WE FUEL THE ECONOMYAs Wisconsin continues to add jobs, small businesses like the more than 500 members of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (WPMCA) are helping to fuel that growth. The ability of these independent and family-owned businesses to continue to invest in and grow their operations is critical to the success of the state and local economies. Wisconsin’s petroleum marketers and convenience store owners are independent and family-owned businesses that, in many cases, date back generations. They operate nearly 3,000 convenience stores across the state and employ more than 50,000 people. The decision to open or expand a member business in a community is not taken lightly. Estimates are that building a new convenience store requires an investment of $1 million to $3.5 million per store. That means a long term commitment to the local economy and local tax base. WPMCA members are not only a part of the local economy, but a part of the local community. Our members continue to invest in their businesses and their communities. In order to maintain that growth we need to know that we can continue to compete on a level playing field. We ask that the Legislature support policies that will continue to foster growth, and maintain policies that will promote a competitive market place, allowing us to continue to be a crucial part of the state economy. We support independent businesses, promote policies that spur growth, and promote a fair and competitive marketplace.
* Source: NACS State of the Industry Report 2017 Data: Nielsen TDLinx Store Count (December 31, 2017) WPMCA ISSUE PAPERS |