MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address celebrating Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin.

Audio File of Radio Address.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here. Happy Manufacturing Month!

Wisconsin is a global leader in manufacturing, and when people buy a product made in Wisconsin, they know it’s made by some of the best workers in the world.

From Genoa City to Grantsburg, Wisconsin is home to thousands of best-in-class manufacturing companies that employ nearly half a million Wisconsin workers.

Manufacturing is also a key driver of our state’s economy, accounting for nearly 20 percent of our state’s gross domestic product and generating roughly $66 billion in economic output.

Over the last few years, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has seen record lows, and our labor market participation rate continues to beat the national average.

That’s first and foremost thanks to the hardworking people across our state, but I’m also proud of the role we’ve played as an administration to make smart and strategic investments to shore up our economy and lower barriers for folks who want to join our workforce.

I’ve been glad to support several programs and initiatives, like our Workforce Innovation Grant Program, designed to help individuals gain the skills, education, and training to pursue successful, family-supporting careers in industries like manufacturing.

Last year, we also announced 14 new occupational pathways through our Youth Apprenticeship program—including new opportunities in manufacturing—and both our Youth and Registered Apprenticeship programs celebrated record-high participation.

Whether it’s providing funding for programs in the budget or highlighting the work of industry partners in our communities, as we celebrate Manufacturing Month, I look forward to continuing our support for this critical industry and the workers who power it.

Thank you.