Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Encyclopedia
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce was a department in the executive branch of the Government of Wisconsin. It was responsible for implementing and overseeing the economic development programs for Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
Secretary of Commerce, who was appointed by the governor
with the advice and consent of the Wisconsin State Senate
.
The department traced its roots to the Division of Industrial Development within the Office of the Governor, as established by the Wisconsin Legislature
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 1st, 2011, functions once performed by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have been moved to other state agencies and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is the state’s lead economic development organization.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
Secretary of Commerce, who was appointed by the governor
Governor of Wisconsin
The Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
with the advice and consent of the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
.
The department traced its roots to the Division of Industrial Development within the Office of the Governor, as established by the Wisconsin Legislature
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 Senate and the lower Wisconsin Assembly...
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 1st, 2011, functions once performed by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have been moved to other state agencies and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. 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
- Bureau of Petroleum
- 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