Department Organization

The Department of Commerce employs over 400 people in its seven divisions. Each division is headed by an administrator. The divisions and their principal functions are as follows:

Administrative Services
Provide internal management services in the areas of personnel, payroll and benefits, affirmative action, employee health and safety, labor relations, telecommunications, property and space management, mail services, forms management, and records management. Provide services in the fiscal areas of procurement, printing and financial management. Develop and promote passage of legislative and budget initiatives; serve as a information bridge with the legislature, other state agencies and the federal government. Provide a full scope of information technology (IT) services to the department including network development and support; microcomputer hardware and software configuration, acquisition and support; and IT systems development.

Contact Information:
Phone: 608-266-1874
Fax: 608-266-0182
Address: PO Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707

Business Development
Administers statewide business development programs, including programs to provide information on export development, minority- and women-owned business certification, as well as foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.  Administers many of the state's economic development financing programs. Also administers the state's small business environmental assistance program, providing free, non-regulatory, technical assistance for small businesses affected by environmental rules. 

Contact Information:
Staff Directory http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-Bureaus.html
Fax: 608-264-6151
Address: PO Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707

Housing and Community Development
The Division of Housing and Community Development's primary mission is to help Wisconsin communities become or remain attractive places for businesses and for families of all income levels. We also work to prevent homelessness in Wisconsin by addressing the special housing needs of persons who are disabled or who require immediate, usually short-term shelter and/or support services.

Contact Information:
Phone: 608-266-7531
Fax: 608-266-8969
Address: PO Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707

Environmental and Regulatory Services
Is responsible for the sampling and testing of petroleum products and tank systems at terminals, bulk plants, and retail (Retail Petroleum Services) and non-retail sites, as well as the registration, plan review, inspection, and permitting of 180,000 underground and above-ground tank systems (Bureau of Storage Tank Regulation). ERS also manages the state's largest environmental fund, processing more than $100,000,000 in claims each year for more than 8,500 environmentally-damaged sites by establishing claimant eligibility, site closure procedures, review of remedial alternatives, claim review, performance and claim audits, registration of consultants, and the review of regulatory strategies (Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Award - PECFA).

Contact Information:
Phone: 608-266-3723
Fax: 608-267-1381
Address: PO Box 7839, Madison, WI 53707

Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Commerce administers the department, aided by the Deputy Secretary and the Executive Assistant. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor and is a member of the Governor's Cabinet.

Contact Information:
Phone: 608-266-8976
Address: PO Box 7090, Madison, WI 53707

Safety and Buildings
Protects the safety, health, and welfare of employees, consumers, and the public through laws related to buildings and structures, plumbing and private sewage, ground water protection and mechanical systems. Certifies and/or licenses program-related occupations. Administers the Wisconsin Fund.

Contact Information:
Phone: 608-266-3151
Fax: 608-261-6699
Address: PO Box 2658, Madison, WI 53701