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MDC has helped transform Milwaukee  Whether you’ve walked through The Grand Avenue, taken a tour of the Harley Davidson Museum or driven past the Library Hill apartments, you are bearing witness to projects that have come to fruition through the hard work of the Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC). MDC has transformed Milwaukee’s landscape for over 50 years through catalytic real estate projects that foster a vibrant, inclusive, growing and sustainable community. Today, this not-for-profit civic developer is the operating entity for the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Partnership and a proud affiliate of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).
SecureFutures improves financial literacy across Wisconsin By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  On Dec. 6, 2023, Wisconsin Act 60 was signed into law. Under Act 60, all high school students in Wisconsin, starting with the class of 2028, are required to graduate with a half-credit of personal financial literacy. While this course requirement was only recently introduced to every high school
across the state, it came as no surprise to Milwaukee-based SecureFutures. Launched in 2006, SecureFutures provides financial literacy programs and resources, empowering teens to make sound financial decisions. The organization's founder Lloyd Levin hired current president and CEO, Brenda Campbell, shortly after SecureFutures’ launch. The two professionals shared the same concern – financial literacy among younger generations was severely lacking. MCW and MSOE announce collaboration  The future of the healthcare industry is looking especially bright, following the announcement of a collaboration between Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).
The two institutions revealed the launch of Student Pathways to Flourishing in the Health Professions, an innovative program that will provide MSOE students with the opportunity to explore opportunities in the health professions and become thought leaders in an evolving industry.  Photo courtesy of the Urban Ecology Center Urban Ecology Center offers career training to area students
By Ryan Amundson Sr. Director of Communications Life has come full circle for Olivia Raasch. Ten years ago, as a Milwaukee high school student, she was participating in the Urban Ecology Center’s Outdoor Leaders program. Now, she’s leading it as the non-profit’s Green Career Pathways Manager. “These connections and communities are so important,” said Raasch. “The genuine care and mentorship and being able to see these pathways. It’s not just one pathway, which I think is really cool.” A spotlight on Diverse Dining By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Food has the incredible power of bringing people together. Emerald Mills-Williams, the founder of Diverse Dining and Diverse Dining Market, is leveraging this power right here in the Milwaukee area. Launched in 2018, Diverse Dining breaks down barriers and fosters a community of acceptance through food and meaningful dialogue.
“I wanted to create the type of world that I wished to see,” said Mills. Rockwell Automation: A role model in sustainable practices By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Rockwell Automation headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Each year on April 22, individuals, corporations and communities around the globe celebrate Earth Day. The holiday is not only an opportunity to collectively give back to the planet, but it serves as a reminder of the continuous progress that must be made to ensure a healthy and safe environment today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
At Rockwell Automation, the global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, sustainability is a deeply connected and systemic effort. The company works year-round to improve sustainability outcomes and make a positive impact.  Across-the-board tariffs short-sighted, bring uncertainty to the economy
By Dale Kooyenga MMAC President Less than a week after the Trump administration announced its plans for across-the-board global tariffs, investment portfolios have been hammered, nations we’ve historically considered neighbors and allies have been spurned and confusion has reigned. It’s been an unprecedented period in our lifetimes. In talking, texting or emailing with more than 175 member CEOs since the administration’s “Liberation Day” announcement, one thing is certain – concern is widespread among area business leaders.  What college graduates are searching for in the workforce
By: Hailey Pitcher, MMAC Communications Intern While the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) predicts employers will hire 7.3% more college graduates this year than they did in 2024, it may not be much easier for the Class of 2025 to find a job. According to a survey from Hult International Business School, nearly 90% of responding companies avoid hiring new college graduates, opting for other options such as freelancers or artificial intelligence UWM launches Panther Edge Internship Program By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s (UWM) Center for Student Experience and Talent is seeking employer participation in the Panther Edge Internship Program. This work-based experience allows UWM students to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it as interns for local businesses.
“Inspiration stemmed from the desire to provide UWM students with experiential learning opportunities that will contribute to their career readiness during and after college,” said UWM’s Community Engagement and Experiential Learning Program Manager Jasmine Salton. MMAC employee spotlight: Jane Trenchard-Backes By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  When an organization joins MMAC as a member, it is likely, that they’ve already met with MMAC Vice President of Investor Development Jane Trenchard-Backes. For 20 years Backes has had the pleasure of working on MMAC’s membership team, reaching out to organizations of all sizes and industries in the metropolitan area and inviting them to join the association.
“I think the work we do here at the MMAC is inspiring because we can really change the region’s landscape,” said Backes. “A lot of the decisions from our community get made here at the MMAC through our board and our team and it’s exciting to be a part of that.” Mindful Measures to launch an innovative workforce management platform By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  For most entrepreneurs, their business is a result of intentional planning. For Reginald Reed Jr., the creation of Mindful Measures Inc. happened by accident. In fact, he attributes the business to his relentless need to problem-solve and an unexpected quote in a published article, where his “don’t quote me on that” remark about creating new software was indeed quoted.
