Report highlights the importance of Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit

Manufacturing is a core foundation of Wisconsin’s economy, and the same is true in Waukesha County. One in five jobs in Waukesha County is tied to manufacturing, making the strength and competitiveness of this industry important not only to manufacturers themselves, but to the entire region. The Alliance has long advocated in support of Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit (MAC), along with our state partners at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), to support this important industry.

A new report from the UW–Madison Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy (CROWE) looks at Wisconsin’s manufacturing performance over the past decade by comparing Wisconsin (which has a Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit) and manufacturing employment trends in neighboring states.

Between 2012 and 2025, manufacturing employment in Wisconsin’s border counties increased by approximately 17%, while manufacturing employment in neighboring counties across state lines declined by about 4%. The researchers estimate that Wisconsin’s border counties would have had approximately 11,900 fewer manufacturing jobs in 2025, if they had followed the employment trajectory of their neighboring counties.

The findings are important in Waukesha County, where manufacturers represent a significant part of the business community. The Alliance supports manufacturers through the Manufacturing Alliance of Southeast Wisconsin, workforce-development initiatives such as Schools2Skills™, education and best practice sharing and advocacy on issues affecting the business climate.

“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,” said WMC President/ CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “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.”

For Waukesha County, that reinforces an important lesson: manufacturing competitiveness requires sustained attention. Tax policy, workforce availability, infrastructure, innovation and the overall business climate all play a role in companies’ decisions to invest, expand and create jobs. As Wisconsin competes for investment and talent, maintaining an environment where manufacturers can grow is important to the region’s economic future. The Alliance will continue working with manufacturers, educators and policymakers to strengthen that environment and ensure Waukesha County remains a place where businesses can invest, innovate and grow.