Milwaukee Commerce Magazine - Summer 2022 by MMAC

MILWAUKEE COMMERCE Summer 2022 - Volume 101, No. 2

Milwaukee’s

Lucky Number

Seven counties, one team: How the M7 Partnership for Economic Development is delivering jobs and capital investment for the region.

Bettering businesses, prioritizing people

414.298.1000

2 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

reinhartlaw.com

Better Together Southeastern Wisconsin is home to a diverse, talented, hard-working, and well-educated workforce. In the current environment, businesses of all sizes Al Orr and in all industries CEO are challenged to hire Reinhart and retain the talent they need to fulfill their mission. The result is a frothy jobs market. Employers are raising wages, paying signing and referral bonuses, and offering increasingly flexible work arrangements. And yet, jobs go unfilled. This is true across the country, and it’s true all over the M7 region. The hot jobs market might lead an observer to conclude that the region doesn’t need more employers competing for an already scarce resource. But supporters of economic growth in our region know otherwise. Growth is essential to opportunity. Opportunity is created when world-class manufacturers choose to relocate to or expand in our communities. Positioning southeastern

Wisconsin as a region of opportunity will ultimately create an expanded workforce moving here (or staying here) for opportunity. We all compete. We all compete with each other for workers. We compete with each other for clients and customers. And competition makes us stronger. Competition drives innovation, and it creates opportunities. However, when it comes to making southeastern Wisconsin a region of choice for employers and employees alike, we must compete together. We must collaborate to bring new opportunity into our communities. We must compete together to showcase our region’s unique strengths, and collaborate to work on our limitations. This kind of collaboration generates more potential clients and customers for us, more support for the needs of community organizations, more innovation, and more investment in our infrastructure. We must invest together in the power of future possibilities. For all these reasons, Reinhart is proud to renew our support of the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development.

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CONTENTS/ Sharpening our regional economic development efforts When the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development launched in 2005, the mission was clear. How we’d get there? Not so much.

How M7 delivers value:

Up to that point, the seven counties of Southeastern Wisconsin were on their own when it came to attracting new businesses, encouraging existing businesses to stay put and helping them expand. M7 had a different approach: Working as a region, we could all do more together than any one of us could do on their own.

Invest in our future and the prosperity of the Milwaukee Region Getting the strategy right Every business benefits Marketing the region for new investment Talent fuels growth Your investment drives success

It wasn’t always easy. It took time and effort – and, to be sure, a certain amount of trial and error -- to build trust among local economic development professionals and other officials who were skilled and talented, but saw each another as competitors rather than neighbors.

What goes into a win?

The tone changed when the wins started rolling in.

10 12 14 16 18

Behind the scenes with M7’s Jim Paetsch: How we bring new companies to Southeastern Wisconsin

Q & A with M7’s Rebecca Gries

Since M7’s founding in 2005, it has produced: •121 wins providing more than 25,000 jobs •Combined payroll of $1.5 billion •$3.8 billion in new capital investment

M7 Case Studies

But this work takes time and resources. To help the Milwaukee Region remain globally competitive in an ever-changing and challenging landscape, M7 launched the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development campaign, setting a fundraising goal of $6 million by 2025 to sharpen our regional economic development efforts. In this issue of Milwaukee Commerce, we’ll look at why this work is so important – and how you can support it.

Nexus Pharmaceuticals 29 Black Husky Brewing 30 Grand Craft Boats 31

Leadership Council Economic Development Survey Results 32

Regional Economic Development Priorities Volume 101, No. 2 - Milwaukee Commerce (USPS 546-370, ISN 0746-6706) is published four times a year by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), 275 W Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 220 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203 Periodicals postage paid at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Subscriptions $5 per year for members, included in dues. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Milwaukee Commerce - MMAC/Andrea Medved 275 W Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 220 Milwaukee, WI 53203

Key members give their vision for Milwaukee’s future 34

Start Up Story: Renaissant Trucking 37

In Every Issue:

Cathy Jacobson, MMAC Chair Tim Sheehy, MMAC President Chris Jenkins, Editor (cjenkins@mmac.org) Anna Reaves, Graphic Design (areaves@mmac.org) Jane Backes, Advertising (jbackes@mmac.org)

42 MMAC Event Photos 51 Member Milestones 52 New MMAC Members Staff Directory 57

Thank you to our advertisers Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren J.H Findorff & Sons Wintrust Commercial Banking Associated Bank Delta Dental

4 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

2 6 20 26 36

Spectrum Reach Wells Concrete Discover Milwaukee SVA Certified Public Accountants CG Scmitdt

38 40 41 46 48

Building Advantage Weber Advising Zoological Society JCP Construction UnitedHealthcare

50 52 53 54 58

THE NEW M7 CAMPAIGN:

Invest in the success of our region’s economy At a time when economic uncertainty rules the day, you may find it reassuring to know that we have a dedicated team that wakes up every day thinking about how to enhance the Milwaukee Region’s ability to compete on a national and global stage – both today and in the future. I know I do. Since 2005, the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development has served to unite the seven counties of Southeastern Wisconsin and coordinate efforts to attract, retain and grow the businesses and talented employees that serve as the heartbeat of our regional economy. But the M7 team can’t do the work they do without support – and that’s where you come in. In this issue of Milwaukee Commerce, we’ll introduce the M7 Partnership for Economic Development Campaign for 2022-2025, and make the case for how an investment in this campaign benefits you, your business and our region. As of the writing of this column, we have commitments of over $4 million as we reach toward our overall goal of $6 million.

