KENOSHA, Wis. — From power tools and paper products to motorcycles and machine engines, what’s being built in Wisconsin is quickly becoming the engine of the state economy.
More than 85% percent of Wisconsin’s exports are manufactured goods, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Those goods account for nearly 20% of the state GDP, which translates to $68 billion dollars, per the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
The Badger State is also home to the second highest concentration of experienced manufacturing workers in the nation. Workforce data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 475,000 Wisconsinites are employed by manufacturing companies and earn an average salary of more than $58,000 a year.
Kenosha County is home to more than a dozen manufacturing centers, including Honeywell, Snap-on Tools, Uline, ViskoTeepak and Yamaha Motors.
The success of those companies is why Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman calls her county “the gateway to Wisconsin.”
Kerkman entered the position of county executive in April 2022. She said that since then, she’s focused on strengthening the businesses that are already in Wisconsin as well as attracting new companies.
“We have a high development fund that we have through the county, so we have about $250,000 that’s helped us attract about 1,500 additional jobs,” said Kerkman.
Kerkman said she and other counties leaders are placing an emphasis on strong infrastructure, housing and quality of life when marketing the region to new companies. She said this helps highlight the county as a desirable community to live, work and play.
“Roads are so important when it comes to economic development,” said Kerkman. “There are a lot of orange barrels going on here in Kenosha County; that’s a challenge throughout the state but especially here.”
And there are plenty of new developments making their way to the area. That includes the first North American manufacturing facility for Haribo and the German confectionery company, which is expected to begin production in late 2022 and is currently hiring for senior management. That plant is expected to employ around 400 workers.
Kerkman said she is looking forward to the grand opening. She credits the Kenosha Area Business Alliance for its success in showcasing the county’s accomplishments — such as the Haribo facility — when attending conferences and other meetings.
Technical programs at the high school level and at Gateway Technical College are also preparing more people from around the county for jobs in high-tech manufacturing and skilled trades.
Kerkman added that there’s a new effort to expand offerings to high school students. It allows students to explore more career fields before graduation.
“The city and the school district have been working together in our innovation neighborhood to add a new high school, Lakeview Tech Academy, and bringing it into more centrally located into the city of Kenosha,” said Kerkman.
She said that they’re currently working on providing a path for high school students to attend technical college or four-year universities so they can build skills for family-supporting jobs.