Boosting WI defense jobs: Can R&D make up for lack of a big military base?

Unlike some of its Midwest neighbors and leading states like California, Virginia and Texas, Wisconsin has no major military base to fuel defense-related jobs.

But advocates say research and industry cooperation can boost the Badger State's estimated 16,000 defense jobs -- a stable but relatively modest number compared to even Ohio, which benefits from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.

In Wisconsin, universities such as UW-Milwaukee and the business-supported Wisconsin Defense Industry Council (WDIC) are drawing the connection between research and jobs.

An April 15 WisPolitics-State Affairs luncheon in Milwaukee explores the connection and how Wisconsin can become more of a player in the national defense industry given new weapons systems and wars in the Mideast and Ukraine. This free Wisconsin-focused event comes just after a national conference in Milwaukee: The Defense Industrial Base Conference, or DIBCON 2026.

The April 15 Wisconsin panelists:
--Dr. Rob Cuzner, UWM electrical engineering professor whose applied defense research—conducted in partnership with Eaton—demonstrates how university–industry collaborations are strengthening national security, advanced manufacturing, and the regional economy.

--Major Gen. Ernie Litynski, co-chair WDIC and president of RBP Chemical Technology

--Leonardo DRS' Derrick Van Zuidam, vice president, Power Line of Business and Menomonee Falls Site Lead. leonardodrs.com

Welcome by UWM Vice Chancellor for Research Ali Abedi

Co-moderator: Director of UWM's Military and Veteran's Resource Center, Yolanda Medina, will co-moderate this panel discussion.

Register for the free event through this site. A complimentary lunch is provided. Enter promo code UWM2026 for free admission

Location and Parking:

161 W Wisconsin Ave. Suite #7220, Milwaukee, WI 53203

The School of Continuing Education provides a parking discount for program participants who park in either the Milwaukee Grand Avenue Mall iParkit Garage, which is connected to the Plankinton Building, or InterPark The Avenue Garage which is connected to The Avenue. Both garages are connected and use the same ticketing and payment systems.

The entrance to the Milwaukee Grand Avenue Mall iParkit Garage is located on N Plankinton Ave. The entrance to the Interpark The Avenue Garage is located on W Michigan Ave.

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