These investments support: Jobs and capital investment

Talent development

Strategy

With 21 corporate attraction and expansion wins, accounting for 4,960 new jobs (56% of goal), and $1.08 billion in capital investment (100% of goal), the M7 team is well on its way to achieving goals it has set for 2025. These projects are delivering jobs with an average wage of $71,487 -- 42% above the average regional wage.

Whether a company is new to the region, expanding in the region, or a legacy employer, developing, retaining, and advancing talent is central to success. M7 is investing in proprietary workforce analytics to help companies and education partners better match existing and emerging talent to employer needs. Your investment also supports the Region of Choice initiative to increase representation of Black and Brown talent at all levels of employment.

Employing the expertise of site selection professionals, we will update the strategy that has been so successful in guiding our effort over the past decade. We are developing a forward-looking assessment of the region’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the threats and opportunities we face, to remain globally competitive.

Since M7’s inception, 121 project wins have produced more than 25,000 jobs, with a combined payroll of $1.5 billion and $3.8 billion in new capital investment. These “but for M7” results help fuel the region’s prosperity. Your investment funds research, marketing and outreach to locationally active companies. It provides a one-stop shop for staffing, site visits, proposals and meeting the ongoing needs of companies after they invest here.

If you already have pledged a contribution to the new M7 campaign, thank you! If not, please consider supporting this team and those efforts moving forward. Building on a strong track record, we will go further together.

Tim Sheehy MMAC President mmac.org | 5

MILWAUKEE 7 Building signature landmarks across Southeastern Wisconsin

Racine County Racine County

Waukesha County Racine County

KenoshaCounty County Racine

Walworth County Racine County

Washington County Racine County

6 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

OzaukeeCounty County Racine

Milwaukee County Racine County

Building better by going beyond in Southeastern Wisconsin In 1975, Findorff made a commitment to the Milwaukee community and southeastern Wisconsin. Fast-forward 47 years, we are proud of our Milwaukee roots, and continue to evolve our footprint and commitment here. Not only have we developed who we are in the 414, but our presence and resources beyond the city have grown – notably those in the M7. We are equally as proud as we are thankful for the relationships we’ve developed with those in the M7 regions and the landmarks we’ve been a part of building. The continued development and growth in these areas is remarkable. Many of the relationships forged years ago remain and continue to prosper today, representing Findorff’s long term commitment to surrounding communities. Continuous efforts led by the Milwaukee 7 Development Partnership have been and will continue to be essential in prospering a healthy development and business environment throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Findorff made the pledge that we will do what it takes to build up our communities to help our cities and people thrive for many more years to come. From schools in Waukesha and Ozaukee County to residential living in Milwaukee County, banks in Walworth County to parking structures in Kenosha County, community pools in Racine County to manufacturing spaces in Washington County – Findorff builds with one top priority: the people who live, work, and play in these facilities. Thank you to our partners, the M7, and communities who continue to put their trust in Findorff. The past 75 years in Milwaukee have been something special to look back on, and the next 75 are going to be even brighter.

Eric Wynn General Manager Southeast Wisconsin J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. https://findorff.com/

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Invest in

our future

and the prosperity of the Milwaukee Region Together, we can go further, faster.

Partnership for Economic Development

The Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development brings together diverse private and public sector leaders all focused on one goal: to better compete for jobs, talent and investment in Southeast Wisconsin. This campaign will ensure a vibrant future — building on a track record of success, aspiring to greater accomplishments, and elevating the Milwaukee Region on the world stage. This campaign allows us to build on our strong foundation and partnerships. The economy is changing faster than ever. The region needs to be ready to capture business growth.

8 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

M7 track record of success - 2005 to date

121

attraction & expansion wins

• 25,899 jobs with an average wage of $59,130* • $3.8 billion in pledged capital investment* • $1.5 billion in annual payroll* *Results based on company projections at time of M7 engagement

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Getting the strategy right To compete and win, Milwaukee 7 needs the latest market intelligence, a thorough understanding of our assets and opportunities, best-in-practice tools and the team to execute and improve this region as a place to invest capital and create jobs. M7 will conduct in-depth research to assess our driver industries, evaluate our talent needs and define our targets. This important work will give us the edge we need to win new projects and strengthen existing companies. Understanding the competitiveness of the Milwaukee Region is critical to maintaining and growing our economy. Since its last assessment, the region has undergone significant changes in its demographics, new industry entrants to the market, and place-based assets that are re-defining the region’s quality of life. An updated strategic plan will provide an objective analysis of the region’s strengths and weaknesses, and actionable recommendations. We will consider:

• Cost variables (labor, utilities, taxes, incentives, real estate) • Non-cost variables (talent availability, risk, site suitability, utility service, ecosystem) • Opportunities and threats stimulated by industry transformation and shifts arising from technological innovations like electric vehicles and renewable energy

10 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

The M7 team will plan the work and work the plan, armed with the insights and information needed to succeed

INDUSTRY ANALYSIS

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

SYNTHESIS SWOT ANALYSIS

We will work with site selection experts to update industry perspectives, produce an objective analysis of the region’s strengths and weaknesses and develop actionable recommendations. The process will include: • Examining the region’s competitive positioning for each of the 7 driver industries in a SWOT framework • Identifying opportunities and threats stimulated by industry transformation and secular shifts arising from technological innovations • Identifying macro trends impacting each of the driver industries and their impact on the sector’s opportunity to grow in the region

• Conducting comparative analysis of the region to competitor locations, expected to include regional, national, and “better-in-class” competitors • Recommending strategies that M7 can deploy to improve the region’s competitiveness for attraction and retention/expansion projects

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Every business benefits Milwaukee 7 is the one organization operating on behalf of the region to help local businesses expand and attract companies to Southeast Wisconsin from across the country and around the world. We work together with local and state organizations to leverage real estate, financing, talent sourcing and incentives.

