Earlier this spring, working collaboratively with the legislature, Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Act 255 (formerly known as SB 261), creating a mechanism to promote capital investment and technological entrepreneurship in Wisconsin. Through tax credits, grants and loans, Act 255 provides growth opportunities for both entrepreneurs and investors

Commerce is finalizing the emergency rules for Act 255 technology based economic development programs. On October 1, 2004, the draft rules will be submitted to the Legislative Council and Revisor. Commerce has been gathering comments on these rules by holding numerous statewide listening sessions, meeting with various groups and gathering input via the web page. If you would like to review these draft rules, please go to www.commerce.gov and click on Act 255 Updates under the "Commerce Top 10". It is anticipated that the emergency rules will be adopted in the coming weeks. Look for information and application materials for these programs to be posted here also.

-- Shelly Harkins

The newsletter is issued electronically every other month.

Please send comments or questions to Barbro McGinn, editor.