Advocacy

Workforce development is the number one issue facing Waukesha County, the Milwaukee 7 region and our state. The Alliance is committed to developing, identifying and supporting policy solutions that strengthen our region’s talent pipeline.

1. Drive solutions that increase workforce housing in Waukesha County.
2. Identify and promote innovative employee attraction and retention solutions.
3. Advocate for the state to invest in talent attraction efforts to bring more individuals to Wisconsin.
4. Support programs that help targeted populations enter or re-enter the workforce.
5. Advocate for the state’s apprenticeship program and support a seamless bridge between youth apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship.

The Alliance is a key partner in driving economic development in Waukesha County. To enhance the work of the Waukesha County Center for Growth, the county’s economic development organization, we advocate for policies that support business growth and keep Wisconsin competitive with other states. Waukesha County’s economy is inextricably linked to Milwaukee and the broader region – as such the Alliance is an active participant in efforts to build a vibrant regional economy.

1. Advocate for pro-business tax policies and a regulatory climate to keep Wisconsin competitive.
2. Protect Wisconsin’s Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit.
3. Promote Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) programs that drive economic growth and align incentives to strategies that address workforce shortages, such as automation.
4. Increase exports and improve trade for Wisconsin businesses.
5. Promote the use and expansion of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a municipal economic
   development tool.
6. Serve as an advocate for the Waukesha County Center for Growth and promote the organization’s
   GROW Fund.
7. Support entrepreneurship by connecting start-ups and early-stage companies to resources.
8. Promote government efficiency at the state, county and municipal levels.
9. Businesses thrive in safe environments. Support policies that enhance public safety.
10. Encourage further research into expanded alternative fuel sources, while maintaining a strong supply of traditional energy sources.

Waukesha County’s economic vitality depends on modern, safe and efficient infrastructure, from transportation, to technology, to water. We recognize the need for sustainable funding to meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of our state. The effective flow of goods, services and people is fundamental to business growth and a vibrant economy.

1. Advocate for completion of the I-94 East-West corridor between 16th Street and 70th Street.
2. Support cost-effective, efficient, flexible public and private transportation, transit and microtransit options to connect employees with jobs in Waukesha County.
3. Advocate for statewide, sustainable, dedicated long-term transportation funding solutions.
4. Support expansion of intermodal shipping for the Port of Milwaukee.
5. Support public private partnerships to advance emerging technologies using existing infrastructure or deployment of new infrastructure.
6. Support the City of Waukesha in the implementation of borrowing and returning water from Lake Michigan.

Recognizing that high quality schools are critical to developing educated citizens and a strong future workforce, the Alliance is focused on fostering effective business-education partnerships at all levels. We support Waukesha County students in being both college and career ready and helping families and educators understand job opportunities.

1. Support transferable credits among higher education institutions.
2. Offer and support programs that align with workforce development outcomes and help students, parents and educators understand career opportunities and pathways.
3. Expand youth apprenticeship, dual enrollment, credit for prior learning and other opportunities for students to obtain career skills, experience and higher education credits.
4. Support innovative post-secondary academic offerings and capital projects in Waukesha County and the region that align with workforce demand and can be supported by local employers.
5. Advocate for increasing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education, including Wisconsin’s Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program.
6. Support collaboration among K-12 and post-secondary institutions to maximize course offerings and replicate best practices and curriculum development.
7. Advocate for effective and flexible programs to address the staffing shortage in education including innovative updates to the credentialing process and criteria.