One glance at the Conway Projects Database shows this progress. From Microsoft’s $3.3 AI data center development in Mount Pleasant to Eli Lilly’s $3.5 billion expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Kenosha County, Wisconsin is experiencing a technology and manufacturing boom.
It’s been 20 years since Area Development first handed out its inaugural Shovel Awards. In those two decades, we’ve seen seismic shifts in where and how America grows. From the rise of the electric vehicle industry to the return of semiconductor manufacturing on U.S. soil, the momentum has never let up. If anything, the pace has only quickened. And through it all, the states that earn Shovel Awards have led the charge, securing investments, creating jobs, and laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term economic success.
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Wisconsin is gaining national attention as a dynamic technology hub, attracting global corporations, high-growth startups, and pioneering researchers who are reshaping advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and clean energy. By aligning talent, resources, and industry partnerships, the state is creating a climate where innovation thrives and businesses scale.