Posted: 12.07.2010

Republican Gov.-elect Scott Walker says he
wants to transform Wisconsin's Commerce Department into a new state
agency that partners with private businesses to focus solely on
economic development.

Walker spoke about the idea Monday after being briefed on a
strategy for improving the state's economy created by a group of
Wisconsin's business, education and government leaders. That
group's final report calls for creating an independent job creation
board to replace the department, similar to what has been done in
other states.

Walker says he envisions a hybrid Commerce Department that would
work solely on leveraging assets to help with job growth. He says
the state should also focus more heavily on fostering growth in its
existing companies than attracting new ones.
Walker's term begins Jan. 3.

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