Above: A metaphor.

In 2010 the State of Wisconsin declined $810 million in stimulus funds to build part of the Midwest high-speed rail network, which was planned to extend from Milwaukee to Madison and eventually the Twin Cities. Even though this high-speed rail money was declined, there are currently quite a few Sconnie businesses that stand to profit from the nationwide rail initiative. According to The Cap Times, there are hundreds of high-speed rail services and supply companies that will become part of the supply chain for the initiative, with 73 of them located here in Wisconsin.   A big company that is expected to profit is Milwaukee Composites which is a Cudahy floor and ceiling panel manufacturer.

Despite the disappointments of 2010, improvements are still being made to the Empire Builder line which provides Amtrak service from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee. Studies conducted by The Environmental Law and Policy Center found that companies along the Midwest are thriving from the boom in Amtrak travel. The rail growth has provided opportunities to suppliers of automotive glass, seats and other components. That added to the $782 million in federal dollars being given to six states including Illinois, Iowa and Michigan for locomotives and passenger rail cars, translates to a lot of good jobs in the industry.