2024 Navigate Business MKE

Empowering the next generation of innovators

We’re proud to partner with our communities to help provide the skills and access needed to build inclusive pathways to 21st century careers.

As Milwaukee’s Managing Partner, I am committed to ensuring Foley continues its tradition of vigorous involvement in our business, civic, and charitable communities, as well as our duty to make Milwaukee an even more diverse and vibrant place to live, work, and play.”

Proud to be Your Hometown Payments and Fintech Company

Fiserv is a globally admired fintech and payments powerhouse enabling money movement for financial institutions, businesses and consumers. Our people serve clients in more than 100 countries, and Fiserv solutions reach nearly 100% of U.S. households. We’re proud to power the fan experience at Fiserv Forum, home of the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks, and proud to call Milwaukee our global headquarters hometown.

MMAC’s Region of Choice initiative creating a regional economy

U nderstanding that diversity must be embraced to create a true, welcoming culture of inclusion in workplaces and communities, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) began the Region of Choice (ROC) initiative in 2019. As part of that initiative, more than 125 MMAC members have collectively committed to increasing Black and Brown talent at the management level by 25% and among employees overall by 15% (see page 10 for a list of participating employers).

Region of Choice Initiative

Region of Choice companies share their employment data each year, which is aggregated and benchmarked against the baseline year of 2018. Region of Choice companies have collectively reported employment numbers that have already met these goals. For example, at participating companies, the employment of Black and Brown individuals has risen to 18.1% of

overall employment, meeting the goal of the initiative one year early.

When it comes to management, employment of Black and Brown individuals has risen to 9.2% of total management employees, again exceeding the five-year goal. Collectively, this progress has resulted in 5,500 new hires or promotions since the start of the initiative.

When comparing the results to other metro-area employers reporting Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data, Region of Choice companies are significantly outpacing them in employment of Black and Brown talent.

that is beneficial for all Companies participating in MMAC’s Region of Choice initiative exceeded their goals one year earlier than expected, resulting in 5,500 new hires or promotions of Black and Brown talent.

MMAC continues to convene representatives from the ROC companies and the community to share and discuss strategies aimed at attracting, retaining and advancing diverse talent.

Participants meet both online and in person to help each other learn from peers and subject matter experts. For more information or additional resources, please visit www.regionofchoicemke.org

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

Milwaukee Region Poised for a Great Run

As the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce enters a new era in 2024, we can look back to understand why this region is poised to take o昀.

For decades, prudent leadership and gamechanging results have cemented this organization’s reputation as an impactful institution.

More recently, groundbreaking legislative wins, a bevy of economic development and businesses putting a premium on developing and attracting talent are just a few examples of that leadership in action. Results like these have given southeastern Wisconsin the potential for massive growth in the coming years.

In 2023, solutions were reached to help the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County manage their budgets and bolster essential services – like public safety, parks and more – through new revenue streams.

A $100 million investment in education locally will provide more equitable per-pupil spending for our choice and charter students. This allows parents more options when deciding what’s best for their children and employers a deeper pool of talent ready to make meaningful contributions to their success.

A global leader in technology, Microsoft Microsoft, has committed billions in investment to its data center

project in Mount Pleasant, highlighting a fantastic run in regional economic investment by companies throughout the world.

Businesses signing our Region of Choice pledge recently surpassed hiring and promotion goals for Black and Brown talent within their organizations. While there is still work to be done, real progress can be achieved when intentionality is present.

These are just a few examples of outcomes achieved due, in part, to the vision, planning and action taken by the MMAC.

In 2024, we’ll have an opportunity to show o昀 southeastern Wisconsin as 50,000 people descend and the eyes of the world focus on Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention Convention. I’m certain we . will leave a lasting impression.

As the new president of the MMAC, I am blessed to be entrusted to lead an organization that has had such an immense impact on our region since 1861. I vow to carry on that legacy and serve our 1861. I vow membership and the community with its best interests in mind.

DALE KOOYENGA MMAC President

N othing sells the Milwaukee Region as an ideal place to live, work and play than word-of-mouth advertising. The success and experiences of the tens of thousands of businesses that make southeastern Wisconsin home serve as a beacon to employers looking for a great place to start or expand a business. But because the region has so much to offer, many opportunities and resources get overlooked – both by businesses looking to locate here and companies that already call the region home.

Navigate Business MKE is a comprehensive resource that provides those details, while highlighting the many initiatives of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Share it with colleagues you know that are looking to relocate or expand.

A companion publication – Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide – provides a wealth of information about the region’s communities, schools, and things to do. It is a perfect resource for your human resource professionals to use to recruit top-flight talent.

For copies of either publication, contact the MMAC.

Publisher

Editorial Director

Editorial

SECURING THE FUTURE

Forging a Sustainable and Inclusive Economy by Focusing on Growth, Talent, Livability and a Commitment to Equity

The seven-county Milwaukee Region is truly energized. As Milwaukee puts the finishing touches on its preparations to host 50,000 people at the 2024 Republican National Convention, businesses and developers are actively investing in building the foundation that will fuel the region’s growth for years to come.

A New Home for Corporations

Major corporations continue to move their operations to Milwaukee’s downtown so they can plug into the “cultural electricity” that is flowing through the city:

● Northwestern Mutual, a Fortune 100 company and the nation’s largest direct provider of individual life insurance, is investing $500 million to expand its presence and add 2,000 employees to its downtown headquarters – just six years after it completed a $450 million, 32story office tower that has become an iconic landmark for the city.

● Milwaukee Tool, a global leader in power tools for the construction industry, recently moved into new offices on the western edge of downtown, which will eventually house 1,200 employees.

● Fiserv Inc., a global leader in financial payments and technology, is moving 800 employees into its new headquarters at the HUB640 building along the Milwaukee River.

● Komatsu Mining Corp. has moved into its new $285 million headquarters and manufacturing campus in Milwaukee’s Harbor District

A New Home for Young Professionals

Developers, meanwhile, are adding more than 2,000 apartments in the downtown area to accommodate young people and empty nesters who want to be close to the action in a city that is accessible, affordable and attractive. The developments include

Nate Vonhof

the 44-story Couture, the 31-story Hines apartment tower, both of which are slated to open in 2024; the 25-story Goll Mansion tower; the 25-story Renaissance Place; and The Edison, a 28-story apartment building using mass timber technology – the city’s second. And it’s not just happening in Downtown Milwaukee. More than a $1 billion is being invested in apartments and single-family homes throughout the region, including 489 single-family homes and 246 duplex units in Pleasant Prairie, a $100 million development at Drexel Town Square in Oak Creek, a $450 million development in downtown Kenosha, the conversion of retail properties into apartments in Wauwatosa and Greendale, and other significant developments in Oconomowoc and West Allis.

Why Milwaukee?

Why is life in the Milwaukee Region such an attractive proposition? Because its residents believe in working hard, having fun and living a good life – both in high-energy

urban settings and the tranquility of the region’s natural beauty. Its relatively low cost of living allows more people to experience these amenities. Forbes magazine ranked Milwaukee as one of the top-20 metro areas for young professionals because of its career offerings and affordability – a median home price of $339,600 and estimated monthly mortgage payments of $1,139 allow them to save more and spend more on things they want to do.

Significant Corporate Investments

And in a world where water scarcity and intense natural disasters are becoming more common, Milwaukee’s location on Lake Michigan and relatively low risk of natural disasters will make it even more attractive for businesses. Architectural Digest lists Milwaukee in its 10 “best cities for climate change” based on its air quality, weather, readiness and risk of natural disasters.

These are among the many reasons Milwaukee is being chosen for major corporate investments.

● Microsoft Corp. has begun work on a $1.4 billion data center on 1,300 acres south of Milwaukee that it expects to be operational in 2026. The data center will further enhance the region as a technology hub.

● Generac Power Systems expects to begin construction later this year on a new industrial generator manufacturing plant in Beaver Dam that will eventually employ up to 400 office and production workers.

● HARIBO, a German-based confectionary firm known for its gummi bears, has already announced plans to expand its first manufacturing facility in the United States, which it just opened in 2023 with plans to hire more than 400 workers.

● Amazon and Uline, a major manufacturer and distributor of packaging supplies, continue to expand near the Illinois border, with more than 6,000 employees and 7 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space.

A Legacy of Commerce

The Milwaukee Region has been a trading center for hundreds – perhaps thousands –of years thanks to its ideal location on the

banks of Lake Michigan and the confluence of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers. The region became an ethnic melting pot in the 1800s and 1900s as immigrants streamed in from around the world to forge a better life. That cultural diversity is still celebrated today with the many ethnic festivals the city hosts –German Fest, Irish Fest, Festa Italiana, Polish Fest and Mexican Fiesta, to name a few. It’s why Milwaukee is known as the “City of Festivals.”

MMAC’s Leadership

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) has been at the forefront of revitalizing the region’s social, physical and economic infrastructure to leverage its full potential and make the transition to this new economy. MMAC advocates for transformational projects that enhance the region’s livability, while seeking common-sense public policy

Continued on page 12

COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY

Thank you for pledging to make Milwaukee a Region of Choice for all

ABAXENT

Addison-Clifton

Aurora Health Care

American Roller & Plasma Coatings

Associated Bank

Astronautics Corporation of America

ATI Forged Products

Badger Meter

Baird

Beer Capitol Distributing Co.

BMO

Boldt

Briggs & Stratton

Broan-NuTone

C2

Centers for Independence

CG Schmidt

Charter Manufacturing Co.

Children’s Wisconsin

Circa

City of Wauwatosa

Colorful Connections

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

Cross Management Services

Dedicated Computing

Deloitte

Diamond Discs International

Educational Credential

Evaluators

Ernst & Young

FIS

Foley & Lardner

Froedtert Health

GE Healthcare Generation Growth Capital

GenMet

Godfrey & Kahn

Good Karma Brands

Milwaukee

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern WI & Metro Chicago

Grant Thornton

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Greendale School District

HARIBO of America

Harley-Davidson

Haywood Group

Herzing University

Husch Blackwell

Husco

Independence First

Johnson Controls

Johnson Financial Group

JP Cullen

JWS Classics

Kane Communications Group

Kohl’s

Komatsu Mining Corp.

KPMG

Lubar & Co.

Luxe Incentives

Magellan Promotions

ManpowerGroup

Marcus Center for

With the goal of making Milwaukee a Region of Choice, the following companies have pledged to collectively over 昀ve years increase the percentage of:

• African-American and Hispanic/Latino employees by 15%

• African-American and Hispanic/Latino managers by 25%

the Performing Arts

Marcus Corporation

Medical College of Wisconsin

Metal-Era

Metro Milwaukee Society for Human Resource Managers (MMSHRM)

MGIC

Michael Best & Friedrich

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee Brewers

Baseball Club

Milwaukee Bucks & Fiserv Forum

Milwaukee Tool

MMAC

Molson Coors Beverage Company

Mortenson

MRA - The Management Association

Mueller Communications

Northwestern Mutual

Old National Bank

PAX Holdings

Payne + Dolan | A Walbec Group Company

PNC Bank

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Prism Technical Mgt & Marketing Services

Professional Dimensions

PS Capital Partners

QPS Employment Group

Quad

Quarles & Brady

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren

Rexnord

Rivera & Associates

Marketing

Rockwell Automation

Rogers Behavioral Health

SaintA

Selzer-Ornst Company

Sikich

SPEARity

Superior Support Resources

TEMPO

Town Bank

Trans International

Trefoil Group

University of Wisconsin

- Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin

- Parkside

Versiti Wisconsin

VISIT Milwaukee

von Briesen & Roper

Waukesha Metal Products

WEC Energy Group

Wells Concrete

Wenthe-Davidson

Engineering Co.

Willis Towers Watson

YMCA of Metropolitan

Milwaukee

Zurn Water Solutions

Working to Change the World

solutions to ensure that funding and tax challenges do not derail its long-term future. The Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC), an MMAC affiliate, is a not-for-profit civic developer that has been involved in some of the city’s most significant projects.

In 2023, MMAC’s leadership paid off with significant progress on two key policy goals that will help the region prosper. The first was a foundational change in financing for city and county services. In addition to increasing the amount of shared revenue municipalities will receive from the state, lawmakers allowed the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to implement sales taxes that will provide diversified revenue to fund public safety, parks and pension reforms.

The second is a transformational, $100 million investment to increase funding for K-12 students in Milwaukee. Most of the funding will go to low-income students attending independent public charter schools and private schools in the choice program, which has been a decades-long focus of the MMAC.

MMAC’s Region of Choice Initiative

MMAC is also the driving force behind the Region of Choice Initiative, which is aimed at collectively increasing the number of African American and Hispanic/Latino employees and managers in the region. More than 125 companies have committed to publicly report data measuring their progress, which allows CEOs to meet and discuss their efforts. MMAC also provides logistical support for three independent partner organizations: the African

American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee (AALAM), which is committed to building a network dedicated to developing, supporting and positioning Milwaukee’s pool of talented Black employees; The Business Council, which is focused on the growth of ethnically diverse businesses; and the Hispanic Collaborative, which is directed at improving the prosperity of the region’s Hispanic/Latino community.

A Talent Pipeline That is Effective and Inclusive

MMAC works on several fronts to help companies prepare, attract and advance talent. It convenes chief human resource officers to anticipate and adapt to disruptions through sharing best practices. It provides a forum for talent acquisition professionals to crowdsource solutions in areas like skills-based hiring, employer branding and working with non-traditional talent. And the MMAC leverages its collective strengths to promote metro Milwaukee for out-of-market talent.