When a company expands or relocates to the Milwaukee area, the entire region benefits. These projects have a multiplier effect -- generating indirect jobs, employee spending and supply chain activation – stimulating local economies and adding to the state and local tax base.

Estimated worker spending impact (in millions) Milwaukee Tool recently opened an office for its Hand Tools team in downtown Milwaukee, creating 2,649 direct and indirect jobs. The collective impact of these workers’ earnings enriches the entire region. Housing | $27.4 Utilities | $8.5

Restaurants | $7.0 Groceries | $9.7 Philanthropy | $3.2 Education | $1.6 Retirement & Life Insurance $11.3 Personal & Discretionary $15.2

Transportation | $21.9

Clothing | $3.6 Medical | $10.3

Our valued state and local partners

12 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

“80% Up to

of job growth in any community is generated by the businesses

already located there. ” Source: MIT

Help homegrown companies Milwaukee 7 helps to cultivate a vibrant business climate that encourages growth from within. We partner with economic development organizations throughout the region to find solutions for companies looking to expand. Over the last decade, Milwaukee Tool has expanded significantly across the region, and M7 has been a vital partner in that growth. From its initial location in Brookfield, the company expanded its global headquarters, added new Waukesha and Washington county locations, and recently opened a building in downtown Milwaukee. In total, these projects account for more than 3,000 new jobs with an average annual salary of $75,000+.

< STEVE RICHMAN

Group President, Milwaukee Tool

Komatsu Mining

Generac

OpenGov

348 new jobs $285 million capital investment Milwaukee, WI

700 new jobs $53 million capital investment Pewaukee, WI

65 new jobs $400,000 capital investment Milwaukee, WI

Construction, mining, forestry, and industrial equipment manufacturer

Manufactures backup power generation products

Cloud ERP software for government agencies

“Milwaukee Tool has been an important partner with Habitat for Humanity, sending hundreds of volunteers to our build sites and donating world-class tools for our construction teams. Milwaukee Tool has helped dozens of families achieve the self-reliance that homeownership provides.” < Maria Steinert Construction Systems Coordinator Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County mmac.org | 13

Marketing the region for new investment M7’s strategy to identify locationally active companies and make a compelling case for the region’s many assets has been highly successful over the past 15 years. And we are poised to win even more of these projects in the coming years. Competing as a united region allows us to think bigger and broaden opportunities. M7 provides the data research, project management and behind-the-scenes

support to guide companies from their first visit through the opening of their new plant or office. M7 has successfully closed deals and attracted foreign direct investment from companies in Germany, China, India, Great Britain and Italy. Many of our recent wins have resulted from Wisconsin’s favorable business environment, particularly attractive to companies across the border in Illinois.

Helping businesses of all sizes locate or expand in the region Business attraction wins span diverse industries and have included Nexus Pharmaceuticals, Vonco, Black Husky Brewing, Grand Craft Boats and HARIBO confectionery with its first North American manufacturing facility.

14 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Nosco 350 new jobs $7.5 million capital investment Pleasant Prairie, WI Health care packaging manufacturer

R+D Custom Automation

The Expert Institute

64 new jobs $6.5 million capital investment Salem Lakes, WI Leading provider of customized automation systems

75 new jobs $95,000 capital investment Milwaukee, WI Legal software firm that connects attorneys with subject matter experts

Candy company calls MKE home HARIBO, the German-based maker of the original gummi bears candy, broke ground on its first North American manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie in December 2020. Construction of the $325 million, 500,000-square-foot facility continues, and the company expects to begin manufacturing production in early 2023.

< RICK LABERGE

M7 Campaign Co-chair, Executive Vice President & COO HARIBO of America

mmac.org | 15

Talent Fuels growth Business cannot thrive without the talent to drive their innovation and productivity. This truth has never been more evident than it is today. Employers need best-in-practice resources to develop, attract, diversify and retain their talent base. Ensuring we have the talent needed is paramount to growing the region and a critical component of this campaign.

By 2025, M7 driver industries will need thousands more employees in high-demand positions:

4,300

CNC Operators

8,700

5,200

Software Developers

7,700

First-line Production Supervisors

5,300

Electrical Assemblers

16 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

5,900

Industrial Engineers

Welders

5,100

Quality Control Technicians & Testers

4,200

Mechanical Engineers

using data to understand and anticipate labor market forces

Developing the talent that’s here Convening businesses and higher educational institutions, we’re able to inform academic programs to current and future industry needs. Thanks to the Bucyrus Foundation, we are launching a Manufacturing Career roundtable with broad business participation to specifically address the workforce challenges in our leading driver industry. By generating an ongoing region-wide skills analysis, we’re identifying in-demand careers, supply and demand of skills, and opportunity gaps to highlight upskilling, reskilling, and career pathways.

Fully engaging our diverse population Creating workplaces that are equitable and inclusive will give regional employers a competitive edge and improve the bottom line. MMAC and M7 are working on “Making Milwaukee a Region of Choice for All.” This initiative addresses racial disparities by expanding opportunities for Black and Brown talent by increasing representation in overall employment by 15% and management by 25%. We are measuring our progress to meet or exceed these goals in the next five years. More than 120 companies are participating in the Region of Choice collective, sharing challenges, celebrating successes and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the region.

