Pro-Business Climate
Wisconsin has a stable, low-risk and supportive business environment, boasting a balanced budget and the highest public pension funding ratio in the nation, translating to a low risk of unexpected tax burdens.
New and existing companies in Wisconsin enjoy a pro-business climate reflected with that low tax burden. Compared to Minnesota, Wisconsin’s corporate tax rate is much lower (7.9% vs 9.8%); commercial and industrial property taxes are lower; individual income tax rates are lower; and sales tax rates are lower. The corporate rate for Wisconsin’s manufacturers and ag production companies is just 0.4%.
Visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) website to learn more about how Wisconsin is a good investment for your company.
Location and Transportation
Interstate 94 runs east-west through St. Croix County. U.S. Highway 63 intersects with I-94 in Baldwin for a north-south route. State Highways 35 and 65 are north-south routes through Hudson, River Falls, Somerset and New Richmond. The St. Croix River Crossing connects State Highway 64 in Wisconsin to State Highway 36 in Minnesota. Highway 64 runs east-west through Somerset and New Richmond. State Highway 128 intersects with I-94 and runs north-south to Glenwood City.
The Minneapolis/Sanit Paul International Airport has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings. The airport boasts over 400,000 flights per year, serving more than 34 million travelers in 2023. The airport is just a short drive across the border from St. Croix County.
Additionally, S.t Croix County is home to its own regional airport, New Richmond Regional Airport, which is home to 225 aircraft. The airport has 112 privately owned hangars, ranking the airport as the largest regional airport in Wisconsin.
The Osceola and S.t Croix Valley Railway is a heritage railroad in Osceola, Wisconsin, owned and operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum.
Workforce Development and Education
Production workers comprise the largest job count by occupation in St. Croix County at 14.55%. The labor force is supported by best-in-class technical programs that equip workers with the skills they need to serve the region’s industry.
Wisconsin is home to 40 public and private universities and 16 technical colleges. There are three major educational institutions in the county: Northwood Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College and the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Nearby University of Wisconsin – Stout is the state’s polytechnic university and works collaboratively with the region as well. The county is also home to seven school districts.
WEDC has detailed metrics on Wisconsin’s world-class workforce on their website.
Sites and Buildings
Business and site selectors searching for shovel-ready sites, existing buildings for sale or lease, and raw land with opportunity can see what is available on our ‘Available Sites’ webpage. The county is home to many business parks which can also be seen on that webpage.
Quality of Life
St. Croix County is a semi-rural county with an exceptional quality of life and offers all of Wisconsin’s many business-friendly benefits and a progressive attitude supporting economic growth.
St. Croix County has a humid continental climate, experiencing all four seasons with warm summers and cold winters. The average high temperature in the summer is around 80 degrees F and the average low temperature in the winter is around 16 degrees F. Precipitation throughout the year is relatively evenly distributed, with approximately 40 inches of precipitation annually.
The county residents enjoy favorable cost of living advantages compared to big city neighbors. The average home price in St. Croix County is $348,316.
St. Croix County has a vibrant art scene, as well as an active year-round cultural and entertainment events schedule.
The county is wonderful for those seeking an active lifestyle. St. Croix County’s park system consists of 10 full-service county parks, two forests and two smaller properties. Within the parks, there are 103 overnight campsites, four boat landings, one kayak/canoe landing, three beaches, numerous off-road trails, a nature viewing boardwalk and more. The beautiful St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers over 200 miles of clean water, with activities on and off the water.
There are several major healthcare facilities across the area, but three call St. Croix County home: Hudson Hospital and Clinic, Westfields Hospital & Clinic and Hudson Physicians.