Regional Profile

Welcome to the Fox Cities Chamber Regional Partnership:
a Wisconsin Business Powerhouse

We don’t just roll out the red carpet for business, we roll up our sleeves.

The Fox Cities Chamber Regional Partnership is comprised of some 60 towns, villages and cities located throughout our service area of Outagamie County, Calumet County, and the northern portion of Winnebago county in east-central Wisconsin.

Within 50 Miles of the Fox Cities Region

US FCRP 50 500-lg

Within 500 Miles of the Fox Cities Region

Population growth outpacing the Wisconsin average!

Fox Cities Region: 0.6%
Wisconsin: 0.4%
United States: 0.8%
  • "The Regional Partnership’s focus on talent attraction is also a huge benefit to Werner Electric.   (more…)
    Craig Wiedemeier--VP OperationsWerner Electric
  • “We have highly skilled employees who are not only extremely productive, but also have a work ethic that can’t be beat.”
    Jodie Larson, VP Human Resources,Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. Grand Chute and the Town of Menasha
  • "To be competitive in manufacturing, having a stable, solid workforce is essential. At Pierce Manufacturing’s facilities in Grand Chute and the Town of Menasha, we have highly skilled employees who are not only extremely productive, but also have a work ethic that can’t be beat."
    Jodie LarsenVice President, Community Engagement at Oshkosh Corporation

Very Competitive Cost of Doing Business

The region offers lower-than-average wages and affordable utilities, resulting in a cost of doing business that is significantly lower than the national average.  The mean hourly wage in the Fox Cities Region is lower than the U.S. and Wisconsin averages.

Fox Cities

$20.09 per hour

mean hourly wage

Wisconsin

$20.62 per hour

mean hourly wage

United States

$22.71 per hour

mean hourly wage

Union Membership in the Fox Cities is on par with the Nation

Fox Cities Region: 11.2%
United States: 11.1%

Active and Thriving Workforce Training

Fox Valley Technical College is the leading vocational and adult education provider in the Fox Cities Region, serving about 50,000 people annually; including over 1,600 employers with contracted services annually serving over 24,000 employees via contracted training annually.
  • "In Fall 2014, we approached the Fox Cities Regional Partnership with a challenge: a substantial need for trained concrete mixer drivers and no external technical training program in existence.  Within days, we were sitting down with leadership at Fox Valley Technical College, along with staff of the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association (WRMCA), discussing the idea of developing a customized training program at Fox Valley Tech that would not only serve our company, but the entire Fox Cities region.  It worked!  The program has been created and we’re moving forward placing our new hires in it.  It is a continuously evolving project, but it is one that we know will help our industry greatly in the long run."

    Adam TegelmanDirector of Operations, MCC, Inc.
  • "Fox Valley Technical College is a long-time advocate of the Business Retention and Expansion program. The professional staff at the Fox Cities Regional Partnership are difference makers when organizations identify potential opportunities or obstacles that can impact  their operations. Through their vast resource network and understanding of the regional economy, the Fox Cities Regional Partnership can make the right connections or bring needed resources to the table that can move organizations forward.  Fox Valley Technical College is proud to contribute to the Partnership and its client organizations when talent development, operational process, and specialized skill solutions are required." 

    Dale WalkerDirector-Business and Industry Services, Fox Valley Technical College

Excellent Transportation and Market Access

The Fox Cities Region is a powerhouse when it comes to transportation.

Fox Cities Regional Partnership--Service Area

Talent Upload-WI Outline-smAppleton International Airport (ATW), a certified commercial service airport with air cargo services provided by FedEx and maximum runway length of 8,002 feet.

Talent Upload-WI Outline-smClass I railroad, Canadian National provides regular and reliable freight railway service to many of the Fox Cities Region’s industrial parks.

Talent Upload-WI Outline-smFour Interstate Highways in the region: I-43, I-10, I-41 and I-45.

Talent Upload-WI Outline-smAccess to the Ports of Green Bay (30 miles north) and Milwaukee (100 miles south) with access to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Talent Upload-WI Outline-sm

Telecommunications are provided by AT&T, US Sprint, MCI, Charter Communications, and Nsight Telservices.

  • "With a solid technical and logistical infrastructure in place in the Fox Cities Region, we’re able to provide exceptional service to more than 250,000 customers (including 90 percent of the Fortune 500 companies) in more than 100 countries."
    Marne Keller-KrikavaPresident and CEO, J.J. Keller & Assoc.