Recruiting out-of-market talent M7 supports employer recruitment strategies by identifying targeted geographic areas with high concentrations of workers with particular skills and areas that have a surplus of key skillsets. The Milwaukee 7 has invested in a proprietary labor market intelligence tool to inform talent attraction and development. This tool will support businesses by aligning education and training, establishing datainformed policy and connecting job seekers and employers based on skills and demand.

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GOAL: $6 million

2020-2025 Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development Campaign

Raised to date:

$4.3 million

Your investment drives success “M7 has a strong track record of success. With the right resources, we can continue this success. Every business in the region benefits from effective economic development.” GALE KLAPPA M7 Campaign Co-chair Executive Chairman, WEC Energy Group

Join your peers

See who’s already made a commitment.

www.mke7.com/investors

18 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Moving the needle to improve our standing among peer metros For every

$906

- invested in MILWAUKEE 7

ONE JOB IS CREATED WITH AN AVERAGE WAGE OF $59,130 17.5% higher than the regional average wage

Our prosperity is dependent on keeping pace and exceeding peers* on these key indicators. Peer Metro Change Population, 2010-2020 Median Change: 6.2%

Employment, 2011-2021 Median Change: 9.6%

Real GDP per capita, 2010-2020 Median Change: 8.0%

Median Household Income, 2016-19 Median Change: 4.9%

Milwaukee 7 funding sources 13% PUBLIC

Education Attainment, 2016-19 Median Change: 1.2%

Net Migration, 2010-2019

87% PRIVATE

Median Change: 4.9%

Milwaukee Change

+1.2% +2.1% +2.0% +13.5% +1.9% -2.5%

*Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis

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BILL STONE

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Senior Vice President Wintrust Commercial Banking at Town Bank, N.A. cwendt@wintrust.com 414-255-1041

CHRIS HABJAN

RAHIM KEVAL

LAUREN HESS

Vice President Wintrust Commercial Banking at Town Bank, N.A. chabjan@wintrust.com 414-255-1009

Vice President Wintrust Commercial Banking at Town Bank, N.A. rkeval@wintrust.com 414-255-1010

townbank.us/partnerships

20 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Vice President Wintrust Treasury Management Wisconsin Team Lead lhess@wintrust.com 262-443-6344

Sustainable Supply Chains — Are You Ready? Globally, governments have enacted sustainability and supply chain laws holding companies responsible for the environmental impacts of their chains and the U.S. may soon follow.

As some countries are known to be higher risk, common practices like Low-Cost Country Sourcing (LCCS) have greatly increased the ESG risks that lay within a company’s value chain.

Recently, companies have taken strides in unlocking the value in their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. Still, companies face challenges in adopting sustainability practices.

Meanwhile, according to IBM, consumers select brands based on how they align with their personal values. With sustainability a deciding factor, consumers want information on sourcing, how products are made or processed, and how they’re delivered.

The evolving regulatory landscape • In 2023, with expansion in 2024, Germany’s new Supply Chain Due Diligence Act requires large companies to ensure social and environmental standards are observed in their supply chains. • In February 2022, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. • In March 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed new rules aiming to enhance and standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. The proposed rules would cover both Scope 1 and 2 and require registrants to disclose information about their direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and indirect emissions. In addition, if the registrant has a GHG emissions target or goal that includes Scope 3 emissions, they will be required to disclose from upstream and downstream activities in its value chain, with smaller companies being exempt.

With increased supply chain complexity and challenges of gathering data, limited supply chain visibility beyond tier 1 remains a real threat. “Many organizations are leaving themselves exposed to potential supply chain disruption and margin erosion by having limited visibility of their supply chains beyond the first tier,” reports a Deloitte survey.

Supply chain mapping; the first step in mitigating your risks To combat the threats of opaque supply chains and the unforeseen risks, many companies are now turning to mapping. Mapping beyond tier-1 supply chain allows for increased transparency and more effective risk mitigation. Although it’s impossible to mitigate all your risks, today’s technology allows for improved governance. Digital solutions are empowering companies to increase supply chain transparency, and perform the due diligence customers, employees, and investors expect.

Value chains are being scrutinized like never before Supply chains have long since transitioned from linear and mostly domestic to intricate and interdependent global networks.

Glenn Margraff Executive Vice President Wintrust Commercial Banking at Town Bank, N.A. https://www.townbank.us/

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WHAT GOES INTO A WIN? Go behind the scenes with Jim Paetsch on how M7 recruits companies to Southeastern Wisconsin

hen Jim Paetsch makes his initial pitch to a company that may be interested in moving to the Milwaukee Region, you might expect him to take over the meeting with a filibuster of statistics about our business-friendly environment, skilled work force, high quality of life and reasonable cost of living. But Paetsch, the Executive Director and Senior Vice President for Corporate Expansion and Attraction at the Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development, keeps that part surprisingly short – at least at the beginning. “Initial meetings are about starting to build that trust, getting them to understand what my role is and how I can help,” Paetsch says. “But much more importantly, it’s a bad meeting if I’m doing all the talking. If that’s taken more than 60 seconds, that’s too long. Then I start asking questions.” • What can you tell us about your company? • What are your growth plans? • What are your workforce needs? • What sort of property & facilities are you ideally looking for? • Where are your customers and suppliers located? “It would be unusual for me to walk out of a meeting not having a pretty decent feel for what’s important to that company, and what they’re thinking about doing,” Paetsch says.

