Economy Archives - Wisconsin Watch

Two illustrated people shake hands while holding documents, with a checkmark icon between them.

Economy, Pathways to success

Madison microloan program inspires Appleton organization

by MaryBeth Matzek for Wisconsin Watch March 25, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

St. Vincent de Paul-Madison’s program is an alternative people in need can turn to instead of payday lenders. After hearing about the success of the Madison effort, leaders of the St. Vincent de Paul-St. Thomas More Conference in Appleton created a similar program.

An aerial view of a large industrial complex next to a pond and surrounding construction areas at sunset, with orange light along the horizon under a cloudy sky.

Data Centers Watch, Economy, Environment

Local data center critics praise Microsoft’s pledge to stop using NDAs, but remain skeptical

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

An aerial view shows a large construction site with cranes, heavy equipment and materials surrounded by snow-covered fields and intersecting roads.

Data Centers Watch, Economy

More than NDAs. Wisconsin communities face scrutiny over data center secrecy.

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch March 16, 2026March 20, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A person in a red plaid shirt stands in a warehouse aisle, extending an arm and hand toward plastic wrap around large boxed equipment, with stacked pallets behind the person.

Data Centers Watch, Economy

Data centers fuel $1 billion in Wisconsin business growth, but some question long-term impact

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch March 3, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Community, Economy

Nearly two years after SDC shutdown, former workers and contractors still seek payment

by Meredith Melland / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service February 24, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A small plane flies over a barbed wire fence

Economy, Government, Justice & Safety

Air Wisconsin turns to ICE (static version)

by Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A small plane flies over a barbed wire fence

Economy, Government, Justice & Safety

Air Wisconsin turns to ICE

by Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch February 20, 2026April 3, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Marked police vehicles are parked in a line in a parking lot along a residential street as a person walks to the left.

Economy, Government

Who you gonna call? Wisconsin 911 dispatchers discuss fixes to national, statewide shortage

by Natalie Yahr / Wisconsin Watch and Miranda Dunlap / Wisconsin Watch February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Economy, Forward

DataWatch: Wisconsin hasn’t raised its minimum wage for 17 years. What does that mean for workers and the economy?

by Hongyu Liu / Wisconsin Watch February 2, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Black-and-white cows stand in individual stalls behind metal rails, with numbered ear tags visible as they face outward.

Economy, Government

CAFOs want in on proposal meant to help Wisconsin’s small dairy farms

by John McCracken / Investigate Midwest January 24, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A man in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and a vest stands in a barn between rows of cows and is turned to the side.

Skilled but uncertain: Immigrant workers and employers navigate hiring hurdles under Trump

by Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch January 19, 2026January 28, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Two green harvesting machines move across a large tan field, leaving parallel rows and dust clouds, with patchwork farmland and trees on the horizon.

Economy, Environment

China is investing billions in Latin America, potentially sidelining US farmers for decades to come

by Mónica Cordero / Investigate Midwest January 1, 2026January 15, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch