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municipal boundaries along the region's highways. Industrial sites abound which are too small
to entice industry but which direct scarce public and private dollars for construction and
maintenance. Areas with potential for tourism and recreation are giving way to uses which are
non-conducive to outdoor recreation and scenic value.
Goal:
To develop the land resources and the geographical distribution of economic activity
so as to enhance the economic attractiveness and to ensure the greatest economic efficiencies
within southwestern Wisconsin (Proper land use.)
Strategy:
Use farmland preservation planning to restrict residential development on prime
agricultural lands. Develop extraterritorial zoning for communities which have deteriorating
downtowns. Direct public investment for industrial parks towards the region's growth centers.
Promote the use of county-wide land use controls to protect the natural and scenic amenities of
the region. These measures are designed to create a geographic dispersion of economic activity
which is compatible with the economic, social and environmental limitations of the land.
Place Priority:
Regionwide.
(9)   Problem Nine:
Lss than satisfactory economic conditions in southwestern Wisconsin have engendered
several manpower and educational problems. These problems, in turn, affect the economic
growth and productivity of the area. A major problem is the lack of local job opportunities
which match the skills and training of the local work force. The combination of low wages m
the southwestern Wisconsin region and the appeal of higher wages in larger urban areas has con-
tributed to a very high rate of out-migration of the younger work force. Many trained people
are leaving the region for higher paying jobs. This problem is not as dramatic during the first
half of the 1990's as it was during the decade of the 1980's, as demonstrated by out-migration
estimates prepared by the State of Wisconsin.
Still, there continues to be a situation in which area residents are paying to educate youth
through their tax dollars who then out-migrate from the area, just when they are ready to become
productive members of society. This will undoubtedly never be eliminated entirely, as urban
areas will always offer more opportunities for better income and advancement. It is important
that skills which are being taught within the area are compatible with the types of job openings
which can be anticipated to be created in the future, especially those of a technical nature.
Goal:
To enhance and promote the educational, technical and vocational programs in
southwestern Wisconsin and the state for the betterment of skill levels of the labor force,
and ensure that people and skills are matched with jobs.
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