Understanding that education is key to upward mobility, MMAC has been a longtime champion for building the region’s talent pipeline, especially for underserved and disadvantaged populations. It has been a leading and persistent advocate for empowering parents to generate innovation and create education options for lowincome students. It helped to initiate and shape the policies of a school choice program that now serves more than 35,000 low-income students. MMAC publishes a digital school report card to help Milwaukee-area students and families evaluate education options, and its career exploration events have introduced hundreds of students to career pathways they never knew existed.

Local foundations are also making major investments to improve access to quality education. In 2023, the Ramirez Family Foundation opened a new $49 million elementary school on Milwaukee’s south side, completing a K-12 campus that can accommodate 2,400 students, most of whom come from economically disadvantaged communities. The foundation also announced plans to transform the former Cardinal Stritch University campus into a similar K-12 campus on the city’s north side.

The Zilber Family Foundation, which was

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Minnesota | Wisconsin

These projects join several major developments that are already transforming the downtown, including:

● The Deer District, an exciting destination featuring restaurants, apartments and cultural attractions surrounding Fiserv Forum – home of the Milwaukee Bucks, 2021 champions of the National Basketball Association.

● Bronzeville, which includes the Bronzeville Center for the Arts and the Bronzeville Creative Arts and Technology Hub, a $20 million mixeduse development that will feature affordable apartments and production space for filmmakers, musicians and other creatives.

● The Avenue, a former shopping mall in the heart of Milwaukee’s downtown that has been transformed into a residential, office and retail center. It’s also home to 3rd Street Market Hall, which features 24 food vendors plus venues for recreation, entertainment and the arts.

● HUB640, which is adjacent to The Avenue, is the new headquarters for Fiserv, the world’s leading payments and

financial services technology company.

● Iron District, a $160 million development located near Marquette University that will include a hotel, apartments, performance venue and 8,000-seat soccer stadium that will host professional soccer and will be the home field for Marquette’s soccer and lacrosse teams.

● Harbor District, a $100 million

development along the Kinnickinnic River just south of downtown that includes office buildings, apartments, retail space and a hotel.

Forging an Inclusive & Sustainable Future

As the pandemic confirmed, things change and they can change fast. Milwaukee’s common-sense approach to work, quality of life and sustainable economic growth helped it weather the recent global crisis better than many urban areas.

MMAC and other Milwaukee Region leaders are putting foundational pieces in place to secure the region’s continued prosperity. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and 20 leaders in business, technology, startups and economic development are actively pitching the region as a technology hub and innovation center at popular tech event like the South by Southwest (SXSW) music, arts and technology festival in Austin, Texas.

A consortium of 15 public and private stakeholders throughout the state successfully got Wisconsin designated as a Regional Technology and Innovations Hub, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, an economic development initiative designed to spur regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy technology.

The Milwaukee Region already has a similar hub for water technology, management and conservation. The Water Council recently received a $1 million National Science Foundation grant to focus on developing a network of universities, two-year colleges, small and large businesses, utilities, nonprofits and investors, to address the challenges of water-dependent industries and utilities in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity.

THANKS TO A DONATED BLAZER

I LEARNED DIGITAL SKILLS THAT SUIT MY CAREER. Where

Securing the Future

The commitment of its leaders to build on that foundation with initiatives that will benefit all of its residents will make the Milwaukee a destination for years to come.

To that end, MMAC will continue to advocate for sustainable tax, legislative and regulatory policies that will enhance the region’s livability, turbocharge its vibrancy and make it even more accessible and affordable.

VISIT/NML

Connecting You with a World of Opportunities

In a rapidly changing world, global financial perspective and capabilities aren’t very useful without personal attention and service focused on your objectives. Baird’s financial professionals on three continents work together across geographic boundaries and market sectors to make the most important investment connections of all. Yours.

WAYS MMAC MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS YOUR

Position your business as a leader & make a difference in your community

The Leadership Council is the place to make exclusive connections, discuss ideas and be recognized for your leadership. It provides a platform to convene and create the strategies that will ensure the Milwaukee Region’s future prosperity.

Lead con昀dently with support & feedback from your own circle of trust

Our Executive Roundtable program is only two hours each month with 10 of your peers. Small business CEOs, CFOs and senior executives are placed into peer groups from non-competing industries.

• Hear diverse perspectives for problem solving.

• Drive accountability to reach your goals.

• Build valuable relationships.

Share perspectives, learn about trends & crowd source solutions

The Recruiters Roundtable provides recruiters with quarterly drop-in discussions focused on specific challenges. 40+ talent acquisition specialists attended our last session. No cost to MMAC members to attend.

BUSINESS GOALS

Join our group health plan built for savings

We have teamed up with UnitedHealthcare to offer a Level-Funded plan for businesses with 5-130 full-time employees control health care costs without giving up quality employee benefits.

Get empowered with local insights & regional expertise

Hosted quarterly by MMAC President Dale Kooyenga, small business executives can attend the President’s Huddle to learn the “inside scoop” on local business and regional issues.

Take high-performing employees to the next level

MMAC co-hosts the Emerging Leaders program for high-performing individuals who have not yet moved into a formal leadership role. Attendees will learn how to effectively interact with and influence others through six core workshops and smallgroup coaching.

04 07

Engage your professionals in the community

Dedicated to attracting and retaining worldclass diverse talent, FUEL Milwaukee’s group of professionals will engage your employees in the community — making it more likely for them to stay.

Grow your business relationships while driving sales success

Our Networking Forum group is for sales and marketing professionals to build trusting relationships. Participants expand their business network to develop sales referrals and close more business.

Gain insights from local management professionals to improve your work culture

The Region of Choice Culture Survey measures experiences of inclusivity and belonging within companies and the greater Milwaukee community of Black, Latino/ Hispanic and white managers.

Network with prospective customers & expand your network

With nearly 300 events, forums and meetings every year, MMAC brings members together to develop business, share best practices and build relationships. And our signature in-person events are designed to help you make the right connections. Events are open to all employees of a member firm unless otherwise noted.

RECENT ADVOCACY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

At MMAC, we focus on the issues

that mean the most to your organization. We deliver strategies that help your business thrive and transform the region as the best place to do business.

Communities across the state –including the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County – will see improved public safety, transportation, libraries, parks and more after groundbreaking legislation was passed to increase revenues to local municipalities. Locally, an underfunded pension system will become solvent.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

New revenue streams mean the region is on solid ground fiscally.

The city and county can deliver essential services without fear of sacrificing elsewhere in the budget.

$1 billion investment in our schools will ensure equitable funding among all students and improve their outcomes, including those with special needs, regardless of where they attend.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

With more funding in place, all students in our region should have access to the resources they need to receive a strong education – providing a bright future for employers with a strong base of local talent right here in our backyard.

in the first year following repeal of the personal property tax – an outdated, burdensome cost.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

When looking at the bottom line, the personal property tax is estimated to save businesses $200 million annually.

Additionally, it will save those same businesses time when accounting for personal property when filing their taxes every year.

Saved state businesses millions by retaining the manufacturing & agriculture tax credit

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

The extension of this tax credit is an integral cost-saving measure for existing eligible businesses as well as those looking to start, relocate or expand in the state.

This tax would have added $650 million in costs annually for impacted businesses.

25% R&D tax credit starting in 2024

Up from 15%, the tax credit will improve competitiveness and aid in the development of new products within the state.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

This tax credit increase was written and enacted to improve competitiveness and aid in the development of new products within the state.

“We saw cooperation and compromise across the aisle among legislators who put political differences aside in the best interests of the state and its residents. This is the definition of good governance.”

-TIM SHEEHY

Supported research and development efforts in advocating for increased tax credit from 15 to 25 percent.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

This tax credit was written and enacted to improve competitiveness.

GROWING MILWAUKEE’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) is a private, not-for-pro昀t organization that proudly serves as the region’s leading advocate for business. Our mission is to improve the Milwaukee Region as a place to invest capital, grow business and create jobs.

We accomplish this through an ever-expanding range of programs, events and initiatives.

MMAC also represents the business community at all levels of government, engages with our education systems and works to preserve and promote our civic assets.

The business leaders who came before us over the past 160-plus years had the vision to set a course toward the prosperity we enjoy today.

We owe it to those who come after us to leave the Region an even better place than the one we inherited. And we can’t do that without our members, whose dues investment makes a di昀erence in our region’s success every day.

Milwaukee 7 played a key role in attracting Microsoft, which is investing more than $1.4 billion in a new data center in Mount Pleasant that is slated to be operational in 2026.

GROWING THE REGION

Creating a robust innovation ecosystem is one of the core strategies of the Milwaukee 7 (M7) partnership for regional economic de velopment. It focuses on continuing the economic growth of seven southeastern Wisconsin counties – Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Racine. To date, it has achieved nearly 130 project wins, defined as successful efforts to help companies expand or relocate here. These include Milwaukee Tool’s new downtown Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls

corporate office buildings; German-based HARIBO’s first production facility in North America, which will be one of the largest confectionery manufacturing plants in the nation; Microsoft’s data center project in Mount Pleasant; and Fiserv’s new corporate headquarters in downtown Milwaukee. These are just some of the corporate attraction and expansion projects that are revitalizing the region, thanks to M7’s aggressive advocacy to improve the business climate and its focused effort to market the region.

FORMLABS REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Milwaukee 7 helped the 3D printer manufacturer connect with local industry partners, and provided key market analyses.

Working to Grow Businesses

Co-chaired by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the City of Milwaukee, the seven-county regional partnership is funded by private- and publicsector investors. It has played a significant role in projects that have resulted in more than 28,000 jobs, $1.7 billion in annual payroll and $3.6 billion in capital investment.

POWERNAIL HEADQUARTERS

Milwaukee 7 helped relocate the manufacturer of professional-grade pneumatic nailers and flooring cleats from Illinois to Walworth County.

A.O. Smith

Alpha Investment Consulting Group

Amazon Corporation

Associated Bank

ATI Forged

BMO Harris Bank

BOLDT

Bucyrus Foundation

Catholic Financial Life

CG Schmidt

Charter Manufacturing

Children’s Wisconsin

City of Milwaukee

– Dept. of City Development

Deloitte

Direct Supply

Ernst & Young

Fiserv

Frank Beverage/Beer Capitol

Foley & Lardner

Froedtert Health

Gateway Technical College

Gilbane Building Company

Godfrey & Kahn

GRAEF

Hammes Company

HARIBO of America

Husch Blackwell

Husco

Ingeteam

Inland Companies dba Colliers International

Johnson Financial

Ted Kellner

Komatsu

KPMG

Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems

Lubar & Co.

Manpower Group

Mawicke & Goisman

Medical College of Wisconsin

Michael Best & Friedrich

Milwaukee County

Milwaukee Metro

Sewerage District

Milwaukee Tool

Molson Coors

National Exchange Bank & Trust

Nexus Pharmaceutical

Northwestern Mutual

Old National Bank

Palermo Villa

Payne & Dolan

PAX Holdings

PNC Bank

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

PS Capital Partners

QPS Employment Group

Quarles & Brady

Reinhart Boerner

Van Deuren

Robert W. Baird & Company

Rockwell Automation

Shorewest Realtors

Strang

Strattec Security Corporation

Town Bank

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Von Briesen & Roper

Waukesha County

WEC Energy Group

Wells Fargo

Wenthe-Davidson Engineering

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Leveraging Investments

M7 has leveraged millions of dollars in federal, state and municipal investments for business projects that make the region stronger. M7 and local economic development organizations regularly visit companies to discuss challenges and expansion opportunities. M7 then connects companies to resources, including financing and business incentives.

Advancing Clusters

The Milwaukee Region is a recognized center of innovation with several industry segments standing out due to the concentration of talent. M7 supports these clusters and their network organizations:

● FaB Wisconsin, a statewide network for food, beverage, ingredient, equipment and packaging makers

● The Water Council, a global hub driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship

● The Next Generation Manufacturing Council, which addresses workforcerelated issues

Attracting Companies

M7 markets the region to companies looking to expand operations or relocate –from across the state line to around the globe. It provides tools and project management to guide companies from their first visit through the opening of their new plant or office. M7 has closed deals and attracted foreign investment from companies in Taiwan, China, India, Great Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany

Building a Talent Pipeline

M7 aligns talent resources with highgrowth industry clusters to develop a stronger, more agile workforce. It helps companies expanding or relocating to the area navigate the agencies, staffing companies and college connections best suited to their businesses. M7 also leverages labor market data and workforce intelligence tools to support and grow high-quality, high-demand occupations in the region.

Milwaukee has received many accolades in recent years. Forbes magazine calls it an “up and coming city” and ranks it in the top-20 metro areas for young professionals, while Travel Channel calls it one of the “coolest cities.”

MILWAUKEE

ON THE MOVE

The seven-county Milwaukee Region flourishes with close to 50,000 businesses and a gross economic product of nearly $135 billion. It is fueled by a healthy balance of long-time icons, including Johnson Controls, Rockwell Automation and Northwestern Mutual to nextgeneration companies like Zywave and Direct Supply.

Working with inventors, entrepreneurs, established businesses and civic leaders, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce (MMAC) continues to strengthen a region already well known for its global manufacturers, forward-focused technology firms, innovative service businesses, medical research and strong financial institutions.

The metro region is home to 14 Fortune 1000 companies, which is high for a region

IN THIS SECTION

its size. Much of that can be attributed to the region’s strong work ethic, a public sector that understands the importance of the private sector, strong educational institutions and a great location.

