Wisconsin Receives National Award for Economic Development
Wisconsin one of just five states to earn Gold Shovel Award from Area Development magazine
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker today announced that Area Development, a leading national publication covering site selection and facility planning, has recognized the State of Wisconsin for excellence in economic development with its 2018 “Gold Shovel Award.”
Wisconsin is one of just five states to receive the prestigious award for having achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact for projects undertaken in 2017. The award comes as 2017 was a record year for economic development in the state, with 59 companies from Wisconsin and around the world agreeing to locate or expand Wisconsin. Those projects are expected to create or retain nearly 30,000 jobs and result in more than $11.6 billion in capital investment statewide.
“We are proud Wisconsin is being recognized once again as a leader for economic development and job creation,” Governor Walker said. “This award highlights Wisconsin’s pro-business climate and dedicated workforce.”
Area Development also recognized Foxconn Technology Group’s historic $10 billion investment and commitment to creating 13,000 jobs as one of the “Large Job Creating Projects of the Year” and “Billion Dollar Projects of the Year.”
Other WEDC-supported projects that played a role in Wisconsin winning the award include Haribo’s $220 million investment in Pleasant Prairie, which is expected to create 385 jobs; Generac Power Systems’ $73 million investment in Waukesha, which is expected to create 400 jobs; and Kwik Trip Inc.’s $139 million expansion in La Crosse, which is expected to create more than 300 jobs.
Area Development’s Shovel Awards recognize the state economic development agencies – including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation – that drive economic development through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions. In the competition, states are judged based on the number of high-value added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities and industry diversity.
Golden Shovel awards were given to states in five categories based on their populations. Wisconsin was the winner among states with a population between 5 million and 8 million. Other Gold Shovel winners include Texas (12 million or more); North Carolina (8 million to 12 million); Kentucky (3 million to 5 million); and Nevada (less than 3 million).
Wisconsin received Area Development’s “Silver Shovel Award” in 2016.
For more information about the 2018 Shovel Award winners, visit areadevelopment.com/shovels
More about the Foxconn Facility
- Hintz Doubts Foxconn Electric Car Project - Corri Hess - Mar 2nd, 2021
- Murphy’s Law: The Foxconn Real Estate Show - Bruce Murphy - Feb 25th, 2021
- Murphy’s Law: Local Costs for Foxconn Cut By 2% - Bruce Murphy - Feb 8th, 2021
- Foxconn Sued for Breach of Contract - Corri Hess - Feb 4th, 2021
- Vos and Wanggaard Continue to Gaslight Public on Foxconn Development - A Better Mt. Pleasant - Feb 3rd, 2021
- Murphy’s Law: Robin Vos Will Solve Foxconn Fiasco - Bruce Murphy - Feb 2nd, 2021
- Murphy’s Law: 9 Reasons a New Foxconn Contract Is Unlikely - Bruce Murphy - Dec 21st, 2020
- Audit Says Foxconn Loophole Needs a Fix - Corri Hess - Dec 9th, 2020
- Back in the News: Residents Outraged by Foxconn Fiasco - Bruce Murphy - Dec 8th, 2020
- Back in the News: Foxconn Landing Google Contract? - Bruce Murphy - Nov 23rd, 2020
Read more about Foxconn Facility here
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Walker Orders Flags to Half-Staff Honoring Master Sergeant Jonathan Dunbar
Apr 13th, 2019 by Gov. Scott WalkerGovernor Scott Walker ordered flags to half-staff on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Governor Walker Orders Flags to Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Captain Christopher Truman of the Lake Mills Fire Department
Jan 3rd, 2019 by Gov. Scott WalkerCaptain Truman died on December 31, 2018, while selflessly assisting a driver of a crashed vehicle on Highway 12 near the Yahara River Bridge in Monona, Wisconsin.
Governor Walker Appoints St. Croix County Judge and Ashland County District Attorney
Jan 2nd, 2019 by Gov. Scott WalkerGovernor Scott Walker today appointed Attorney Scott J. Nordstrand to serve as a judge on the St. Croix County Circuit Court and Attorney David Meany to the position of Ashland County District Attorney.