Washington, DC- Sen. Kohl applauded Wisconsin's recent recognition as one of the best states in the country to live and work in. The Corporation for Enterprise Development's (CFED) 19th Development Report Card for the States found Wisconsin to have both a high quality of life and a high quality of jobs. Wisconsin made the Report Card's "Honor Roll" garnering grades of "A" for Performance, "B" for Business Vitality and "B" for Development Capacity.

"I am proud the CED recognized what we all know about Wisconsin: It is a great place to start a business and raise a family," said Sen. Kohl. "And, I am committed to continuing to pursue the investments in education and technology that will keep quality, good paying jobs flowing into our State."

Sen. Kohl has been a strong advocate promoting economic growth in Wisconsin. He recently secured $2 million for "Vanishing Domestic Manufactures (VDM) program in Grantsburg and $2 million for Wisconsin's Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Kohl has led the effort in the Senate to fund the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), winning $106 million in FY2006. Kohl also introduced legislation in the Senate, S.2134, which would authorize manufacturing related programs, including MEP and the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). MEP works with small and medium sized manufacturers to increase their productivity; ATP provides grants to support research and development of high-risk, cutting edge technologies. Sen. Kohl is also a co-sponsor of the Protecting America's Competitive Edge Act (PACE). The PACE Act is bi-partisan legislation that will strengthen America's competitiveness by investing in energy research, education, and provides tax incentives for research and development.

The CFED Development Report Card for the States is the most comprehensive measurement of the states' economies and economic development efforts. The study uses 68 measures to assess how each state's economy is performing for citizens and businesses.

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