(Rock County, WI) Milken Institute released its 2021 Best-Performing Small Cities rankings and the Janesville-Beloit MSA was one of only six Midwestern locations to make the Top 50. At #41, the Rock County outpaced its Wisconsin counterparts – with populations between 60,000 and 249,999 – in several key statistical categories that were evaluated and weighted, accordingly. 

From the dozen statistical categories examined, the stats carrying the most weight were those attributed to short-and-long term employment and wage gains. Even when compared to those WI locations defined by the Milken Institute as large cities (i.e. metro areas with populations of 250,000 or greater), the Janesville-Beloit MSA produced competitive figures.

According to James Otterstein, Rock County’s Economic Development Manager, “This report, as well as other indices, provides critical third-party validation regarding the area’s diversity and growth trajectory.”

For additional information about the report and/or the rankings of roughly 400 locations across the U.S., visit https://milkeninstitute.org .