It might not seem like now is the time for Superior to be eyeing growth in foreign markets, but that's exactly what Wisconsin's commerce secretary envisions for Superior and communities throughout the state.
Dick Leinenkugel, the keynote speaker for the 125th Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber dinner tonight, kicked off his speech with a list of stats that would make any Superiorite smile.
He talked about Superior's port being the 16th largest in the country and the transportation industry accounting for more than 10 percent of the city's economy, and the University of Wisconsin Superior being a big research hub for the state. And he happily pointed out that, of the five chamber dinners he's attended since taking over at the state's Department of Commerce, Superior's dinner has offered the most varieties of Leinenkugel beer.
Before coming on as secretary, Leinenkugel was the vice president of sales and marketing at his family's business, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.
Then came the bad news: Gov. Jim Doyle has announced that the state's budget deficit could climb from the previously announced $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion.
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"The governor said we cannot cut our way out of this deficit," he said. So the goal of Leinenkugel's department is to help increase tax revenues by helping boost job growth.
"We need to help people who are out of work find jobs," Leinenkugel said.
To do that, he said the state is offering tax incentives and grants directed at job growth, he said.
One way to grow businesses is to get more leaders to look outside the United States for customers. He said Wisconsin has grown from the 26th state in terms of foreign trade in 2006 to 18th in 2008.
Unfortunately however, two-thirds of Wisconsin manufacturers said in a survey recently that they didn't sell anything beyond U.S. borders.
"I think this is a perfect opportunity to engage those companies," he said.
