The foundation of our economy hinges on the synergy between businesses and people. To cultivate an environment that attracts and sustains businesses, we must prioritize our most valuable asset – our people. Acknowledging the workforce shortage in our local area, efforts will be directed toward expanding our labor pool by making the community an attractive place to reside and work. Addressing the childcare crisis in the 85th Assembly district and across Wisconsin is pivotal. Collaboration with local governments, the private sector, and non-profit entities will be key in tackling the childcare shortage, ensuring the sector is financially viable and remunerates childcare workers and educators fairly. Additionally, resolving the housing crisis through strategic partnerships with developers to build affordable housing is imperative. By enhancing our community’s capacity, we enable our people to flourish and our community to thrive. There are still over 15,000 households that lack adequate service. While the State hasn’t allocated funds for broadband, relying on Federal Dollars may leave areas like parts of Marathon County underserved. It’s crucial for the Legislature to monitor this closely and prioritize equitable access.