I deally located in the heart of the Upper Midwest, southeastern Wisconsin has been an economic engine since the Potawatomi settled along the shore of Lake Michigan and the Menomonee River hundreds of years ago. Thanks to visionary leaders and entrepreneurs, what was once known as the “Beer Capital of the World” and the “Toolbox of America” in the 1900s is now a recognized global center for advanced manufacturing, electronic commerce,

MILWAUKEE ON THE MOVE

● Major Manufacturers

● Major Service Firms

● Major Law Firms

● Corporate Headquarters

● Trade & Transportation

financial services, food and beverage producers, printing and green technologies.

A Growing Regional High-Tech Hub

Ranked as an up-and-coming tech city by Forbes magazine, Milwaukee features a solid high-tech base. With leadership from area manufacturers, universities, research institutions and policy makers, southeastern Wisconsin is also on the forward edge of research into the development of the Internet of Things, battery technology for electric cars and advanced medical imaging. That image was

THE BUSINESS OF HEALTH

● Market Overview

● Health & Wellness

● Medical Plans

● Health Systems

VISIT/Nick Collura

EVERYBODY KNOWS MATC, BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW MATC?

620 students transferred to four-year universities in 2020-21

bolstered in 2023 when Microsoft Corp. announced plans to invest more than $1.5 billion in a data center that is expected to be operational in 2026.

Southeastern Wisconsin is a base for several leading medical technology firms, including GE HealthCare. Other firms include Vesta, which manufactures medical devices; Mortara Instrument, which is now part of Welch Allyn Cardiology; Criticare Technologies, which manufactures medical monitoring equipment; Alcami Corp., which develops and manufactures pharmaceuticals and pharma intermediates; and Bradshaw Medical, a manufacturer of orthopedic and spinal surgery instruments.

Two of the world’s largest data processing firms have significant technology operations in southeastern Wisconsin. Brookfield-based Fiserv is a leading data processing provider for financial institutions serving more than 10,000 financial institutions in more than 90 countries. FIS, the world’s largest technology solution provider, employs more than 3,000 people in the region.

Several large software firms specializing in logistics have locations here, including

Dematic Corporation, a supply-chain technology company that designs and builds warehouse automation systems. The region is also home to other specialty technology firms, including Astronautics Corp. of America, an international provider of flight-critical software and instruments; Penta Technologies, developer of enterprise solutions software; Connecture, Inc., a health insurance software provider; and Zywave, a leading developer of software for financial planners and insurance brokers.

In order to build a stronger tech sector, Northwestern Mutual, Kohl’s Corp., Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls International, Aurora Health Care and Accenture launched the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, which includes more than 60 firms. Its mission is to support programs and initiatives that support tech workers and tech startup companies.

The coalition, which now includes more than 60 firms, offers a 10-week incubator used to strengthen Milwaukee’s tech supply chain of talent and startup companies. It also has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to build a technology apprenticeship system.

Discipl ined, Value-oriented Equity Investing

Other support services include:

● The Technology Innovation Center, one of the largest high-tech incubators in the country

● Wisconsin’s Center for Technology Commercialization, which provides oneon-one assistance to early-stage, emerging-technology businesses

Tapping into Talent

Wisconsin has a long history of educational innovation. It pioneered vocational schools in the United States, and its technical college system continues to focus on developing the skills the marketplace will need today – and tomorrow. Businesses are also partnering with area colleges and universities to create forward-thinking programs that will attract and train toplevel talent.

More than 60 percent of the region’s residents 25 years of age or older have attended college, and 45 percent have earned an associate, bachelor’s or advanced degree, which is above the national average.

www.fmimgt.com

Close to 90,000 students currently attend one of the more than a dozen four-year colleges and universities in the region, including the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, the University of WisconsinParkside, Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Alverno College and Carroll University.

Marquette University just opened the Dr. E.J. and Margaret O’Brien Hall, its new fourstory College of Business building that features collaborative learning spaces designed to bring together students pursuing different majors. Meanwhile, MSOE continues to expand its downtown campus with advanced computing and engineering facilities to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

MSOE/Paul W. Roberts

MMAC understands that yesterday’s solutions won’t meet tomorrow’s demands. That is why it is involved in several initiatives to build a sustainable and effective talent pipeline that makes education accessible to everyone –especially minority and underserved populations:

● Milwaukee 7 Talent Partnership, which brings together manufacturers, workforce development providers and educators to develop short- and longterm solutions to fill the talent pipeline

● Lightcast, a proprietary workforce intelligence data tool that provides realtime labor market data and workforce analytics to identify the upskilling, reskilling and career pathways with the most opportunities

● FUEL Milwaukee, which helps more than 7,000 young professionals and new Milwaukee residents network and become engaged in the community

● MMAC’s ongoing education initiatives, which represent a 25-year commitment to ensure K-12 students have the tools,

schools, skills and teachers they need to graduate and pursue their career goals

MMAC also offers a variety of resources and networking opportunities to help human resource professionals develop their talent pipelines, including its Talent Solutions 101 webinar series, Recruiters Roundtable, Emerging Leaders program and its Professional Development Bootcamp

Lively & Affordable

There are many reasons why so many multinational companies call the Milwaukee

Region home, why entrepreneurs choose Milwaukee to set up shop, and why Forbes magazine has ranked Milwaukee one of the top 10 communities for young professionals.

Milwaukee is a big city that’s easy to get around. It has one of the lowest commute times of major urban areas and is considered one of the more walkable cities in the country. The Hop streetcar system shuttles people around the downtown’s business and entertainment districts, while Bublr provides an easy way to get around on rental bicycles.

The region’s comparatively easy lifestyle, including top-tier amenities, low living costs and relatively easy access to leaders and influencers help to attract young professionals and keep them in the area. Few other cities can boast such a wide range of events. Every weekend, the curtain rises on a diverse playbill of performing arts, sporting events, festivals or other cultural activities. There’s plenty to do for the physically active. Milwaukee County has one of the largest park systems in the country. There are dozens of public golf courses,

VISIT/Journeyman Kimpton

tennis courts, hiking and biking trails and soccer fields; miles of public beachfront access; and a state park that provides panoramic views of both the Milwaukee skyline and majestic Lake Michigan. Several major investments will propel Milwaukee’s rich cultural heritage into the future, including the new $245 million Milwaukee Public Museum and the $75 million Associated Bank Theater Center,

which will be the new home of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Milwaukee is also a caring community with a Midwestern sensibility that makes people feel at home. Its residents are generous with their time and money, helping to fund a robust arts community and making sure that social service organizations have the resources they need to serve the less advantaged.

Southeastern Wisconsin is home to companies that continually care for and invest in their employees. That’s one of the primary reasons Milwaukee has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of best companies to work for per capita, according to the Great Places to Work Institute

MMAC actively protects and enhances the region’s assets. It advocates for transportation projects that keep goods and people moving smoothly, promotes the development of land into thriving commercial and industrial areas, and leads strategic planning efforts to ensure that the region’s distinctive qualities will remain viable for generations to come.

Driving Diversity

MMAC understands that diversity is Milwaukee’s strength. That is why it began its Region of Choice initiative, which seeks to increase the number of minority executives and talent employed at area companies. To date, more than 120 area employers have succeeded in increasing the number of Black and Hispanic managers by 25 percent and the number of Black and Hispanic employees by 15 percent.

Other initiatives seek to increase funding for minority businesses and entrepreneurs. The Hispanic Collaborative is securing funding to support Hispanic developers seeking to build housing in Hispanic neighborhoods. Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual has dedicated $20 million in venture capital funding to Blackfounded startups and is partnering with gener8tor, a Milwaukee-based startup accelerator firm, to launch the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator

BMO has launched a Black and Latinx Small Business Program that offers up to $50,000 in lines of credit, while the Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers have formed the Equity League, a networking initiative designed to increase investment in minority businesses.

Diversity is important for the local economy as well. Although many people equate Milwaukee with beer, its breweries today employ less than 1 percent of Milwaukee’s workforce. In fact, no segment of the area’s manufacturing industry employs more than 5 percent of the metropolitan labor force.

GROWTH:

In addition to the many legacy manufacturers that call Milwaukee home, the region is home to hundreds of smaller manufacturers that provide quality products for customers around the world.

Accelerating Advanced Manufacturing

Manufacturing remains an important engine for the region’s economy. Approximately 14 percent of the workforce is employed by manufacturers, which is well above the 8-percent national average. The region is a national leader in the production of industrial controls, steel foundry parts, engines and mining machinery. It also is a leader in the production of medical diagnostic equipment, thanks to GE HealthCare, which has several Wisconsin facilities located in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Waukesha and Madison.

In addition to GE HealthCare, the region is home to several other well-known manufacturers, including Rockwell Automation, a Fortune 500 firm and an international leader in industrial controls and Internet of Things solutions. Five other industrial companies in the region have revenues greater than $3 billion: Harley-Davidson (Milwaukee), Milwaukee Tool (Brookfield), Quad (Sussex), SC Johnson (Racine) and SnapOn (Kenosha).

The region is also home to Johnson Controls, a global leader in building control systems; Enerpac, which manufactures hydraulic, electromechanical and electronic motion-control systems; A. O. Smith, a global water technology company manufacturing residential and commercial water heaters, boilers and water purification equipment; Briggs & Stratton, a leading small-engine

Moving Business Forward.

At Reinhart, we take the time to understand your business inside and out so we can be at your side for whatever comes your way. We’ll earn your trust and loyalty with our integrity, agility and responsiveness. And we’ll work collaboratively with you and with each other to imagine and achieve your greatest ambitions.

414.298.1000

With nearly 150 member companies, FaB Wisconsin (FaBWisconsin.com) works to make Wisconsin a networked place to grow a food and beverage business and industry career. Members benefit from focus on industry leadership and outreach, talent attraction and retention, food safety, business growth, supply chain maximization, and industry marketing.

Wisconsin’s industry know-how, garnered across the state over the past 200 years, is reflected in FaB’s member companies and in the thousands of those who bring the world Wisconsin’s food and drink. Their secret sauce is the workforce with passion and purpose to feed and quench the world.

manufacturer; MolsonCoors, a leading brewer; Modine Manufacturing, a global leader in thermal management; and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, a global provider of advanced water system solutions.

The region continues to attract cuttingedge businesses thanks to its low cost of doing business, its favorable tax climate, its access to skilled workers and its thriving tech sector. Wisconsin has one of the lowest corporate income taxes for manufacturers in the nation (0.4%), and machinery and equipment are exempt from property taxes.

Southeastern Wisconsin also is home to five engineering schools producing more than 2,200 graduates annually, as well as four technical colleges that provide the skill sets needed for advanced manufacturing. The region’s technical colleges and universities provide critical training and research support, including applied technology centers that manufacturers can use to test their designs and create prototypes.

The region’s advanced manufacturing heritage and technology-oriented educational institutions are among the

reasons why companies such as Bostonbased Formlabs recently selected Milwaukee for its second major U.S. 3-D printing hub.

Feeding the World

Thanks to the region’s central location, agricultural resources, high-quality workforce and abundant water supply, southeastern Wisconsin is home to a diverse mix of more than 250 food and beverage manufacturing companies.

Statewide, Wisconsin is home to nearly 19,000 food and beverage industry businesses that employ more than 366,000 people, generating $104 billion in economic activity. The state’s concentration of food and beverage manufacturing talent ranks Wisconsin fourth in the nation.

Lauded as America’s Dairyland and well known for its beer, brats and cheese, Wisconsin’s producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers span from local to global, big to small, start-up to legacy, nutrient-dense to decadent, and from farm to factory to fork. These businesses are strengthened and leveraged through FaB Wisconsin, a food and beverage business network that includes food, beverage, ingredients, packaging and equipment manufacturers.

Wisconsin’s legacy brands include Bel Gioioso, Brownberry, Jack Links, Johnsonville, Gardetto’s, Gehl Foods, Palermo’s, Sargento, Sartori, Leinenkugel’s, MillerCoors, Nueske’s and Usinger’s.Global brands with major operations based in the region include Birds Eye, Bimbo Bakeries, Campbell’s, Cargill, Coca-Cola, ConAgra, General Mills, Hormel, Nestlé, Pepsi, Saputo, Smucker’s, Smithfield and Tyson.

Foreign direct investment includes Agropur, Chr. Hansen, Galactic, Kerry, Kikkoman, Lallemand, Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast, Malteurop, Mondelēz, Nature’s Path,

GROWTH: Milwaukee on the Move

Purato’s, and the recent attraction of HARIBO, along with packaging and equipment makers Krones, KHS, Seda and Südpack

A Fast-Growing Service Sector

The service sector has been the fastestgrowing segment of the regional economy. Service-providing jobs account for more than 80 percent of all nonfarm jobs in southeastern Wisconsin. Health care and social assistance, professional and business services, retail trade, hospitality and food services, and finance/insurance are among the largest service-sector segments in the region.

Five Milwaukee-area service companies are ranked as Fortune 500 companies: ManpowerGroup, Northwestern Mutual, and WEC Energy Group (Milwaukee); Kohl’s Corp. (Menomonee Falls); and Fiserv (Brookfield).

ManpowerGroup is the third-largest staffing firm in the world, serving more than 400,000 clients in 75 countries worldwide.

The Water Council connects, convenes and showcases its nearly 150 members from around the globe, providing a full range of business development services and networking opportunities and the potential to collaborate with some of the world’s most prominent water innovators. thewatercouncil.com

● Economic Development: The Water Council nurtures emerging water technology worldwide through its Pilot Program, Tech Challenge and BREW 2.0 Post-Accelerator. Its matchmaking services connect startups, Fortune 500 companies and everything in between with a goal of addressing the world’s most pressing challenges involving water quality and quantity.

