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.

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.” 

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.”

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.”

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.

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.