USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Companies operating in Wisconsin now have a new tool — an official “Made In Wisconsin” logo — to help market the origin and quality of their products, thanks to a new program from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

“When we say a product is made in Wisconsin, that’s saying more than just where it was produced,” said Kelly Lietz, WEDC’s vice president of marketing, speaking at the Manufacturing Matters! Conference in Milwaukee. “It speaks to the attributes of the product itself. It’s a reflection of the quality of our natural resources and the honesty, hard work and innovative minds of our people.”

WEDC introduced the In Wisconsin brand in 2012 to provide a platform for marketing business opportunities and successes in the state.

Lietz points out that WEDC is approached regularly by companies interested in displaying a “Made In Wisconsin” logo on their products. WEDC worked with a small number of Wisconsin companies that approached the agency with this request to develop a pilot program that included the necessary application process steps and logo options.

The Made In Wisconsin logo can be adapted to reflect applicants’ production processes. In addition to Made In Wisconsin, options include Manufactured in Wisconsin, Produced in Wisconsin, Built in Wisconsin, Grown in Wisconsin, Invented in Wisconsin, Designed in Wisconsin, Engineered in Wisconsin and Brewed in Wisconsin.

There is no cost to use the logo. Companies that wish to participate fill out an application stating how they will use the logo and certifying that the product or service on which they seek to use the mark fulfills program requirements. Once an application is approved, the company can download high-resolution image files.

For more information, visit Made.InWisconsin.com.