Why the Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership (WICEO) Is an Essential Resource for Wisconsin’s Business Community
When most people hear the term employee ownership, they either think of a buzzword or a niche financial strategy. But in Wisconsin, it has become something much bigger — a defining tool for business continuity, economic resilience, and competitive advantage. At the center of that movement is the Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership (WICEO), and its importance has never been clearer.
Employee ownership isn’t just about selling a company or giving workers a stake. It’s about keeping businesses rooted in their communities, protecting jobs, and creating long-term wealth for everyday workers — not just executives or shareholders. And as thousands of Wisconsin businesses face leadership retirement in the coming decade, WICEO has emerged as the trusted guide for companies navigating those transitions.
A Safe Landing Spot for Business Owners
Succession planning is complicated. Owners want to protect their legacy, reward loyal employees, and maintain the company culture they spent decades building. But most don’t know their full range of options — or have access to unbiased support.
WICEO provides that clarity.
Through education, workshops, one-on-one guidance and connections to vetted partners, WICEO helps business owners understand whether employee ownership could be a viable solution — not by selling them on it, but by informing them.
An Economic Impact That Stays Local
When companies are sold to out-of-state buyers or private equity firms, it often leads to:
- Job cuts
- Plant or office closures
- Loss of community investment
Employee-owned companies, on the other hand, have been shown to:
- Keep jobs local
- Increase company longevity
- Improve employee retention and morale
- Grow wages and wealth for workers over time
Every time a Wisconsin business transitions to employee ownership, the benefits ripple outward: families, communities, and local economies all grow together. WICEO serves as the engine behind that transformation.
Education and Access — Not Sales and Pressure
The employee-ownership landscape is full of legal, tax, financing and governance considerations. Business owners need a trustworthy resource, not a sales pitch.
WICEO offers:
- Free and low-cost educational seminars
- Case studies of Wisconsin companies that have transitioned
- Connections to technical experts (legal, financial, valuation, leadership development, etc.)
- A supportive advisory network
Instead of a one-size-fits-all message, WICEO helps owners understand what’s possible — and what’s best for them.
A Powerful Path for Workforce Retention
Businesses everywhere are struggling to retain and recruit talent. Employee ownership flips the equation: when employees have a stake in the success of the business, they stay, they grow, and they care.
Employee-owned companies regularly report:
- Increased productivity
- A stronger culture of collaboration
- Better long-term retention
- Lower turnover costs
In a tight labor market, employee ownership becomes a competitive advantage — and WICEO is the bridge that connects companies to that opportunity.
Building a Stronger Wisconsin — Together
WICEO’s work isn’t theoretical. It’s practical, hands-on, and deeply rooted in Wisconsin values: hard work, community, collaboration, and shared success.
Whether you’re:
- A business owner thinking about long-term plans
- A chamber or association wanting to educate your members
- A professional advisor (CPA, banker, attorney) supporting clients
- A policymaker focused on keeping businesses in the state
WICEO is here as a resource — not to push an outcome, but to open doors to options that keep Wisconsin strong.
The Bottom Line
Employee ownership is one of the most powerful, proven ways to keep businesses local, protect jobs, reward employees, and build lasting wealth. That makes WICEO more than just an organization — it makes it an essential resource for the future of Wisconsin’s economy.
If Wisconsin thrives when Wisconsin businesses thrive, then the work of WICEO matters to every one of us.
