LET’S LOOK FORWARD, TOGETHER
Wisconsin is more than picturesque farmland, plentiful freshwater and woodland escapes. It’s the innovators, weekend warriors, philanthropists and inventive visionaries who form the soul of our state.
It’s the people who are driven to make their mark.
Those who call Wisconsin home have a restless drive to invent, a sense of pride in their work and fervor for creating and achieving. Here, we rise up—to solve challenges, explore passions and meet the world’s ever-evolving needs. People and businesses alike flourish with Wisconsin’s support. And our determination has made us leaders in global industries and quality of life.
The possibilities are endless in Wisconsin. Whether you’re dreaming of a better job, improving the world, starting a family or simply enjoying the experiences of Wisconsin life, there’s a lot to look forward to here.
Build a business or career, or build a life?
People who live here don’t have to decide. Many Wisconsin cities are consistently ranked among the best places to live because they’re livable, walkable and affordable while offering opportunities to enrich the world and our own lives.
Our state is home to the largest musical festival in the world, the only publicly-owned NFL team in the nation and enough farm-to-table dining options to impress even the most ardent foodie—all while remaining a place where cost of living is among the lowest in the nation. Add to that low crime rates, stellar schools, short commute times, four glorious seasons, two Great Lakes and 15,000 smaller but equally inviting ones, and access to superior health care, and Wisconsin warrants consideration above and beyond its world-renowned cheese and beer credentials. Simply put, it’s a place where people live—happily, healthily and wholly.
Realizing your vision starts with knowing you can. Whether you’re driven to improve our world or just yours, Wisconsin supports game-changers by creating opportunities that can turn ambitions into careers.
Our world-class educational institutions and research facilities as well as our access to abundant natural resources have allowed us to create and sustain industry leadership in the areas of advanced manufacturing; energy, power and control; water technology, food and beverage production, biohealth and more. By moving ideas from vision to reality, Wisconsin has improved lives for those here and across the globe. Our culture of innovation increases productivity, enhances sustainability and improves health, raising living standards worldwide.
It’s no wonder that Wisconsin is home to some of the most inspiring and consequential companies and people in the nation. The only thing missing is you. Here, you can do more because you have more: more opportunity, more career satisfaction and a more well-rounded life. There’s so much more to look forward to here in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin loves big ideas and larger-than-life aspirations because they lead to big changes and a meaningful world impact. That’s why our statewide network of partners provides resources, financial support and more to keep your business moving forward. Here, you’ll benefit from access to unmatched talent, reliable supply chains and lucrative markets, all supported by public-private partnerships that bring the right people and resources together to solve problems.
Collaboration between our leading universities and technical schools, researchers, government and industry leaders have paved the way for business-minded people to change the world. Wisconsin believes in thinking bigger—and we do everything we can to support those who do, too.
HOW WE RANK
Wisconsin is consistently ranked at the top, from quality of life and affordability to career opportunities and outdoor recreation. Learn more about how we’re leading the nation.
8th
in Job Market StrengthWalletHub, 2021
#1
Best Place to Live is In WisconsinTop 10
Manufacturing StateHAVE A LOOK IN WISCONSIN®
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WISCONSIN
DISCOVER WISCONSIN'S REGIONS
Each region offers a slightly different mix of all that's great in Wisconsin.
