Business organizations have joined together to form the Wisconsin Business Council, an organization dedicated to working with citizens, elected officials and policy makers to develop a pro-business, pro employment agenda for Wisconsin.
The organization is led by companies, including American Transmission Co., Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, AT&T Wisconsin, Commerce State Bank, Midwest Natural Gas, MillerCoors, Orion Energy Systems and Park Bank.
According to Phil Prange, president and chief executive officer of the council, the efforts put forth by the council will position the state of Wisconsin to become a better place to raise a family, gen an education, recreate and retire.
"When we talk about how we can sustain our quality of life, we’re really talking about the need to establish a better business climate – one that opens the door to opportunity, innovation and employment," Prange, who also owns consulting firm Gateway Ventures said. "The Wisconsin Business Council was established because we believe there are mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges we face today. If the current economic downturn has made one thing clear, it’s that a flourishing private sector is critical for family-supporting jobs and a robust tax base."
Part of the goal of the council is to energize and advance efforts that promote Wisconsin as a good place to live and do business, said Scott VanderSanden, chairman of the Wisconsin Business Council and president of AT&T Wisconsin.
"As the nation’s economy begins to stabilize, smart businesses will be looking for opportunities to resume growth," VanderSanden said. "We need to make sure Wisconsin’s business climate and policies welcome new investment and encourage job creation. We need to send a strong signal that Wisconsin is a place where businesses can grow and prosper during the next business cycle and beyond."
According to Marc Marotta, a member of the Wisconsin Business Council’s board of directors and former Doyle administration secretary, Wisconsin has been fortunate with the diverse nature of its industries, ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to insurance, health care and retail. However, the state’s workforce lags the national average in the percentage of workers with advanced degrees, he said. Wisconsin also falls below average in the number of workers employed in what the U.S. Department of Labor classifies as high-technology jobs.
"The Wisconsin Business Council wants to give voice to these issues, while engaging leaders throughout the state in an aggressive search for solutions," said Prange. "From our solid K–12 schools and higher education system to our technical colleges and apprentice training programs, we have many of the key building blocks in place. At the same time, it’s clear more must be done to preserve these assets and establish a more vibrant business climate."
