Governor Scott Walker Invests In Expanding Opportunity For Veterans In Wisconsin

With Wisconsin’s economy booming thanks to his pro-jobs policies, GOP Governor Scott Walker is expanding opportunity for veterans and their families in the Badger State. This weekend, Governor Walker’s administration introduced a new initiative to encourage military members and their spouses transitioning to civilian life to live and work in Wisconsin at the conclusion of their service. Governor Walker’s investment in making Wisconsin a destination for veterans searching for new opportunities further shows his commitment to taking the state to new heights.

GM Today reports:

“State officials launched a $1.9 million national marketing campaign to encourage military personnel and their spouses who are transitioning to civilian life to live and work in the state after serving in the military, Gov. Scott Walker announced at Lippert Flooring & Tile in Menomonee Falls on Friday afternoon.

‘As our dedicated members of the military prepare to return to civilian life, they are looking for the best place possible to start a new career, raise a family and enjoy an outstanding quality of life,’ Walker said. ‘We are going to make a strong case that Wisconsin can meet all those needs — and more.’

The campaign is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Economic Developer Corporation, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The collaboration is part of the state’s new $6.8 million marketing campaign aimed at attracting talent to Wisconsin.

$1.9 million will be dedicated towards sending state officials and representatives of veteran-friendly Wisconsin businesses to transition summits at more than a dozen military installations through the U.S. and overseas. Hosted by the nonprofit Hiring our Heroes organization, the summits are twoday events that provide service members with information as they transition to civilian life.

The initiative is comprised of an integrated marketing strategy targeting three audiences: Midwestern millennials, Wisconsin college and university alumni and military personnel and their spouses.

Other components include a paid media campaign that will run through June 30, 2019, a new veterans’ section of InWisconsin.com where veterans can explore both career and lifestyle opportunities in the state and a new military search bar that gives veterans and existing service members the ability to seek out jobs that fit the skills they learned in the military and more.

Walker said other states have looked at a similar approach to recruiting veterans, but those states typically wait for veterans to come to them. Walker said Wisconsin’s approach is to have state officials go to veterans.

‘When they’re thinking about where they want to work, we not only want to tell you what state, but what employer you can look at within the state,’ Walker said. ‘We just need to be hands on is the key element for us.’

WEDC CEO Mark Hogan said the campaign and the summits are designed to connect the 200,000 to 250,000 service members and veterans who transition to civilian life every year.

‘The work ethic, the skills and the values these veterans have acquired and enhanced as they have help keep America safe fit perfectly with the characteristics that Wisconsin’s talented workforce is well-known for,’ Hogan said. ‘And because it is the family members who have also served our country, our message will give equal consideration to the families and their priorities as they too transition into private life.’”