What is the State Line Regional Economic Report?
This is the initial issue of a new publication to be focusing entirely on the evolving economy of Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, Green and Lafayette Counties in South Central Wisconsin. These counties, while containing certain common qualities, have unique features. As a result, they offer various insights into the economics of a region. These counties were selected due to three factors. However, they do not all contain all three qualities.
First, they exist on a geographic continuum, connecting across southern Wisconsin. With the exception of Jefferson County, they all border the state of Illinois. Second, the United States Census Bureau, with the exception of Rock County, basically classifies them as non-metro counties. Rock County is included however, due to the fact that it is a metro county, but it is small metropolitan area with a population of less than 250,000 persons. In addition, it connects the various counties on a plane. Finally, these counties abut urban areas which place development and sprawl pressures upon them. Lafayette County is the exception to this rule, but its proximity to the others will, in time, provide context to the report.
The goal of the Stateline Regional Economic Quarterly is to highlight the important economic trends that impact the regional economy and the competitiveness of local industries. This is an extension of the new Fiscal & Economic Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Each issue will include the latest data on regional employment and economic conditions. Feature articles will cover a variety of economic and demographic issues at both the county and municipal level. Once you have an opportunity to review the initial issue, we would appreciate your feedback on how useful it is to you and what topics you think should be included in future issues. The editor of the State Line Regional Economic Quarterly can be reached at heinricj@uww.edu or kashianr@uww.edu