Want to move your business to Southeastern Wisconsin? M7 is here to help. Relocating is one of the most important decisions a company can make. What does it take to help business leaders work through the process? A lot of work behind the scenes, informed by years of experience and powered by a strong collaborative network throughout the seven-county M7 region. Here’s an overview of the steps M7 took in a business attraction project:

22 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

JUNE 2020: Notification from WEDC that company may be interested in relocating to Southeastern Wisconsin

JUNE 2020: Initial meeting with company executives

JULY 2020: Assemble list of six potential land sites and arrange visits

AUGUST 2020: Narrow list to three potential sites in two counties

Recently, Paetsch walked Milwaukee Commerce through all the behind-thescenes work he and the M7 team have done on a new business attraction project – a project that, as of our deadline, was not quite ready to announce to the public yet. (Stay tuned!) In late 2020, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. told Paetsch about a Northern Illinois-based industrial equipment manufacturer that may be interested in moving to Southeastern Wisconsin. Paetsch reached out to the company – a mid-size, family-

held business – and set up an initial meeting at their current headquarters.

“Initial meetings are about starting to build that trust, getting them to understand what my role is and how I can help.”

After some discussion about our tax climate and workforce, they jumped into more specific details. And while real estate isn’t necessarily the most important aspect of a business attraction project, Paetsch says it can serve as a good organizing principle for discussions. “So, for example, let’s just say somebody tells you, ‘We need 300,000 square feet,’” Paetsch says. “Well, that starts to narrow what’s possible really quickly because there just aren’t a lot of buildings with 300,000 square feet that are vacant. Another thing that real estate does is it gets you thinking about labor access, it gets you thinking about logistics. It’s a really good way to narrow down, and understand better what’s important to the company.” The process is deliberate, because the stakes are high for the company -- just to build the shell of an industrial building, for example, will cost approximately $115 per square foot.

Ingeteam, a manufacturer of wind turbine components, was an early example of M7’s ability to market the Milwaukee Region on an international basis.

“That’s serious money for a company,” Paetsch says. “This is where the inquiry part of this is so important. It’s getting a feel for how this facility gets used. Some companies might say, ‘We don’t

want a showplace, we don’t bring customers here, we want something that’s economical.’ You pick your attribute. It’s hard to identify the right real estate play until you know what’s important to them. They know their company way better than we ever will.” This process is uniquely challenging for smaller companies. While a large company may look at new locations globally all the time, a smaller company might consider moving once in a generation – or not at all. “This is a process that most of them just aren’t used to,” Paetsch says. “Being able to give them a roadmap, help them navigate, be with them every step of the way and give them advice when it’s appropriate gives them a full picture for operating in Southeastern Wisconsin.”

Continued on page 24

SEPTEMBER 2020 – JUNE 2022: Guide company officials through due diligence on each site

FEBRUARY 2022: Connect company with county and municipal officials

APRIL 2022: Connect company with professional service advisors, including architectural and construction firms

COMING SOON: Company officials make relocation decision.

FOLLOWING UP: After a relocation decision, M7 team continues to help company navigate challenges and achieve success

mmac.org | 23

Continued from page 23 Based on the company’s feedback, Paetsch and the M7 team determined that building a new facility, rather than finding an existing building, would best suit their needs. One important factor: The company wanted to retain as many of its current employees as possible, so a site near the Wisconsin/Illinois border was a priority. From an initial list of several sites, they narrowed in on three potential sites in two counties. M7 then put the company in touch with advisors to help with every step of the process, including architectural and construction firms. “We have a really good, deep, trusted network. So when we don’t know the answers to things, we know who to ask, and we know how to shortcut that in a way that makes things simple for the company,” Paetsch says. “We want it to be a one-stop shop. No company has the patience to talk to 30 different people to figure out if this is the right play. They’d rather just deal with one, and then I deal with the 30 people we need to put the deal together.” Having collaborative, highfunctioning relationships with M7’s partners – WEDC, the governor’s office, municipalities, the counties, professional service providers – is critical. “M7 is not capable on its own to put these things together,” Paetsch says. “We need to work closely with others. I think building those relationships is critical, but having those relationships is what makes the work fun.”

Since M7’s founding in 2005, it has produced 121 project wins providing more than 25,000 jobs, with a combined payroll of $1.5 billion and $3.8 billion in new capital investment. Paetsch has played a key role in most of them – and may soon put another win on the board through his work on the project detailed in this story. But even after a deal is announced, Paetsch and the M7 team will continue to follow up with the company to make sure it has everything it needs to succeed. “It’s not just about getting to a press event or a ribbon cutting,” Paetsch says. “We want to make sure that when they come here, long term, they can be successful.” What makes Paetsch passionate about the work he does? It’s a combination of the satisfaction he gets from helping to create high-value jobs that put more money in more people’s pockets, plus the feeling of accomplishment when he drives past a 150,000 square foot factory with 250 employees that used to be a vacant field. Competing is fun, too. “We have a terrific region with lots of different assets,” Paetsch says. “And I like the competitive part of convincing companies that this is the right place to invest. It gets the juices flowing a little bit. And one thing I’ve learned above all else: Winning is much more enjoyable than losing.”

