Category: Press Releases

Coalition formed to fight ozone reclassification

1/28/2025

A coalition of area business and civic leaders is forming to fight a recent air quality classification change leveled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) negatively impacting large portions of southeastern Wisconsin – areas encompassing all of Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties as well as portions of Washington, Waukesha, Racine, Sheboygan and Kenosha counties.

The EPA recently changed the area’s ozone nonattainment classification from moderate to serious, forcing businesses to implement costly and burdensome changes to comply with these onerous new requirements. This is despite most pollutants causing a spike in ozone levels originating in Illinois and Indiana.

Microsoft purchases 240 acres in Kenosha

1/27/2025

The State of Wisconsin and the City of Kenosha announce the sale of approximately 240 acres of land northwest of Interstate 94 and Highway 142 to Microsoft. The site enhances the state and region’s capacity to support innovation and growth in the digital economy and continues Microsoft’s investment in the area.

Longtime leader Jim Paetsch announces retirement

3/1/2024

Rebecca Gries to help M7 Corporate Attraction and Expansion efforts

In a planned succession, MMAC President Dale Kooyenga announced Rebecca Gries will take over as Milwaukee 7’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Attraction and Expansion. She will succeed longtime M7 Senior Vice President and Executive Director Jim Paetsch who has announced his retirement.

“Jim is one of the most dedicated and effective professionals I've ever had the opportunity to work with. His leadership of M7’s expansion and attraction efforts has had a profound impact on the growth of our region,” said M7 Co-chair Gale Klappa. “He has helped to secure thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new capital investment. But more importantly, Jim has put our region on the map as a great place to build a bright, sustainable future.”

Jim Paetsch, M7 Senior VP & Executive Director

A watershed moment for future success

6/20/2023

For years, MMAC has worked tirelessly for increased shared revenue, local sales tax, equitable funding for education.

While the political philosophies of those coming to the table differed, good governance resulted in decisions being made in the state’s best interests.

TIM SHEEHY
President, MMAC

June 15, 2023 (MILWAUKEE) – Every two years, state budget negotiations take on immense importance in setting the priorities and charting a course for the state of Wisconsin.

Those negotiations took on an even greater importance in 2023.

Issues the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) have spent many years and thousands of hours working on – the future of state-shared revenue, a new sales tax for the city of Milwaukee and an increase in the existing sales tax in Milwaukee County, and a closure in the funding gap between students throughout the state – were on the front burner during the biennial budget process.

Compromise and collaboration resulted in big wins for the state and its residents.

Village of Mount Pleasant, Racine County to consider land purchase agreement with Microsoft

3/28/2023

Statement on Gov. Evers plan to keep Major League Baseball in Milwaukee

2/14/2023

MILWAUKEE -- The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) released the following statement from Andrew Davis, Vice President of Government Affairs for MMAC regarding Gov. Evers plan to keep the MLB in Milwaukee:

“MMAC helped lead the effort to pass legislation and secure the follow-on funding to build (then) Miller Park. Our goal was to sustain the asset of Major League Baseball for greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin. That success has led to twenty plus years of marquee publicity, fan enjoyment, and economic impact. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership to find a path forward to extend the current lease until 2043. We look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor as this proposal takes shape.”

Andrew Davis - VP, Government Affairs for MMAC

View the Governor's press release: Gov. Evers Announces Plan to Keep Major League Baseball, Brewers in Milwaukee for 20 More Years >

MMAC Members Approve Slate of New, Returning Directors

1/31/2023

The MMAC board ratified the election of two new directors on January 30, 2023. Additionally, 15 directors were re-elected to three-year terms. Austin Ramirez, president and CEO of Husco International was named Chair-Elect, succeeding current Chair Cathy Jacobsen, president, and CEO of Froedtert Health in 2024. The Board also approved the full slate of officers and three additional director appointments.

Austin Ramirez, Husco International

MMAC announces 15 Focus on the Future awards finalists

7/15/2021

MILWAUKEE – To recognize some of our region’s most inspiring business stories, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) is announcing 15 finalists for the 2021 Focus on the Future awards.

Winners in each of five categories will be revealed at the Focus on the Future awards luncheon on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Italian Community Center. An additional group of companies is being recognized as honorable mentions.

Gov. Evers Announces Advent Tool & Manufacturing to Relocate to Salem Lakes

7/8/2020

Company is latest to invest in Kenosha County

MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers today joined the owner and president of Advent Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., as well as local government and economic development officials, to announce that Advent is relocating its headquarters and production operation from Antioch (IL) to the new Salem Industrial Park, located in the Village of Salem Lakes.

