AGP Executive Report

PFAS Accountability: Wisconsin DOJ reached a $10 million settlement with Tyco Fire Products over alleged PFAS violations in the Marinette area, with Tyco also continuing replacement wells, monitoring, and long-term remediation. Workforce & Skills: SkillsUSA named Wisconsin’s Emma Uhler a national gold medalist in Automotive Refinishing Technology, underscoring the state’s pipeline of skilled trades talent. Dairy Policy Fight: Wisconsin dairy farmers sued to challenge the federal dairy checkoff program, arguing mandatory assessments unfairly fund national promotions and research. Energy & Industry: Harley-Davidson says it’s bringing Revolution Max engine production for North America back to U.S. facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by 2027 as part of its “Back to the Bricks” push. Data Center Pressure: A St. Croix County committee is set to discuss data center regulation options, with local leaders weighing whether to pursue a moratorium amid broader AI-driven demand. Severe Weather Disruptions: Storms across the Midwest—including Wisconsin—knocked out power for hundreds of thousands and triggered tornado warnings and damage reports. Consumer Protection Scam Warning: Wisconsin DATCP warned scammers are targeting people who were previously scammed by using their information to pose as legitimate help.

Data Centers & Utility Risk: Power Wisconsin Forward says WEC Energy, Vantage and Cloverleaf (for Oracle) are seeking exemptions from Wisconsin’s consumer protections tied to the PSC’s Very Large Customer rate structure—arguing families and small businesses would eat the risk if projects fail. Water & Wastewater Oversight: Milwaukee’s MMSD approved an independent third-party audit of Veolia’s Jones Island and South Shore operations, while Veolia announced it will commission its own audit amid allegations of mismanagement. Manufacturing & Jobs: Generac signed a major deal with a hyperscale data center operator, with plans to add 600+ Wisconsin jobs across its Oshkosh, Sussex and Beaver Dam footprint. Local Business Development: Madison City Council approved a $2.8M Jobs TIF loan for Realta Fusion to redevelop the former Oscar Mayer site into R&D and manufacturing space. Tourism & Community: Wisconsin’s 2026 Rustic Roads Guide is out, highlighting 126 Rustic Roads and five Scenic Byways. Severe Weather Impacts: Storms collapsed Culver’s “Thank You Farmers” barn in Beaver Dam. Aviation Training: NWTC and Aviate launched a Professional Aeronautics Certification program to address pilot demand. Energy Policy Pushback: Gov. Evers urged Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to oppose harmful cuts in President Trump’s FFY27 budget.

Manufacturing Leadership: Midland Plastics named Brian Torres president, signaling a push to deepen tech investments and expand its Midwest footprint after more than 80 years in New Berlin. Workforce & Ownership: Fisher Barton in Watertown transitioned to employee ownership after six years of operational upgrades and growth, aiming to strengthen the workforce and innovation pipeline. Power Infrastructure Sales: Eagle Eye Power Solutions promoted Andrew Charlton and Doug Wallner to senior sales leadership to support utility, data center, telecom and industrial customers across North America. Agriculture Legal Fight: Three Wisconsin farmers sued over dairy checkoff funds, arguing the money is being used for ESG-linked programs beyond the checkoff’s intended purpose. Data Center Debate: La Crosse County formed a year-long committee to study data center impacts on the economy, environment and infrastructure before recommending policy. Aviation Training: NWTC and Aviate Flight School launched a professional aeronautics certification program to address pilot shortages. Severe Weather & Outages: Storms hit Horicon and Lomira with damage and widespread power outages reported by utilities. Public Health & Food Safety: DNR guidance reiterated concerns about mercury and PCBs in Wisconsin fish, with advice for anglers who eat what they catch.

Severe Weather & Power Reliability: Southern Wisconsin braced for damaging storms with straight-line wind gusts up to 70–80 mph and possible tornadoes, while Alliant Energy reported tens of thousands of customers without service across Sauk, Dane, Columbia and Iowa counties. AI Governance & Consumer Protection: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong unveiled FIREWALL, a four-part plan aimed at curbing AI-driven price discrimination, claim denials, and law-enforcement surveillance. Public Safety Workforce: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Kevin Cramer introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and EMS by lowering housing costs. Sports Media Antitrust: Rep. Scott Fitzgerald chaired a hearing on the Sports Broadcasting Act as streaming costs rise, with the Packers warning changes could threaten their revenue model. Wisconsin Dairy Growth: Wisconsin’s dairy industry is leaning into the protein boom as cheesemakers turn whey into a major growth engine, with the state producing record dry whey. USDA Processing Expansion: USDA Rural Development announced $60M for meat and poultry processors in Wisconsin to modernize facilities, adopt new tech, and create jobs. Tourism Momentum: Wisconsin tourism hit another record in 2025—117M visits and $27B in economic impact—driven by major events like EAA AirVenture. Workforce & Small Business: A Wisconsin Policy Forum report says small businesses drove nearly all net job growth over the past 15 years, highlighting both momentum and gaps in long-term competitiveness. Agriculture Health Watch: Wisconsin experts are monitoring the northward spread of New World screwworm after confirmed cases in cattle and a dog. Manufacturing & Defense Supply Chain: Cirrus Aircraft was added to a U.S. Department of War list tied to Chinese military-linked entities, putting the Wisconsin aviation maker back in the national spotlight.

