M7 welcomes businesses and jobs into Wisconsin

The Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development (M7) is a regional, cooperative economic development platform for the seven counties of southeastern Wisconsin: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha, and Washington. Its mission is to grow, expand and attract diverse businesses and talent in the region. Funded by both private and public money, the organization helps companies expand or relocate in the Milwaukee region. These companies, in turn, create a ripple effect of growth for the entire region.

M7 answered the call of Advent Tool and Manufacturing in 2020. Founded in 1974 by Jim Hartford, the manufacturer of machine tool accessories was located in Antioch, Illinois.

Hartford was looking for a new facility for this thriving business. He viewed a new facility in the Salem Industrial Park located in Trevor, Wisconsin. The development had a 25,000-foot building available that was ideal for the growing business and its staff of skilled machinists. Despite the new facility being just five miles away from Advent’s former headquarters, the Salem Industrial Park is located in a different state.

Crossing the state border made all of the difference for the business.

Led by M7, and with the assistance of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA), the team put together a plan to help Advent move the company, and the new jobs created through the company’s growth, into Wisconsin.

The relocation has brought about positive changes for all involved.

“We are proud to call Wisconsin our new home,” said Hartford. “The state is an ideal location for our business, providing a stable and business-friendly environment to support our growth plans. We are excited to write Advent’s next chapter in Wisconsin and to join the impressive list of manufacturers already in the state.”

The local community is just as excited to welcome Advent into Wisconsin.

Michael Murdock, village administrator for Salem Lakes, stated that “now more than ever, it’s important to have good companies providing living wage jobs in our community. The Salem Business Park was an innovative partnership between our community, KABA and Kenosha County, and we’re excited to see what it was intended to be.”

Advent Tool and Manufacturing is one of the many companies that are doing business in Wisconsin, thanks to the efforts of the M7 team.

“We’re thrilled that Advent has chosen southeastern Wisconsin for this significant investment,” said M7 Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Jim Paetsch. “Advent is precisely the kind of company that we want and can well support. The company’s decision to invest here highlights – once again – our success in attracting new companies to Wisconsin.”

Michael Murdock Village Administrator

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A unique (though not uncommon) nuance of my business ownership is that my partner and I see things differently. Through

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My Roundtable group has been a wonderful source of support with some occasional (needed) tough love! It’s great to interact with others who experience many of the same wins and battles I do as an entrepreneur.”

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We’ve gotten new business through our Roundtable connections, but we’ve also learned about – and used -other small businesses while expanding our network with additional introductions through our participation!”

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RACHEL BAHR President

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8 Full time employees

8 full time employees