Wisconsin Business Council: WBC symposium to focus on future of state Department of Commerce

Contact: Brian Taffora

608-252-9245

Event will discuss manufacturing industry, ways to make Commerce more effective

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Business Council (WBC) is holding a symposium on “Manufacturing and the Future of Wisconsin Commerce” on August 24th at the We Energies Public Service Building Auditorium in Milwaukee, which will focus on the ongoing discussion of steps the Wisconsin Department of Commerce can take to grow our economy and make doing business easier in the state.

The event coincides with the release of a new report, “Be Bold Wisconsin,” which calls for changes to Commerce to help make Wisconsin a top 10 state in which to start or expand a business within the next six years.

“This event offers an opportunity to discuss ways we can make the Department of Commerce more effective, in part by examining changes Indiana has made in recent years,” said Brian Taffora, Vice President of Government Relations and Operations for WBC. “In particular, we hope to examine how to retain and create manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin by hearing from representatives from the industry and speakers familiar with the respective Commerce Departments for Wisconsin and other states.”

Wisconsin is currently among the top states in the country for manufacturing jobs. However, the state risks falling behind as some other states have transitioned their Departments of Commerce from purely public to more public/private entities to help meet present economic challenges.

The event will be held from 8:30 am to 1 pm, and is open to the media.

The Wisconsin Business Council is an organization that seeks to support Wisconsin’s economic climate and quality of life through collaboration, improved public policy, and private sector initiatives. For more information, please visit http://www.wibusiness.org <http://www.wibusiness.org> .