“Having collaborative, high-functioning relationships with M7’s partners – WEDC, the governor’s office, municipalities, the counties, professional service providers – is critical.“

24 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Q & A: Rebecca Gries

Vice President of Corporate Attraction and Expansion

Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development Congratulations to M7’s Rebecca Gries, who recently was named to Consultant Connect’s 2022 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers and promoted to M7 Vice President of Corporate Attraction and Expansion. In her role, she markets Southeastern Wisconsin to attract companies looking to expand or relocate, and assists them through their decision process. She also helps companies already located here find the resources they need to continue growing. A native of Dousman, Wisconsin, Gries has a political science degree from St. Norbert College and a master’s in global policy from Loyola (Chicago) University. Recently,

Q: What are some memorable projects you’ve worked on? A: That is a hard one because each is unique and adds something different to the community. Last year, Generac Power Systems approached us because they were looking to invest in the company and expand their employee base, and they were considering doing that in multiple locations including the M7 region. Over five months M7 and our state and local partners worked with the Generac team, and ultimately, they chose to put 700 new jobs in the State of Wisconsin. It was amazing to work with a company that is changing and innovating in front of our eyes and started right here in my backyard and chose to continue to grow those roots here. Another great one is OpenGov, a software company that started in Silicon Valley. It was fun working with a tech-based company and it really proved that Milwaukee is a great location for the software industry, as well as advanced manufacturing which we are known for. There is one more, in particular, I am very excited about but can’t talk about yet. Q: Why did this work interest you? A: Selling Southeastern Wisconsin -- a place I grew up in and a place I love – to the rest of the world was really exciting. And getting to know different companies and working with our partners across the region and state who are also passionate about this work is amazing. Q: What are some trends you’re seeing in economic development? A: Workforce used to be ranked third, fourth, or even fifth in companies’ minds when they are making a location decision. Now if it’s not number one, it’s number two. So we have had to change some of the ways we sell Southeastern Wisconsin because of the new emphasis on being near or attracting workforce. And the rise of automation goes hand in hand with workforce challenges. If companies can’t find enough talent, turning to automation is another option. It’ll be interesting to see how that will be influential in our local and state policies as well as education programs and see how that will shift economic development moving forward.

Q: What did the Consultant Connect award mean to you?

Q: What is a book, podcast or streaming show you would recommend to others?

A: There are a lot of site selectors and consultants that keep track of this kind of thing, and it brings a spotlight to Milwaukee and our region. It was also really reassuring. Especially since I didn’t even know this job existed three and a half years ago, and I’ve just been slowly learning and trying to understand what I’m doing, trying to get better at it and make the right connections and relationships. Just knowing that I’m on the right track is a real confidence booster and helps me move forward.

A: The Plain English with Derek Thompson podcast is fantastic. He’s an Atlantic writer, and he takes topics in the headlines and breaks them down and makes them more digestible. For two streaming shows: WeCrashed, which is based on WeWork, and The Dropout, talking about Theranos. It’s interesting how we, as a genre, are looking at startup culture and Silicon Valley and how looking back at these companies we can better understand how that world works and how it has changed how we do business as a society.

“

Selling Southeastern Wisconsin — a place I grew up in and a place I love — to the rest of the world was really exciting.

“

Milwaukee Commerce caught up with Rebecca to learn a little more about her and the work she does for M7:

Q: What are some of your favorite things to do in the Milwaukee Region?

Q: Who is your favorite historical figure and why?

A: Since we’re getting into the summer months, beer gardens and wineries with friends, family – and my dog! Being on a boat, the lake or a river – there are so many options to be on some body of water. And I’m not an amazing golfer, but the ability to golf on a really cool course at a reasonable price is fantastic, my husband and I really enjoy it. Lastly, supper clubs are such a unique environment in Wisconsin, and we love the community and homey atmosphere - we are determined to find the best fish fry in town.

A: This is a hard one because I love history. But one that always pops into my head first is Teddy Roosevelt. He obviously, like most past presidents, has done some controversial things. But I think he was so influential in his time and very progressive. He started the national parks system, challenged monopolies, and built up our international relations policy. What he did really reverberated through our history and had a lasting impact. Modern-day past presidents from both sides of the aisle have held him up as a person of influence for them.

Q: You have visitors in from out of town. Where do you take them? A: If it’s the summer months, I try to get them on a boat. People are shocked by the skyline and all the really cool things to do along the river. For a prospect, typically I want to bring them to a restaurant that shows off good Wisconsin food. Anything that has a great view of the city or the lake is my go-to. And I love providing tours for prospects – I’m a history buff and I tend to get really excited to show off Downtown Milwaukee and the amazing communities throughout the M7 region.

Q: What’s a piece of Milwaukee history that you enjoy sharing with visitors? A: The three main founders of Milwaukee all hated each other, and two of the main founders, Juneau and Kilbourn, really hated each other. The Milwaukee River divided their territories, and they did not want people from each other’s communities passing over into the others. So they intentionally built roads so they wouldn’t line up properly. If you notice on a map, if you’re looking down at Milwaukee, most of our bridges are on angles to connect those roads. It’s a fascinating part of history that you can still see today. mmac.org | 25

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26 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Is your business banking keeping up with your business? While dozens of internationally known corporations have chosen the Milwaukee area for their headquarters, there are thousands and thousands of smaller businesses that also drive our local economy forward. They supply parts and warehousing space for larger manufacturers, dayto-day services for our communities and employment for thousands of workers. It’s no secret that the financial services industry has radically changed in the past decade. Community banks face strong competition from larger banks on the coasts—not just for customers, but in the services they offer. And these “big banks,” in their quest for efficiency, have opted for more automated account servicing and less banker-to-business interaction. At Associated Bank, we’ve seen these changes—and have kept up with them. For one, we’ve focused on robust technology solutions that make day-to-day tasks like HR and treasury management easier. More importantly, we continue to deliver a service model of local relationship managers—a critical component when you’re making big decisions that affect your company’s next move. It’s part and parcel of our core mission to offer financial services to the Midwest. Because we’re based here, we know the benefits, opportunities and challenges of doing business here.