Biotech & Health: N-Zyme Biomedical (Wauwatosa) kicked off a Phase 2 trial of its pepsin inhibitor for laryngopharyngeal reflux, aiming to treat “silent reflux” beyond acid-suppressing drugs. Agriculture & Food Systems: UW-Madison researchers are “listening” to soil with digital recorders to track underground life and insect activity, while a new study found 98% of major meat-and-dairy sustainability claims lack meaningful support. Energy & Manufacturing: Eagle Eye Power Solutions (Mequon) launched a portable emergency battery charger for U.S. utilities, offering a faster alternative to trailer-based deployments. Workforce & Education: Carl Sandburg College joined a Midwest maritime training consortium to align river logistics jobs with regional schools, and UW-Stevens Point earned a national College of Distinction for experiential learning. Tourism & Local Economy: Wisconsin tourism hit a record $27B economic impact in 2025 with 117.9M visits, and a separate report says ads helped drive demand. Infrastructure & Construction: Highway 10 repairs in Waupaca County start June 16, and a Mississippi River bridge ferry closure was postponed to June 12 for the Lansing crossing. Public Safety & Policy: A Wisconsin lawmaker discussion on data center moratoriums highlights how state rules can limit county actions.

Tourism Boom: Wisconsin logged a record $27B tourism economic impact in 2025, up 4.4%, with 117.9M visits; Chippewa County hit $205M (+6.1%) and Eau Claire County reached $480M (+4%). Local Business & Retail: Piggly Wiggly reopened a remodeled Milwaukee store in Bay View with wider aisles, improved lighting, and expanded deli, organic, and Wisconsin-brand selections. Data Security: The FTC ordered Wisconsin-based Illuminate Education to tighten student data security, limit retention, and delete unnecessary data after a breach exposed records for 10.1M students. Workforce & Training: Arcadia schools won a $25,000 WEDC Fab Lab grant to expand automotive fabrication labs, boosting enrollment to 240 students. Energy & Utilities: Milwaukee Ald. Alex Brower set a June 24 hearing on replacing We Energies with a public utility model. Agriculture Watch: Wisconsin experts are monitoring the northward spread of New World screwworm as USDA confirms new cases. Infrastructure: Fort McCoy’s East Barracks Project is 98% complete, nearing final turnover. Healthcare Workforce: The NEW Healthcare Alliance launched in Northeast Wisconsin to build talent pipelines and address clinical workforce shortages.

Workforce & Training: Bradford White is donating 20 water-heating products to PHCC training centers in Wisconsin and funding PHCC chapters in multiple states, aiming to boost hands-on plumbing/HVAC education. Tourism Economy: Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism say 2025 delivered a record $27B tourism economic impact, 117.9M visits, and $1.7B+ in state and local revenue. Housing & Growth: A new report warns Wisconsin’s faster decline in working-age residents could cut projected housing needs from 140,000 units to about 84,000 by decade’s end. SN Policy Risk for Retailers: USDA’s SNAP rule pushing more healthy items at convenience stores could make it harder for some retailers to accept benefits, especially in rural areas. Manufacturing/Ag Equipment: Titan Machinery reported fiscal first-quarter results, citing margin progress from reducing aged agriculture inventory while noting a still-challenged demand environment. Data Centers & Water: A Kansas proposal highlights how data-center water use can spark local opposition—an issue Wisconsin communities are watching as development debates grow.

Water & Infrastructure: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District commissioners approved an independent third-party audit of Veolia’s wastewater operations, after public complaints and whistleblower claims about maintenance and performance tied to a potential $700M contract. Energy & Manufacturing: Wisconsin Public Radio reports federal funding of up to $500M for coal modernization, including $19M for the Columbia Energy Center in southcentral Wisconsin, as Trump pushes “clean, beautiful coal.” Agriculture: At a Chippewa Falls farm roundtable, Trump promised fertilizer and fuel relief tied to the Iran situation, while a Wisconsin Farm Bureau leader said the farm bill and E15 still need action. Food & Trade: A Purdue study says USMCA-linked North American trade helped lower US food prices, with benefits hitting lower-income households hardest. Ag Risk Management: Experts urged soybean growers to scout for red crown rot, confirmed in Wisconsin and nearby states. Business & Tech: NEWaukee launched an AI “Brand Trust Quotient” platform to measure trust from real customer experiences. Workforce & Industry: Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit drew about 700 attendees at Lambeau Field to focus on AI and workforce development for manufacturers. Housing: Menasha secured $1.2M in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for a new 53-unit senior affordable project, with construction targeted for 2027.

