Wisconsin’s budget for the next two years is a long way from its final form. Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, introduced his version in late February, but Republican lawmakers said they plan to develop their own version. There will be plenty of debates around taxes, education and infrastructure, but one small part of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. budget highlighted differences between Evers and his predecessor, Scott Walker.
$10 million
As part of its budget request, made in September, WEDC sought $5 million annually for talent attraction efforts. Evers denied the request. Melissa Baldauff, an Evers spokeswoman, pointed to the governor’s proposed $1.4 billion investment in K-12 education, along with investments in the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin Technical Colleges, transportation infrastructure and economic development as the administration’s strategy for talent attraction. “We know that these are issues workers and businesses alike value, and believe this type of investment is key to attracting and retaining a talented workforce,” Baldauff said.
$6.8 million
After WEDC used $1 million from its budget to launch a marketing campaign targeting millennials in Chicago, lawmakers last year approved $6.8 million in funding for an expanded talent attraction effort at Walker’s request. The campaign targeted Midwest millennials, veterans and graduates of state universities and colleges. Current and projected investments are expected to use up all of that funding by the end of the fiscal year, according to Kelly Lietz, vice president of marketing and brand strategy at WEDC.
So far, the campaign has resulted in:
- 100 million paid media impressions -> 370,000 website sessions -> 12,000 visitors took actions suggesting interest in moving to Wisconsin
- 7 military base visits -> 675 leads from active military members seeking future employment.
