2010 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 560. Department of commerce.
560.03 Business and industrial development.

560.03

560.03 Business and industrial development. The department shall foster, encourage and advocate economic development programs designed to broaden and strengthen the economy of the state, and it shall provide specific leadership in the following instances among others:

560.03(1)

(1) Support and assist the efforts of local business and industry, local government, state, regional and local development corporations, industrial committees, chambers of commerce, labor organizations and other similar public and private agencies to foster expansion of existing agricultural, commercial, industrial and mining enterprises, and initiate efforts to attract new enterprises, including working jointly with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection to develop deer farming under s. 93.46 (1) (am).

560.03(2)

(2) Identify for the governor's attention those significant business and industrial problems which may be relieved by state action.

560.03(3)

(3) Assist in the formulation and implementation of integrated economic and community development programs for northern Wisconsin and other areas or regions of the state and cooperate with and provide technical assistance to any organizations created for the purpose of aiding and encouraging an orderly, productive and coordinated development of the state.

560.03(4)

(4) Assist in the formulation and development of a more intensive program to aid and expand the mining industry.

560.03(4m)

(4m) Provide, to communities in northern Wisconsin that are affected by mining, technical assistance with planning to diversify their economies.

560.03(5)

(5) Provide advice and assistance to Wisconsin business and labor.

560.03(6)

(6) Locate and maintain information on prime industrial sites, together with recommendations for developing and preserving such sites.

560.03(7)

(7) Perform such other functions as the governor may direct to aid in the industrial development of the state.

560.03(8)

(8) Help local units of government to plan and initiate development projects.

560.03(9)

(9) Establish and operate a small business ombudsman clearinghouse for business and industry to facilitate the flow of information from other state and federal agencies, to assist state agencies in establishing methods to encourage the participation of small businesses in rule making under s. 227.114 (4) and to serve as ombudsman for small business stationary sources, as defined in s. 285.79 (1), in connection with the implementation of the federal clean air act, 42 USC 7401 to 7671q. The department shall assign one full-time employee of the small business ombudsman clearinghouse to provide assistance to businesses as specified under s. 560.42 (1m).

560.03(10)

(10) Explore the feasibility of new programs which will address, but not be limited to, the following areas of concern:

560.03(10)(a)

(a) The capital development financing needs of business, industrial and agricultural enterprises.

560.03(10)(b)

(b) The creation of job opportunities in inner cities and other economically depressed areas.

560.03(10)(c)

(c) Credit assistance for business and economic development.

560.03(10)(d)

(d) Optimum utilization of federal programs designed to encourage and aid economic development.

560.03(10)(e)

(e) The potential of a program to promote and encourage inventions and technological innovations.

560.03(11)

(11) Prepare and maintain comprehensive plans for the dynamic development of the economy of each area of the state in cooperation with representatives of the area.

560.03(16)

(16) Publish and distribute a list of all aid programs and services made available by this state to its communities. The department shall charge and collect a fee to cover the cost of publication and distribution under this subsection.

560.03(17)

(17) Assist new businesses and small businesses receiving economic development loans under s. 234.65 (1) (a) or the assistance of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in locating sources of venture capital and in obtaining the state and federal licenses and permits necessary for business operations.

560.03(18)

(18) Develop and implement a plan to promote and increase exports, including agricultural products, and foreign investment in this state. The plan shall provide for the secretary to take a leadership role in assuring collaboration and coordination among international trade activities conducted by governmental entities to assure efficiency and to avoid duplication and may include provisions for participation in trade fairs and missions, establishment and maintenance of foreign trade offices and preparation of research on foreign markets for exports from this state and on opportunities for foreign investment in this state. The plan shall describe the allocation of funds for support staff in this state to implement the plan and for all other costs in implementing each provision of the plan. In developing and implementing the plan, the department shall consult with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, the University of Wisconsin System, the technical college system and other public and private agencies and institutions supporting international trade education or activities. Any plan to establish a foreign trade office shall include the feasibility of establishing a system of graduated fees which a trade office may use to offset its operating costs, or a system of commissions for execution of successful transactions, or both.

560.03(19)

(19) Establish an office of regulatory assistance in the department to provide services as set forth in subch. III.

560.03(20)

(20) Provide technical assistance to community development corporations, as defined in s. 234.94 (2), and to persons who are forming community development corporations.

560.03(21)

(21) Promulgate rules for the rural hospital loan guarantee program, as required by s. 231.35 (7).

560.03(22)

(22) Assist American Indian communities in economic development activities.

560.03(23)

(23) Review business plans of persons who intend to apply for a permit under s. 170.12 and who have not previously engaged in commercial log raising. If the department determines, after the review, that the business plan is viable, the department shall approve the plan.

560.03(25)

(25) In cooperation with the department of financial institutions and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, provide education and other support to facilitate the development networks of bona fide angel investors, as defined in s. 71.07 (5d) (a) 1.

560.03(26)

(26) In cooperation with the department of financial institutions and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, annually conduct and publish the results of a study of Wisconsin businesses to determine new business formation trends and identify obstacles faced by new Wisconsin businesses and areas where changes in governmental policy may satisfy the needs of new Wisconsin businesses. As part of the study, the department of commerce shall conduct a survey of Wisconsin businesses.

560.03 - ANNOT.

History: 1971 c. 211 s. 126; 1971 c. 321 ss. 10, 16; Stats. 1971 s. 560.03; 1979 c. 34; 1979 c. 361 ss. 45, 87 to 96; 1979 c. 362; 1983 a. 27, 83, 86, 90, 91, 192; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1985 a. 299; 1987 a. 27, 186; 1987 a. 399 s. 433; 1989 a. 317; 1991 a. 39, 302; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27, 227; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 104; 2003 a. 255; 2007 a. 125; 2009 a. 28, 265.