As Fiserv Inc. executives considered the future of its Wisconsin headquarters, the simple fact that it’s a global company actively exploring office consolidations reinforced to Wisconsin officials the stakes the company’s presence in the state.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, based on a review of other places Fiserv has major operations, acknowledged the hypothetical possibility it could’ve moved instead to Omaha, New Jersey or Georgia, for example. She said throughout discussions, Fiserv “always was very straightforward that it hoped to stay in Wisconsin.”

“There are all sorts of places where they could’ve decided to land, but I think Milwaukee was the most authentic because of the Fiserv Forum and their presence there, and that’s where they wanted to be,” Hughes said.

Hughes was among a team of local officials that worked with Fiserv on the deal that will result in its headquarters moving from Brookfield to downtown Milwaukee in fall 2023. At stake are about 750 current jobs, plus 250 new jobs expected to be added over five years.

[Adapted from: Wisconsin officials craft Fiserv deal with concern firm could move HQ out of state. October 31, 2022 Milwaukee Business Journal]