MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s growing biohealth sector made it to the international stage during a recent trade mission to Europe led by Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
The trip not only promoted exports and international investments in the Badger State, but also kicked off the 50th anniversary of Wisconsin’s sister-state relationship with Hessen, Germany.
WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes recently spoke with Spectrum News 1 Political Anchor Anthony DaBruzzi about the trade mission.
“Germany in particular, we went to visit because we were there for Hannover Messe, which is one of the world's largest advanced manufacturing trade shows. We wanted to make sure that we were looking [for] and being able to visit companies that are engaged in the most advanced, most cutting-edge technology, and we were able to visit Wisconsin companies that were at the trade show also,” Hughes explained. “So, it was a really focused moment to go and visit amid everything else that's going on.”
“We already have lots of German companies that have invested in Wisconsin. If we look around the Milwaukee area, we look at companies like Krones and Veelo that have already invested in Wisconsin. We have HARIBO, of course, and we have a long tradition of working closely with German businesses,” Hughes said. “And so, one of the things that we do when we go and visit countries is we visit companies that have already invested in Wisconsin, we say, ‘How's it going? Is there anything that you need?’ and we make sure that they know if they are looking to do an additional investment, that they should absolutely consider doing that here in Wisconsin.”
“When you are in this period of uncertainty, being able to shake hands with someone, to look them in the eye, to ask them about their family, and to talk about the beautiful spring weather, it seems, you know, silly, but it's such a great way to provide certainty,” Hughes responded. “They were so grateful to have the chance to talk with us to understand what our goals are, so we could understand what their goals are and just really think about the ways we can work together.”
