Gov. Tony Evers announced in a recent press release that the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) approved awarding up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits to assist Kikkoman Foods Inc. in expanding its operations in Wisconsin. The company plans to invest at least $800 million in expanding its brewing plant in Walworth and building a new facility in Jefferson, which is expected to create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years.
The groundbreaking for the initial phase of the Jefferson build-out — a 240,000-square-foot facility that will produce soy sauce and soy sauce-related seasonings — will take place in June, with the first shipments planned for fall 2026. The facility will aim to reduce CO2 emissions by installing energy-efficient equipment and proactively using renewable energy.
In addition to the new Enterprise Zone for Kikkoman Foods Inc., WEDC has 20 active Enterprise Zone designations throughout the state, which are expected to result in over $3.8 billion in capital investment, the retention of almost 17,000 jobs, and the creation of over 20,000 new jobs. Under state law, the Wisconsin State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance has 14 days to review the creation of a new Enterprise Zone. The zone will automatically be created unless the committee takes action.
