AGP Executive Report

G20 Trade Talks (Milwaukee): U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer says the India-U.S. deal is in the “short strokes,” with negotiations nearing the end but “not imminent,” after constructive talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Energy Prices: The U.S. urged European allies to release diesel reserves “immediately” to cool soaring fuel costs, with EU countries set to discuss a coordinated response. Local Tax & Politics (Milwaukee County): County Executive David Crowley’s proposed 2027 budget would lower the property tax rate while raising the overall tax levy by 2.5%, a move already drawing scrutiny as he campaigns for governor. Business & Manufacturing: Hydromat’s new FORCE CNC rotary transfer machine helped Mitotec Precision deliver 10x titanium output, highlighting Wisconsin’s push to scale advanced manufacturing. Sports Business: The Milwaukee Bucks sued Lesaffre Yeast Corp. over unpaid season ticket fees, seeking nearly $265,000. Community & Veterans: A Richfield Boy Scout is collecting 10,000 food and hygiene items for homeless Wisconsin veterans as part of his Eagle project.

G20 Trade Diplomacy: India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal met U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer and U.S. manufacturers in Milwaukee, pitching deeper investment and manufacturing ties as G20 trade talks wrap amid tariff uncertainty. Global Trade & Defense: Poland’s finance and economy minister said Warsaw wants to expand defense exports to India, with a late-October visit planned for about 100 firms. Healthcare & Antitrust: Wisconsin’s AG Dan Rayfield joined a coalition challenging EPA’s rollback of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, while separate state actions continue over generic drug price-fixing—$400M Sandoz/Fougera settlement heads for court approval. Workplace Compliance: Generac will revise religious accommodation policies and pay a settlement after an EEOC finding that it didn’t fully engage in the accommodation process. Public Safety Tech Backlash: A Marquette poll finds 63% of Wisconsin voters oppose Flock cameras as a privacy violation, adding pressure on Milwaukee to rethink its contract. Local Business/Community: Noble Community Clinics named a new CEO, and Milwaukee Rep topped a $5M endowment challenge with $12.5M raised. Energy & Jobs: Trane launched cold-climate heat pumps validated in Wisconsin and other states, aiming to expand residential electrification in harsh winter conditions.

G20 Trade Talks in Milwaukee: U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer opened the G20 Trade Ministerial calling for a “new international economic order,” targeting coercive food trade, structural excess capacity and forced labor, while India’s Piyush Goyal pushed for an early India-U.S. interim deal. Steel Overcapacity Framework: Ministers backed a coordinated “Milwaukee Framework” to tackle global steel excess, including monitoring and scrutiny of transshipment. Brazil-US Tariff Push: Brazil’s trade minister said the goal is “full tariff reduction,” including Section 232 steel/aluminum and other duties, with a working group set to define next steps. Wisconsin Data Center Policy: Milwaukee’s data center moratorium drew fresh attention as the city advanced rules after a fiery hearing, keeping the local business and tax debate front and center. Health & Pharmacy Access: Wisconsin moved ahead of federal delays to expand access to a new mRNA flu shot for adults 50+, using statewide standing orders to keep pharmacies stocked. Local Business & Community: Franklin’s Applefest preparations ramp up with 300+ vendors, while Milwaukee’s Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy raised $1.6M to support its K4–12 expansion.

G20 Trade & Industry: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says a new “Milwaukee Framework” will be released at this week’s G20 meeting to coordinate action against excess steel capacity, with expectations that countries will raise barriers to imports from heavy-overcapacity producers like China. Healthcare M&A: HealthPartners and Essentia Health in Minnesota approved a merger plan that would create a large nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name, spanning hospitals and clinics across Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Wisconsin Business & Regulation: Wisconsin DMV expands its Fleet license plate program starting Oct. 1 to let businesses register heavy trucks, tractors and trailers through its eMV Fleet portal. Data Centers & Power: An analysis of the Port Washington data center project says grid power approvals could delay meaningful operations until at least mid-2028, raising concerns about timelines and infrastructure bottlenecks. State Finance: Wisconsin reported $31 million in miscellaneous tax revenue in Q1 2026, down 8.8% from the prior quarter. Food & Grants: DATCP will accept applications Oct. 1–Nov. 4 for the 2027 Tribal Elder Community Food Box Grant Program, with up to $1.5 million available.

