in the country for investing pandemic pandemic relief dollars as a share of total funds in small businesses and second in terms of spending in academic advancement, Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still isn’t surprised to see all the recent changes.

"We've put close to probably about $600 million into assisting small businesses here in Wisconsin, and I think that's one of the things that we're starting to see it bearing fruit," he told WisBusiness.com.

Wisconsin Startup Coalition co-founder Matt Cordio also likes what he’s seeing.

“This is exciting news for Wisconsin as startup companies create net new jobs in the economy,” he said in a statement, quoted by WisBusiness.com. “Policymakers should work to foster a supportive environment for these new companies by investing in talent attraction, workforce development, and creating a more attractive tax and regulatory climate in the State.”