Madison Reporter

National and global economic conditions are at the forefront of concerns for business leaders in Wisconsin, according to the latest Wisconsin Employer Survey. Conducted biannually by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the survey aims to identify key issues affecting the state's business climate.

The survey revealed that 36 percent of respondents identified the national economy as their primary concern, while 13 percent pointed to global economic conditions. Healthcare costs and labor availability were also significant concerns, cited by 11 percent and 10 percent of respondents, respectively.

A notable finding from the survey is a decrease in employers struggling to find workers, with only 52 percent reporting difficulty—the lowest figure recorded by WMC in over ten years. This marks a significant drop from six months ago when 63 percent of employers reported such challenges.

Kurt R. Bauer, President & CEO of WMC, commented on the impact of uncertainty on economic conditions: “Uncertainty always has an economic impact,” he said. He attributed easier hiring to businesses delaying decisions amid a slow economy, leading more individuals to seek employment. The unemployment rate in Wisconsin stands at 3.3 percent as of May 2025, slightly up from March's 3.2 percent.

Despite these uncertainties, a substantial majority—86 percent—of surveyed businesses reported profitability over the past six months, with 92 percent anticipating continued profitability through year-end. Business leaders rated both the Wisconsin and U.S. economies similarly; 20 percent described Wisconsin's economy as "strong," while only 13 percent said the same about the U.S. economy.

On policy matters, healthcare affordability emerged as a critical issue for state-level action among employers. Thirty-eight percent advocated for addressing healthcare costs as a priority for state intervention, followed by reducing regulations (23 percent) and taxes (21 percent).

“Wisconsin has the fourth highest health care costs in the nation,” Bauer noted, emphasizing that healthcare poses a significant burden for businesses providing employee coverage. He called on lawmakers to consider measures like price transparency legislation and establishing a fee schedule for workers' compensation.

WMC represents diverse businesses across all sectors in Wisconsin's economy. The Summer 2025 edition of their survey included responses from 208 employers reflecting its membership and broader business community perspectives.