G20 Trade Talks: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the Trump administration will consider tariff caps from existing deals as it weighs new duties in an excess-capacity probe, with China a key focus ahead of the Milwaukee meeting. India-U.S. Manufacturing Push: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met U.S. manufacturers and invited deeper investment and co-production with Indian SMEs, aiming to move an interim bilateral trade deal forward. Healthcare Consolidation: HealthPartners and Essentia Health approved an affiliation agreement to expand access and specialty services, as consolidation pressures rise across the region. Data Center Economics: Mount Pleasant will get back nearly $5 million after Microsoft waived part of its development incentive, while Janesville approved a one-year data center moratorium amid concerns about tax impacts and local costs. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Wisconsin confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in cattle after deer cases, warning farmers to watch for symptoms and report within 10 days. Local Business Moves: Camino owner Casey Rataczak bought the former Engine Company No. 3 building in Walker’s Point and plans to relocate to expand catering and events. Milwaukee Tech & Privacy: Milwaukee County parks officials advanced a resolution to remove fixed Flock and ALPR cameras from county park property. Sports Business: The NBA is expected to pick an owner for the Las Vegas expansion team soon, with bids reportedly topping $12–13 billion.

Data Centers & Local Taxes: Jefferson County is drafting a data center notice ordinance, while a Wisconsin Policy Forum analysis warns that even with tax breaks, communities can see short-term property tax hikes via tax increment financing. Microsoft Incentives: Microsoft is “redirecting” about $5 million in Mount Pleasant incentives back to the village and Racine County Economic Development Corporation, aimed at stabilizing or lowering local property tax rates. Workplace & Labor: Wisconsin agencies recovered $17,000 in unpaid wages from a McDonald’s franchisee tied to child labor violations involving 23 minors. Housing Development: Milwaukee’s Plan Commission advanced a 25-story, 226-unit downtown condo project, Zenith, moving it toward Common Council review. Agriculture Health: Waukesha County confirmed its first epizootic hemorrhagic disease case in cattle since 2013. Civil Rights: An EEOC settlement requires a Franklin ski area to pay $20,000 and face two years of monitoring over alleged religious discrimination. Energy & Costs: Gas prices remain volatile, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest premium and midgrade deals in several Wisconsin counties.

G20 Trade Talks in Milwaukee: Indonesia’s trade minister is heading to the U.S. for the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee, aiming to advance rules-based trade priorities and push for WTO-compliant outcomes. Data Center Transparency Fight: Rock County residents backed resolutions limiting county NDAs tied to hyperscale data centers, while a separate Hammond, Wis. data-center lawsuit adds more legal heat as a company seeks to strike letters from the court record. Local Business & Cost Pressure: GasBuddy reports show Wisconsin midgrade and diesel prices remain volatile, with multiple counties hitting weekly lows around mid-$4 for midgrade and high-$5s for diesel. Workforce & Wages: A BLS-based report says janitorial pay rose 26.7% from 2020 to 2025, reshaping budgeting for facility cleaning labor. Tourism Boost: Madison says outdoor-focused travel is up, with Destination Madison citing 9M+ visitors and $1.6B in spending last year. Veterans Hiring Push: Milwaukee hosts a free veterans job fair Oct. 1 with employers across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and more.

G20 & Trade: India’s Piyush Goyal is set to travel to the U.S. for the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee and hold bilateral talks aimed at advancing an India-U.S. trade deal and boosting opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Data Center Policy: A new bipartisan bill would ban government NDAs that keep data center plans from the public and could block subsidies tied to secrecy—an issue Wisconsin communities have been wrestling with as AI infrastructure expands. Banking & Local Growth: Peshtigo National Bank awarded $13,000 in scholarships to youth livestock exhibitors across multiple northeast Wisconsin counties, backing the behind-the-scenes work that powers fair projects. Business Spotlight: She Slangs Wood highlights a Milwaukee-area Black woman-owned sawmill and custom lumber operation built from a pandemic-era repair project. Housing & Education: Madison College launched “Promise to Complete,” a last-dollar scholarship plus support for adult learners 23+ to finish associate degrees or technical diplomas. Sports Business: The Brewers drew 2.79M fans at home in 2026, up 5.2% and ranking 11th in MLB attendance. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reports show midgrade prices in parts of Wisconsin hovering around the mid-$4 range in the week ending Sept. 19, with local variation.