● Water Stewardship: The Water Council helps water users at all points in their stewardship journey identify and mitigate water-related risks and address shared challenges and opportunities. The WAVE: Water Stewardship Verified program helps companies, universities and other organizations improve water stewardship performance, public reporting and disclosure to key stakeholders. It also provides customized advisory services to companies of all types, from data centers to dairies, that address specific water-related needs or goals. A global leader in water stewardship training, it offers comprehensive and tailored training and capacitybuilding services.

● Resiliency Innovation Engine: Through a development award from the National Science Foundation, The Water Council is leading an effort to create a regional innovation engine in eastern Wisconsin focused on water and energy resiliency for manufacturers and utilities.

HQ MILWAUKEE

Major Companies with Headquarters or Significant Operations in the Milwaukee Region

PUBLIC COMPANIES

Johnson

GE HealthCare 9900 W. Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa gehealthcare.com

Kohl’s Corp. N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls kohls.com

Fiserv, Inc. 255 Fiserv Drive, Brookfield fiserv.com

Rockwell Automation Inc. 1201 S. 2nd Street, Milwaukee rockwellautomation.com

Harley-Davidson Inc. 3700 W. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee harley-davidson.com

Quad N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex quad.com

PRIVATE COMPANIES

Medical technologies and services, including imaging, software, patient monitoring and diagnostics

5,000 97,000 Omnichannel retailer offering national and proprietary brands in apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and home

Provider of financial services and payments technology worldwide

Electric, natural gas and steam utility

3,30028,000 Industrial automation and global information products, solutions and services

N/A 5,879 Motorcycles, parts and accessories; riding and fashion apparel

Global marketing experience company that gives brands a more streamlined, impactful, flexible and frictionless way to go to reach consumers

Toward a brighter future together

We believe in the power of partnerships. By working with the MMAC, we’re creating a brighter future for Milwaukee.

We’re transforming the world around us - where people live, work, learn and play.

Building smart, healthy and sustainable tomorrows.

Learn more about our vision at www.johnsoncontrols.com

©2023

Northwestern Mutual is the nation’s leading provider of individual life insurance and a financial services firm that manages $309 billion in assets. Kohl’s is among the nation’s leading retailers with nearly 1,200 stores in 49 states.

Fiserv is one of the nation’s largest data processing firms, serving more than 10,000 financial institutions and 6 million merchant locations in more than 100 countries.

The Milwaukee Region is also home to the Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. (MGIC), which is the nation’s leading provider of private mortgage insurance; and West Bend Mutual, a leading property and casualty insurer.

Several national banks have a major presence in southeastern Wisconsin, including Bank of America, BMO, JPMorgan Chase, Old National, US Bank and Wells Fargo

The region is home to significant operations for several large state and regional financial institutions, including Associated Bank, The Equitable Bank, First Citizens, Johnson Financial Group, Landmark Credit Union, Old National, PNC Bank, Summit Credit Union, Town Bank, Tri City National Bank and UW Credit Union.

Health care is a major service employer. Southeastern Wisconsin is home to major operations for two of the nation’s largest integrated health care systems – Aurora Health Care and Ascension Wisconsin. The region’s other major health care providers are Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, which operates several area hospitals in conjunction with an academic medical center, and ProHealth Care, which operates hospitals and clinics in Waukesha County.

Southeastern Wisconsin is a nationally recognized hub for green technologies that

are focused on improving water quality, reducing auto emissions and lowering energy consumption.

Built on more than a century of water innovation, The Water Council has coalesced one of the most concentrated water technology clusters in the world and has solidified its leadership in solving critical water challenges by driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Great Lakes Water Institute is the largest research center of its kind on the Great Lakes. The university also operates the graduate-level School of Freshwater Sciences, the first of its kind in the United States, and the Center for By-Products Utilization, which focuses on using technology to find environmentally and economically effective uses for industrial byproducts and consumer waste.

For 140 years, Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls has been focused on energy efficiency. In 1883, it patented the first electric room thermostat. It is now the global leader in building technology, software and services designed to make buildings more energy efficient, healthy and sustainable. Over the years, its researchers have come up with other green solutions as well. Clarios, formerly known as Johnson Controls Power Solutions and now an independent company, is a global leader in advanced battery technologies that power one in three vehicles worldwide.

Rockwell Automation is actively involved in the development of the Internet of Things, which will increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption by improving communication between equipment and companies. Ingeteam, a Spanish-based manufacturer of alternative energy equipment, has a major facility in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and several of the region’s private-sector employers are working together to develop microgrid technologies to store renewable energy. Modine is an international pioneer in thermal management technologies.

Enerpac Tool Group (formerly Actuant) has entered the market for power inverters, which are key to using the power generated by wind turbines and solar panels. Eaton Power Systems Division, which produces integrated, smart-grid technologies,

recently expanded its South Milwaukee facility to meet the demand for the technology. Other companies involved in renewable and re-usable energy are Ingeteam, which produces high-speed electrical charging stations; and Generac Power Systems, a leading player in solar and battery storage equipment.

Research & Education

Research is critical to innovation, and southeastern Wisconsin is fortunate to have

major educational and research institutions. It is home to the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, a Tier 1 research center and the second-largest campus in the University of Wisconsin system with more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Milwaukee also is home to Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, which provide critical advanced research and prototyping services to businesses.

Medical College of Wisconsin scientists lead biomedical and population health advancements through laboratory research, clinical trials and community-engaged research. Its faculty researchers conduct more than 3,100 studies annually with more than $1.5 billion in external support for research, teaching and training.

The Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin and its affiliate, the Blood Research Institute, play major roles in research regarding immunobiology, transfusion medicine and stem cell biology. A new research building on the Milwaukee Regional Center Campus will allow Versiti to add more than 10 new investigators to study a variety of blood disorders.

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

T he Milwaukee Region has a legacy of international trade and investment. It was one of the main melting pots of American immigrants and used its European connections to forge global commerce. The region’s central location in the United States, its access to Port Milwaukee, a water port that connects to the St. Lawrence Seaway, and two major airports –Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport – continue to make it a magnet for trade and investment. MMAC and Milwaukee 7 continually promote the region. Their efforts have led to several companies locating their U.S. operations in the region, including HARIBO, Thomas Magnete and PTF Pfuller (Germany); Ingeteam, Inesa and Sic Lazaro (Spain); and Seda International Packaging (Italy). The Milwaukee 7 team has also recruited businesses located in Dubai, Turkey, Brazil and China.

An Expanding Maritime Economy

The Great Lakes play an important role in international trade, providing global access through Lake Michigan, the St. Lawrence

Seaway and the inland river system. Milwaukee is one of the few Great Lakes’ ports open to navigation year-round. As a supply chain and logistics hub, the Port is focused on diversifying cargo opportunities and connecting regional growers, producers and manufacturers with new global customers and industries.

The new DeLong Agriculture Maritime Export Facility, which opened in 2023 wth the support of federal, state, public and private funds, delivers agricultural products via the St. Lawrence Seaway to markets around the world. Exported commodities include dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGs), grain, soybean, corn and other Wisconsin-grown agricultural commodities.

Promoting Global Trade

Exports account for approximately $15 billion of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) and have been the fastestgrowing segment of the regional GDP over the past decade. Wisconsin companies exported $27.3 billion in goods and services in 2022. The state’s top export categories

are industrial machinery ($7.1 billion), electrical machinery ($2.6 billion), and medical and scientific instruments ($2.4 billion). Canada is Wisconsin’s largest trading partner, accounting for almost onethird of total exports. Other major trade destinations include Mexico, China, Germany and the United Kingdom

A National Base for International Companies

Several international companies have their global headquarters in the region, including Fiserv, Johnson Controls, ManpowerGroup, Rockwell Automation and SC Johnson. The region also is home to the North American headquarters for other international firms, including ABB, BRP, Chr. Hansen, CNH Global (Fiat), GE Healthcare, Krones AG, Metso Minerals, Nestlé, Siemens Water Technologies and Wacker Neuson Corp.

Foreign Investment Zone

MMAC worked with the federal government to establish a foreign investment development center in the region. The Immigrant Investor Visa Program offers green cards to foreign investors and their families who invest a minimum of $1.8 million ($900,000 in targeted employment areas) to create at least 10 full-time jobs. uscis.gov/working-in-the-unitedstates/permanent-workers/eb-5immigrant-investor-program

Foreign Trade Zone

Foreign Trade Zones promote international trade and help companies manage costs by deferring, reducing or eliminating duty payments on imported goods. The yielded cost savings enable local companies to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Subzones can be formed at a company’s place of operations. Port Milwaukee is grantee and administrator of FTZ #41 for the 12 counties in Southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit portmilwaukee.com or email port@milwaukee.gov.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

The Wisconsin Economic Development

Port Milwaukee

Port Milwaukee is a major competitive advantage for Milwaukee, connecting the region to the world through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Corporation (WEDC) helps increase the global reach of Wisconsin companies. Businesses new to exporting, accidental exporters and experienced exporters can acquire important expertise and market information through WEDC’s in-country trade representatives or by joining WEDC on trade ventures. WEDC programs include:

ExporTech™: A partnership with WMEP Manufacturing Solutions, ExporTech offers financial and technical assistance to participating companies through a 12-week accelerator program that provides access to experts, individualized coaching and consulting support.

Global Business Development Program: Provides grant funding to support a company’s export strategy.

WEDC Global Network: WEDC’s market development directors work with in-country trade representatives covering 97 countries.

Global Trade Ventures: WEDC organizes inperson and virtual delegation visits to make connections in markets strategically important to Wisconsin exporters.

For more information: wedc.org/export

Investing in Infrastructure

MMAC plays a pivotal role in making sure the region’s transportation infrastructure serves the needs of businesses. Over the past decade, more than $2 billion has been spent to improve the interstate system in the region. This included the rebuilding of the state’s three busiest interchanges – the Marquette, Mitchell and Zoo interchanges. It also included expansion and improvements to I-94, which serves as a critical link to both Chicago and Madison. These projects have increased development opportunities by adding entrance/exit ramps to new economic corridors. The improvements facilitated the location of a new IKEA regional store, the region’s third Amazon distribution warehouse, the Foxconn and Microsoft campuses south of Milwaukee and numerous distribution and industrial facilities. MMAC is currently advocating for the renovation and expansion of the I-94 expressway west of downtown Milwaukee, which is one of the last remaining chokepoints on the region’s freeway system.

Port Milwaukee

Port Milwaukee handles more than

2 million metric tons of cargo annually with a lifting capacity in excess of 300 tons direct from vessel to rail, truck or barge.

Port Milwaukee is served by two major railroads (Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific) and offers interstate highway access, as well as direct shipping access to international ports via the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system. Port Milwaukee is also the grantee of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 41, which encourages

international trade by reducing tariff burdens on imported foreign inputs and exported finished products, allowing local companies to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

For more information about Port Milwaukee’s multimodal transportation offerings, as well as FTZ No. 41 and those port tenants handling freight for export and import, visit portmilwaukee.com or email port@milwaukee.gov.

HARNESS THE GLOBAL POWER OF A GREAT LAKES PORT.

Regional, national and international logisticians count on Port Milwaukee for a turnkey approach to solve their transportation and supply chain needs. Strategically located in the industrial center of the U.S., Port Milwaukee provides premier access to domestic and world markets.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the largest and busiest airport in Wisconsin. Located just south of Milwaukee, it serves passengers from throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. MKE currently offers nonstop flights to 30+ destinations coast-to-coast, and more than 200 international destinations are available with one connection. It is the only airport in Wisconsin served by all major airlines: Alaska, American, Apple Vacations/Funjet Vacations, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United MKE was named the winner of back-to-back ASQ Best Airport – North America awards in 2021 and 2022 for providing an outstanding customer experience. Visit flymke.com.

Passenger Rail

Milwaukee is served by two major Amtrak routes, providing passenger service to Chicago, a major Amtrak hub, as well as to Minneapolis-St. Paul and the West. Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service is the busiest

route on the Amtrak Midwest network, serving up to 860,000 passengers annually. Several daily trains connect Milwaukee with Amtrak’s national network in Chicago, where passengers can board trains to destinations throughout the nation.

Milwaukee is also served by Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which provides service to Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Glacier National Park on its way to Portland and Seattle. The city’s Amtrak station is located at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station in downtown Milwaukee. The Hiawatha Service makes a second stop, both inbound and outbound, at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. In addition, Amtrak Thruway buses connect travelers to the intermodal station, including routes to Green Bay and the Fox Cities. Amtrak.com

The Lake Express

The Lake Express is the nation’s first highspeed auto and passenger ferry, connecting Milwaukee with Muskegon in southwestern Michigan. The ferry’s schedule includes two roundtrips daily in the spring and fall with additional sailings in the summer. The ferry

FLYING FIRST-CLASS

In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive global economy, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) plays a critical role in promoting trade and economic growth. In addition to infusing $3 billion into the local economy annually, the airport is responsible for nearly 18,000 jobs.

