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Happy Manufacturing Month!
October is Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate the manufacturers, employees, educators, and industry partners who drive innovation, create family-supporting careers, and strengthen our communities across Central Wisconsin and beyond.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Wisconsin's economy, providing rewarding career opportunities and producing the products that power our daily lives. Throughout the month, we recognize the hard work, investment, and commitment of manufacturers who continue to shape the future through workforce development, technology adoption, and community engagement.
Thank you to all manufacturers and manufacturing workers for your contributions to our economy, our communities, and the next generation of skilled talent. Happy Manufacturing Month! 🏭🎉
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(In Person) October 26th/27th for WMC Business Day
*only 4 spots remain!
Business Day in Madison will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center. This premier event brings together business leaders from across Wisconsin to discuss key issues impacting our state's economy and business community. We encourage you to join us for what promises to be an engaging and informative program.
CWIMA is seeking members interested in representing the organization at this year's event. Participants are invited to attend the Welcome Reception on Monday, October 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Madison Club, providing an excellent opportunity to network with business leaders from across the state prior to the event.
Space is limited, and this opportunity is available at no cost to CWIMA members (travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of attendees).
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(In Person) Wednesday, October 28th for Free Energy Audits for Manufacturers: Reduce Cost & Improve Efficiency
Location: 1000 West Campus Drive; Room E101/102
(Food & Drink Provided by Catering Services)
Join the Central Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (CWIMA) and Northcentral Technical College (NTC) for an informative presentation on a unique opportunity available to regional manufacturers through a U.S. Department of Energy grant.
Attendees will learn how manufacturers can access no-cost energy audits designed to identify opportunities for energy savings, improve operational efficiency, and reduce utility expenses. NTC representatives will provide an overview of the program, explain eligibility requirements, and discuss how participating companies can benefit from expert assessments and recommendations.
The presentation will include time for questions and discussion, followed by networking with fellow manufacturers, educators, and community partners. Food and beverages will be provided.
This event is open to both CWIMA members and the public. Manufacturers of all sizes are encouraged to attend to learn more about this valuable resource and how energy efficiency improvements can support long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Tentative Schedule
- 5:30 p.m. – CWIMA Networking & Refreshments
- 6:00 p.m. – NTC Presentation: Free Energy Audits for Manufacturers
- 6:45 p.m. – Q&A and Networking
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(In Person) Thursday, November 12th for AI, Cybersecurity & Operational Risk for Manufacturers
Date: November 12, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: EO Johnson Business Technologies (8400 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401)
Food & Drinks Provided By: Bull Falls Brewing
Event Sponsor: Locknet / EO Johnson Business Technologies
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the manufacturing industry, creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, decision-making, and operations. However, as AI adoption grows, manufacturers must also navigate cybersecurity risks, data protection concerns, governance considerations, workforce readiness, and implementation challenges.
Join us for a 30-minute presentation, The AI Revolution: Opportunity and Risk for Manufacturers & Is Your Company Ready for AI?, covering topics such as AI-powered cyberattacks, deepfakes, protecting proprietary data, AI governance, ERP integration, workforce readiness, AI roadmap development, and practical steps to get started.
Following the presentation, a CWIMA associate member & manufacturing member will share how they have implemented and utilized AI within their facility or operations, discussing lessons learned, successes, challenges, and real-world applications.
We are currently seeking a CWIMA manufacturing member to serve as our featured manufacturer speaker. If your company is using AI to improve processes, operations, data analysis, automation, or business efficiency, we encourage you to contact us about sharing your experience.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Save The Date for Future Member Meetings
In Person - Beyond the Heavy Metal Tour - Building Apprenticeships
to Build the Next Workforce
Speaker: Raider Manufacturing
Date: Thursday, February 4th, 2027
Time: 5:30PM - 8:00PM
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(RECAP) October Virtual Member Meeting -
State Regulations & Election Implications
Thank you to everyone who joined our October 8 Virtual Lunch & Learn on State Regulations and Election Implications. Attendees heard updates on key developments in Madison, recent state and federal regulatory changes, practical compliance considerations, and strategies for staying ahead of emerging policy trends.
A special thank you to John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs at Ruder Ware, and Rep. Brent Jacobson (87th Assembly District) for sharing valuable insights on the evolving regulatory landscape and discussing how manufacturers and employers can effectively communicate policy-related issues with their employees.
We appreciate everyone who participated in the discussion and look forward to continuing these important conversations at future CWIMA events.
Watch the Virtual Member Meeting Here
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Public Affairs Update
Gubernatorial Update: Latest MU Law Poll
The latest Marquette Law School Poll, released Wednesday, September 30th, shows Wisconsin's gubernatorial race remains highly competitive. Among likely voters, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leads Congressman Tom Tiffany 49% to 46%, with just 5% undecided.
A few notable takeaways:
• The race is effectively a toss-up and remains within the poll's margin of error.
• Independent voters will likely decide the outcome. While Crowley currently leads among independents, a large share remains undecided.
• Democrats currently show a turnout advantage, which is helping Crowley maintain a slight edge among likely voters.
• The regional divide remains pronounced. Crowley performs best in Milwaukee and Madison, while Tiffany runs strongest in northeastern, northern, and western Wisconsin.
• Both candidates have work to do with voters. Tiffany is better known statewide, while Crowley continues introducing himself to many voters outside southeastern Wisconsin.
The poll also found continued voter concern about inflation, grocery prices, and the overall economy. As has been the case in recent elections, economic issues remain top-of-mind and are likely to be a major factor shaping voter decisions over the coming weeks.
The race remains highly competitive, and with a sizable number of independent voters still up for grabs, either candidate has a viable path to victory.
View the Full Poll Results Here.
