This Midwestern state is pulling out all the stops to attract vets likes you

Getting out of the military and wondering where to go next? How about America’s Dairyland?

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced today the state will spend $1.9 million on a nationwide marketing and social media push to transitioning service members and veterans looking for their next place to live and work.

“As our dedicated members of the military prepare to return to civilian life, they are looking for the best place possible to start a new career, raise a family and enjoy an outstanding quality of life. We are going to make a strong case that Wisconsin can meet all those needs – and more,” Walker said in a news release.

The campaign will run through June 2019 and will include social media and online ads, as well as personal engagement with veterans. State officials and employers plan to travel to more than a dozen military bases to sell transitioning service members on the Midwestern state known for its badgers and cheese-headed football fans.

These efforts begin next week at Camp Pendleton in California and continue in Washington, North Carolina, Hawaii, Missouri, Texas, Georgia, Germany and Japan. While there, officials will participate in transition summits hosted by Hiring our Heroes, a veteran hiring initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and attend other employment events for military spouses.

The roll-out also includes a new military occupation specialty code search tool on WiscJobsForVets.com and a new blog targeting transitioning veterans and their family members. The push is part of a larger $6.8 million campaign to address the state’s current and future workforce demands.

Wisconsin is home to Fort McCoy in La Crosse, about 640 service members and 383,400 veterans, according to the most recent federal data available.

“Between 200,000 and 250,000 members of the military leave the service every year, and this campaign provides us with a unique opportunity to reach out to them and raise their awareness of the career and lifestyle opportunities Wisconsin offers,” said Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said, according to the release. “This innovative attraction strategy will play an important role in ensuring Wisconsin’s employers have enough talented workers to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

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