Business Incentives

There are a variety of state and local incentives for corporations and other businesses to locate or expand their operations in the Milwaukee Region. Wisconsin tax incentives include exemptions, credits and other special corporate tax treatment along with preferential treatment of capital gains.

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the state's primary agency for business development, offers an Economic Development Tax Credit Program that creates new ways for existing Wisconsin businesses or businesses relocating to Wisconsin to earn tax credits through job creation, capital investment, employee training and corporate headquarters.

In addition, local governments have created Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) districts. Businesses locating operations within a TIF district benefit from infrastructure improvements financed by tax increments. 

Tax Exemptions, Credits & Incentives is a fact sheet summarizing Wisconsin business incentives. 

Wisconsin Business Incentives is a list of the state's primary business incentive programs with links to program details and application materials.

Local Economic Development Resources

Counties and several communities have economic development programs that provide financial and technical assistance. The community economic development programs typically work in partnership with the private lending community and utilize similar credit analysis and underwriting criteria. Following are the local economic development programs in the region:

Kenosha County
Kenosha Area Business Alliance: Economic development and business services, including revolving loan funds, site-selection assistance, economic data and training programs

Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County Economic and Community Development: Technical and financial assistance to businesses and municipalities

Milwaukee Department of City Development: Coordinates business development, real estate development, planning and permitting for the City of Milwaukee

Milwaukee Economic Development Corp.: Assistance with financing, property location, grant, tax credits, business plan preparation and environmental issues

Milwaukee Water Works: The City of Milwaukee's Water Works offers discounted water rates to encourage business growth and job creation

Wauwatosa Economic Development Corp.: Planning, financing and permitting assistance to business and developers located in or relocating to the city

West Allis Department of Development: Technical and financial assistance to new and existing businesses located in or relocating to the city

Ozaukee County
Ozaukee County Economic Development Corp.: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to Ozaukee County

Economic Development for Grafton Enhancement (EDGE): Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to the Grafton area

Racine County
Racine County Economic Development Corp.: Assistance with workforce and technology development, business financing, site location and government programs

Walworth County
Walworth County Economic Development Alliance: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to Walworth County

Washington County
Economic Development/Washington County: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to Washington County

Hartford Area Development Corp.: Planning, financing and permitting assistance to business and developers located in or relocating to the city

West Bend Department of Community Development: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to the city

Waukesha County
Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to Waukesha County

Brookfield Economic Development Division: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to the city

Menomonee Falls Economic Development Division: Financial and technical assistance for companies located in or relocating to the city