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Article: JIM STINGL; IN MY OPINION What will it take to lure back manufacturing?
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- August 9, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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The long-term prospects for manufacturing in Wisconsin are very
much in doubt and debate. The last year has seen an erosion of more
than 120,000 jobs across the state, including more than 50,000 in
manufacturing.
Since 2000, the manufacturing freefall has been nearly as
drastic, down 140,000 jobs from a high point of 590,000. That
collapse has a lot to do with why average wages in Wisconsin have
dropped to 86% of the national average.
Political and business leaders have watched this trend with
something approaching shock. It has more than offset impressive
growth in other parts of the economy, such as biotechnology and
academic research and development.
State and local leaders have put ...