Magazine Credits Wisconsin Public Schools For Making State One Of Best Places In Country To Do Business

Inc. Magazine is singling Wisconsin out as one of the best places in the country to do business, and "the quality of the state's public education system" is at the top of the list of factors contributing to the state's success.

The magazine's May 2005 issue contains high praise for the Badger State's entrepreneurial climate. It attributes the state's business success to, first, its public education system, followed by commitment to workers, a low cost of living, and exceptional recreational opportunities (among others).

"For some time Wisconsin has had the premier entrepreneurial economy in the Midwest," the magazine states. "In addition to Green Bay, the No. 1 midsize city on last year's list, the state's standouts include La Crosse (No. 15) and Madison (No. 38). Even Milwaukee, the big city in the state, is a respectable No. 66.

"What's behind this success? In large part it's the quality of Wisconsin's public education system."

The magazine quotes Randy Rose, CEO and president of Enzymatic Therapy in Green Bay, as saying the local workers he hires are well educated and well trained, at whatever level they are employed.

"Other Wisconsin business owners say the same," the article states. "From the assembly line to the laboratory, Wisconsin employers seem particularly pleased with the level of skill and commitment shown by their workers."

This report comes on the heels of an article in the April issue of Expansion Management Magazine, a publication geared toward small businesses, in which Wisconsin public schools dominated the list of the nation's best schools.

Wisconsin schools account for five of the top 10 school districts in the nation and eight of the top 20, according to the magazine. They are Sheboygan (#2), Madison (#3), Oshkosh-Neenah (#6), Appleton (#7), Eau Claire (#10), Fond du Lac (#15), Wausau (#18) and La Crosse (#20).

Posted May 2, 2005