Site Selection & Development

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Your Path to Growth

Breaking new ground in Sauk County just makes good sense. With prime locations and corporate sites that come with a scenic view at no extra charge, business looks better here. Explore all our land-made region has to offer and let your vision bloom.

Site Selection & Development

Travel by Land …

With so many options, it’s easy for people — and goods — to get where they’re going in Sauk County. Traveling throughout the area, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR) is a Class II regional railroad currently operated by Watco. Commodities moved on this railroad include forest products, fertilizers, grain, plastics, chemicals and liquid petroleum — though virtually anything can be transported. It links up with these major railroads: 

  • Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
  • Union Pacific (UP)
  • Canadian National (CN)
  • Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF)

By road, the region is connected to Interstates 90 and 94, U.S. Highway 12 and 14, and 11 major state highways, including 13, 60 and 154.

Site Selection & Development

… Or by Air

Roads and rails aren’t the only ways to travel in Sauk County. These regional airports provide vital access points throughout the area:

The closest major airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), is about 105 miles from Sauk City.

Site Selection & Development

Faster Internet Speeds

High-speed fiber connectivity is a priority for the professionals and residents of Sauk County, not just to ensure their businesses stay ahead in this fast-paced, digital-driven world, but for students to attend school, entrepreneurs to work remotely, farmers to run their agricultural operations and, frankly, little ones to stay connected to their grandparents. 

Here’s how we’re investing in improved broadband infrastructure:

  • The Reedsburg Utility Commission (RUC) has been significantly expanding its fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network into Sauk County since 2011, stretching from Reedsburg to Loganville, Lake Delton, Baraboo and Spring Green. 
  • The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) is providing funding to expand high-speed internet access in Sauk County.   
  • The federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program was established to provide significant funding to expand high-speed, reliable and affordable internet access.

Resource Center

Incentives

The Business Development Tax Credit Program
This program supports job creation, capital investment, training, and the location or retention of corporate headquarters by providing companies with refundable tax credits. Tax credit packages may also include incentives for the capital investments companies make in workforce housing and company child care facilities. As of 2024, the minimum capital investment needed to qualify for the program is $250,000.

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Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption
Wisconsin offers a tax exemption for projects that involve buildings constructed or rehabilitated to house data centers. This program aims to attract more data centers to Wisconsin, along with the highly educated workforce, high wages and significant capital investment these projects bring to communities.

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Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program
Wisconsin’s Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) Program offers incentives for investment in early-stage Wisconsin businesses with the potential for significant economic impact and job growth. This program creates mutually beneficial outcomes for investors, businesses and Wisconsin’s economy.

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Historic Preservation Tax Credit
The Historic Preservation Tax Credit applies to certified historic buildings. Under the program, owners of eligible buildings may receive a state income tax credit for 20% of the qualified rehabilitated expenditures, up to $3.5 million.

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Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
Wisconsin’s Enterprise Zone Tax Credits are available to assist Wisconsin businesses that have significant expansion projects or are relocating major business operations from other states to Wisconsin. Refundable tax credits can be earned through job creation, job retention, capital investment, employee training and supply chain purchases from Wisconsin vendors.

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Technology Development Loans
Companies that provide high-tech or innovative solutions with national or global market potential are eligible for WEDC Technology Development Loans, which are tailored to the evolving needs businesses face as they move through their development cycle. WEDC offers lending options targeting the critical stages of new business development. WEDC’s loan funds are tailored to help innovative companies with promising economic futures clear the hurdles associated with bringing new technologies, products and concepts to market.

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Brownfields Grant Program
Wisconsin’s Brownfields Grant Program provides funds to assist with the assessment and remediation of environmental contamination of abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial facilities or sites. This program helps convert contaminated sites into productive properties that are attractive and ready for redevelopment.

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Private Sewage System Replacement or Rehabilitation Grant Program
This program provides financial incentives to protect public health, safety and the waters of the state. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $58 million in grants for nearly 28,000 residences and businesses to replace or rehabilitate failing private sewage systems statewide.

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Zoning Map

Explore the different zoning regulations and ordinances within Sauk County using this map.

Site Selection & Development

Let’s Connect

Invest Sauk County is your partner in growing from the ground up. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Leading Industries

Manufacturing

Within manufacturing, there are exceptionally high concentrations of specialty industries, including plastics, automotive, vulcanized and fired materials, heavy machinery and production technology.

Financial Activities

While only representing 3.3% of total employment, this is the area’s fastest-growing industry, showing a 15.7% growth rate (163 new jobs) from 2018 to 2023.

Hospitality & Tourism

More than 32% of jobs in Sauk County are supported by tourism, and the industry generates nearly $2 billion in economic activity each year.

Homegrown Companies

Teel Plastics

Founded in 1951, Teel Plastics now operates four manufacturing facilities in Baraboo.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Casino

One of the three largest Ho-Chunk casinos in the state, this Wisconsin Dells location is a Class III casino.

The Nordic Group

The Nordic Group, a multigenerational family business, grew from humble beginnings into a major manufacturing force comprising Flambeau Plastics, Seats Incorporated and Duncan Toys.

Bank of Wisconsin Dells

Originally founded in 1910, Bank of Wisconsin Dells has been a consistent resource within the community, offering personal and business banking, mortgage loans, wealth management services and more.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center

The Reedsburg Area Medical Center is a well-known critical-access hospital for Sauk County’s rural communities.

Culver’s

Founded in Sauk City in 1984, Culver’s is now a nationwide favorite for wholesome food and heartfelt smiles.

The Communities of Sauk County

Sauk County can be separated into six municipalities, each a cornerstone contributing to the region’s enduring economic climate — explore them all below.

Baraboo
Lake Delton
Reedsburg
Sauk Prairie
Spring Green

Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

Dig a little deeper into the benefits of living and working in Sauk County, and find valuable insights and essential information in our Frequently Asked Questions.

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