The Wisconsin Department of Commerce was a department in the executive branch of the

Government of Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michig ...

. It was responsible for implementing and overseeing the economic development programs for

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

through consultation, technical assistance, and relocation assistance. It also administered the distribution of federal economic assistance programs to local governments and businesses, and acts as a go-between for businesses and other government agencies. The department also enforced laws regarding safety and sanitation in buildings, petroleum products, and petroleum tanks. It also gave housing assistance to low income families. The Department of Commerce was administered by the

Secretary of Commerce, who was appointed by the

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

with the advice and consent of the

Wisconsin State Senate The Wisconsin Senate is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Together with the larger Wisconsin State Assembly they constitute the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin. The powers of the Wisconsin Senate are modeled after ...

. The department traced its roots to the Division of Industrial Development within the Office of the Governor, as established by the

Wisconsin Legislature The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house, Wisconsin State Senate, and the lower Wisconsin State Assembly, both of which have had Republ ...

in 1955. It was renamed the Division of Economic Development in 1959. This division changed superseding departments over the decades until it was promoted to department status as the Department of Business Development in 1971. It was renamed the Department of Development in 1979, and finally the Department of Commerce in 1995. As of July 1, 2011, functions once performed by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have been moved to the Department of Safety and Professional Services, other state agencies, and the

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is a public-private agency in the state of Wisconsin designed to assist business development and innovation through loans, grants, tax credits, and technical assistance programs. History WED ...

. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is the state’s lead economic development organization.

Past Commerce Divisions

The following units are part of the Department of Commerce and report to the Secretary of Commerce: * Division of Administrative Services ** Bureau of Fiscal Services and Procurement ** Bureau of Human Resources, Facilities and Safety ** Bureau of Information Technology ** Bureau of Policy and Budget Development * Division of Business Development ** Bureau of Business Development ** Bureau of Business Finance and Compliance ** Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Technology ** Bureau of Minority Business Development * Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services ** Bureau of Petroleum *** Environmental Cleanup Fund Administration ** Bureau of Petroleum Products and Tanks * Division of Global Ventures ** Bureau of Export Development * Division of Housing and Community Development ** Bureau of Community Finance ** Bureau of Planning and Technical Assistance ** Bureau of Supportive Housing * Division of Safety and Buildings ** Bureau of Integrated Services ** Bureau of Program Development

External links

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
{{Authority control Government of Wisconsin State departments of commerce of the United States Government agencies established in 1995 Government agencies disestablished in 2011