America’s economy is entering a period of profound transformation. Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, supply chain realignment, and demographic change are reshaping the competitive landscape at an unprecedented pace. The question is no longer whether states will adapt—it is which states will lead.

In this latest National Review op-ed, Northwoods Policy Network Executive Director Paul Schecklman and Paul Wassgren argue that Wisconsin stands at a pivotal moment. With its manufacturing heritage, skilled workforce, and strategic location, the state possesses every advantage to become a leader in America’s next industrial renaissance. Yet those strengths alone are not enough.

The authors contend that attracting the next generation of investment will require bold action: modernizing the regulatory environment, pursuing competitive tax reform, strengthening the legal climate for business, and investing in the infrastructure and workforce necessary to support advanced manufacturing.

The stakes extend well beyond Wisconsin. The future of the American industrial Midwest will play a critical role in determining whether the United States maintains its manufacturing strength and economic resilience in an increasingly competitive world.

At Northwoods Policy Network, we believe public policy should prepare communities not merely to respond to change, but to shape it. This article contributes to that conversation by outlining reforms that can position Wisconsin—and states across the Midwest—for sustained prosperity.

Read the full article in National Review.