Business community leaders and directors from around the St. Croix Valley met with Wisconsin legislators in Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 14 to discuss important issues facing local businesses in our communities. The goal was to give our legislators an idea of who we are in the St. Croix Valley, why our area is so special, what our business community needs, and how they can help us. The topics this trip focused on include:

• Support for middle/workforce housing

• Funding for childcare/early intervention

• Drive workforce attraction, development and retention

• Strengthening tourism

• Pioneer fiscal/tax policy

• Developing broadband, economic development and small business Special thanks to the following community partners for participating and orchestrating this project: Hudson Chamber of Commerce, St. Croix Economic Development Corporation, Osceola Area Chamber of Commerce, Northwood Technical College, River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Polk County Economic Development Corporation, Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Pierce County Economic Development Corporation.

Submitted by PCEDC