Recently designated a Regional Tech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Wisconsin offers unique advantages to biohealth companies. Whether your focus is medical devices, life sciences, pharma, research, or innovation, you’ll find a thriving biohealth sector, low overall risk, and prime locations throughout Wisconsin.
Central Location and Robust Infrastructure
Situated between Chicago and Minneapolis, with sites less than an hour from their international airports
Well-developed infrastructure to move goods via rail, road, air or water
Stable, Educated Workforce
Our biohealth workforce is nearly 50,000 strong
The statewide University of Wisconsin system awards 41,000+ four-year degrees annually
The Wisconsin Technical College System provides customized training and 90% of employers said graduates met or exceeded expectations
Geographically and Fiscally Stable
Low risk of natural disasters
A stable, low-tax, low-regulation, business-friendly environment Join the more than 1,700 biohealth companies finding success in Wisconsin. Let’s look forward together.
One month ago, Ron Starner reported on Foot Locker’s HQ relocation from New York City to St. Petersburg, Florida. This week, The Real Deal reported that 40% (303,741 sq. ft.) of the space Foot Locker vacated on West 34th Street is now being occupied by Amazon (in a partnership with WeWork) in what Morningstar Credit is calling the largest office lease to be signed in New York City since 2019. “Back in August, we wrote in a Newsflash that the largest tenant, Foot Locker, would be physically vacating its space at the property despite a lease through 2031,” Morningstar Credit reported. “The loan itself is collateralized by the ground lease at the property, which is leased to an affiliate of Vornado.”
Earlier this year, Berkeley-founded rock band Green Day announced the launch of a limited-edition capsule that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the album “Dookie” in partnership with workwear brand Dickies. Photo courtesy of Dickies
It may seem like the California vs. Texas rivalry is mostly one-way, as in companies vacating the Golden State’s reportedly onerous business operating environment for more business-friendly surroundings in the Lone Star State. But this week VF Corp, owners since 2017 of 102-year-old Fort Worth apparel company Dickies, announced it would relocate the Dickies HQ to the Vans corporate HQ campus in Costa Mesa, California. “This move allows VF to further consolidate its U.S. real estate portfolio as part of its stated business turnaround strategy,” read a statement from VF. “But more importantly, by co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections — creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time in announcing the news, noting that “California is home to the most Fortune 500 companies — beating out all other states, including Texas and Florida.” The news came about two weeks after Newsom announced the framework for the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, a plan that focuses on 10 key sectors and will “help streamline the State’s economic, business, and workforce development programs to create more jobs, faster, as part of the California Jobs First initiative.” The full plan, along with $120 million in support for “ready-to-go” projects, will be released in early 2025.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Debbie Porter holds her daughter, Ashleigh Porter, during a 2003 trip to visit Conway Data Founder Mac Conway at the Conway Farm in Micanopy, Florida. Today Ashleigh is a designer for Conway Data. Photo by Laura Lyne
Debbie Porter, chief financial officer of Conway Data Inc. (CDI), the parent company and publisher of Site Selection, recently marked a milestone achievement in her illustrious career: 40 years with the same company.
Starting out as a bookkeeper from a temp agency in 1984, Debbie now serves as director of business and finance at CDI. For the past four decades, Debbie has not just kept a keen eye on the books of this company. She has shepherded it through good times and bad, brought sharp business insight into strategic decisions for the company, and strived to keep everyone at CDI focused on the same goal: delivering maximum value for our customers, the business and its ownership.
To say that she has worn many hats over the years would be a huge understatement. She serves as the chief financial administrator for the Industrial Asset Management Council. She is head of human relations and risk management for CDI. She is our de facto corporate real estate director, and she is an officer (secretary/treasurer) and director on the board of the company. Very little happens at CDI without her oversight, management and leadership. When COVID-19 and other unexpected events hit the company in 2020, Debbie made critical strategic decisions and made key financial moves that stabilized the firm and put CDI in position to thrive and prosper for the long term.
In short, she is a CFO like none other. If you are a fan of Site Selection, IAMC and other offerings of CDI, please take time to thank Debbie Porter. Without her leadership, none of what the rest of us do here would be possible. — Ron Starner, EVP, Conway Data Inc.