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Local Legislators Receive WMC Working for Wisconsin Award
Several local legislators were recently recognized by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) with its Working for Wisconsin Award, which honors lawmakers who support policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and a competitive business climate. Award recipients are determined based on their voting records during the legislative session, regardless of political party affiliation.
To earn the award, legislators must receive at least a 70% rating on the WMC Legislative Scorecard, which evaluates votes on key business and economic issues. The recognition highlights lawmakers who consistently support policies aimed at strengthening Wisconsin's economy and improving the state's competitiveness for employers, workers, and entrepreneurs.
View the full 2025-2026 WMC Legislative Scorecard.
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Associate Members — Call for Member Discounts & Special Offers
Help us add even more value to CWIMA membership!
We're creating a new CWIMA Member Discounts & Offers page on our website and are inviting our Associate Members to participate.
If your company offers products or services that could benefit fellow members, consider providing an exclusive discount, special promotion, complimentary service, or other member-only offer. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business while supporting the CWIMA manufacturing community.
If you'd like to be included, simply send us:
- A brief description of your offer
- Any terms or restrictions
- An expiration date (if applicable)
We'll feature your offer on our website and help promote it to our membership. Thank you for helping make CWIMA membership even more valuable!
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Help Shape the Future of CWIMA — Take Our Member Survey
CWIMA is committed to delivering meaningful value to our members, and your voice plays a critical role in that mission. We invite you to take just a few minutes to complete a short survey that will help us better understand how we can support your organization even more effectively.
Your feedback will help us:
• Identify the programs and services that matter most to you
• Strengthen how we support your workforce and business goals
• Ensure CWIMA continues to provide practical, high-impact value
The survey is brief, and your responses will directly guide CWIMA’s future programming, events, advocacy, and member resources.
Thank you for being an engaged and valued part of our manufacturing community. We truly appreciate your time and insight.
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New Workforce Attraction Resource: Basecamp Greater Wausau
A new workforce recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talent to Central Wisconsin is now accepting applications. Basecamp Greater Wausau, launched by the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership (GWPP), provides eligible out-of-state professionals with a $10,000 relocation grant along with resources designed to help individuals and families successfully transition to the region.
Developed through a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Talent Recruitment Grant, the program connects prospective residents with career opportunities, housing resources, community ambassadors, and local experiences that showcase the advantages of living and working in the Greater Wausau area.
CWIMA members and employers are encouraged to share this opportunity with out-of-state candidates, former employees, interns, alumni, professional contacts, and others who may be interested in relocating to Wisconsin. The program is part of a broader regional effort to strengthen the workforce pipeline and attract new talent to support long-term economic growth.
Learn more and apply at https://www.visitwausau.com/basecampgw/.
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Webinar Opportunity: Faster Investigations: Every Plant, Every Floor
Sprinter and Verkada are hosting a complimentary webinar for manufacturers on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT. Faster Investigations: Every Plant, Every Floor will explore how manufacturers are using modern technology to enhance visibility, improve workplace safety, streamline investigations, maintain compliance, and increase operational efficiency.
Learn more and register here: Register for the Webinar
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August Local Employment and Unemployment Data Released
Wisconsin's August 2026 employment data showed a generally stable labor market, with unemployment rates decreasing or remaining unchanged in most metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties compared to July. Unemployment rates fell in five of Wisconsin's 13 metro areas, 13 major cities, and 36 counties, while many other communities saw little change. However, compared to August 2025, unemployment rates were higher in all 13 metro areas, 30 major cities, and 64 counties, highlighting ongoing workforce and labor market challenges across the state.
An online version of this release is available here.
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Wisconsin Invests $6.6 Million in Advanced Manufacturing and AI Training
As part of Manufacturing Month, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced $6.6 million in WisTRAIN grants to support workforce training in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence. The funding was awarded to 84 employers across Wisconsin and will help train more than 3,800 workers in high-demand skills.
The employer-driven program is designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s workforce by supporting technology adoption, industry-recognized credentials, digital skills development, and partnerships between employers and educational institutions. The initiative aims to help manufacturers and other businesses stay competitive while preparing workers for the evolving demands of a 21st-century economy.
An online version of this release is available here.
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Wisconsin Manufacturers Make Your Day
In recognition of Manufacturing Month, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) released a new poster and op-ed highlighting the significant role manufacturing plays in everyday life. Using a “day in the life” theme, the campaign showcases how Wisconsin-made products support everything from morning routines and meals to transportation, workplaces, and homes.
The initiative serves as a reminder that manufacturing is not only a major economic driver, contributing nearly $74 billion to Wisconsin's GDP last year, but also an industry that impacts residents every day through the products and innovations created by Wisconsin companies and workers. As WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer noted, manufacturing often operates behind the scenes, yet it helps make nearly every aspect of daily life possible.
An online version of this release and the poster is available here.
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Open: Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants Available for Technical Education Programs
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The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has announced up to $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward grant funding to help school districts expand technical education opportunities in advanced manufacturing and construction. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchases, software, and training that prepare high school students for in-demand careers.
The program supports workforce development efforts by providing students with hands-on learning opportunities, industry-recognized credentials, and pathways into high-demand technical fields. Applications are due November 9, 2026, and school districts are encouraged to explore the opportunity to strengthen their career and technical education programs.
For more information and to apply, go here.
| | Open: 2027 International Market Access Grant | | | Open: Wisconsin Business Development Tax Credits | | | |
The Business Development Tax Credit Program encourages job creation, capital investment, training, and the establishment or retention of corporate headquarters by awarding companies refundable tax credits. In addition, tax credit packages can offer extra incentives for investments in workforce housing and company-sponsored childcare facilities. As of 2024, a minimum capital investment of $250,000 is required to qualify for the program.
For more information and to apply, go here.
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