MKE offers nonstop flights to 30 destinations coast-to-coast, and nearly 200 international destinations are available from Milwaukee with just one easy connection.

does not operate in the winter or severe weather. lake-express.com

Milwaukee’s ‘The Hop’ Streetcar

The Hop is a modern, fixed-transit network that connects the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (Amtrak passenger rail and intercity bus service) with the Historic Third Ward, the East Town business district, the Lower East Side and the lakefront. All rides are free, with trains running from 5 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. thehopmke.com

Bus Rapid Transit

Connecting Milwaukee with suburban communities is also critical. CONNECT1, the Milwaukee County Transit System’s EastWest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Service connects downtown Milwaukee with Wauwatosa and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center with buses that use designated traffic lanes to provide faster passenger service between 4:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. eastwestbrtmke.com

The MKE experience is considered first class with easy parking, convenient access and minimal stress.

Both businesses and consumers increasingly understand that flying out of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport can be more economical and convenient than driving to an Illinois airport due to the added cost of gas, tolls, ground transportation and parking. Flying from Chicago also encourages airlines to use Chicago instead of Milwaukee. In order to get more flights from MKE, more people need to fly out of MKE.

The MKE experience is considered first class, with easy parking, convenient access and minimal stress – getting from car to gate can be accomplished in as little as 10 minutes. Business travelers enjoy CLEAR expedited security screening, a Delta Sky Club and valet parking. MKE has received top honors from Conde Nast Traveler and J.D. Power. Airport Service Quality, the world’s leading airport passenger service program for benchmarking customer satisfaction named MKE a Best Airport – North America in 2021 and 2022. What other airport has a “Recombobulation Area,” where travelers can put themselves back together after going through security? And, what other airport has a coat-check service to hold your winter coat while you head off to a warmer destination?

Businesses and consumers who choose MKE benefit the entire Milwaukee region. Airlines add service at airports where people board flights. Airlines will add flights as the number of people who start their air journey at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport increases. That’s significant because the addition of a daily mainline flight from MKE has a $20 million annual economic impact and adds 400 jobs to the local economy.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

The Versiti Blood Research Institute, located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Campus, gives investigators access to cutting-edge research equipment and specialized services.

THE BUSINESS OF HEALTH

Southeastern Wisconsin residents benefit from a health care market that is nationally known for quality, competition, efficiency and collaboration, and a business community committed to employee wellness. State agencies, trade organizations, health care systems and purchasers work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions that deliver high quality, cost-efficient health care services.

The state is a leader in integrated health care, which brings physicians, hospitals and ancillary services together to provide more efficient care and minimize the duplication of services. It is also home to several provider-owned health plans, which offer employers an integrated solution that provides both health care delivery and health insurance.

The health care community seeks to continually improve efficiency and quality by working on several statewide projects, including the Wisconsin Health Information

Organization WHIO, which manages an all-payer claims database to help identify variations in the way health care services are delivered; and the Wisconsin Collaborative on Healthcare Quality WCHQ, which gathers clinical data from health systems and hospitals to improve the quality of care.

As a result of these initiatives, Wisconsin consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for the quality of health care services delivered to patients.

A Leader in Research & Education

The Milwaukee Region is a leader in medical research and education, with several academic institutions providing undergraduate and graduate degrees in medical professions, public health and biomedical engineering.

Southeastern Wisconsin is a leader in health care innovation in both the development of advanced medical equipment at companies like GE HealthCare (above) and in the delivery of health care services by the region’s integrated health systems.

GE HealthCare

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), which has locations in the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin, is a private medical school and major national research center that offers graduate degrees in medical, pharmacy and biomedical sciences. Nearly 1,800 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 5.1 million patient visits annually.

With a history dating back to 1893, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. MCW faculty direct or collaborate on nearly 3,700 research studies annually, including more than 970 clinical trials. In the last 10 years, faculty received more than $1.82 billion in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. Its Office of Technology Development oversees patenting, marketing and licensing of new medical technologies, and its Clinical and

Translational Science Institute is a collaboration with the Milwaukee School of Engineering and other schools to solve medical engineering challenges. The Medical College also collaborates with Marquette University to provide education and research in biomedical engineering,

Let’s make expert care available for life’s journey.

orthopedic and stroke rehabilitation, speech pathology and exercise physiology.

Marquette also serves as the region’s dental school, offers a master’s program for physician assistant training and doctoral programs in occupational and physical therapy.

Let’s keep raising the bar. By continually pushing to make academic medicine available in more ways, we’re providing expert care for serious illness and all of life’s journeys. It’s how you get the most out of today, and even more of tomorrow. froedtert.com

Let’s push ahead.

Marquette University offers doctor of dentistry degrees as well as advanced degrees for physician assistants, occupational and physical therapists.

Marquette University

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) plays a crucial role in making the Milwaukee Region a leader in medical research and education. UWM’s Partners for Health is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the university’s College of Health Professions and Sciences and its Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health. It conducts research in multiple areas, including biosciences and aging, and seeks innovative ways to improve the lives of people with physical and mental health issues. UWM has the state’s largest nursing program; graduate programs in public health, health care administration

and informatics; and is the state’s only nationally accredited school of public health.

The Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin and its affiliate, the Blood Research Institute, play major roles in research regarding immunobiology, transfusion medicine and stem-cell biology. The institute’s Glycomics Center focuses on defining the structures and functions of complex carbohydrates. The Blood Research Institute also played an integral role in the creation of the National Marrow Donor Program.

MMAC Health Plan

●

(HIPP)

● The UnitedHealthcare Motion® program, which features a wearable activity tracker that can be used to reward employees for meeting goals

● No-additional-cost virtual visits through HealthiestYou for all plan participants and their dependents

● No-additional-cost second-opinion service with leading experts

● Real Appeal® virtual weight-loss program

For more information: mmac.org/health-insurance-plan.html

Several area schools offer undergraduate and advanced degrees in nursing, including Alverno College, Columbia College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Leaders in Wellness

Wisconsin businesses and organizations have been innovators in wellness, recognizing the link between medical costs and the health status of an employer group. Most Milwaukee-area employers with more than 20 employees have established wellness programs, which often include health-risk assessments, educational offerings and subsidies for health and fitness clubs.

This focus on wellness is due in large measure to the efforts of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, which is dedicated to helping employers design resultsoriented wellness programs that maximize the health and productivity of their employees. Founded in 1985 by the Wisconsin business community, the association has 500 employer members representing more than 450,000 employees. Its Well Workplace University helps participants develop a practical framework for building effective worksite wellness programs by securing senior-level support and using data to drive health efforts.

As a result of the business community’s commitment to wellness, southeastern Wisconsin is the only region in the country to have two cities that have achieved Well City designation – Milwaukee, which received its designations in 2010 and 2015, and Racine, which received its designation in 2012. In order to achieve the designation, a significant number of businesses have to offer formal wellness programs that include biometric screenings, health-risk assessments and other requirements.

Competitive Health Plans

Wisconsin has one of the most competitive health insurance markets in the country, which gives employers both large and small a range of options from which to choose. UnitedHealthcare is the region’s largest provider of private-sector health insurance, followed by Anthem Network Health is a provider-owned

health plan that is jointly owned by Froedtert Health and Ascension Wisconsin It provides health insurance throughout southeastern and northeastern Wisconsin.

Most health plan designs in the Milwaukee Region are preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that do not restrict patients from using providers but offer lower fees if the patient chooses providers in the PPO’s preferred network. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are not prevalent in eastern Wisconsin but are found in central and western parts of the state.

Integrated Health Care Delivery

Southeastern Wisconsin is served by five multi-hospital health systems that integrate physician services and outpatient clinics with inpatient services to provide coordinated medical care. Wisconsin has one of the nation’s greatest concentrations of integrated care systems, which can improve quality and efficiency through better patient engagement, electronic record sharing and the elimination of duplicate diagnostic tests.

Aurora Health Care is the largest health system in Wisconsin and the state’s largest private employer. In addition to Advocate Health Care in Illinois and Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, Aurora Health Care is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States.

The second-largest integrated system in the region is Ascension Wisconsin, which includes the former Columbia St. Mary’s health system and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Ascension Wisconsin is part of St. Louis-based Ascension Healthcare.

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Ascension also includes the former Ministry health system, which provides care in northern Wisconsin, and the former Affinity Healthcare, which provides health care in northeastern Wisconsin. Ascension Wisconsin is one of the largest divisions of Ascension Health, which is the secondlargest health system in the country.

The region’s other integrated health systems are:

● Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, which combines an academic medical center with several community hospitals, a tertiary care hospital and the region’s only Level I trauma center. It is also part owner of Network Health, a health plan that provides both commercial and Medicare Advantage coverage.

● ProHealth Care, which serves the greater Waukesha area with three hospitals and more than a dozen medical clinics in Waukesha County, including a cancer center that it operates in conjunction with UW Health.

● Children’s Wisconsin, which has pediatric hospitals and clinics in southeastern and northeastern Wisconsin, as well as northern Illinois, and is ranked as one of the top pediatric health care centers in the nation for both medical and behavioral care, as well as child advocacy.

The Milwaukee Region is also home to Rogers Behavioral Health, which has three inpatient hospitals, 17 residential programs, eight outpatient centers and a supportive living center in the area, as well as facilities and programs in eight other states.

INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEMS

Following are descriptions of the regional health care delivery systems serving the Milwaukee Region:

AURORA HEALTH CARE

Aurora Health Care is the largest health system in Wisconsin and a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. The state’s largest private employer, the system serves patients across 17 hospitals, more than 70 pharmacies and more than 150 sites of care in Wisconsin. Aurora Health Care, in addition to

Advocate Health Care in Illinois and Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, is now part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefit. aurorahealthcare.org

ASCENSION WISCONSIN

In Wisconsin, Ascension operates 17 hospital campuses, more than 100 related health care facilities and employs more than 1,100 primary and specialty care clinicians from Racine to Appleton. Serving Wisconsin since 1848, Ascension is a faith-based health care organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons who are living in poverty and those most vulnerable. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension operates more than 2,600 sites of care — including 139 hospitals in 19 states. Visit ascension.org

CHILDREN’S WISCONSIN

Children's Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the physical, mental and social well-being of children. The hospital, which has locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. Children’s Wisconsin provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, mental and behavioral health care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Children’s is a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Learn more at childrenswi.org.

FROEDTERT & THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) health network is a partnership between Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin supporting a shared mission of patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health network operates eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center and adult Level I Trauma Center at Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, an internationally recognized training and research center engaged in thousands of clinical trials and studies. The Froedtert & MCW health network, which includes 10 hospital

locations, more than 2,100 physicians and more than 45 health centers and clinics, draws patients from throughout the Midwest and the nation. For more information, visit froedtert.com Workforce Health, the employer services arm of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, provides occupational health care services to businesses throughout southeastern Wisconsin. froedtert.com/ workforce-health

THIS IS HEALING

PROHEALTH CARE

ProHealth Care is an integrated health care system serving Waukesha County and surrounding communities. It includes a network of more than 800 physicians that provide cancer, heart and vascular care, orthopedics, neurosciences and other specialty services. ProHealth Care operates four hospitals, 15 clinics, several urgent care centers, surgery centers, hospice care and other services. It also offers online scheduling and virtual health services.

SO IS THIS

From mending growing bones to helping kids through everyday anxieties, innovation means more here.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we’re 100% focused on kids and every aspect of their health — physical, social and mental. So whether it’s expert care for growing bones or groundbreaking behavioral therapy, caring for the whole child drives us to go beyond, unlocking innovation in more ways than you might imagine.

Award-Winning Chefs Ristorante Bartolotta

LIVABILITY

MILWAUKEE IS ONE OF THE “COOLEST” CITIES - TRAVEL CHANNEL

There is somethng for everyone in southeastern Wisconsin. Theater, dance and opera companies keep the stages filled with action. Dozens of small clubs offer a variety of blues, jazz, swing, classical, country and rock ’n’ roll. College and professional sports teams play year-round. Nationally acclaimed chefs oversee the creation of culinary treats in a city dubbed one of the “most dynamic” food cities in the United States while ethnic restaurants keep alive

the heritage and recipes of the Old World. Dozens of museums cater to our interest in history, art, technology and the child in all of us. Botanical gardens and zoos bring nature close to home while hiking and biking paths, ski hills and cross-country trails expand the outdoors. Beer gardens tucked into Milwaukee County’s extensive park system bring young and old together for Europeanstyle fun. Milwaukee is at the epicenter of a region that extends from the natural beauty of Wisconsin’s Northwoods two hours to the north to the world-class city of Chicago, 90 minutes to the south.

A Popular Destination

Not surprisingly, Milwaukee has become an increasingly popular destination. Forbes magazine called it one of the best cities for young professionals. The New York Times labeled it a “must place to visit.” And National Geographic named it among the top destinations of the world, one of only five U.S. places to receive the designation.

Bordered on the east by the deep-blue waters of Lake Michigan and encircled by the pristine, glacial hills of the Kettle Moraine, Milwaukee has become a popular port of call for the rapidly growing Great Lakes cruise industry. It’s a place where you can have fun, feel at home and enjoy urban energy without big-city stress.

It's also a city that continually reinvents itself. The Milwaukee Art Museum redefined the lakefront with the iconic, Calatrava-designed entrance hall that has served as a backdrop for numerous commercials and movies, including Transformers 3. The Milwaukee Public Museum, already a nationally ranked institution for natural history, is building a new five-story museum near the Deer District and will be renamed the Wisconsin Museum of Nature and Culture. The Milwaukee Repertory Theater which draws more than 300,000 people to its three venues – the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret – is investing $75 million in a new theater complex to replace its current facility.

