From the region's southern border, you can be in Chicago in less than an hour. From the eastern border, Milwaukee is a mere 30 minutes away. We are within easy driving distance from the Twin Cities, Kansas City and St. Louis, providing easy access to multiple Midwestern markets. And a rapidly growing number of non-stop flights coupled with our central location means more convenient air travel.
We have an exceptional mix of innovative businesses, from our strong distribution and manufacturing base in Rock County, some of the best agricultural land in the world in Green, Iowa and Dodge counties, and major tourist attractions in Sauk and Columbia counties, to our robust entrepreneurial climate fostered in Dane County and the greater Madison area. Our base sector strengths in financial services, insurance, government, light manufacturing and health care provide strong support for our emerging sectors like the biotechnology, bio-agriculture and bio-medical industries.
Wisconsin's capital city, Madison, lies at the heart of the region. Madison is the seat of state government and the home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, both serving as anchors to a stable economic base. The UW-Madison is a primary economic driver for the region and continues to be one of the top recipients of federal funding for its world class high-tech and bio-tech research and facilities. A strong continuum partnership with our actively involved technical college system and one of the nation's top-ranked K-12 systems help develop a constantly renewed, vital and dynamic workforce.
The Madison Region's natural assets also contribute heavily to our success. We live at the apex of some of the most important natural resources in the world. We are surrounded by some of the richest agricultural land in the world, near the largest freshwater resource in the world in the Great Lakes and between the Northern Timberlands and the Mississippi River Basin. These four forces overwhelmingly shape our economy and culture. The Madison Region is ideally situated for long-term, sustainable growth for your business and your family.
Did you know?
Business taxes are lower in Wisconsin that those in 35 other states, according to a 2005 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which measures more than 15 taxes that can affect corporate profits.
Testimonial
Both Microsoft and Google, two companies that represent the enabling technology of IT, recently opened locations in the region.
Sunny Gettinger, global communications and public affairs manager for Google said in a statement, "We are opening an office in Madison because the city offers an excellent quality of life, a deep local talent pool, and commitment to education at all levels, including the University of Wisconsin."
In a similar vein, UW Madison computer science department chair Guri Sohi said, "The high-tech companies don't go where all the different incentives are, they go where the talent and the brains are. And that's why Microsoft is coming here."
Read about Microsoft
Sunny Gettinger, global communications and public affairs manager for Google said in a statement, "We are opening an office in Madison because the city offers an excellent quality of life, a deep local talent pool, and commitment to education at all levels, including the University of Wisconsin."
In a similar vein, UW Madison computer science department chair Guri Sohi said, "The high-tech companies don't go where all the different incentives are, they go where the talent and the brains are. And that's why Microsoft is coming here."
Read about Microsoft