September 25, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 267-7303 or George Althoff, DFI, (608)

261-4504

Working for Wisconsin: 11,590 New Businesses Created

Growing the Economy Through Business Innovation and Creation
Madison At the Governors Small Business Summit in Stevens Point, Governor Scott Walker today announced 11,590 new businesses have been created in the state since he took office, according to statistics from the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). When Governor Walker was running for office in 2010, he promised to get the government out of the way to help the private sector add an additional 10,000 businesses in Wisconsin. By every measure, our economy is growing and workers throughout the state are finding jobs, Governor Walker said. We have created a pro-growth climate, and individuals are taking the chance to build the business they always dreamed of. Wisconsin is open for business and we will continue working hard to further economic development and help create jobs in our state. This news is the latest in good economic news for the state: Wisconsin is 1st in the Midwest for economic growth and 2nd in the nation according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia coincident index. Wisconsin ranks 5th for top states for manufacturing, according to CNBCs latest rankings. New business formations year-to-date are up 4.2 percent from 2012 levels. Private sector job growth from April to July shows the largest three-month gain on record going back to 1990 at 28,100. Total job growth is the best as well with 31,900. Average initial weekly unemployment insurance claims are at 13-year low. Wisconsins unemployment rate is 6.7 percent, below the national average of 7.3 percent. ###

Office of Governor Scott Walker 115 East Capitol Madison, WI 53702

Press Office: (608) 267-7303 Email: govpress@wisconsin.gov