Last month, we shared the WMC Foundation’s Wisconsin Competitiveness Report, which takes an in-depth look at the factors affecting Wisconsin’s ability to compete and grow. This month, we’re sharing the first installment of a new limited video series that takes a closer look at the report’s findings.

WMC President/CEO Kurt Bauer sits down with WMC Foundation President Wade Goodsell to discuss several of the report’s key issues, including workforce, taxes, education and healthcare, as well as some of the topline metrics showing where Wisconsin faces challenges.

While the report focuses specifically on Wisconsin, many of these issues extend well beyond state borders. Whether your business is in Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or elsewhere, the trends and questions raised may have similar implications for your state, region and local community.

As independent retailers plan for the future, understanding the economic forces affecting your workforce, customers and communities can help you anticipate change and make more informed business decisions.

Midwest Hardware Association members do business across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota, and decisions made in each state capitol can have a very real impact on independent retailers. As part of our commitment to bring meaningful information and resources to our members, we want to make it easier for you to stay informed about the legislative and regulatory issues affecting businesses in your state. Below, we’ve provided links to leading statewide business organizations in each of our five core states, where you can learn more about their current legislative priorities, key business issues and advocacy efforts. Our goal isn’t to tell you what to think—it’s to help keep you informed about the issues that could affect your employees, your customers and your business.

Illinois: https://ilchamber.org/policy/policy-issues/

Minnesota: https://www.mnchamber.com/your-voice/key-issues

North Dakota: https://www.ndchamber.com/where-we-stand

South Dakota: https://www.southdakotabusiness.com/legislative-advocacy

Wisconsin: https://www.wmc.org/

From the CEO:

Pumpkins, Profits and Preparing for What's Next

by Todd Kuckkahn, CEO, MHA️

Pumpkins. Skeletons. Candy. Decorations.

Are you seeing them, too? Maybe they have taken over your store?

And before we actually reach Halloween, there’s a pretty good chance some of Halloween will be sharing space with Christmas merchandise.

Walk into almost any store in August and you may encounter something that still seems a little strange: Halloween. Somewhere along the way, Halloween became a multi-month contact sport.

We can laugh about how early each season seems to arrive, but there is also a business lesson hiding among those pumpkins and skeletons: successful retailers are always looking ahead.

Read the full article here

For 130 years, the Midwest Hardware Association has been a trusted advocate for independent hardware retailers. Its story began in 1896, when thirty-five hardware men came together to address the challenges facing their industry.

Retail hardware merchants were confronted with mail-order competition, discrimination by jobbers, and destructive rivalry among local competitors. Recognizing the strength of working together, these industry leaders formed MHA in an effort to remedy these challenges and strengthen independent hardware retail.

From the beginning, MHA was built on relationships—and relationships are built on Trust and Integrity. These core values continue to guide how we serve our members, build partnerships, and support the long-term strength of the industry.

As we celebrate 130 years, we honor the vision of those thirty-five founders and the generations of members, suppliers, and partners who have carried that vision forward.

Here’s to 130 years—and counting!

from the archives...

"We are long-term customers of the Midwest Hardware Association. We have very much appreciated their professional service and follow through. If there is ever a problem, they make it right in a timely manner."

-Steve T.