Local Infrastructure & Housing Costs: Wausau is moving fast on lead service line replacements, with a city finance committee voting to cover residents’ costs—about $6,700 per line on average—after already replacing thousands and targeting the rest by end of 2028. Energy & Household Budgets: The Citizens Utility Board warns winter heating costs are expected to rise about 8.7% this season, with natural gas prices and cold snaps driving last year’s sticker shock. AI-First Business Growth: 7Rivers, an AI and data consultancy based in Milwaukee, named Ben Kerford CEO as the firm scales and deepens its Snowflake partnership. Tech Manufacturing Investment: Lilly broke ground on a $6.5 billion Houston manufacturing site to expand U.S. production of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, including its oral GLP-1 Foundayo. EV Market Reality: A new analysis says EV adoption is creating a two-tier fuel market where charging costs depend heavily on local electricity prices, not just global oil. Trade & Policy Watch: The U.S. is set to host G20 trade talks in Milwaukee next week, with international trade rules and tariffs on the agenda. Business & Community: Visit Milwaukee launched the Brew City Trail to connect breweries and brewing-related businesses across the region.

Local Politics & Agriculture: Wisconsin towns face a fresh legal fight over local control of large swine farms after farm groups filed a broad public records request tied to CAFO rules, with lawsuits and rescinded regulations raising the stakes for remaining municipalities. Business & Healthcare Tech: Accuray and Samsung NeuroLogica are teaming up to expand volumetric imaging for the CyberKnife platform, aiming to improve treatment efficiency and decision-making. State Elections & Economy: Marquette Law School’s upcoming Wisconsin poll will probe the governor’s race, perceptions of AI and data centers, and views on business tax incentives. Energy Costs: GasBuddy data shows Wisconsin regular and diesel prices edging higher week over week, with notable low-price pockets across multiple counties. Trade & Tariffs: A look at U.S.-Brazil tariff policy argues the math doesn’t match the usual “trade deficit” justification, with the U.S. running a surplus with Brazil. Data Centers & Tax Breaks: Democrats are pressing an anti-data-center message in River Falls, targeting a GOP lawmaker tied to equipment/software tax exemptions. Sports Business (Milwaukee): The Brewers named Christian Yelich the franchise’s first official captain, while Dustin May’s latest outing is feeding postseason pitching planning.

Sports & Local Economy: The Milwaukee Brewers kept their playoff momentum rolling, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 as Brice Turang’s two-run homer and a bullpen-heavy approach preserved Milwaukee’s 102nd win and first-round bye. Higher Ed & Housing: The Waukesha County Business Alliance backed redevelopment of the former UW–Milwaukee at Waukesha campus into mixed housing, arguing it’s key to attracting and keeping workers. Workforce Development: New Tecumseth is moving toward a Skilled Trades and Technology Training Centre, lining up partnerships with post-secondary schools and employers. Local Food Markets: Madison’s new Grandad’s Farm Stop is giving small farmers a steadier way to sell by using consignment and higher returns than traditional retail. Politics & Counties: Wisconsin governor and attorney general candidates met with the Wisconsin Counties Association, pitching different plans for local control, mandates, and funding. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Wisconsin midgrade prices still vary sharply by county, with some of the lowest weekly deals clustered in select stations. Public Safety: A New Berlin man was arrested after a hit-and-run struck two pedestrians, injuring both.

Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data for the week ending Sept. 19 shows Waukesha County’s lowest E15 at $3.49/gal, while Sheboygan County’s cheapest diesel hit $5.49/gal; across Wisconsin, averages for E15 and premium rose week over week, underscoring how global oil and refinery conditions keep prices jumpy. Local Politics & Business: The Waukesha County Business Alliance published candidate responses for open seats in Wisconsin’s 5th Senate and 82nd Assembly districts, focusing on competitiveness, budgeting, and taxes. Housing Snapshot: Zillow reported Washburn County’s typical home value at $312,747 in August 2026 (+2.7% year over year), adding to a broader picture of uneven local markets. Education & Workforce Signals: Federal data highlights degree and certificate totals in several counties, including Eau Claire (5,407 awards) and Winnebago (2,233), with business administration and nursing among top fields. Regulatory/Business Risk: A Wisconsin brewery tied to political messaging about Trump’s death says its Madison taproom may close after the state revoked its alcohol permits, with an appeal scheduled for November.

