Counties: Kenosha • Milwaukee • Ozaukee • Racine • Walworth • Washington • Waukesha

Counties: Columbia • Dane • Dodge • Green • Iowa • Jefferson • Rock • Sauk

Counties: Brown • Calumet • Door • Florence • Fond Du Lac • Green Lake • Kewaunee • Manitowoc • Marinette • Marquette • Menominee • Oconto • Outagamie Shawano • Sheboygan • Waupaca • Waushara • Winnebago

Counties: Jackson • Juneau • La Crosse • Monroe • Trempealeau • Vernon • portions of Minnesota and Iowa

Native American heritage and tribal communities are not only an essential part of Wisconsin's history and culture, but also play an important role in the state's economy.

The Potawatomi Community has called Wisconsin home for centuries. The Forest County Potawatomi Foundation was established in 1999 to help fight poverty, promote economic opportunity, strengthen communities and assist charitable organizations throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

The Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community, Inc. based in Lac du Flambeau, was established in 1998 as part of the Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities program.

In recent times, Wisconsin’s business climate has not been as welcoming as it is now. In 2010, a mere 10 percent of the employers surveyed said that our state was headed in the right direction.

The mission of this special magazine is threefold:

1. To provide resources for Wisconsin-based businesses to grow in the state


2. To provide resources for out-of-state businesses considering a move to Wisconsin


3. To help attract and retain top talent in Wisconsin

The Mississippi River sits to the west and Lake Michigan to the east. In between, a foundation built on an educated, well-connected populace, a receptive economic climate and a high quality of life puts Wisconsin in a position to succeed.

Associated Bank is proud to sponsor the Economic Development Regions section of WisconsinBiz. Born in 1970 as an association of strong community banks, we have maintained a strong regional character throughout our history. We recognize and understand the differences in the business and financial needs of companies and communities in the various regions of our state. These needs are also reflected in the priorities of regional economic development organizations.

Those sounds you may hear are the moans and groans of people engaged in various acts of heavy lifting. And I’m not talking about snow.