WE FUEL THE ECONOMY

As 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.

• WPMCA has more than 500 members who operate over 2,000 stations and stores. Our industry employs more than 50,000 people in Wisconsin. The businesses are independent and family-owned, meaning they are investing in their own communities.*
• Wisconsin convenience stores accounted for more than $14 billion in sales in 2014.*
• The average investment to open a store is between $1 million and $3.5 million, meaning a long-term commitment to the local economy.
• WPMCA members account for nearly 80% of the motor fuel, 75% of the farm fuel, and nearly all of the heating oil sold in Wisconsin. They literally keep the state running.
• WPMCA members provide a service to the state by collecting gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco taxes, as well as collecting millions of dollars in lottery sales every year.
• Wisconsin’s petroleum marketers are fiercely competitive, surviving on slim margins to provide quality products and services to Wisconsin consumers. Their success depends on a continued level playing field.

WPMCA ISSUE PAPERS

* Source: NACS State of the Industry Report 2014 Data: Nielsen TDLinx Store Count (December 31, 2014)