WEDC and the AER of France have approved an MOU to foster closer economic and educational relations
Sep 16, 2026, 2:01 PM CT
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Governor Tony Evers announced today that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the AER of France have approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster closer economic and educational relations.
The agreement establishes a framework for coordinating expertise, developing collaborative projects, and supporting company growth across both regions. The collaboration focuses on four core priority sectors: agri-food, energy, advanced manufacturing, and biotherapies and health sciences.
"Here in Wisconsin, we’ve been proud to create and maintain strong partnerships with our friends abroad, and this partnership with the BFC region of France is a big step forward toward ensuring the continued growth, expansion, and certainty for our local businesses and regional economies," Governor Evers stated.
The MOU originates from a trade mission to Germany and France led by Gov. Evers and WEDC leaders in 2025. Following that visit, a formal relationship was established between AER and Wisconsin-based BioForward, leading to AER's participation in BioForward's annual summits in 2025 and 2026.
BFC President Jérôme Durain is scheduled to lead a delegation to Wisconsin and Chicago this October to focus on actionable projects, primarily in biotherapies and agri-food. WEDC Secretary and CEO John W. Miller and AER BFC President Arnaud Marthey also praised the initiative, emphasizing shared strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, and research institutions.
The announcement comes following Governor Evers' trade mission to Ghana and South Africa earlier this summer, adding to previous trade missions to Japan in 2019, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg in 2023, and Germany and France in 2025.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