Many mid-sized businesses start with their local community bank. Often, they’ve known and trusted their bankers for decades. But once they hit a certain threshold—say, going from a startup to a multi- millionper-year concern—they may need financial tools their community bank can’t offer. That’s where Associated Bank wins in business banking. “We’re interested in welcoming new business customers who want a higher level of services and financial products as well as the chance to still meet face-to-face with a local relationship manager,” says Keith Prusko, business banking team leader. “The result is a richer, more efficient consultation that not only fits your needs but can uncover other connections in the market who might be able to help your company grow.” We realize we can only be successful if the communities in which we operate are also successful. By sharing our expertise and financial support, Associated Bank is proud to provide lending initiatives and investments, creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to fully participate in and share the rewards of building economic stability in our communities. If you’re interested in getting the most from a business banking relationship, feel free to reach out to any of our bankers or visit our website at AssociatedBank.com/Business.

Keith Prusko Business Banking Team Leader Associated Bank https://www.associatedbank.com/business

mmac.org | 27

The

Ripple Effect M7’s work strengthens the Milwaukee Region’s economy

It’s a core tenet of economic development: When a company sells its goods and services to clients outside the region it calls home, it amplifies that company’s impact on the broader regional economy. When a new-to-market company moves to Southeastern Wisconsin, or one of our homegrown companies expands here, it creates value in a region by bringing in more income and jobs -- new income that their employees spend on housing, education, services, retail and entertainment. These companies also spend themselves, whether it’s

through their supply chains to bring products and services to market or on their own hospitality efforts, including hotels, restaurants, sports and entertainment throughout the region. These are the ripple effects of a company’s success that have a deep impact throughout the seven-county Milwaukee Region. Without this net new income, our economy would

stagnate, essentially running on recycled dollars. That’s why these kinds of projects are the main focus of M7’s economic development efforts. But what does that look like in the real world? Here, we’ll look at a few examples of recent M7 project wins and the economic impact they’re making in our region.

Interested in investing in the Milwaukee 7?

Contact Lynn Olberding at 414/287-4177 or lolberding@mmac.org To learn more about the Milwaukee 7, visit mke7.com

28 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

“M7 did an excellent job communicating the Wisconsin value proposition, which factored importantly into our decision to site our new production operation in Pleasant Prairie.” Mariam Darsot CEO, Nexus Pharmaceuticals

Nexus Pharmaceuticals nexuspharma.net

Project Metrics: Industry:

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Nexus Pharmaceuticals chose southeastern Wisconsin as the home for its first injectable drug manufacturing facility. Nexus is a woman-owned, privately held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, and produces specialty and generic injectable drugs relied upon by hospitals across the U.S. The new Pleasant Prairie facility will support the production and supply of drugs in an array of therapeutic areas, including anesthesia, oncology, cardiovascular and neurology.

Nexus plans a multi-phase project with a total investment of $250 million over 10 years, with the first phase an $85 million three-story production facility completed in 2021. Milwaukee 7 partnered with the Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA), Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), and the Village of Pleasant Prairie to facilitate Nexus’s expansion to Wisconsin.

Direct jobs:

200 Capital expenditure:

$250 million Annual Payroll:

$17.5 million Location:

Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Milwaukee 7 role: • Assisted the company in its site search and facilitated conversations with state and local partners, which worked together to enable to the project. • Continues to support Nexus Pharmaceuticals with workforce development through connections to local colleges, universities, and other regional partners.

mmac.org | 29

“If we had not had the assistance of Jim Paetsch and the Milwaukee 7 team, we would not be where we are at this point. We are brewers. We have no experience navigating all the unknown complications of moving a business.” Tim Eichinger Owner of Black Husky Brewing

Black Husky Brewing blackhuskybrewing.com

Project Metrics: Industry:

Craft Beer Direct jobs:

10 Jobs Capital expenditure:

$350,000 Annual Payroll:

$1 million Location:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

30 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Tim and Toni Eichinger founded Black Husky Brewing in 2010 in rural Marinette County, Wisconsin, just south of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Eichingers were soon loading kegs and bottles into their van and transporting to Milwaukee where local bars and restaurants were enthusiastic about selling their beer. When the time came to be closer the majority of their customers, the Eichingers reached out to M7 for assistance. M7, in partnership

with the City of Milwaukee, helped identify 12 potential properties and assisted the Eichingers in connecting with financing options. Black Husky opened in the Riverwest neighborhood in 2016 and in 2021, they received the inaugural Joe Bartolotta Hospitality award from Visit Milwaukee for their exemplary commitment and passion for Milwaukee and its residents.

Milwaukee 7 role: • M7 facilitated meetings with local elected officials to ensure support of a microbrewery in their neighborhood. • M7 walked the owners through the necessary government permitting processes.