Affordable Housing: MF Housing Partners won $1.245M in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for “Borealis,” a $15M senior-only affordable apartment project in Menasha (53 units for ages 55+, reduced rents tied to AMI). Public Health & Housing Safety: Milwaukee’s ECO Healthy Homes Program is back after a pause tied to lost EPA grant funding, aiming to help Sherman Park residents spot hazards and energy issues—especially after recent flooding and mold damage. Education & Workforce Support: Aug Prep North construction in Glendale is in final phases ahead of an Aug. 17 opening, while Oregon School District selected Edustaff as its official substitute staffing partner to handle recruitment, credentialing, scheduling, and compliance. State Politics: Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor race is set with three candidates—Democratic SOS Sarah Godlewski and two Republicans in the Aug. 11 primary. Energy & Tech: Xcel Energy is using AI wildfire cameras across Wisconsin and is considering more sites in Eau Claire County by early 2027. Business & Manufacturing: Brady Corporation named Vineet Nargolwala CEO, succeeding Russell Shaller on June 8. Higher Ed: UW Board of Regents approved renaming UW-Stout to UW–Stout Polytechnic.

Dairy & Ag Pulse: Dodge County’s 46th Annual Dairy Brunch drew nearly 1,800 people to the fairgrounds for a sold-out-style celebration of June Dairy Month, with organizers hoping to bring it back to a host dairy farm in 2027. Workforce & Education: Milwaukee School of Engineering released its Spring 2026 honors list, while a grant-funded K-12 Medical Assistant pathway helped six Milwaukee-area students graduate high school with medical certification after hands-on training at Froedtert Hospital. Industry Moves: Menasha-based FTI is stepping out as an OEM with its Wisconsin-made, ready-to-install EV charging product eSkid, targeting data centers and charging demand. Local Infrastructure Planning: Milwaukee County Parks is seeking public input on improving Veterans Park Lagoon after toxic algae and cyanobacteria blooms, using a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative feasibility study to shape future water quality and recreation upgrades. Policy & Courts: A federal judge blocked USDA SNAP funding restrictions tied to gender ideology and other conditions, pausing enforcement for millions of low-income households. Business & Health: Saputo reported improved margins and earnings, pointing to bolt-on acquisitions and premium whey streams as it navigates commodity headwinds.

Middle East Tensions: The U.S. military shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones threatening maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as exchanges continue and a fragile ceasefire strains under renewed missile and drone activity. Wisconsin Politics & Healthcare: At a gubernatorial candidate forum, Democrats and Republicans sparred over healthcare, education, and the future of data centers ahead of the August primary. Agriculture & Cost Pressure: President Trump used a Wisconsin agriculture roundtable to argue fertilizer and energy prices will fall as the U.S. pushes Iran toward a deal, while farmers continue to feel the squeeze from higher input costs. Child Care Crunch: Wisconsin’s child care bridge payments are set to expire, and a new survey says many providers expect tuition hikes and some closures, threatening access for working families. Dairy Month on Capitol Square: “Cows on the Concourse” kicked off National Dairy Month with hands-on learning and local dairy tastings, underscoring dairy’s role in Wisconsin’s economy and culture. AI Power Demand: A new analysis says the data center boom is accelerating and electricity use is rising fast, driven largely by hyperscale facilities feeding AI growth.

Wisconsin Agriculture & Rural Economy: President Trump used a Chippewa Falls farm roundtable to tout lower fertilizer and energy costs “coming down,” while farmers pressed on input monopolies, trade access, and fuel prices tied to the Iran conflict. Workforce & Construction Training: Quasius Construction won a Wisconsin Fast Forward Workforce Training Grant to expand training for 31 employees, aiming to build long-term career pathways in construction. Energy & Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reported the week ending May 30 saw Milwaukee County premium gas as low as $4.89 and diesel as low as $5.29, with statewide premium averaging $5.47—still volatile amid Middle East shipping risk. PFAS Cleanup: Tyco agreed to a $10M PFAS settlement in Wisconsin, adding to ongoing contamination fallout and remediation pressure. Policy & Security: Trump said he wants the acting director of national intelligence to cut the office, signaling staffing reductions in the intelligence community. Business/Manufacturing Hiring: HARIBO of America is advertising manufacturing roles in Pleasant Prairie, underscoring continued Wisconsin demand for production talent.