An Active Arts Scene

Milwaukee is a cultural center offering a wealth of opportunities to attend plays, operas, symphonies and chamber music thanks to an arts community that is well supported by metro-area residents. Among large metropolitan areas, only Nashville, Orlando, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago have more performing arts groups per 100,000 people. And no city in the country,

The World’s Largest Music Festival Summerfest

A Destination for Golf Whistling Straits

Easy to Navigate The Hop Streetcar

Cultural Arts

Grohmann Museum

Los Angeles, raises more private money to support the arts community. The Milwaukee Symphony recently moved into its new home, a refurbished movie palace from the 1930s in the heart of the downtown. The city is also home to the Milwaukee Ballet and the Florentine Opera as well as numerous smaller experimental theaters.

The region offers a variety of musical venues ranging from small settings like the

Riverside and Miller High Life theaters to major arenas like Fiserv Forum and the American Family Amphitheater

Non-Stop Fun

There is plenty of nightlife throughout Milwaukee, whether it be somewhere in the city’s popular Third Ward or Fifth Ward, or in one of many fun destinations, including the Deer District near the Fiserv Forum, Brady Street, Water Street, Old

Ethnic Celebrations Holiday Folk Fair

World Third Street, North Avenue or Jefferson Street. Those looking for Las Vegas-style gambling head down to the Potawatomi Casino Hotel west of downtown, which is just completing a $190 million renovation featuring new gaming areas, restaurants, bar and sports book.

The City of Festivals

Milwaukee holds more festivals than any other city in the United States. Many of the city’s major ethnic festivals are held near the lakefront, including Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, German Fest and Polish Fest The summer season is also filled with many church and community festivals as well, including the Cinco de Mayo Festival held at Mitchell Park on Milwaukee’s near south side, Cedarburg’s annual Strawberry Festival and Fish Days in Port Washington. Milwaukee is probably best known for Summerfest, a celebration of music and food considered to be one of the most diverse and affordable of the world’s major music festivals. Heralded as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” the 55-year-old festival features hundreds of acts on 12 permanent stages with a lineup of “the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites.”

Magnificent Museums

There are many excellent museums in the Milwaukee area, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has a permanent collection of more than 20,000 works; West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art, which highlights regional crafts and artifacts; Discovery World Science + Technology Center, an interactive science and technology museum located on Milwaukee’s lakefront; the HarleyDavidson Museum, which showcases the evolution of the famous motorcycle made

City of Milwaukee

Milwaukee School of Engineering

VISIT/Nick Collura

Major Attractions & Events

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Potawatomi Casino Hotel

4.5 million

Milwaukee Brewers

2.4 million

Milwaukee County Zoo

1.1 million

Milwaukee Bucks

1.5 million

Wisconsin State Fair

1.0 million

Summerfest

624,000

MAJOR EVENTS

Juneteenth Polish Fest

PrideFest MilwaukeeBastille Days

Festa Italiana German Fest

PetFest Port Fish Day

Fresh Coast Jazz FestivalGreek Fest

Oktoberfest Milwaukee Film Festival

Mexican FiestaJazz in the Park

Holiday Folk FairMilwaukee Brew Fest

Strawberry FestivalPolar Bear Plunge

Lakefront Festival of ArtIrish Fest

Black Arts Fest MKE

in Milwaukee; Milwaukee Public Museum, which is considered one of the six best natural history museums in the country; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, featuring many hands-on exhibits dedicated to children through age 10; and America’s Black Holocaust Museum, which documents one of the darkest chapters in America’s history.

Sensational Sporting Events

Milwaukee is a sports-loving city offering a variety of professional and college sports . It is home to the Milwaukee Bucks, which won the National Basketball Association national championship in 2021; the Milwaukee Brewers professional baseball team, which won the National League Central Division in 2023; as well as the legendary Marquette Golden Eagles and UW-Milwaukee Panthers NCAA basketball teams. Just a little more than an hour away in Madison, Bucky Badger hosts the Wisconsin Badgers football team as well as a host of other exciting collegiate teams, including men’s hockey and women’s volleyball. And just a few hours to the north is the legendary Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers.

Wisconsin also has become known nationally as a golf destination thanks to its hosting of major golf championships in recent years, including a U.S. Open, two U.S. Women’s Opens, three PGA Championships, a U.S. Senior Open, a U.S. Amateur and The Ryder Cup. The U.S. Senior Open will return in 2023 and the U.S. Women’s Open comes back in 2025. According to Golf Digest, seven of the nation’s top 100 golf courses are located in Wisconsin, including three in the Milwaukee area: Washington County’s Erin Hills, which hosted the 2017 U.S. Open; the Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills; and the Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa. Whistling Straits, in nearby Kohler, has hosted the PGA Championship three times and hosted The Ryder Cup in 2021.

A Culinary Smorgasbord

There’s a reason Milwaukee made Eater’s list of “The Most Dynamic Food Cities in the World”! Popular TV cooking competition “Top Chef” filmed its 21st season here, focusing on the culinary scenes in Milwaukee and Madison. Chef Dane Baldwin was named the best chef in the Midwest by the prestigious James Beard Foundation for The Diplomat, his shareable plates restaurant. Four other Milwaukee chefs were named semifinalists: Karen Bell of Bavette La Boucherie; Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of EsterEv; and Gregory León of Amilinda. From global cuisine and fusion dishes, to tapas and farm-to-table comfort food, to classic fare and iconic fish fries, Milwaukee serves up a full spectrum of epicurean delights.

A variety of upscale restaurants offer fantastic dining, including Ardent, Bacchus, Carnevore, Casablanca, Five O’Clock Steakhouse, Harbor House, Lake Park Bistro, Mader’s, Rare and Tre Rivali in Milwaukee; Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Brookfield; Mr. B’s in Brookfield and Mequon; Eddie Martini’s and Ristorante Bartolotta in Wauwatosa; and The Union House in Genesee Depot.

Enjoying the Outdoors

The metropolitan region has plenty to offer the weekend athlete and outdoor enthusiast. Milwaukee County’s extensive park system is one of the largest in the country, boasting miles of jogging, hiking and biking trails and sandy beaches. Milwaukee is one of only a handful of urban areas that has a state park bordering its downtown, offering impressive views of both the city’s skyline and the majestic expanse of Lake Michigan. All told, the greater Milwaukee area features 17,700 acres of county parkland, more than 60 public and private golf courses and more than 240 miles of bikeways and hiking paths.

Potawatomi Casino Hotel

Wisconsin State Fair

Milwaukee Bucks

LakefrontVISIT/Brewery

VISIT

Authentic Italian Cuisine Set in the Heart of Wauwatosa

Award-Winning French Cuisine in Milwaukee

Modern American Cooking in Milwaukee

The Best Seafood and Views in Milwaukee

A Classic Steakhouse in Brookfield and Mequon

Classic Supper Club Set in Historic Greendale

Rebirth of an Iconic Property on Nagawicka Lake

REALIGNING EDUCATION

W isconsin has always viewed education as a top priority and it shows. In 2023, U.S. News and World Report ranked Wisconsin 8th overall in the U.S. for its educational offerings. The state’s residents have also insisted that education be rooted in realworld practicality, especially at the college and university level. As a result, state and local communities have fostered strong links between private-sector businesses and educational institutions.

● The region’s technical colleges –Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), Gateway Technical College and Moraine Park Technical College – actively partner with employers and four-year universities to create the career pathways necessary for the nextgeneration economy

● Area schools continue to pioneer programs focused on the future, including UW-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute, UW-Whitewater’s Institute for Water Business, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s new academic center focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and robotics

● Collaborative efforts bring schools together to solve educational challenges. Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin offer a joint program in biomedical engineering

Building an Inclusive Talent Pipeline

The quality of the region’s K-12 school system greatly impacts the flow and quality of talent in the metro Milwaukee economy. MMAC is committed to ensuring that all children receive a strong educational foundation and have the opportunities to learn about and access the many job opportunities the region provides.

It played a key role in making choice and charter schools more affordable by significantly increasing the dollar amount of the vouchers provided by the state.

In addition, MMAC has helped to increase high-quality options for students and promotes initiatives that are committed to realizing the full potential of the region’s workforce, including:

● The Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) is a collaboration of 18 southeastern Wisconsin public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities, and a network of partner organizations dedicated to closing achievement gaps

● All-In Milwaukee is a coordinated collaboration of students, families, pathway partners, universities, advisors, and donor partners committed to providing comprehensive support, including maximized financial aid, customized advising and career readiness to ensure limited-income students complete college and matriculate into the Milwaukee workforce

Technical Colleges

The state’s occupational education system continues to be a national leader in providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Established in the early 1900s, Wisconsin’s technical college system was the first of its kind in the

Milwaukee Area Technical College’s pre-college programs help to ensure that students will be successful in their pursuit of four-year degrees.

TALENT

Milwaukee Area Technical College

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

nation and was used as a model by other states.

Today, the system serves students at 16 colleges throughout the state, providing them with the tools they need to pursue fulfilling and financially meaningful careers. Students earn associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates in a variety of fields, including information technology, healthcare, business, public safety and the skilled trades.

Strong ties to employers, education partners, economic development experts and community-based organizations ensure skills that are needed. More than 90% of students who complete the state’s technical college programs are employed within six months of their graduation.

New initiatives are expanding access to the education needed for family-sustaining career opportunities. The M3 (pronounced M-Cubed) initiative, a partnership between Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, provides a supportive, educational bridge from K-12th grades to a college degree.

The dual-enrollment academies offered at technical colleges enable students to earn college credits while they are still attending high school.

Four technical colleges serve southeastern Wisconsin:

Gateway Technical College: Offers more than 70 diploma, certificate and associate degree programs. Campuses are located in the Racine, Kenosha, Elkhorn, Burlington, Pleasant Prairie and Sturtevant areas. Enrollment: 18,213. gtc.edu

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC):

Offering 170+ associate degree, technical diploma and certificate programs. Partners with more than 40 college and university transfer partners for affordable paths to bachelor’s degrees and apprenticeships. Locations include campuses in Downtown Milwaukee, Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis, and an education center at Walker’s Square in Milwaukee. Online options. Enrollment: 23,458. matc.edu

Moraine Park Technical College: Offers more than 60 associate degrees and diploma programs in the West Bend area. The college also offers a variety of online and blended education options. Enrollment: 4,061. morainepark.edu

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC): Offers 170+ associate degree, technical diploma, apprenticeship and certificate programs.

WCTC has numerous partnerships and transfer agreements in place with several area four-year colleges and universities. WCTC also offers customized training for employers. Campuses are located in Pewaukee and Waukesha. Enrollment: 11,700. wctc.edu

University

of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin System

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is one of three four-year campuses in the University of Wisconsin System that calls southeastern Wisconsin home. UWM’s ambitious mission is unique among those schools: Serve as both a top-tier, public

Applied Technology Center (ATC)

Transfers technology from the laboratory to the marketplace to solve problems confronting businesses, strengthen economic development, protect the environment and benefit human life. Milwaukee School of Engineering. 414/277-7416. msoe.edu/atc

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

A regional biomedical collaboration of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering and others that fosters reduced barriers between disciplines and institutions to solve medical engineering problems. ctsi.mcw.edu

Construction Science and Engineering Center

Dedicated to testing products for structural integrity and failure points, helping to determine marketability and safety. The lab has multiple computerized data acquisition capabilities and transducers for measuring force, displacement and strain. Milwaukee School of Engineering. 414/2777301. msoe.edu

Talent: Applied Technology Development

The Midwest Energy Research Consortium (MWERC) meets members’ talent needs and supports the research program through the Training and Development HUB, an advanced energy-testing lab to prepare the next generation of electrical assembly workers and testers. The facility at M-WERC’s Energy Innovation Center is a partnership with MWERC member companies and universities that offer advanced manufacturing training programs. m-werc.org

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Local universities help companies transform concepts into reality through research, prototyping and testing.

Fluid Power Institute (FPI)

Conducts a variety of performance, endurance and environmental evaluations of hydraulic components and systems, fluid analysis and tribology measurements; and performs modeling and simulation, system integration and prototyping.

Milwaukee School of Engineering. 414/277-7143. msoe.edu/fpi

Medical College of Wisconsin

Office of Technology Development

Oversees the university’s technology transfer process, including patenting, marketing and licensing of new technologies.

Medical College of Wisconsin. 414/955-4362.

mcw.edu/departments/technologydevelopment

Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute

In 2018, Northwestern Mutual teamed with Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to create the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute. This partnership advances academic data science and technology learning while propelling innovation for Northwestern Mutual in key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), AI and data bias & ethics, behavioral economics, financial literacy, and health and wealth inequities. Further, it contributes to the formation of a technology ecosystem and advances southeastern Wisconsin as a national hub for technology, research, business and talent development, while creating an organic pipeline of tech talent in the area. nmdsi.org

Photonics and Applied Optics Center

Located at an extremely low-vibration site, the center performs experiments on sensitive optical projects. Recent projects include LED performance/endurance and evaluation of computerized virtual 3D images for motion detection. Milwaukee School of Engineering. 414/277-7416. msoe.edu/atc

Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC)

The RPC helps its consortium members evaluate new additive manufacturing processes and materials and develop focused solutions to their unique challenges. The center completes over 4,000 consortium projects per year. The RPC also organizes seminars for consortium members, MSOE staff, faculty and students to learn about developments in additive manufacturing. Milwaukee School of Engineering. 414/277-7189. msoe.edu/rpc

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Center for Water Policy

Builds on the research of UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences, the UW System’s Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, and networks and partnerships with top scholars, scientists and policy institutions around the world. uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute (CSI)

The CSI at UWM develops manufacturing domain specialists through education, state-ofthe-art lab facilities and collaborative research opportunities. CSI facilitates research collaboration between industry and academia to support the development of advanced manufacturing processes. This includes working with tools that support domain-specific research and education on the industrial Internet of Things (IoT), factory automation and the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions. uwm.edu/csi

TALENT: Realigning Education

research university and an access institution that strives to provide students with equitable opportunities to earn a college degree. As the state’s second-largest university, UWM educates a diverse student body of more than 23,000 students in multiple locations across southeast Wisconsin. It has earned the highest rating for research – R1 – in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Two of its major colleges are the Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business and the College of Engineering & Applied Science. uwm.edu

Two other four-year University of Wisconsin schools are located in the Milwaukee Region. More than 12,000 students attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Walworth County southwest of Milwaukee. Slightly more than 4,000 students attend the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, which is located between Racine and Kenosha in the southeastern part of the region.

