Report examines impact of Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit on job growth
A recent report finds that Wisconsin's Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit has helped boost manufacturing jobs compared to neighboring states. Local organizations say continued support is needed for workforce development and economic competitiveness.
A report from the UW–Madison Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy was highlighted on Oct. 1, showing that Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit has contributed to manufacturing job growth in Waukesha County and across the state. The report compares manufacturing employment trends in Wisconsin with neighboring states over the past decade.
According to the report, between 2012 and 2025, manufacturing employment in Wisconsin’s border counties increased by approximately 17 percent, while neighboring counties across state lines saw a decline of about 4 percent. Researchers estimate that if Wisconsin’s border counties had followed their neighbors’ employment trajectory, they would have had around 11,900 fewer manufacturing jobs in 2025.
Manufacturing represents a significant portion of Waukesha County's economy, with one in five jobs tied to this sector. The Alliance supports manufacturers through various initiatives including workforce development programs such as Schools2Skills and advocacy efforts aimed at improving the business climate.
Kurt R. Bauer, President and CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, said, “The MAC, the state’s most effective tool for supporting manufacturing growth and job creation, is critical to Wisconsin’s future because the manufacturing industry delivers outsized benefits to workers, families, communities, and the broader economy. Manufacturers of all sizes across the state use the MAC to purchase new equipment, expand operations, and most importantly reinvest in employees and hire new workers, all of which stimulate Wisconsin’s economy.”
The Alliance emphasizes that maintaining competitiveness requires attention not only to tax policy but also workforce availability, infrastructure improvements, innovation support, and fostering an overall positive business climate. The organization says it will continue working with manufacturers as well as educators and policymakers to strengthen conditions for economic investment in Waukesha County.
The Waukesha County Business Alliance works to strengthen the local economy through advocacy initiatives focused on economic development and engagement; it includes more than 1,200 member companies employing over 120,000 people in diverse industries throughout Waukesha County, according to its official website.