Madison: Economy

Cities of the United States, (2005)

Madison: Economy

Major Industries and Commercial Activity

The principal economic sectors in Madison are manufacturing, services, and government. Meat packing and the production of agriculture and dairy equipment have long been established industries in the city; among other items produced by area manufacturing firms are hospital equipment, advanced instrumentation, storage batteries, and air circulating fixtures. Diversified farming contributes significantly to the Madison economy; nearly one-sixth of all Wisconsin farms are located within the Greater Madison market region. Dane County ranks among the top ten counties in the nation for agricultural production, the primary products being corn, alfalfa, tobacco, oats, eggs, cattle, hogs, and dairy foods.

The home offices of more than 30 insurance companies are located in Madison; included among them are American Family, CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, and General Casualty. The city is also the world headquarters of Rayovac Corporation, Promega Corporation, and Oscar Mayer. Government and education are major economic sectors; about one third of the area work force is employed in federal, state, and local government jobs, and the University of Wisconsin employs more than 36,000 workers. Madison is a banking and finance center, serving the metropolitan region with more than 120 banks, credit unions, and savings and loan institutions. Other service areas important to the local economy are health care and research and development.

Items and goods produced: agricultural products, food packaging products, dry cell batteries, farm machinery, hospital equipment, optical instruments, lenses, fabricated structural steel

Incentive Programs—New and Existing Businesses

Local programs

The city of Madison Office of Business Resources leads start-up, relocating, and expanding businesses through the range of available financial and consultative benefits the local government has to offer. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin is an award-winning community resource that aids small businesses by providing practical, customer-focused management education, training, counseling and networking. In addition to counseling, the SBDC conducts workshops and seminars. The city provides below market-rate interest loans for real estate projects in the Downtown Isthmus area and selected other areas of the city. Madison Development Corporation (MDC) provides loans of up to $200,000 to businesses in the City of Madison that show continued job growth.

State programs

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute (WEDI) are two nonprofit agencies that provide information and financial services, legal and legislative assistance, and networking opportunities for their member businesses. On the government side, the Division of Business Development of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce provides technical assistance and financial incentives to businesses in the areas of business planning, site selection, capitalization, permits, training and recruitment, and research and development. On April 28, 2000, then Governor Tommy G. Thompson signed into law a bill that created the Wisconsin Technology Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan board that serves to create, develop and retain science and technology-based business in Wisconsin, and to serve as an advisor to the Governor and the Legislature. The Council also serves as the key link between the state's colleges and universities and the business expertise and capital offered by the financial service industry. Recently the firm published its "Vision 2020: A Model Wisconsin Economy" as a blueprint for its efforts over the next two decades.

Job training programs

The area's universities and technical colleges offer ample education and training programs.

Development Projects

In July 1998, Madison businessman W. Jerome Frautschi announced a major civic gift to improve the cultural arts facilities in downtown Madison. Called the Overture Center for the Arts, it is a privately funded initiative to promote excellence in the arts and stimulate a downtown Madison renaissance. The Overture Project will transform the current Civic Center block, remodeling and expanding the existing facilities and adding new ones. Phase One of the project, including the brand new, state-of-the-art Overture Hall, a 2,250-seat theater which houses the Madison Symphony, Madison Opera, and the Madison Ballet, was completed in 2004, and by 2005 construction had begun on Phase Two, which includes a renovation of the old Capitol Theater and a new Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. All design comes under the guise of internationally known architect Cesar Pelli and as plans have expanded development costs have surpassed $205 million, all of which was being funded by Mr. Frautschi. In 2005 the Overture Foundation acquired the old Capital Square Building as the new home for the Madison Children's Museum.