“This is great news for the Village of Salem Lakes, and the entire southeast region of our state, and will bring new opportunities to our communities,” said Gov. Evers. “I want to thank Advent, WEDC, the Milwaukee 7, and all the local officials who helped make this a possibility. The partnerships and relationships these folks have been able to build, truly exemplify why Wisconsin is such a great place to live and work.”

MMAC leadership statements on Governor Evers’ “SafeR at Home” order

3/23/2020

Jonas Prising

From Jonas Prising, Chairman of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup:

“Wisconsin is facing an unprecedented crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. As business leaders, employers and health care providers, we come together to encourage the actions necessary to both minimize the health and economic disruption and protect our communities from the spread of this virus.”

Tim Sheehy

From MMAC President Tim Sheehy:
“We are supportive of Governor Evers’ directive to raise Wisconsin’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe his response is appropriate. But at the same time, we recognize that this is economically challenging. Essential industries must continue to operate in support of health care, testing development, infrastructure, food and beverage, defense and critical path supply chains.

“We have a resilient and determined population. An innovative and adaptable manufacturing capacity. A world-class health care infrastructure. This decision by Governor Evers will add to our economic hardship, but it is also necessary to reduce the real health risks. We support this step so we can come through this crisis and come out stronger. The sooner we start, the quicker we get through to the other side.”

Milwaukee 7 recognizes Racine County Economic Development Corporation with Excellence in Economic Development Award

1/29/2020

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Partnership has recognized the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) with its inaugural Excellence in Economic Development Award, M7 officials announced on Wednesday.

The award, which recognizes outstanding economic development projects and partnerships that have contributed to the economic vitality of the Milwaukee Region, was presented during M7’s annual meeting at Northwestern Mutual’s headquarters in downtown Milwaukee. RCEDC President Greg Barron, Executive Director Jenny Trick and members of the RCEDC staff were present to accept the award.

“Racine County has been a valued and trusted M7 partner over the years, with a mission of connecting communities, facilitating jobs and growing businesses,” M7 co-chair Gale Klappa said. “We thank the team in Racine for all of its hard work and the exceptional contributions it is making to our region’s economic growth and prosperity.”

August Economic Trends

10/4/2019

Metro Milwaukee’s economic trend continues on a sluggish path as less than half of the monthly indicators tracked by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) pointed upward in August. Nine of 23 indictors pointed upward in August, marking the sixth time in the past nine months that positive trending indicators accounted for less than half of the total.

“August’s trend can largely be attributed to two main patterns,” said Bret Mayborne, the MMAC’s economic research director. “Job gains across major industry sectors were increasingly uneven and manufacturing and production indicators posted continuing year over-year declines.”

MMAC Announces Support for Move Forward MKE Effort

9/9/2019

For more than a decade, MMAC has been working to find ways to restructure our state and local tax system in a way that encourages economic growth. For nearly a year now, we have been facilitating discussions with county and municipal leaders throughout Milwaukee County on ways we might make progress toward that goal locally. The Move Forward MKE proposal, announced today with support from MMAC, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb and the mayors of every municipality in Milwaukee County, was a major step toward that goal.

MMAC SCHOOL QUALITY MAP USES NEW REPORT CARD SCORES TO SHINE LIGHT ON MILWAUKEE COUNTY EDUCATION LANDSCAPE

12/11/2018

MILWAUKEE…The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) has updated its interactive Milwaukee County school quality map to include academic results from the 2017-18 school year.

“This web-based tool provides parents and policymakers alike an interactive way to easily identify and quantify quality education options throughout the metro area,” said MMAC President Tim Sheehy.

“Be the Spark” – a program designed to introduce 7th grade MPS students to careers – kicks off 5th year on October 10 at Mitchell Airport

10/8/2018

Milwaukee – MMAC/COSBE will kick off its fifth year of the Be the Spark program on Wednesday, October 10. Milwaukee Public Schools’ Interim Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley will welcome students of Victory K8 School at 11 AM to Southwest Airlines at Mitchell Airport. Southwest has served as a foundational sponsor since the program’s inception. Each year, the airline has hosted the kickoff event, providing a 90-minute tour of its operations and facilities at the airport and introducing students to a range of careers.

Wisconsin manufacturers invited to supply chain workshops

9/13/2018

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC),
in collaboration with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing
& Productivity, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the state’s regional economic
development organizations is hosting five informational workshops throughout the state on supply
chain readiness.

The Supplier Readiness Series will include information to help manufacturers respond to industrial
innovation trends that are impacting the industry, including updates to statewide resources
designed to help improve productivity, prepare for Industry 4.0 and establish a path for global
competitiveness.

News Categories