As Wisconsin and Hessen approach the 50th anniversary of their sister-state partnership, a new agreement signed on April 8, 2025, signals a deepening of economic and cultural ties between the two regions. Governor Tony Evers announced that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Hessen Trade and Invest (HTAI), which represents Hessen’s state-level economic development organizations, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to boost collaboration in global trade, business attraction, and market opportunities.
“This Memorandum of Understanding marks a new chapter in our enduring partnership and friendship between Hessen and Wisconsin,” Evers said during a trade mission to Germany and France. “Maintaining Wisconsin’s strong relationships with our global partners remains as important as ever, most especially given all of the uncertainty in the world today. Together, we will grow our opportunities for collaboration between start-ups in our two states and continue to develop our close business, cultural, academic, and social ties for the betterment of our people, our communities, and our economies.”
The agreement, signed by WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and HTAI CEO Dr. Rainer Waldschmidt, focuses on accelerating innovation, entrepreneurship, trade, and investment, with a particular emphasis on supporting start-ups. It also aims to create new pathways for entrepreneurs and innovators in both regions to leverage shared expertise in research, development, and investment.
“The Memorandum of Understanding and the entire trade mission demonstrates the value of people-to-people and business-to-business connections our state makes by continuing to engage with the world,” Hughes said.
Waldschmidt echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for the future of the partnership. “I’m very excited that we are continuing this legacy and growing our friendship—striving for success and prosperity for the next 50 years,” he said.
The agreement comes at a time when trade between Wisconsin and Germany remains robust. Germany ranked as the fourth-largest destination for Wisconsin exports in both 2023 and 2024, with the state sending nearly $1 billion in goods to the country last year. This economic relationship is underpinned by a shared history, including significant immigration from German-speaking regions to Wisconsin, as well as mutual strengths in manufacturing and a commitment to quality, productivity, and a strong work ethic.
Wisconsin and Hessen’s sister-state relationship, established in 1976, is the longest-standing German-American partnership of its kind. To mark the upcoming milestone, Evers met with Hessen’s business, community, and government leaders and visited schools and educational institutions during his trip.
The governor’s trade mission, his third since taking office in 2019, included stops in Hannover, Hessen, and Berlin in Germany, as well as the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in France. Key visits included Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial trade show, where Evers promoted Wisconsin’s exports and sought international investment, and DMEA, the leading digital health trade show, where he highlighted Wisconsin’s designation as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub for personalized medicine and biohealth technology.
Evers’ previous trade missions took him to Japan in 2019 and Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg in 2023. More details on his efforts to strengthen Wisconsin’s global trade ties and support the state’s industries, workforce, and economy can be found here.
