SOUTHEAST REGION
Counties: Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Kenosha,
Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan,
Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
DIVERSITY IS THE SOUTHEAST
REGION’s ECONOMIC DRIVER
The Wisconsin Economic Future Study was designed to help
the state and its seven regions to better identify driver
industries—those sectors that are most competitive and
have the greatest potential for national and global prominence.
The current analysis of the Southeast region is on par
with its history of a diversified economy. Forty-one
drivers were identified for this region, and the Electrical
Equipment Manufacturing industry group remains the
largest single driver of the regional economy. In fact, this
driver experienced growth during the recent recession
(2008–2011) where the industry had a 36.3 percent growth
rate. It’s also the anchor for other related industries, such
as the Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component
Manufacturing cluster, which also showed significant
growth of gross regional product.
Machinery Manufacturing is another cluster in the region
that includes both moderate and low technology-intensive
industries. All but one industry group in this cluster is
concentrated in the region and had positive gains over the
last three years.
Three additional clusters represent the statewide economic
base of the Wisconsin economy—Food Manufacturing,
Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing—as well as a
cluster related to Paper Products Manufacturing.
• The Paper Product Manufacturing cluster is represented
by Converted Paper Product Manufacturing, showing
growth of more than 30 percent from 2008 through 2011.
One new industry group appeared as an independent
cluster—Data Processing and Related Services. It has a
regional concentration almost double the average in the
United States and has experienced positive economic
growth over the last three years.
SOUTHEAST REGION
ECONOMIC DRIVERS
The following represent the unique drivers
for this particular region, which differ from
Wisconsin’s statewide drivers.
—Animal Slaughtering and Processing
—
Charter Bus Industry
—
Chemical Merchant Wholesalers
—
Data Processing and Related Services
—
Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
—
Electronic Instrument Manufacturing
—
Other Electrical Equipment and
Component Manufacturing
• The Dairy Product Manufacturing driver industry is
most prominent in the Food Manufacturing cluster
with an increase of the gross regional product of over
30 percent from 2008 through 2011.
—
Other Food Manufacturing
• A legacy cluster from 2004, Leather Manufacturing consists
of two small industry groups that remain prominent
due to their high concentration in the region compared to
disappearing leather production in the United States.
—
Paint, Coating and Adhesive Manufacturing
—
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
—
Other Support Activities for Transportation
—
Sugar and Confectionery
Product Manufacturing
SOUTHEAST REGION INDUSTRY DRIVERS
% CHANGE IN OUTPUT GROWTH, 2008–2011
LARGEST INCREASE
1. Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
68.3%
2. Other Electrical Equipment and
Component Manufacturing
58.8%
3. Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
4. Other Support Activities for Transportation
5. Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
36.3%
35.1%
33.6%
1. Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
-11.7%
2. Household and Institutional
Furniture Manufacturing
-10.2%
-8.4%
3. Charter Bus Industry
4. Turbine and Power Transmission
Equipment Manufacturing
5. Printing and Related Support Activites
-6.3%
-1.8%
LARGEST DECREASE
Moving the region forward
The data from this study should be used to develop
investment strategies in the region’s key economic
drivers—particularly in the areas of workforce
development and innovation. In the end, this study
is about discovery and using our innovative spirit
to transform key industries into rapid, sustainable
economic growth for the Southeast region.
For a copy of the full 600-page report, please contact:
WEDC – Platinum Sponsor at
855-INWIBIZ (toll free), visit
InWisconsin.com, or email
[email protected].
Wisconsin Manufacturing
Extension Partnership –
Gold Sponsor at 877.800.2085,
or visit wmep.org.
Milwaukee 7 – Bronze Sponsor
at 414.287.4100, or visit
choosemilwaukee.com.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation • 201 W. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703 • 855-INWIBIZ • InWisconsin.com