Private Colleges & Universities

Southeastern Wisconsin is served by several private colleges and universities, many of which have earned a national reputation. Marquette University is the largest private school in the region. A Catholic, Jesuit university, Marquette offers more than 80 majors and pre-professional programs. It offers more than 100 certificate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, and is home to the state’s only dental school and the region’s only law school.

Nearly 3,000 students attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering, a private college with strong ties to the region’s business community. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a

Leading the Way in Applied A.I.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is at the forefront of A.I. and machine learning education and applying these technologies to solve real-world business problems in real time. You and your businesses can:

• Leverage MSOE’s super computing infrastructure while collaborating with students, faculty and staff

• Make previously unreachable ideas a reality

• Solve problems that were once deemed impossible with solutions hidden in data

For professionals in computer science, computer or software engineering, or software development, MSOE offers:

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Machine Learning

• Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning Engineering

• Master of Science in Machine Learning

To learn more, contact Kim Schultz, director of corporate and foundation relations, at schultz@msoe.edu or (414) 277-7270.

Milwaukee School of Engineering 1025 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI msoe.edu

Carroll University

BE THE SPARK!

MMAC Program Shines Light on Career Opportunities

Connecting students with career-based learning experiences has been a longstanding MMAC priority. One of its major initiatives is Be the Spark, which was designed by MMAC’s small business leaders and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in 2014 to provide exposure to a variety of careers for all MPS 7th graders. Over the years it has expanded, with a brief interruption by the pandemic, to become a series of connected experiences for area high school students focused on high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, business/finance, direct patient care and information technology. This is important because the region is projected to have more than 245,000 jobs within these four industry clusters, offering an average annual wage of $66,000, by 2027.

Be the Spark kicked off its 10th school year with a dynamic career experience which was hosted by ManpowerGroup, in celebration of its 75th anniversary, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Students from public, choice and charter schools throughout Milwaukee came together to learn about the variety of careers available in the region through the lens of the Bucks and its supply chain. Nearly 300 students connected with professionals from the Milwaukee Bucks, ManpowerGroup, MxD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Experis who shared their stories, education and career pathways to inspire the next generation of our workforce in these high-demand industries.

Schools Participating in the Be the Spark Program

● Audubon Technology and Communications High School

● Bay View High School

● Bradley Technology & Trade High School

● Golda Meir School

● Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy

● Milwaukee Academy of Science

● Riverside University High School

● St. Augustine Preparatory Academy

● Whitefish Bay High School

setting that features a 13:1 student-toteacher ratio.

There are more than a dozen other four-year universities or colleges in the region. Among them are Alverno College and Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, both of which serve women at the undergraduate level (Alverno College offers co-ed master’s programs in business administration); Carroll University, Wisconsin’s oldest fouryear institution of higher education, which is located in Waukesha; Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon; Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee; and Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.

In addition, the Milwaukee Region is home to several specialty schools, including the Medical College of Wisconsin, which provides physician, pharmacy, masters and graduate education to more than 1,600 students, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, which is ranked among the best 10 schools in the Midwest for its illustration and communication design programs.

Following is a listing of colleges offering undergraduate and/or graduate programs in the southeastern Wisconsin area.

Alverno College: Weekday bachelor’s programs for women. Co-ed graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business. Enrollment: 1,596. alverno.edu

Bryant & Stratton College: Diploma, associate and bachelor’s degrees. Enrollment: Not provided. bryantstratton.edu

Carroll University: Bachelor’s degrees. MBA, plus six graduate certificate programs. Enrollment: 3,416. carrollu.edu

Carthage College: Bachelor’s degrees for traditional, adult, and transfer students. Graduate programs are also available. Enrollment: 2,748. carthage.edu

Concordia University Wisconsin: Bachelor’s degrees. Classroom and e-learning for MBA or OLA graduate leadership program. DBA program. Enrollment: 5,777. cuw.edu

Herzing University: Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Certificates. Online MBA. Dual concentration option. Enrollment: 5,253. herzing.edu

Lakeland University - Milwaukee: Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Enrollment: 2,511. lakeland.edu

Marian University: 100% online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Enrollment: 1,819. marianuniversity.edu/online

Marquette University: Bachelor’s in business administration; MBA program. Total Enrollment: 11,000. marquette.edu/business

Medical College of Wisconsin: MD, PhD, PharmD, DrPH, Master’s degrees and certificates. Enrollment: 1,615. mcw.edu

MMAC

Be the Spark’s Career Conversations allow students to learn first-hand about career opportunities.

Milwaukee School of Engineering: Offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business, nursing, computer science, actuarial science and UX, plus continuing education and graduate certificates. Enrollment: 2,729. msoe.edu

Mount Mary University: Bachelor’s degrees. Flexible, stackable, inclusive MBA and certificate programs. Enrollment: 1,200. mtmary.edu

Ottawa University: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Enrollment: NA. https://www.ottawa.edu/onlineand-evening/brookfieldwi?campus=brookfield-wi

University of Phoenix: Bachelor’s degrees. Three locations in the Milwaukee area. Enrollment: NA. phoenix.edu/milwaukee

Upper Iowa University: Associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificate programs. Online-only format with accompanying resources and student support services. Financial aid and scholarships available to those who qualify. Enrollment: NA. uiu.edu

Wisconsin Lutheran College: Bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, digital marketing,

Milwaukee School of Engineering Students work on an electrical project in a school lab.

entrepreneurs looking to launch new enterprises. wisconsinsbdc.org

Small Business Workshops: Held in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the smallclass workshops cover a variety

FINANCING & ASSISTANCE

Small businesses are the engine of growth, typically accounting for the bulk of new jobs in the economy. The Milwaukee Region is fortunate in that it offers entrepreneurs and growing businesses both the financial and technical resources they need to prosper. In addition to the networking opportunities offered through the MMAC, area businesses can plug into a variety of programs run by lenders, government agencies, educational institutions and other organizations.

M ilwaukee’s strong financial sector makes it easier for small, medium-size and large businesses in Southeast Wisconsin to secure the loans they need to expand, improve productivity and increase their market share. Several financial institutions have major operations in the region, including Associated Bank, BMO Harris, Chase, The Equitable Bank, First Citizens, Johnson Bank, Landmark Credit Union, Old National, PNC, Summit Credit Union, Tri City, US Bank, UW Credit Union and Wells Fargo. Federal, state and local government agencies also have programs to help businesses expand.

Private Equity

Private equity funds usually take an ownership stake in a company in exchange for their investment, then give the entrepreneur an opportunity to buy back their ownership stake at a later date. Private equity funds obtain money from a variety of sources. Some, such as those operated by bank holding companies, are internally funded. Other equity funds are funded by corporate or individual shareholders. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes venture capital available through its Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which operate much like venture capital funds.

The Tech Council Innovation Network is a community-based economic development organization dedicated to fostering innovation. The network is operated by the Wisconsin Technology Council, an independent statewide

board with representatives from technology companies, venture capital firms, educational and research institutions and government. wisconsintechnologycouncil.com

Loans & Loan Guarantees

Most businesses finance their operations and expansions through business loans and lines of credit. Revolving lines of credit can range from $5,000 to $1 million and typically feature a variable interest rate that is tied to the prime rate. They are often collateralized with real estate, accounts receivable, inventory or fixed assets. Larger and riskier loans can be secured with loan guarantees from a government agency. The loan guarantee allows lending institutions to take on additional risk, because the government agrees to repay the lender if the business defaults. The U.S. Small Business Administration guarantees between 30 and 40 percent of all long-term business loans nationwide. For information on loan programs and technical assistance offered to businesses, visit sba.gov/localassistance, which allows for searches by ZIP code for SBA offices and local partners.

SBA Programs

NOTE: SBA Coronavirus relief programs can be found at sba.gov/relief.

DEBT FINANCING

SBA does not make direct loans to small businesses. When a business applies for an SBA loan, it is actually applying for a commercial loan, structured according to SBA requirements with an SBA guaranty. SBA-guaranteed loans may not be made to a small business if the borrower has access to other reasonable financing. There are around 200 banks, credit unions, Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and other lenders making SBA-guaranteed loans in Wisconsin. See the sidebar on page 61for information about participating lenders.

SBA 7(A) PROGRAM LOANS

Guarantees 85 percent of loan amounts up to $150,000 and 75 percent of loan amounts greater than $150,000. Export loan guarantees are set at 90 percent. Loans can be used for working capital, land, building, machinery and equipment purchases and export projects. The SBA 7(a) Express Program provides a 50 percent guarantee for loans up to $500,000. Veterans and their spouses are eligible for a

waiver of the up-front guaranty fee on SBA Express loans.

SBA 504 LOAN PROGRAM

Under the program, the SBA makes longterm, fixed-rate financing available to small businesses through a CDC that provides financing by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures sold to private investors. The borrower typically must invest 10 percent in the project, the bank provides 50 percent of the financing and the CDC offers up to 40

percent. The maximum debenture is $5 million ($5.5 million for manufacturers and some loans related to energy consumption or renewable energy). Two SBA 504 lenders operate statewide: WBD (wbd.org) and Business Lending Partners (blp504.org).

SBA MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM

Micro loans are designed for individuals seeking a loan for a new or growing small

Wisconsin-based experts ready to help Wisconsinbased businesses.

business. The maximum loan amount is $50,000 with a maximum repayment term of seven years at a fixed interest rate. Loan proceeds can be used for supplies, furniture, fixtures, inventory, machinery, equipment or working capital.

SBA-APPROVED MICRO-LENDERS

First American Capital Corp. (FACC), Subsidiary of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: 10710 W. Scharles Ave., Hales Corners. Contact: Gary Mejchar, Co-Exec. Dir. Telephone: 414/604-2044. aiccw-facc.org

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC): Assists individuals interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses by providing direct lending, quality business and financial capability education and one-on-one technical business assistance. Services are open to anyone, but primarily women, minorities, veterans and people of lower wealth. 1533 N. Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee. 414/263-5450. wwbic.com

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

The Small Business Innovation Research Program is a non-equity funding source for innovative technologies considered highrisk, high-payoff initiatives. Companies can receive up to $225,000 for feasibility studies, which typically last six to nine months; and $1.5 million for prototype development. Applicants must secure private-sector financing, licensing or strategic partnerships to commercialize the technology.

Small Business Innovation Research Program: More than $2.5 billion in funding is available through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These non-equity funding sources are for small businesses with innovative technologies that are considered highrisk, high-payoff initiatives. sbir.gov

The Center for Technology Commercialization –SBIR/STTR Program Assistance: The Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) is housed within University of Wisconsin- Extension’s Division for Business and Entrepreneurship. CTC provides a range of SBIR/STTR assistance programs including informal and formal reviews, training sessions and follow-on match funding for successful SBIR/STTR awards. CTC has helped Wisconsin companies secure more than $170 million in federal SBIR/STTR and other funding since 2005. 608/263-0398.

wisconsinctc.org

SURETY BOND GUARANTEES

The SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program helps small business contractors who cannot obtain surety bonds through regular commercial channels. SBA can guarantee

bonds for contracts up to $5 million and up to $10 million on federal contracts.

VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAM

SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program is a public-private investment partnership created to help fill the gap between the availability of growth capital and the needs of small businesses. The SBA does not invest directly in small businesses, relying instead on the expertise of qualified private investment funds. The SBA licenses these funds as SBICs and supplements the capital they raise from their private investors with access to lowcost, government-guaranteed debt.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state. It provides resources, operational support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. wedc.org and InWisconsin.com

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS

Regional economic development directors assist businesses by coordinating state resources to promote business startup, retention, expansion and attraction. Companies can find the regional economic development director serving their area at: wedc.org/inside-wedc/contact-us/ #regional

BUSINESS FINANCING

WEDC provides business development loans, tax credits, workforce training grants, entrepreneurial micro-grants, SBIR/STTR matching grants and technology development loans. wedc.org

WHEDA Guarantees

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) programs are flexible commercial loan guarantees designed to help rural and urban small businesses create and/or retain jobs. 800/334-6873. wheda.com

Small Business Guarantee: Owners eligible for WHEDA loan guarantees can purchase or improve land and buildings, including mixed-use properties; purchase inventory or machinery; and/or have access to permanent or revolving working capital.