Wisconsin Agriculture & Rural Economy: Gov. Tony Evers kicked off June Dairy Month, spotlighting Wisconsin’s dairy footprint—about 5,000 farms, 1.27 million cows, and a $52.8B annual economic impact—while pointing to research, export support, rural infrastructure, and farmer wellness programs. Passenger Rail: A new statewide push to expand Wisconsin passenger rail is set to launch in Milwaukee with a June 25 conference aimed at faster, more frequent intercity service linking Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine/Kenosha, Eau Claire, Chicago, and the Twin Cities. Trump in Chippewa Falls: President Trump returned to western Wisconsin for an agriculture roundtable at Custer Farms, promising lower input costs and touting rural tax incentives and deregulation, while farmers and Democrats raised concerns about fuel, fertilizer, tariffs, and market pressures. Energy & Jobs Politics: Trump also used the visit to claim the U.S. is nearing an endgame with Iran, while the broader conflict continued to jolt energy markets. Middle East Security: In the Gulf, the U.S. said it shot down four Iranian drones toward the Strait of Hormuz and struck coastal radar sites; Iran later fired ballistic missiles and drones at Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting air raid alerts and intercepts. PFAS Accountability: Tyco agreed to a $10M settlement tied to PFAS contamination in Wisconsin, adding to the state’s ongoing cleanup and legal fallout.

University & Workforce: UW-Stout is now UW-Stout Polytechnic after a unanimous Board of Regents vote, signaling a stronger applied, lab-heavy focus aimed at engineering, construction management, and career-ready tech skills. Energy & Utilities: Talks between St. Croix County and Xcel Energy over a joint development agreement for the Ten Mile Creek solar project have collapsed, with Xcel saying it will file with the state Public Service Commission and may restart talks later. Manufacturing & Data Centers: Milwaukee’s Tramont Manufacturing is adding a second plant to supply backup power components for the data-center buildout, following Graycliff Partners’ acquisition. Power Policy: Trump’s Defense Production Act push includes $425M for upgrades and support tied to 13 coal plants, explicitly naming Wisconsin among the beneficiaries. Agriculture & Rural Economy: Trump’s Chippewa Falls roundtable highlighted jobs, farm tax benefits, and promises to lower diesel costs, while also drawing fact-check scrutiny over claims made during the event. Health Care: Aspirus reports five-star CMS ratings for nurse communication at three Wisconsin hospitals. Infrastructure: The WIS 82/IA 9 Mississippi River bridge center span installation is set for June 11-12, closing the ferry and restricting river traffic. Local Business & Community: Old World Wisconsin will release the original 1948 Schlitz recipe in a limited run starting July 3, marking the site’s 50th anniversary.

Energy & Industry: President Trump announced a $700M federal push to expand “clean, beautiful coal,” using the Defense Production Act to protect 13 coal plants and back new coal generation and export infrastructure—funding that includes Wisconsin among the beneficiary states. Environmental Compliance: Wisconsin reached a first-of-its-kind $10M settlement with Tyco Fire Products over PFAS contamination tied to a Marinette firefighting foam site; the deal requires long-term clean water support for affected residents and investment into the state PFAS trust fund. Housing & Construction: La Crosse secured $2.4M in WHEDA tax credits for two affordable housing projects, including converting the old Lincoln Middle School into 51 units and building 45 units on 7th Street. Weather & Agriculture: West-central Wisconsin’s Coulee Region is facing a worsening dry spell, with rainfall deficits up to 6 inches over six weeks and drought conditions expanding. Regulation & Courts: The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to create a committee to study and assess judicial recusal rules, a move that could reshape how judges handle high-profile cases. Local Business: Green Bay is moving ahead with a $2M Atkinson Marsh restoration supported by a $1.7M DNR grant, aiming to improve access and habitat around the Fox River.

Energy Policy: President Trump announced $700 million for coal plants and a new export terminal, using the Defense Production Act to support upgrades across 13 plants in multiple states including Wisconsin—framing it as “clean, beautiful coal” while critics warn it undercuts renewables. Environmental Accountability: Wisconsin and Tyco Fire Products reached a $10 million settlement tied to PFAS contamination in Marinette, with continued remediation steps and trust-fund funding following earlier payments. Data Centers & Land Use: In Port Washington, Vantage Data Centers and Ramboll are using biodiversity modeling for a large campus plan, aiming to boost habitat outcomes before construction. Housing & Development: WHEDA-backed affordable housing continues to move forward, including a La Crosse project winning $1.11 million in tax credits for 45 units. Workforce & Construction: Contractors report staffing pressure as construction job openings rise, with data pointing to persistent trade shortages—especially for data center work. Higher Ed & Industry Links: UW-Stout officially rebrands as UW-Stout Polytechnic, emphasizing applied, career-focused learning aligned with employers. Agriculture: Gov. Evers highlighted Wisconsin dairy during June Dairy Month stops, underscoring state support for farmers and processors ahead of Trump’s visit.