Er, please read my mea culpa on the following blog entry. There is a major factual error involved in this posting.
I don’t read everything that comes out of the mayor’s office. Press releases, articles, etc are put out at a rapid pace, I usually read the title and move on . . . but today, something caught my eye. In a statement he sent out today which looks like an article for Business newsletters, he writes the following:
2005 in Review: A Good Year for Jobs and Economic Development in Madison
By Mayor Dave CieslewiczThe City of Madison’s economy was stronger than ever in 2005.
The latest data from the Department of Workforce Development show that a remarkable 3,000 new jobs were created in Madison in the past 12 months alone. Since I took office in April, 2003, we have created nearly 5,000 jobs in our community. At the same time, our unemployment rate of 3.0% is the lowest in the state, and one of the lowest in the nation. This is good news for employers and employees alike.
Let me repeat – 3,ooo jobs in 12 months. At the same time we probably added about 2,000 housing units. All of this at a time when businesses are allegedly fleeing the City. You know the list, the minimum wage, inclusionary zoning, smoking ban, phosphorus ban, paid sick leave, etc. etc. etc. So, if businesses are fleeing the City, why are we adding so many jobs and housing units? The Mayor goes on to list our many awards we received this year:
National business publications continue to take notice of Madison’s economic leadership. In 2005 alone, we earned recognition from Forbes (“one of the ten best metros for business and careers”), Expansion Management (“5-star business opportunity metro), Entrepreneur (“#6 mid-sized city in the U.S. for entrepreneurs”) and Fast Company (“one of 15 up-and-coming hubs for creative workers”).
He also cites the following accomplishments:
From revitalizing the Economic Development Commission under the leadership of Mark Bugher to pursuing recommendations for making Madison city government more business-friendly, my administration is working to create an environment where local businesses can grow and prosper.
Working in close consultation with Governor Doyle, state officials and the city’s Office of Business Resources, we secured significant resources to help two major employers – Covance and Tomotherapy – grow their businesses here in Madison. Through an innovative combination of TIF financing, federal grants and other tools, these employers are creating and retaining 650 high-wage jobs in Madison and growing our local economy. Partnership with the state was also the key to the $9.2 million investment that is moving forward in the Todd Drive area on MadisonÂ’s South Side. This redevelopment of a key commercial corridor will enable Madison to retain growing employers like NRS Corp., WIPFLI Accounting and Gaming Informatics, while leveraging $18 million in private investment.
In addition, the City worked closely with Cascade Asset Management to find a site and expedite approvals for a major expansion. The 30-employee company, which provides for the environmentally responsible recycling and disposal of computers and other electronic equipment, broke ground in May of 2005 and opened its new facility in November 2005. The company expects to have approximately 50-60 positions when fully operational.
Small businesses were not forgotten either. In 2005, my office organized the first-ever Small Business Conference in Madison, bringing together city officials, small business owners and other stakeholders to explore ways to strengthen that key sector of our local economy.
On the development side, cranes continued to be as common in Madison as bratwurst. While the rebirth of the Capitol Square area (complete with the return of parking on the Square!) has been the most noticeable aspect of this trend, major development can also be seen everywhere from Hilldale Mall to South Park Street to residential development throughout the far east and far west sides of the city.
Is Madison government doing enough for businesses? Why all these claims we are chasing businesses away? Something isn’t adding up. The facts just don’t support all the frenzied rhetoric.
