Future in Focus program to offer insight on Wisconsin 2035 report
For the Wausau Times
WAUSAU — The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce will host a “Future in Focus” program Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Jefferson Street Event Center in Wausau.
“Workforce and talent were a significant challenge ahead of the pandemic. Today, the challenge is greater and poses a serious economic threat to our region’s economic viability. Wade Goodsell, executive director with the WMC Foundation, is acutely aware of the talent issues facing our state and our region. Goodsell’s keynote will focus on the WMC Foundation’s most recent report, ‘Wisconsin 2035; A vision for Wisconsin’s economic future.’ This publication, released in December of 2021, is an active blueprint for the future of business development in Wisconsin and how it relates to our workforce challenges,” a chamber release stated.
“Wisconsin 2035 is an economic blueprint for the state to be successful.” said Goodsell. “The state is likely to change in many ways over 15 years. To ensure sustained economic growth, Wisconsin cannot sit back and watch as other states pass it by.”
“The Wisconsin 2035 report proposes a number of strategies, including breaking down barriers to entry to the state’s labor force, beginning with proposed tax reform. The role that taxes play in talent attraction and retention will be highlighted in Goodsell’s presentation, which will also touch upon aligning education with business needs and a talent attraction campaign,” the chamber release added.
“Three years ago, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Greater Wausau Region Strategic Economic Development Plan to its members and the community at large. A core strategic pillar in the plan is focused on talent, to develop, attract and retain skilled and knowledgeable workforce that empowers our companies to innovate and compete in the 21st century knowledge economy. This focus on talent is mirrored in the Wisconsin 2035 report.”
“It should be noted that the Wisconsin 2035 report is just a start, not a finish,” Goodsell said. “The report is meant to offer a vision for the state’s economic future. That means it will evolve over the next 15 years and continue to offer new ideas to make sure the state is ready to tackle its toughest challenges.”
For more information, visit WausauChamber.com or call 715-845-6231.