Every year, we declare October as “Manufacturing Month” to highlight our strong history of manufacturing in Wisconsin. In fact, manufacturing is one of our strongest industries, with about 9,500 manufacturers employing more than 467,000 workers throughout our great state.

As the baby boomers start to retire, however, we need to anticipate filling high-demand positions in manufacturing by training the next generation of Wisconsin manufacturers.

There is, and will continue to be, an increased need for highly skilled workers in the manufacturing industry, and we need to ensure we have a robust talent pipeline in the years to come. One program we’re investing in to meet this demand is the Fabrication Laboratories, or Fab Labs, Grant Program.

Yesterday, we announced that Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is now accepting applications for the Fab Labs Grant Program, which provides funding to schools to help them build or expand Fab Labs.

For those who are unfamiliar with what Fab Labs are, they provide hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math education through high-tech workshops and cutting-edge equipment. Without the Fab Labs Grant Program, many of these schools would not be able to provide students with this unique opportunity.

We first introduced this program in the spring of 2016, and grants totaling $600,000 were awarded to 25 school districts. WEDC is allocating an additional $500,000 this fiscal year to award an anticipated 20 grants, which will be announced in the spring of 2017.

We received an overwhelming response from school districts in the first round of funding for the Fab Labs Grant Program, so it’s clear there is a real need to expand it to even more school districts throughout the state. Fab Labs give our students real-life experience in the global economy before they graduate from high school, help them figure out if a career in manufacturing is right for them, and provide them with the skills they will need to compete for the jobs of the future.

To learn more about the Fab Labs Grant Program or apply for a grant, check out the InWisconsin website below.

Last week, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of World Dairy Expo, a worldwide dairy event held in Madison every year that attracts dairy experts and other visitors from around the globe.

Every year, more than 70,000 people representing nearly 100 different countries flock to Madison for this premier dairy event.

Wisconsin has long been considered “America’s Dairyland,” and with 9,500 dairy farms, more than any other state in the country, it’s easy to see why.

World Dairy Expo brings thousands of global dairy experts to our state and provides us the opportunity to forge new relationships within the dairy industry.

We’re proud of our dairy heritage, and we’re proud to host this international event every year to showcase our innovative ideas and promote Wisconsin dairy.

Fun Fact:

Did you know every year, the Wisconsin Purebred Cattle Association names a “Cow of the Year” to represent her breed and celebrate our state’s domestic animal, the dairy cow? This year’s winner is Grand-View BBK Dreamer, a 10-year old Ayrshire from Cecil, Wisconsin.

To learn more about Grand-View BBK Dreamer or previous Cow of the Year winners, click below.