7-11-13 wisconsin economy-sweet corn

WHITEWATER, Wis. (AP) — A new report from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater says growing and processing sweet corn contributes $130 million to the Wisconsin economy each year. The report was put together by the university's Fiscal and Economic Research Center. Director Russ Kashian said in a statement Wednesday that in Wisconsin, sweet corn equals jobs because processing vegetables is a big business here.  The report says processed sweet corn accounts for about 320 jobs in Wisconsin, with $21.6 million per year in wages and benefits.  It says direct spending related to processed sweet corn totals $78 million but the total impact is even bigger when spending on such things as plant maintenance and insurance is considered, along with how workers spend their income. That adds up to nearly $130 million.