H-1B Costs: A coalition of 22 U.S. attorneys general is pushing back on a proposed $103,265 H-1B fee, calling it unlawful and a threat to hiring for teachers, doctors and nurses. Labor & Health Care: Nurses at SSM Dean Medical Group in Madison-area clinics voted 71% to unionize with SEIU Wisconsin, joining a growing Wisconsin trend of organizing in health systems. Trade Talks in Milwaukee: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will host G20 trade ministers Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Milwaukee, with discussions on forced labor, food trade and industrial overcapacity. Data Privacy: Wisconsin is part of a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp tied to a 2019 data breach that exposed sensitive information for 16,615 Wisconsin residents. Energy & Industry: A River Falls protest is targeting Wisconsin’s sales-tax exemption for hyperscale data centers, arguing it’s a “blank check” that shifts costs onto communities. Housing: Tomahawk broke ground on a 72-unit apartment complex aimed at easing local rental pressure.

AI Regulation Push: Wisconsin AG Jeff Jackson joined a multistate push urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after major incidents involving AI systems and security failures. Public Safety & Surveillance: A Wisconsin-related debate over license plate camera surveillance is heating up as a Florida bill would require warrants for federal use of Flock Safety-style systems. Energy Costs: Diesel and gas prices remain a business pressure point, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest diesel in Wood County at $5.89 and ongoing statewide volatility. Local Governance: Wisconsin Rapids’ District 7 alderperson Michael Timm will face a recall election Oct. 27 over claims of intimidating a business owner. Courts & Accountability: Dane County DA Ismael Ozanne is reviewing DOJ-DCI findings in the Corey Ruiz investigation, with no charging timeline set. Workforce & Education: UW-Oshkosh is hosting free fall public programs, including a forum on the economic and environmental impacts of AI data centers in Wisconsin. Tourism Leadership: The Wisconsin Center District named Visit Milwaukee CEO Peggy Williams-Smith interim president/CEO and Omar Shaikh as board chair.

Ag Exports: Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin is now the 10th largest U.S. exporter of agricultural products, with Q2 2026 exports hitting $2.13B—up 5.42% year over year—while warning Trump’s tariff swings could stall dairy and other farm gains. Fuel Costs: GasBuddy reports diesel prices remain volatile, with Green County’s low at $5.79 (week ending Sept. 19) and Wisconsin’s diesel average at $6.20; separate reports show regular gas averaging $4.22 statewide. Politics & Spending: A new GOP-aligned group, First Amendment LLC, filed a major campaign finance report, spending about $9.3M targeting Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the governor’s race. Caregiver Shortage: Immigration crackdowns are deepening Wisconsin’s long-term care workforce crunch as agencies struggle to hire overseas workers after refugee program cuts and TPS terminations. AI Oversight: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul joined a multistate push urging federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents acting outside testing environments. Housing & Health: Milwaukee’s lead hazard cleanup remains costly and uneven, with health orders since 2023 and landlords struggling to remove lead risks. Business Growth: Kikkoman is expanding U.S. production, preparing shipments from its third Wisconsin plant in Jefferson and projecting a major capacity increase over the coming decade.

Housing & Local Finance: Milwaukee County is redirecting $2.5 million in affordable housing funds after a Franklin project stalled, sending money to housing efforts in Shorewood, Milwaukee and West Allis. Energy & Industry: The FBI is investigating fires tied to Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute and a Superior office fire, as tribal leaders accuse the company of poor communication after the August spill. Healthcare Labor: Unionized Allina hospital doctors reached a tentative first labor contract after a four-day strike, with key terms on autonomy and compensation models still awaiting ratification. Environmental Business: Monona-based First Supply won a Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce environmental award for a new West Salem distribution center using renewable energy and automation. Tech & Local Economy: A UW-Superior student built a web app to help shops track customer data ahead of the Blatnik Bridge closure, aiming to reduce revenue hit from traffic shifts. Consumer/Policy: Wisconsin lawmakers and groups are again clashing over a sales-tax exemption for hyperscale data centers, with a rally in River Falls calling for repeal. Sports Business: The Brewers beat the Phillies 4-1, delaying Philadelphia’s playoff clinch and keeping Milwaukee’s postseason momentum.