SBA

Dozens of banks in the metro area have experience with the SBA loan program. The most active and expert lenders qualify for the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program ( SBA Express Program (**), which offers expedited approvals. Following are preferred and express lenders as of July 2023. MMAC Members in Bold

Associated Bank * ** Andrew Brueggeman 715/848-4795

Bank Five Nine * ** Sarah Andritsch 262/670-3026

BMO * ** Commercial Lending 414/765-7500

Bremer Bank * ** Greg Hohlen 320/255-7185

Byline Bank * ** Jessie Hagen 262/860-2086

CIBC Bank USA ** Brittany Martin 414/291-7115

Citizens Bank * ** Jim Ebben 262/363-6500

Collins State Bank ** Terry Van Engen 920/994-9434

Community State Bank * ** Nick Borth

Cornerstone Community Bank * ** Rick Novotny

Educators Credit Union * ** Michelle Uciechowski

First American Bank * ** Alan Lane-Murcia 847/586-2225

First Business Bank * ** Travis Frazier

First Citizens Bank * ** Scott Kraemer 414/214-5790

First Citizens State Bank * ** Katie Lehman

First Federal Bank of Wisconsin ** Brian McManus

First Midwest Bank ** Tracy Meeks 262/827-5117

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Forte Bank ** Aaron Lensink 262/670-3886

Horican Bank ** Rose Petitte 262/808-2670

Huntington National Bank * ** Paula Cook 414/531-5897

Ixonia Bank ** Dennis Sampson 262/569-3604

Johnson Bank - Racine * ** Mike Piku 414/287-6452

JPMorgan Chase Bank * ** Mike Hereda 312/732-1164

Landmark Credit Union ** Sandy Roadt 262/780-7118

North Shore Bank ** Margaret Capper 262/787-6925

Old National Bank * ** Paul Sackmann 414/290-7037

Palmyra State Bank ** Michael Mikklesen 262/495-2101

PNC Bank * ** Harold Lewis 414/270-7929

Port Washington State Bank ** Trent Rogahn 262/268-7914 / 262/268-7968

PyraMax Bank * ** Andrew Freter 414/235-5223

Spring Bank ** Glenn Michaelsen 262/754-5563

Summit Credit Union ** Tim Belter 608/243-5000 x1415

Town Bank * ** Tom Huffman 847/590-7030

Tri City National Bank ** Bruce Elliott 414/217-5215

U.S. Bank * ** Gina Sorenson 262/221-5251

Waukesha State Bank * ** Paula Neis 262/549-8551

Wells Fargo Bank * ** Christina Smith-Wilkie 414/294-8102

Westbury Bank * ** Joseph Schaefer 262/439-3338

* Preferred lenders can accept or reject loan applications without SBA approval ** Express lenders receive expedited approval from the SBA

Neighborhood Business Revitalization

Guarantee: Assists developers who are developing or rehabilitating commercial real estate, including mixeduse properties.

Agribusiness Guarantee: Assists small businesses that develop new products or expand the production of existing products using Wisconsin’s raw commodities. Contractor’s Loan Guarantee Program: Provides new loans or lines of credit to a business entering into a government or other business-related contract.

Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) provides gap financing to area businesses in partnership with participating lenders. 414/269-1440. medconline.com

Second Mortgage Program: Provides gap financing to businesses in the Milwaukee 7 area, with a focus on Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Eligible uses include building purchase, construction, renovation, equipment purchases and installation costs. MEDC can finance 25 to 40 percent of the total cost with at least 50 percent financed by a participating lender and a minimum 10-percent equity injection from the borrower.

Capital Access Program: The Capital Access Program helps lenders fund projects considered too risky for conventional banking. The lender has sole responsibility for structuring the financing. Participating lenders, along with their borrowers and the MEDC, set aside funds to offset any losses in the program. Businesses throughout Wisconsin are eligible.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Many of the firms in the seven-county region are small companies with fewer than 300 employees. The people who run these businesses are often looking for advice, networking possibilities and revenuegenerating opportunities.

MMAC offers a variety of small business services, including programming specifically tailored to the needs of small businesses, networking opportunities to help expand and strengthen contacts within the business community, and a legislative voice for companies that don’t necessarily have the resources to advocate on their own behalf. MMAC also helps minority and historically disadvantaged businesses through its affiliation with The Business Council, The African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee and the Hispanic Collaborative.

For companies seeking more in-depth engagement with their peers, MMAC’s Executive Roundtable Program provides confidential peer advisory boards for CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives to share best practices and resolve business challenges.

The Leadership Council, reserved for MMAC’s most engaged stakeholders, offers

opportunities to make strategic connections and participate in discussions that will benefit both their companies and the community.

mmac.org/leadershipcouncil

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is a state agency charged with delivering effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin’s diverse workforce needs, and advocates for the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers.

DWD’s primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, while simultaneously working with employers to find the necessary workers to fill current job openings. It delivers services through public-private partnerships, a statewide network of Job Centers, and online at JobCenterofWisconsin.com and dwd.wisconsin.gov.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ONLINE

In addition to the state and federal programs listed above, each of the counties in the seven-county metropolitan area and several of the larger municipalities have their own economic development programs.

Wisconsin

(WHEDA) wheda.com

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD) city.milwaukee.gov/dcd

Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) medconline.com

Wauwatosa Economic Development Department wauwatosa.net

West Allis Department of Development westalliswi.gov

OZAUKEE COUNTY

Ozaukee County Economic Development ozaukeebusiness.org

RACINE COUNTY

Racine County Economic Development Corp. rcedc.org

WALWORTH COUNTY

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance walworthbusiness.com

WASHINGTON COUNTY Economic Development Washington County edwc.org

Hartford Area Economic Development hadc.org

WAUKESHA COUNTY

Waukesha County Business Alliance waukesha.org

KENOSHA COUNTY

Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA) kaba.org

Technical Assistance

A wealth of technical assistance is available to startups and growing businesses throughout the Milwaukee Region. Some even offer customized coaching to help business owners address specific needs. Following is a listing of some of the programs that offer technical assistance.

BizStarts: Available services include a credentialed six-week Community Bootcamp (created at the University of Notre Dame specifically for people who come from adverse circumstances), entrepreneurship business coaching, mentorship, networking, and connections to resources. All programs are done in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. BizStarts provides its services free of charge. bizstarts.com

CEOs of Growing Businesses (CGB): Brings together entrepreneurs who operate businesses with consistent growth and annual revenues in excess of $3 million; provides monthly roundtables, educational forums and networking opportunities. mmac.org/roundtables-for-high-growthcompanies.html

Department of Neighborhood ServicesPermit & Development Center: Provides a primary point of contact for developers, contractors, businesses and homeowners undertaking development or construction projects within the city as well as a wealth of technical assistance to startups and growing businesses. Email: developmentcenterinfo@ milwaukee.com. https://city.milwaukee.gov/ DNS/permits

Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC): Helps area businesses, local governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations with economic research. uww.edu/ferc

Marquette Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic: Offers free legal services to startup businesses and entrepreneurs, with a focus on clients who cannot afford qualified legal counsel. law.marquette.edu/community/marquette-lawand-entrepreneurship-clinic

SCORE Southeast Wisconsin: Volunteer business executives provide free and confidential small business advising, as well as classes on a wide variety of business-related topics. score.org/sewisconsin

Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Whitewater is part of a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting. uww.edu/cobe/business-resource

Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC): The VBOC, serving three states, is based in Milwaukee and provides business advising to veterans, transitioning service members, and their families. www.wwbic.com

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC): Coordinates state resources to promote business startup, retention, expansion and attraction, including financial and technical assistance. wedc.org

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.: Provides technical assistance to women and minority entrepreneurs. wwbic.com

INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS FOR GROWING STARTUPS

Following are many of the incubators and accelerator programs that are available to startup entrepreneurs. For a more comprehensive list of accelerators and other resources available to support startups and small businesses, visit startinwi.com, supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

707 Hub

Presented by Marquette University, this five-week program is open to anyone looking to scale up an existing business.

AMPDNR

Accelerating Medical Product Development with Networked Resources is a collective that includes the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Concordia University Wisconsin, Marquette University, Blood Research Institute/Versiti and Milwaukee School of Engineering to accelerate commercially viable development in the Healthcare and Health Tech industries.

BREW 2.0

Presented by The Water Council, The Business, Research and Entrepreneurship in Water (BREW) Accelerator 2.0 is for companies working in water technology. The free program attracts a global pool of applicants with market-ready technologies.

Food Finance Institute Fellows Program

Funded by the WEDC, this six-month program is free to food-based entrepreneurs with an active business.

FOR-M

Sponsored by the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, the program is a startup incubator, rather than an accelerator, but it provides many of the same services accelerators provide. The free program is open to entrepreneurs at any stage in the business development process. With support from the WEDC

and Bader Philanthropies, FOR-M has awarded more than $240,000 in grants to local startup businesses.

gener8tor

The Milwaukee-based business accelerator has provided more than $1.3 billion of funding to growing companies. The free gBeta program is designed for early-stage companies; high-profile collaborations include the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator that attracts top startups from across the country.

Ideadvance

A partnership between the UW System’s Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) and the WEDC, the two-stage program offers business training and funding to advance new and growing businesses in Wisconsin. A key requirement of the program is that a UW System faculty, staff, student, or alumni must be involved in the company.

SPARC

Offered by Scale Up Milwaukee, the tuition-based business accelerator provides business education and mentorship to BIPOC and womenowned businesses with annual revenue between $25,000 and $1 million.

UW-Milwaukee Business Innovation Incubator

The tuition-based, 11-month program provides $5,000 in funding to participants. The business is open to all entrepreneurs with businesses at any stage.

YES Blueprint

Operated by the Young Enterprising Society, this accelerator combines bootcamp-like technical and business training along with a traditional business accelerator curriculum. The program offers $100,000 of seed capital to selected urban startups.

School Choice Education

RESOURCES

Financial Stability Taxes

Economic Growth Advocacy

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY

MMAC advocates for effective tax policies, fiscal discipline, reliable energy and a responsive infrastructure to support the risk-takers who drive growth. 2023 was a banner year for accomplishing many of MMAC’s long-term priorities:

EDUCATION

● Reducing the gap in spending between public school students and those attending choice or charter schools. Annual vouchers will increase from $8,400 to $9,500 for K-8 students and from $9,045 to $12,000 for high school students in the choice program. For charter school students, vouchers will increase from $9,264 to $11,000 annually.

● Special education funding will increase from $13,000 to $14,677 per student for those attending private schools

MMAC RESOURCES

MMAC PUBLICATIONS

MMAC offers several publications on the political process and its impact on business. In addition to its quarterly Commerce publication, MMAC publishes a Legislative Agenda and Legislative Scorecard.

LEGISLATOR MEETINGS

MMAC offers opportunities for members to meet and talk with local, state and federal elected officials through its Madison Night in Milwaukee and its Milwaukee Night in Washington, D.C.

FISCAL STABILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

● Increased shared revenue from the state to alleviate pressure on property taxes

● A new 2% sales tax option for the city of Milwaukee

● An additional optional 0.4% tax for Milwaukee County TAXES

● Repeal of the nearly 200-year-old personal property tax levied on businesses

● An extension of the 7.5% manufacturing tax credit

● Increase Wisconsin’s research and development tax credit from 15% to 25% in 2024

● A sales tax exemption for activities directly related to data centers

MMAC PAC

The MMAC PAC is a political action committee that pools members’ financial contributions for political donations to state and local candidates, committees and political parties.

MMAC CONDUIT

The MMAC Conduit serves as a political donation “checking account” for individual members. Members’ contributions are delivered as a check, recorded as an individual contribution, but also acknowledged as part of MMAC’s effort to support economic vitality and job growth in metropolitan Milwaukee.

Nate Vonhof

COST OF LIVING

Milwaukee’s cost of living is slightly below the U.S. city average and ranks significantly lower than many major metropolitan areas, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis/St. Paul. According to the ACCRA cost-of-living index, $100,000 in living costs in Milwaukee would equal:

● $155,000 in Boston ● $127,000 in Chicago

● $117,000 in Denver ● $109,000 in Minneapolis/St. Paul

● $138,000 in Portland ● $200,000 in San Francisco

MARKET FACTS

CENTRAL LOCATION

Milwaukee is ideally located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, 90 miles north of Chicago, the third-largest urban area in the nation. The region is served by three major interstate highways, an international airport and an extensive rail network that includes both freight and passenger trains.

MISCELLANEOUS

Median Home Sales Price: $291,300

Median Gross Monthly Rent: $914

Average Commute (One-Way): 24 minutes

Income Tax Rates: 3.54%-7.65%

Sales Tax: 5%- 5.5%

FEDERAL U.S. Senators

Ron Johnson (Republican) ronjohnson.senate.gov

ELECTED OFFICIALS

CLIMATE

4 distinct seasons

78o Fahrenheit: average summer temp

7 days of 90o+ Fahrenheit

31o Fahrenheit: average winter temp

313 days above freezing (32o Fahrenheit)

STATE Governor

Tony Evers (Democrat) evers.wi.gov

Tammy Baldwin (Democrat) baldwin.senate.gov

U.S. Representatives

Bryan Steil (District 1 - Republican) steil.house.gov

Gwendolynne Moore (District 4 - Democrat) gwenmoore.house.gov

Scott Fitzgerald (District 5 - Republican) fitzgerald.house.gov

Lt. Governor

Sara Rodriguez (Democrat) evers.wi.gov

Attorney General

Josh Kaul (Democrat) doj.state.wi.us

● Manufacturing ● Trade, Transportation & Utilities ● Information

● Financial ● Professional & Business Services

● Education & Health Services

● Leisure & Hospitality

● Other

● Government

● Construction, Mining and Natural Resources

CITIES (>70,000 POPULATION)

Milwaukee

Cavalier Johnson city.milwaukee.gov/mayor

Waukesha

Shawn Reilly waukesha-wi.gov

Racine

Cory Mason cityofracine.org/mayor

Kenosha

John Antaramian kenosha.org

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