Bathtubs, Smokestacks and a Five-Star Resort: Lessons from Kohler, Wisconsin

Today, there is a tendency to look with distain at manufacturing facilities, especially those located on working waterfronts. Historically, those factories were sited there because the raw materials and finished products could be transported only by water.

But as our state and nation progressed, railroads, highways and even airports were added and industrial areas formed. In fact, our legislature, cities, counties and ports funded the necessary improvements to those areas to specifically attract industries and the accompanying family-wage jobs.

Past governors made economic development the corn...