Wisconsin Wants You: New Bill Offers Grants to Lure Families and Workers to the Badger State

As Wisconsin stares down a looming workforce shortage and population decline, lawmakers are moving swiftly to implement solutions aimed at reversing the trend. Senate Bill 285, a bipartisan effort spearheaded by Senator Patrick Testin and Representative Dave Armstrong, is one such solution—and it just cleared a key legislative hurdle.

This week, the Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee and the Assembly Jobs and Economy Committee each held public hearings on the bill. Just days later, both committees voted to recommend the measure for passage. The legislation now heads to the full Senate and Assembly for final consideration.

At the heart of SB 285 is a newly proposed talent recruitment grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The program would allow local governments, tribal entities, and qualifying nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to market their communities as attractive places to live and work.

Applicants must demonstrate skin in the game. Each proposal must include matching funds, clearly defined household recruitment goals, cost estimates, and projected economic impacts. And the accountability doesn’t end with the application: recipients will be required to file semiannual reports showing measurable progress before receiving the full value of the grant.

The initiative couldn’t come at a more critical time. Businesses across Wisconsin are struggling to find enough workers, a situation only expected to worsen in the coming decades. Current projections estimate the state’s population could shrink by nearly 200,000 people by 2050 if no action is taken.

“This bill isn’t just about helping businesses fill job openings—it’s about ensuring Wisconsin thrives long-term,” said Senator Testin. “New residents don’t just take jobs—they buy homes, send their kids to school, and shop in our communities. It’s a win for the entire state.”

Economic research supports that claim. Studies show that each new household relocating to a community can generate more than $90,000 in economic activity annually, creating ripple effects that benefit local economies and state revenue alike.

While SB 285 has garnered bipartisan support, it has not been without its critics. The Senate committee vote reflected some dissent, passing by a narrow 3–2 margin. Still, its supporters argue that the bill represents a smart investment in Wisconsin’s future, helping the state stay competitive in attracting both talent and economic opportunity.

If passed by both chambers and signed into law, the bill would create a new statute—Section 238.14—within Wisconsin state law dedicated solely to talent recruitment grants.

As of June 12, SB 285 is listed as “available for scheduling” on the Senate calendar, meaning a floor vote could be imminent.

The legislation mirrors a broader conversation happening across the country, as states grapple with the dual challenge of aging populations and workforce shortages. With SB 285, Wisconsin aims to get ahead of the curve—and make a bold pitch to families and workers looking for a new place to call home.