Click a region to learn more
SOUTHEAST
HAVE A LOOK IN SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
COOLEST
MILWAUKEE NAMED THE MIDWEST'S COOLEST CITY
Vogue
TOP 5
CITY FOR RECENT GRADS, MILWAUKEE
ZipRecruiter
TOP 30
CITY TO START A BUSINESS, MILWAUKEE
Inc Magazine
CENTRAL
HAVE A LOOK IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN
ABUNDANCE
VARIETY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES (HIKING, HUNTING, KAYAKING, BIKING, CAMPING)
OVER 90%
OF GINSENG GROWN IN THE US COMES FROM WISCONSIN
corn.agronomy.wisc.edu
CONNECTED
MASSIVE LABOR SHED WITH A SKILLED LABOR FORCE OF MORE THAN 315,000
NORTH
HAVE A LOOK IN NORTH WISCONSIN
FOREST PRODUCTS
ABUNDANT TIMBER PRODUCTION
CONNECTED
AIRPORTS AND HIGHWAYS CONNECTING COMMERCE AND PEOPLE
OUTDOOR
CAMPING, FISHING, SNOWMOBILING
NORTHEAST
HAVE A LOOK IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN
9TH
BEST CITY FOR WORKING PARENTS, OSHKOSH
SmartAsset, 2018
2ND
BEST PLACE TO RAISE KIDS, APPLETON
SmartAsset, 2018
TOP TEN
THREE OF THE 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN WISCONSIN
Culture Trip
SOUTHWEST
HAVE A LOOK IN SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN
SMALL TOWN LIVING
CLOSE TO BIG CITIES
#2 LARGEST
OUTDOOR THEATER IN THE NATION DEVOTED TO CLASSICS- AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE
American Players Theatre
47 MILES
CHEESE COUNTRY MULTI VEHICLE-USE RECREATION TRAIL
NORTHWEST
HAVE A LOOK IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN
NATURAL BEAUTY
ABUNDANT AND SPECTACULAR NATURAL RESOURCES
VIBRANT
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES WITH A "SMALL TOWN" FEEL
QUALITY OF LIFE
UNCONGESTED LIFESTYLE, YEAR-ROUND RECREATION
SOUTH CENTRAL
HAVE A LOOK IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN
#1
TECH TALENT MOMENTUM MARKET
CBRE
BEST
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOWN
NCAA
#1
COMMUNITY PROGRESS INDEX
AngelouEconomics
WEST CENTRAL
HAVE A LOOK IN WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN
MUSIC HOTSPOT
COUNTRY JAM AND EAUX CLAIRES MUSIC FESTIVALS
TOP FIVE
LA CROSSE AMONG MOST AFFORDABLE PLACES TO LIVE
Livability.com
THIRD
FITTEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY, EAU CLAIRE
Fitbit.com
MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL.
What does it mean to live and work in Wisconsin? It means you’re free to think bigger, encouraged to make your mark, and that you’re poised for great things to happen around you and to you. Wisconsin has long enjoyed a heritage of personal, career and business success—and this tradition is stronger today than ever before.
While Wisconsin is known for its natural beauty and abundant resources, it is perhaps best defined by the people who call it home. People with a restless drive to invent, create and achieve. Who combine passion with pride and turn ideas into industries, and whose intellectual curiosity and commitment to collaboration propel groundbreaking discoveries to meet global challenges. We know that the real motivation to push forward comes from a common purpose to make an impact, while supported by a state that affords you the opportunity to define quality of life on your own terms. Our traditions, connections and experiences celebrate our unique culture and define a way of life in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin school districts encouraged to apply for Fab Labs Grants
WEDC is now accepting applications for the fifth year of its Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program, which provides funding to help public schools build or expand fab labs. Read More
WISCONSIN NEWS
From the latest announcements and economic developments to behind-the-scenes insight into the best state in the Midwest, find complete coverage of all things Wisconsin here.
Generac expanding Wisconsin operations
Energy technology solutions leader positions itself for rapid growth Read More
Supporting Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial spirit
A new grant program will allow the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to fund organizations creating innovative new programs to support entrepreneurs. Read More
WEDC aid allows historic renovations to move forward
A trio of properties in Columbus’ Downtown Historic District are being renovated with help from a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Read More
WISCONSIN STORIES
Our residents are some of the happiest and most ambitious people in the nation—but don’t just take our word for it. Take theirs.
“I love Wisconsin because of every sincere forward-looking experiment the state itself has ever made; because of her courage; her love of independence; her true belief in individuality as essential to immortality.”
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect – Wisconsin, Excerpts from “Why I love Wisconsin”, Published in Wisconsin Magazine, 1932
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