Page 78 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

GOVERNOR
GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS
BRIAN KEMP

STATE OF

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north- why Wisconsin has developed partnerships farmers. Vitamins A and B were discovered at
central United States, in the Midwest and Great across the globe to enhance sustainable water the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the early
Lakes regions. It is bordered by Minnesota to and energy resources management practices. 20th century, as was a method for enriching
the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the And it’s why they have shared their state’s food with vitamin D to treat conditions including
south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to agriculture, and food and beverage production psoriasis and osteoporosis. And in 1998, one
the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. insights with industry leaders worldwide, many of the major milestones in the history of science
Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state by total area of whom travel to Wisconsin or establish took place at the same Wisconsin institution:
and the 20th most populous. The state capital operational facilities here to leverage our state’s developmental biologist James Thomson
is Madison, and its largest city is Milwaukee, industry expertise. became the first in the world to isolate human
which is located on the western shore of Lake embryonic stem cells, a discovery that later
Michigan. The state is divided into 72 counties. Wisconsin’s early-stage health and life fueled the reverse engineering of stem cells
science firms and the Center for Technology from human skin cells.
Encouraging innovation and fostering an Commercialization (CTC) received national
environment of success for industry and its attention for the state’s success over the WEDC works collaboratively with other agencies,
supporting workforce. past decade in landing competitive federal corporations and nonprofit minority business
grants. associations to provide financial and operational
Leveraging strategic partnerships throughout assistance, resources and statewide networking
the state to help Wisconsin companies start up, Wisconsin ranked third after Oregon and opportunities to minority entrepreneurs and
grow and reach new markets. Vermont in securing Small Business Innovation business owners.
Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology
Wisconsin influence in the world starts with a desire Transfer (STTR) funding from the National Hundreds of businesses each year are served
to create mutually beneficial outcomes. From a Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2008-2017. by WEDC, including the Hispanic Chamber of
welcoming environment that encourages foreign The 23 percent win rate for applications Commerce of Wisconsin, the African-American
direct investment to breakthrough discoveries (248 awards from 1,056 submissions) Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, the
that address some of the world’s most pressing resulted in $87 million invested in the state’s Hmong Chamber of Commerce and First-
challenges, they know that by working together, entrepreneurial efforts American Capital Corporation, the business financing
they can all realize Wisconsin’s full potential. arm of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce
While Wisconsin is perhaps best known as of Wisconsin. By working with minority business
With ninety-six percent of the world’s population “America’s Dairyland,” the state’s contributions associations and their partners, WEDC helps support
living outside of the United States, Wisconsin to the health, nutrition and quality of life of the attraction, development and growth of diverse
understand that the people are best served by people around the world extends far beyond companies in Wisconsin.
their innovations often live in distant lands. That’s the milk and cheese produced by our proud

78. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL