2. News Room

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 10, 2019
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

DWD Secretary Frostman Visits Northern Wisconsin, Inspired By Region's Energy and Resilience

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Caleb Frostman toured parts of Northern Wisconsin this week to meet with residents, listen to their workforce and economic development needs, and identify best practices to improve the state of the working family throughout Wisconsin.

Secretary Frostman met with economic development and local business leaders in Ashland, as well as employers, laborers, local chamber members, and government officials in Superior on Monday before visiting with officials from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on Tuesday.

"The most commonly cited impediments to workforce participation were the cost and availability of child care and the lack of transportation options," Secretary Frostman said. "Poor road conditions are negatively affecting businesses, families, and tourists alike, while inadequate broadband has made it difficult for entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete successfully in a global marketplace."

Residents also stated that the lack of real investment in public schools has hurt teacher recruitment, but Northern Wisconsin communities remain committed.

"Although northern Wisconsin certainly faces economic challenges, many of the same qualities that have allowed families to thrive in the Northwoods for generations are driving their efforts to recruit new residents, advocate for wage growth, and remove barriers to gainful employment: Resilience, creativity, and community. These residents are in-tune with the challenges they face and tightly aligned in finding solutions."

"The Evers Administration is proud to advocate for bold, inspiring policies that tackle these barriers to growth head-on through unprecedented investments in our schools and broadband infrastructure, as well as proposing long-overdue, sustainable funding solutions to help improve the state of our roads and bridges," Secretary Frostman added.

While travelling through Northern Wisconsin, Secretary Frostman also visited with DWD staff at numerous locations as part of Public Service Recognition Week. All week long, DWD management held events recognizing the dedication of DWD staff as they work each day to help improve Wisconsin's workforce.

"DWD staff are dedicated to their work and commit themselves to the people of Wisconsin each and every day," Secretary Frostman said. "They are on the front lines of many workforce issues, and their feedback will help inform our priorities moving forward. Our team members are our agency's greatest asset and truly I appreciate the time I was able to spend hearing and learning from them."

For more information on DWD programming, visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov