Economy

The state's reputation as America's Dairyland is well deserved, but manufacturing and service industries provide the foundation on which Wisconsin's economy rests. Manufacturing far outweighs dairying in value of production, and service industries employ the most workers. Some manufacturing is tied directly to farming, but the industrial giants are the makers of transportation equipment, food products, machinery, and paper. Government and wholesale and retail trade employ large numbers of workers. An important part of the economy is tourism, based on the state's natural beauty, pleasant summer weather, and opportunities for winter sports.

Finance, insurance, and real estate is Wisconsin's leading service industry group. Milwaukee ranks as one of the Midwest's major financial centers. Community, business, and personal services ranks as Wisconsin's leading employment group.

The triangular area between Green Bay, Madison, and Kenosha forms one of the nation's major manufacturing districts. Of prime importance is the Milwaukee metropolitan area, which manufactures motorcycles, metal products, beer, and many other items. To the northwest, Automobile manufacture and assembly is centered in Janesville.

Many workers in the state are employed in food-processing establishments. Foremost are dairy plants, cheese factories, and others that turn out such products as condensed and powdered milk, and ice cream. Other branches of the food industry include meat packing and the canning of fruits and vegetables. Beer is Wisconsin's leading beverage product.

The main types of machinery made in the state include engines and turbines, power cranes and other construction machinery, and heating and cooling equipment. Pulp and paper are produced in the cities of the Lake Winnebago-Fox River valley vicinity. Paper products made in Wisconsin include adhesive tape, cardboard boxes, paper bags, and tissue paper.

About half of Wisconsin is farmland, much of it devoted to dairying rather than the raising of cash crops. For many years Wisconsin has ranked as a national leader in the number of dairy cattle and the production of many dairy products, including milk, cheese, and butter. Many of the dairy farmers market their products through cooperatives. Farm income from the sale of livestock ranks second only to that brought by milk.

Because most dairy farmers grow their own livestock feed, Wisconsin is a major producer of corn, oats, and hay. Several cash crops add much to the income of farmers in southern and eastern Wisconsin. Among these crops are beans, sweet corn, carrots, peas, and potatoes. The state's farmers also raise apples, cherries, and cranberries.

Several thousand workers are employed in mining and quarrying around the state. Nonmetals, especially sand, gravel, and stone, are the chief group by value; they are found in a large number of areas. The chief metallic minerals produced are iron or, lead, zinc, and copper.

Endowed with some of the finest lakes, rivers, and beaches in the Middle West, Wisconsin has for many years been highly popular with vacationers and tourists. Each year millions come to enjoy the state's natural beauty and attractions such as those of the Wisconsin Dells and the many state parks. Game fishing is popular at lake resorts, especially in the north. Winter sports—skiing and snowmobiling particularly—are helping tourism to become a year-round industry.

Transportation. Railways and highways form dense networks across much of Wisconsin, especially the southern two-thirds. The railways extend primarily northwest-southeast, with the main lines leading from Milwaukee and the Chicago area to Wisconsin's chief cities and farming regions. Excellent highways, including four Interstate routes, serve virtually every section of the state.

Air transportation is centered chiefly at Milwaukee, which has the state's largest commercial airport. Madison and Green Bay also have scheduled air service.

Ports serve Wisconsin along its two Great Lakes shorelines. Largest, by tonnage handled, is Superior, situated at the western end of Lake Superior. Most of Superior's cargo is iron ore, coal, and grain bound for other lake ports or for the St. Lawrence Seaway. The state's other major ports, all on Lake Michigan, include Milwaukee and Green Bay. Manitowoc is served by ferries that cross the lake carrying passengers and automobiles to Ludington, Michigan.