Mindful Measures, a Milwaukee-based technology company will transform how organizations worldwide manage and measure their workforce. Thanks to the company’s Real-Time Employee Intelligence Gathering Network (REIGN™) platform set to launch this spring, organizations can eliminate workplace bias and help individuals reach their full potential.  MKE Tech Hub Coalition Launches Synapse to Drive AI Innovation in Milwaukee Manufacturing
Submitted by MKE Tech Hub Coalition The MKE Tech Hub Coalition announced this week the launch of Synapse, an initiative designed to help mid-market manufacturers evaluate and implement artificial intelligence solutions. The program is intended to provide structured support to small and medium-sized manufacturers who risk falling behind in the rapid evolution toward Industry 5.0.  Andrew Davis, MMAC VP of Governmental Affairs Dear reader,
Starting today, we will be providing you this newsletter – “The Advocate” - to keep you up to speed on MMAC’s legislative priorities as well as everything else going on in city hall, at the county courthouse, in the halls of the state capitol and in Washington D.C. We hope it serves as both informative and engaging. If you would like to learn more about our advocacy efforts, please visit our website. Now … on to the news. Reflections from a Medical College of Wisconsin executive By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Adrienne Mitchell, MBA Need a crash course on crisis management? Look no further than the healthcare sector’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
National data from the U.S. Department of Health Services indicate that by the end of 2020, the cumulative number of COVID-related hospitalizations reached 16,809,539. By the end of 2021, this number had more than doubled to 38,853,525. The pandemic undeniably forced healthcare institutions to pivot. The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) lies at the intersection of higher education and healthcare. During the pandemic, strong leaders ensured the well-being of students, physicians, patients and the surrounding community. MCW Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer Adrienne Mitchell, MBA, was one such leader.  The Water Council, a global leader in water stewardship and technology innovation, will join the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) as an affiliate organization.
The action was approved by each organization’s board of directors Monday, March 10.  EPA mandates threaten economic growth in SE WI
By Dale Kooyenga MMAC President Imagine a southeastern Wisconsin with no cars, no buildings, no people and, as a result, no emissions. An environmental utopia? Not according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Unfortunately, air pollutants don’t recognize state lines and emissions originating from northern Illinois and Indiana are moving upwind along Lake Michigan. Case in point: Ozone level readings made in Racine show that only 3 percent of the emissions detected there are attributed to activity here in Wisconsin.  Beaulieu: Economy to improve this year, country to face headwinds in the 2030s
The U.S. economy was set to provide some clarity in 2025, according to Consulting Principal and Chief Economist at ITR Economics Brian Beaulieu. “Voila, we end up with tariffs, all sorts of machinations that make life anything but easy right now,” he said. Despite the murky economic atmosphere of today, Beulieu – in town to speak to a group of area business leaders Wednesday – said the second half of 2025 is shaping up positively.  Dignitaries break ground on a new cargo facility at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport last week. Airport breaks ground on cargo facility
A huge public-private project broke ground last week as Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport is partnering with Dallas-based Crow Holdings to build a state-of-the-art cargo facility on a large portion of the former 440th Airlift Wing just south of the airport. “We all know that Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is one of the largest drivers of economic activity in Wisconsin and this investment will lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs and have a major economic impact on our community,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Bernie’s Book Bank increases book ownership in Milwaukee By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist  Each March, schools and educational organizations nationwide celebrate Read Across America Day. Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA), this holiday serves as a reminder of the power of book ownership and the positive benefits of reading.
Yet in many metropolitan areas, access to age-appropriate, high-quality and culturally relevant books is severely lacking. Research indicates that 61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes for their children. Bernie’s Book Bank, a nonprofit organization with roots in the Chicagoland area, is breaking down barriers to literacy through an efficient, sustainable and scalable metropolitan-based book bank model. The organization’s recent expansion into Milwaukee has transformed book ownership in our community and will continue to do so for years to come.  Economist, consultant and author Brian Beaulieu provides insight during a 2024 MMAC event. Q&A with economist Brian Beaulieu
Brian Beaulieu, Consulting Principal and Chief Economist at ITR Economics - has provided his expert insight to hundreds of thousands of business owners and executives over the past 40 years – helping them navigate the economy’s often choppy waters. Once again, he will provide his thoughts on the current state of the economy and what to expect moving forward in 2025 during MMAC’s Align Resources for the Rise Ahead with Brian Beaulieu event on March 5. Before his visit, Beaulieu was gracious to take part in a brief Q&A. |
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