Here & Now

New WEDC CEO Talks Foxconn, Agency Priorities

Frederica Freyberg:

Now to the economy and new leadership at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Missy Hughes is the new CEO, formally general counsel for Organic Valley, a national farm co-op farm organization. She takes the reins from Mark Hogan who was appointed by former Governor Scott Walker in 2015 and stepped down in September. Hogan oversaw the corporate board’s approval of the $3 billion Foxconn contract with the state. We talk now about the future of that project as well as other agency priorities with new WEDC Head Missy Hughes. Thanks very much for being here.

Missy Hughes:

Thank you.

Frederica Freyberg:

Tell me how your background informed how you will work as CEO at WEDC?

Missy Hughes:

I came from a co-operative of 2,000 family farmers. That’s what Organic Valley is. And my background there is really bringing all of these diverse stakeholders together. They’re the owners of the business and bringing them together to understand where are we going, how are we going to market and what are we trying to do to succeed. So I think that that effort of collaboration is going to serve me really well as I work at WEDC and work with all the different stakeholders that are involved in economic development in Wisconsin.

Frederica Freyberg:

Now, you have toured the state even in your short tenure as CEO. What did you find and what will be your priorities?

Missy Hughes:

I found that there’s a lot going on all around the state as far as economic development goes. And what I was really impressed with is the public/private partnership that I saw throughout the state in places like Green Bay or Eau Claire. Mostly they were businesses at the table that were taking advantage of being in a strong community and working with the community to move things forward.

Frederica Freyberg:

What is the situation with Foxconn right now?

Missy Hughes:

So Foxconn is under a whole gambit of construction and there’s a ton happening there. We just briefed the board, WEDC board on the construction that’s happening there. Where I’m learning about it, I’m meeting with the leadership soon. There’s been a whole transition of different folks. There’s a different administration, a different me and a different fellow in charge of America’s projects for Foxconn. So I’m going to be meeting with him and really learning more about how do we make this project succeed, both for Foxconn and for the state.

Frederica Freyberg:

How important, in terms of Foxconn, is accountability?

Missy Hughes:

How important is accountability? I think it’s important across the board for Foxconn or for any of the projects that WEDC is involved in. And so Mark Hogan has put in a great foundation of accountability and transparency and I look forward to really building on that. But also really thinking about what are the other projects that WEDC can be involved in, whether it’s community building or small minority businesses, how are we helping them. I think there’s a whole gambit beyond Foxconn. And I really hope that as I enter into my tenure as CEO of WEDC, we’re talking a lot more about those projects and a lot less than Foxconn.

Frederica Freyberg:

We read that manufacturing has slipped in Wisconsin. What is your plan to make sure that the state’s largest employment sector thrives going forward?

Missy Hughes:

I think that there’s a new day for manufacturing in Wisconsin. And as part of my tour, I visited a number of manufacturing facilities. And I saw amazing robotics. I saw amazing new technology that’s being implemented. And just simple ideas. Printpack in Rhinelander has a great new idea that is really going to move things forward just for simple things like printing films that go around candy bars. I think there’s all sorts of new things that are going to be happening and the future of Wisconsin is manufacturing and the future of Wisconsin’s workforce is working in that manufacturing.

Frederica Freyberg:

What do you think about the Manufacturing and Ag Tax Credit as a job creation tool?

Missy Hughes:

I think that that offers the ability for manufacturing and ag businesses to locate in Wisconsin with very little tax impact. And so then they’re able to spend their money on the workforce and on developing jobs. So it’s a regenerative effort. I think we need to understand is that why companies are staying in Wisconsin and why they’re coming to Wisconsin and understanding the impact of it, as we need to be doing with all our tax credits.

Frederica Freyberg:

What are other kinds of job creation tools that you would like to make use of?

Missy Hughes:

I think one of the really most important things in job creation is having the foundation for folks to want to come and stay in Wisconsin. So strong communities, a strong quality of life, housing, broadband. There’s a gambit of all different tools in the toolbox in order to create jobs. It’s not just tax credits. It’s not just the state giving away incentives. But it’s working with all my partners in the agencies. I just came from my first cabinet meeting and meeting all of the different folks that I’m going to be working with is really exciting.

Frederica Freyberg:

One thing that I know that the previous CEO was embarked upon at WEDC was this kind of ad blitz to try to attract employees to Wisconsin. How is that going? Are we doing well on that?

Missy Hughes:

Well, I think we have a great campaign. And what I always say, coming from a marketing co-operative, you have to have a great product and then you can market that great product. So making sure we have a really high quality product whether it’s again, strong communities and strong businesses, places that kids want to go and work at, that parents want their kids to go work at and then we’ll market that product and we’ll be able to retain talent and bring folks in.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. Missy Hughes, thanks so much.

Missy Hughes:

Thank you so much.