Economy

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Republicans Eye Social Program Cuts to Fund Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

More Tax Cuts for the Wealthy. More Cuts for 70 Million Americans. In a move that has sparked widespread concern, Republican leaders are reportedly considering significant cuts to social programs they once vowed to protect. The proposed changes aim to offset the enormous cost of extending the 2017 tax cuts, which largely benefited billionaires and…

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Another Major Data Center May Be Coming to Southeast Wisconsin

A new large-scale data center campus may soon join the growing tech infrastructure in southeast Wisconsin. The Kenosha Plan Commission is set to review a proposal on November 21 for a four-building data center campus near Interstate 94 and Highway 142, just six miles south of Microsoft’s $3.3 billion data center project in Mount Pleasant….

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Sheboygan’s Economy: Stable Labor Market and Manufacturing Adjustments in 2024

Overview of Labor Force Data Sheboygan’s labor market in 2024 has shown resilience and adaptability with a stable workforce and low unemployment. The civilian labor force expanded gradually, reaching 63.8 thousand by September, and employment has kept pace, hitting 62.4 thousand. The unemployment rate, initially at 2.4% in April, has declined steadily, reaching a low…

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New Wisconsin Excise Tax to Charge 3 Cents per kWh for EV Charging Stations Starting January 1, 2025

MADISON, Wis. – Starting January 1, 2025, Wisconsin will implement a new excise tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging, as announced by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Under the stipulations of the recently enacted 2023 Wisconsin Act 121, this tax imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour charge on electricity delivered to EVs at charging stations. The…

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Sheboygan Moves Forward with Demolition of Former Wells Fargo Building for Downtown Revitalization

November 13, 2024 — The City of Sheboygan is advancing its efforts to revitalize the downtown area by demolishing the former Wells Fargo Bank building at 828 Center Avenue. During a recent meeting on November 12, the Sheboygan Public Works Committee approved a contract with Scott’s Excavating, which will manage the demolition and necessary site…

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Sheboygan’s Planning & Development Director Resigns Abruptly After 14 Months

November 13, 2024 — The City of Sheboygan’s Director of Planning and Development, Diane McGinnis-Casey, has resigned from her position, effective immediately, after just over a year in the role. McGinnis-Casey submitted her resignation to the city’s human resources department on October 31. The following day, City Administrator Casey Bradley informed Mayor Ryan Sorenson, Common…

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Biden Administration’s Policies Drive Historic Manufacturing Comeback in Small Cities Across the U.S.

November 13, 2024 — After decades of decline, American manufacturing has made a historic comeback, with small cities at the forefront. This resurgence, sparked by strategic policies from the Biden administration, has revitalized communities previously facing economic downturns. Programs like the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have incentivized manufacturers to open…

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Hultafors Group Manufacturing Plant in Mequon to Close in 2025, Impacting 45 Jobs

MEQUON, Wis. (Nov 12, 2024) — Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector is set to take a hit as Hultafors Group North America, LLC announced plans to close its Mequon facility in early 2025, resulting in the layoff of approximately 45 employees. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retention Notification (WARN) submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development,…