Centergy, Inc. Announces 2024 Central Wisconsin Days Issue Papers

MADISON, WI (OnFocus) – Centergy will be presenting critical area economic issues to state policymakers on February 13th in Madison for Central Wisconsin Days. This event is an opportunity for Central Wisconsin residents to speak to legislators on issues impacting our region. Centergy is committed to working with lawmakers to promote policies that encourage economic growth with private and public partnerships in Central Wisconsin. Centergy is Central Wisconsin’s voice on high-priority, public policy issues that impact economic development in Central Wisconsin.

The topics for this year focus on workforce challenges including business tax credits, childcare, and rural bridges.

Business Needs in Wisconsin’s Workforce Landscape

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has successfully provided tax credits to businesses (Business Tax Credit -BTC) for over ten years. While this tax credit has proven beneficial to numerous businesses in the past, the existing program no longer aligns with the workforce shortage currently faced by Wisconsin employers. Centergy is in favor of efforts that eliminates the requirement for businesses to show a net employment increase year over year in the state. Instead, eligibility is based on a business making a capital investment in the state, either by creating new full-time jobs or retaining existing ones.

Repairing Our Rural Bridges

Numerous rural bridges in Central Wisconsin and across the state are in dire need of repair or replacement. Recognizing this critical infrastructure challenge, a funding partnership involving federal, state, and local town governments has proven effective in financing necessary improvements. However, a recent Attorney General opinion has highlighted that the specific method of cost-sharing employed in this partnership is not statutorily allowed. Centergy supports legislation that formalizes the successful local bridge funding partnership, which has demonstrated effectiveness for nearly five decades.

Incentivizing Businesses to Champion Childcare

Although childcare has traditionally been viewed as a family matter, it is increasingly emerging as a pressing business concern. The availability of safe and affordable childcare has a direct impact on the choices parents make regarding employment. In Central Wisconsin, businesses have identified childcare as their foremost workforce challenge. The absence of accessible childcare options has the potential to impede economic growth within our communities. Centergy supports tax credits tailored for Wisconsin businesses actively involved in establishing, operating, or financially supporting a childcare program for their employees’ children.

For additional information on the event and issue papers email  or visit the website here.

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