In October 1995 Entrepreneur Magazine rated Madison as the "Fifth Best Small City for Small Business" and one of the nations 30 entrepreneurial hot spots. In October 1996 they rated Madison as the "Third Best Small City for Small Business"

The Capital Times on November 8, 1995 reported that Woods & Poole Economic of Washington, D.C. rated Dane County 19th of the of "Top 20 Counties for Economic Strength," with an economic strength index (ESI) of 153. Top ESI was 175 (Gwinnett Co., GA), bottom was 65 (Philadelphia Co., PA). Calculations are on 12 factors with varying weights including employment growth, manufacturing, diversity, mean household income, unemployment rate, and percent of workers by education level.

In an article in the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison was rated the 3rd safest of nation's 100 largest cities (Friday January 12, 1996).

Greater Madison's economy is a diverse and stable balance of the industrial, governmental and service sectors. Over 28,000 people are employed in Madison-area manufacturing. Long-standing industries such as meat packing and agricultural equipment are based in Madison, as well as firms developing tomorrow's technology in hospital equipment, advanced instrumentation and storage batteries.

In the financial, professional and technical service industries, Madison is the world headquarters for Rayovac Corporation, Ohmeda and Nicolet Instrument Corporation. Madison is also home base for many of the country's leading insurance companies. American Family Insurance, CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, General Casualty and over 30 others are located here.

Thousands of research projects are continually in progress at the University and elsewhere in Madison. Research is taking place in the fields of medicine, genetic engineering, robotics, highway planning, agriculture, aviation and aeronautics and zoology, among others. With the establishment of developments such as University Research Park, Madison is attracting many research and development companies looking toward the future.

Madison is home to U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, the only U.S. Government lab engaged in wood research. Other nationally prominent research-oriented organizations are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Laboratory, the Space Science and Engineering Center, the Waisman Center on Mental Retardation and Human Development and the Enzyme Institute. The Sea Grant Institute, the Air Pollution Lab and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service are also located in Madison.

In the agricultural sector, close to one-sixth of all farms in Wisconsin are in the Greater Madison trade area. Diversified farming contributes greatly to Madison's stability and continued prosperity. Dane County is ranked among the top 10 counties in the nation in value of farm products. Leading agricultural products are corn, alfalfa, tobacco, oats, eggs, cattle, hogs, and, of course, dairy products. Madison is currently making excellent progress toward its goal of becoming the center for the world dairy industry.

Helping to boost the area economy are county fairs, sporting events, rock concerts, rodeos, flea markets and a multitude of agricultural and industrial expositions. Many of these events find a home at the Dane County Coliseum and Exposition Center. The distinctive circular Coliseum building seats 10,200. Dane County Coliseum: (608) 267-3999

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