By Kate Kail
Associated Press
MILWAUKEE - Gov. Scott McCallum announced a new state economic plan Monday that would increase worker salaries, keep state university graduates in Wisconsin and increase the state's quality of life.
"Build Wisconsin," a comprehensive economic development strategy, calls on educators, legislators and business leaders to turn economic ideas into a "common purpose toward a common end for the common good," McCallum said during the state's second economic summit at the Midwest Express Center.
"It truly does take all of us to allow Wisconsin to unleash its energy," McCallum said. "State government can and will provide the resources necessary to build a strategic plan for economic growth. I will do all I can for the private sector to grow and prosper in Wisconsin."
The plan includes initiatives in high-tech industries, business outreach, infrastructure, international marketing and promoting Wisconsin's image, he said.
McCallum said he especially wants to draw corporate headquarters with high-salary positions back to Wisconsin.
"We must be very aggressive about going after high-paying jobs and building those jobs now," he said. "I don't want to go after Wal-Marts. No offense to them, they're good jobs. When we lost Firstar last year, I thought it was a major blow."
More recommendations for the plan could come in early 2002, said Department of Commerce acting secretary Phil Albert, whom McCallum asked to lead the effort.
McCallum also announced a partnership with the University of Wisconsin System that will offer Wisconsin businesses free job postings on Internet sites that target state public university graduates.
"Wisconsin Jobs for Wisconsin Grads" aims to keep promising college graduates living and working in the state and appeal to alumni to return. It could launch early next year, he said.
McCallum also outlined plans for a trade mission to Mexico to expand commercial, cultural and educational ties with Wisconsin. More than 30 people from 25 Wisconsin businesses will travel with McCallum and cover the costs of his trip, he said.
McCallum's plans include promoting product launches for three Wisconsin companies and meeting with high-ranking Mexican officials, including Mexican President Vicente Fox, who McCallum called a "real friend to the Badger State."
McCallum said since taking office in February, his administration's accomplishments include planning the overhaul of Milwaukee's Marquette Interchange, developing a state venture capital network and enacting an airline hub tax exemption.
That exemption keeps direct flights to major cities and ties Wisconsin to the nation's coasts, setting an example for future economic plans, he said.
"It symbolizes what we must do as a state," McCallum said. The UW System hosted the summit, which brought together university, business and government leaders in Milwaukee to address the state's economy and to brainstorm strategies for Wisconsin's future.
McCallum said after his speech that he believes the deficit in the two-year state budget he signed in August will fall within his earlier projections of between $300 million and $1.3 billion.
Everything is on the table when it comes to finding a way to reduce expenditures, but he will not accept tax increases proposed by lawmakers, he said.
"They've got to understand we've got to live within our means," McCallum said.
On the Net:
Wisconsin Economic Summit II: http://www.wisconsin.edu/summit
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