A Diverse Mix of Industries and World-Class Companies

RankCompany NameLocationIndustryFox Cities Employment
1ThedaCareCity of AppletonGeneral medical and surgical hospitals6800
2Affinity Health SystemCity of MenashaOffices of physicians (except mental health specialists)3900
3Kimberly-Clark Corp.Town of MenashaConsumer paper products3200
4Thrivent FinancialCity of AppletonDirect life insurance carriers2000
20Expera Specialty Solutions Inc. LLCCity of KaukaunaSpecialty paper products for consumer & industrial applications1800
7Faith TechnologiesCity of MenashaElectrical contractor1700
9Pierce ManufacturingTown of MenashaFire truck manufacturing1500
5PlexusCity of NeenahElectronic circuit board manufacturing & assembly1450
8Miller Electric MFGCity of AppletonWelding and soldering equipment manufacturing1400
11J.J. Keller & AssociatesTown of VinlandRegulatory compliance & safety training materials 1400
10Bergstrom CorpCity of NeenahNew & used auto & truck sales & service1200
6Bemis Co, Inc.City of NeenahFlexible food & consumer product packaging1100
15R.R. Donnelley & SonsCity of MenashaBook & catalogue printing1000
17West CorpCity of AppletonTelemarketing bureaus and other contact centers1000
18GulfstreamTown of GreenvilleAircraft manufacturing1000
12Neenah Enterprises, IncCity of NeenahMunicipal & industrial iron castings950
14AppvionCity of AppletonThermal, carbonless & specialty paper products850
19Menasha CorpCity of NeenahPlastics, packaging, paperboard products & POP displays850
13Nestle USA-Pizza DivVillage of Little ChuteFrozen specialty food manufacturing800
16SCA Tissue NorthTown of MenashaPaper converting, facial & toilet tissue & napkins750
22Guardian Life Insurance CoCity of AppletonDirect life insurance carriers650
23Alta ResourcesCity of NeenahTelemarketing bureau650
21Appleton Coated LLCVillage of Combined LocksCoated & uncoated paper products620
5Presto ProductsTown of Grand ChutePlastic bags, wrap, stretch film & zippers, soil stabilization, surface & turf protection products & polyethylene pavers600
24McCain Foods USA Inc.Town of Grand ChuteFrozen specialty food manufacturing550
25Neenah Paper CoTown of MenashaQuality bond, text, cover & recycled papers500

Reliable Electric, Gas and Telecommunications, and Plentiful Water

Electricity is provided by a combination of local and regional providers, including Alliant Energy, Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WE Energies) and Wisconsin Public Service.

Natural gas is provided by WE Energies.

Telecommunications are provided by AT&T, US Sprint, MCI, Charter Communications, and Nsight Telservices.

High-quality, fresh water sources are abundant in the Fox Cities Region.  Water utilities draw from publicly-owned supplies such as Lake Winnebago and from ground water wells.  The Fox River serves as a water source in case of emergency.

The utility providers in the Fox Cities Region offer many economic development tools to help make your utility usage work hard for you. Examples include: interruptible load credits, market-based pricing, new construction programs and technical assistance, and more.  Local municipalities and others provide numerous incentives as well.  Contact Fox Cities Regional Partnership for more information on which incentives would be available for your specific project.

Business-Friendly Taxes & Incentives

In Wisconsin, the corporate income tax is 7.9% and the state sales tax is 5.0% (below the average U.S. median of 6.0%).  Beginning in 2016, the Wisconsin Manufacturing & Agriculture Tax Credit will be equal to 7.5% of a company’s qualified production activities income and can be taken against the corporate income tax liability, thus reducing the tax rate on Wisconsin manufacturing income from 7.9% to 0.4%.  (A 5.526% tax credit is available for tax year 2015)
Wisconsin exempts property taxes on all advanced manufacturing machinery and equipment as well as on computers, software, and electronic peripheral equipment.
The Fox Cities Regional Partnership offers businesses access to a multitude of resources and programs, ranging from training, education and advice to loans and other financial resources.

See our Taxes and Incentives page for more information and links.

Living in the Fox Cities Region

School districts in the Fox Cities Region produce more graduates that exceed both state and national averages.

Educational Attainment1

Source: ACS 209-2013

The Fox Cities Talent Alliance helps area school districts and businesses collaborate on a wide variety of school-to-work initiatives, including a highly-recognized math-science-technology academy for teachers and job-shadowing programs.

There are 18 colleges and universities within an hour’s drive of the Fox Cities Region.  These include Fox Valley Technical College, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Green Bay, UW-Fox Valley, St. Norbert College, and Lawrence University.

Looking to expand or relocate your business?

 

Contact Us!