Central to your success.

Five counties filled with friendly communities, innovative industries and endless adventure.

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Why Central Wisconsin?

Live, Work and Grow Your Business in the Center

It’s the kind of place you daydream about. Five counties filled with rolling hills, winding streams and peaceful natural areas to explore every day of the week. All that, plus welcoming communities, world-class schools and modern amenities to support you.

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Why Central Wisconsin?

Stories From the Center

Putting Down Roots in Central Wisconsin

The job at Wenzel’s Farm brought me to Central Wisconsin almost 20 years ago, and the job and area have been very good to me. I love living here because of the beauty of the area, the variety of the four seasons and because people are willing to lend a helping hand whenever you need it.”

Mark Vieth

Marshfield

Most of the families in our east side (Wausau) neighborhood have children around our kids’ ages. It’s a very diverse neighborhood, and that’s what I love about it. It’s quiet, friendly, peaceful, private and safe. It’s the kind of neighborhood where people wave ‘hi’ as they pass on the road.”

Soua and Moua Thao

Central Wisconsin Residents

Central Wisconsin: a cherished haven. Good schools, friendly people, cheese, abundant boating spots, fresh produce, affordable living, less traffic and endless trails. A place where my heart found home, amidst nature's gifts and warm embrace.”

Guatam Malik

Stevens Point

Seeing the great people we have living here, raising their families, how much they care and are willing to help in any way they can is not something every community has. I love the small-town vibes and having the ability to know a lot of people to help make a difference in our community today.”

Megan Steckelberg

Adams

I enjoy life in Central Wisconsin for its mix of rural charm and nearby city living. Owning a business here is truly special, with a sense of small-town pride and the incredible impact a business can have on its communities.”

Trisha Ferkey,

Owner, Champion’s AutoWash

Since we were deciding between Madison and the Twin Cities, I was skeptical when my wife suggested that we move back to Central Wisconsin. I never spend time in traffic, and I have more time to spend with family and friends. There’s also a variety of affordable activities in the area and within a few hours of driving, including two great lakes, the Northwoods, the Driftless Area, & several larger cities.”

Sam Wessel

Wausau Resident

Central Wisconsin offers its residents an abundance of recreational opportunities within a short distance, making it a wonderful place to play year-round”

Kyle Kearns

Plover Resident

Key Industries

Key Industries

Business, Insurance & Finance

Protecting and Financing the Center’s Businesses

The Center has served as the business and financial hub of Central Wisconsin for more than a century, creating many opportunities for insurance companies to thrive and grow. More recently, we’ve seen strong demand for technology professionals to help streamline their work in the digital age.

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Supporting Tomorrow’s Business Innovators Today

Central Wisconsin offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs with collaborative resources and low operating costs. These new businesses are constantly looking for IT professionals to optimize and futureproof their operations, which could be anything from a web-based startup to a craft brewery.

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Feeding Central Wisconsin and Beyond

When you think of the agriculture in the Center, chances are cheese blocks, dairy cows and cornfields come to mind – and you’re not far off. Central Wisconsin helps feed the world as a top producer of dairy products, cranberries, timber, ginseng and many other agricultural goods.

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Finding Breakthroughs in Health Care and Biomedical Science

Central Wisconsin has long been a hotbed of scientific research that explores new frontiers in medicine, human genetics, animal health and more. From food safety to disease prevention, if your work focuses on life sciences, you’ll find like-minded innovators across the Center.

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Building the Future of Modern Manufacturing

The Center has a storied history in precision machining and manufacturing materials like stainless steel for the state’s dairy farms and breweries. Today, skills in Industry 4.0 technologies, CNC machining, robotics, welding and more serve manufacturers in a wide range of industries and products, from automotive parts to HVAC systems.

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By the Numbers

Thriving Communities, Endless Opportunities

332K+

People living in Central Wisconsin

Source: Lightcast Q4 2023 Data Set

172K+

Workers In Central Wisconsin

Source: Lightcast Q4 2023 Data Set

$220K

Average housing cost in central wisconsin

Source: 2023 YTD

Kayaking in Central Wisconsin near Stevens Point - photo by Travel Wisconsin

Red Eye Brewing Company in Wausau, WI

Why Central Wisconsin?

Central Wisconsin gives you access to world-class outdoor recreation, top schools and an affordable cost of living.

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Dells of Eau Claire in the Fall

Our Top Investors

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