On March 26, executives from Envision joined with economic developers across the state in advocating at the state capitol through WEDA’s 2025 Legislative Day. Lisa McArthur and Joe Venhuizen spoke with legislators to represent the interests of the Fond du Lac County business community. Their key targets for reform during this legislative cycle are:

1. Modernization of Tax Incremental Financing – As the most consistently reliable tool for local government to spur economic activity and tax base growth, Wisconsin’s TIF laws need enhanced flexibility to be effective in the 21st century economy.
2. Improvements to Housing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) – Less than 5% of the money allocated by the state to affordable housing loan programs last session has been leveraged for development, because of prohibitive regulations that restrict access by developers and communities.
3. BTC reform to aid Child Care and Housing – The Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) reforms passed during last session need language tweaks to expand utilization by BTC eligible businesses, providing private industry an incentive for assisting in Wisconsin’s housing and child care crises.

If you have concerns requiring joint advocacy and would like the assistance of Envision, please review our Legislative Agenda for a summary of our organization’s priorities. Feel free to connect directly with Joe Venhuizen to discuss.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) is a statewide organization unifying economic developers, private industry, chambers of commerce, and public officials.