“Wisconsin is a great fit for Grand Craft. We were particularly attracted by the strong workforce, as well as a business climate that values and encourages manufacturers like us.” Patrick Gallagher President & Chief Executive Officer, Grand Craft

Grand Craft Boats grandcraft.com

Project Metrics: Industry:

Luxury boats

Grand Craft Boats, a manufacturer of bespoke mahogany watercraft, chose to relocate its headquarters and production operations from Holland, Michigan, to Genoa City, in Walworth County. The company designs and handcrafts luxury mahogany boats for Hollywood actors, professional athletes, and wooden-boat aficionados alike. With its attention to detail and old-world

artistry, Grand Craft boats also utilizes advanced manufacturing processes, modern functionality, and technical innovation. WEDC, Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA), and M7 collaborated to successfully attract Grand Craft Boats to the region, where they will employ 20 workers by 2024.

Direct jobs:

30 Jobs Capital expenditure:

Milwaukee 7 role:

$1.8 million Annual Payroll:

$1.1 million Location:

Genoa City, Wisconsin

• Connected Grand Craft to regional businesses and community partners to access supply chain needs. • Introduced the company to state and county partners, forming a team to support the company in its relocation efforts.

mmac.org | 31

MMAC Leadership Council:

Economic Development Survey Results By BARB SMITH - Director of the Leadership Council As change agents on the issues that matter most to the Milwaukee business community, I often ask MMAC Leadership Council members for their perspectives on a range of topics. This quarter, we are focused on the regional economic development and how it supports their businesses. Leadership Council is a voluntary, high-engagement member opportunity with 68 individuals (and growing!)

“At this point in my life the most important thing is social networks and family ties, but when I first moved to the Milwaukee area 26 years ago the most important was absolutely job opportunities.”

LC members live & work in the following Wisconsin counties: 6% 39%

WORK

TOM POSTA

45%

Co-President Bader Rutter

Kenosha Milwaukee Ozaukee Racine Walworth Washington Waukesha

Top five reasons they choose to live in the Milwaukee Region:

24%

15% 5%

Good quality of life

My company is located here

Social networks/ Family ties

Cultural Jobs/ assets/ Employment Recreational opportunities opportunities

Interested in joining the Leadership Council? Visit www.mmac.org/LC.html to learn more. 32 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

42%

LIVE

26%

16%

“Milwaukee was conveniently located, relatively affordable and has lots to do from a sports, cultural and entertainment perspective.”

24% 18%

JEFF NIESEN Group President, Central Operations BOLDT

100% of participants agreed that having a regional economic development strategy is important to the future of the Milwaukee Region.

“We all recognize the shortage of our workforce. It is critical to help support and expand the companies in our area to help them grow and thrive, but it is also important to bring new companies to our region. When people come here to work for these companies, they bring families with them and that increases the number of workers in the long run.”

CINDY GNADINGER President Carroll University

Four greatest strengths of the Milwaukee 7: Actively attract new companies to the region Help retain & expand existing companies in the region Support the seven county economic development organizations Provide resources to develop, attract, diversify, and retain our talent base

To grow the regional economy, the group overwhelmingly agreed they would support the dedication of more time and resources to… • Attract talent from outside the region • Expand resources for diversity, equity, & inclusion • Provide entrepreneurship training & assistance

16% 16% 10%

49%

“There is no other entity that promotes business in Wisconsin like M7. The marketing that M7 does for the Milwaukee region business environment is unique and has developed a brand for Milwaukee globally.”

JOHN ISCHE

President/CIO Trisepts Solutions, Apple Leisure Group

Top priorities for the future success of the Milwaukee Region:

Market the region to attract more skilled employees

Address racial disparities in our region

Attract more companies to relocate here

Increase enrollment in highperforming k-12 schools

Change our Address tax structure, infrastructure using a sales challenges tax increase to address key needs

7. Reform immigration policies to increase our workforce

Questions? Contact Barb Smith at 414/287-4173 or bsmith@mmac.org mmac.org | 33

As it relates to economic development,

What is YOUR vision for the Milwaukee Region 15 years from now?

STEVE RAASCH

MANUEL ROSADO

RICHARD HENSLEY

President/CEO Zimmerman Architectural Studios Member since 2013

President/Partner Spectrum Investment Advisors Member since 2013

President - SE WI National Exchange Bank & Trust Member since 2006

“I envision that Milwaukee could be the sought after place where people want to live and businesses want to locate.

“Focus on growth and pick strategies that makes us unique while targeting companies and employees to relocate here.

“Embrace the fact that the employers of the future are either start-ups today or have not moved into Wisconsin.

We have a lot to offer, but need to solve our crime and education issues, starting with the strengthening of families.

Take water for example, we should continue to invest in ways to make this a hub for water related companies.”

When looking at the largest employers today, many did not exist prior to 1975.”

Economic growth will be slow if we can’t improve those metrics.”

JACLYNN WALSH President/COO Irgens Member since 2016

“A vision of those raised and/or educated here staying here because of the quality of life and available opportunity. Establishing a unified community where all want to live and work to the betterment of the other and a place of respect where all recognize their contributions matter would be meaningful. Racial and economic disparities need to be addressed to accomplish this, or by accomplishing this, racial and economic disparities would be addressed.”

34 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

SARIT SINGHAL

WAYNE MORGAN

FRANK KREJCI

“One collaborative economy where we attract and grow innovation.

“We have addressed the underlying racial disparities and systematic issues in our region in a way that results in a revitalization of our Black and Brown middle class.

“With our manufacturing base, if we can find and train people, we will benefit from the trend toward localization of production rather than importing from countries like China.”

President/CEO Superior Support Resources Member since 1998

A region where my kids want to live and raise their families as well as grow professionally and feel they are in a top 10 location in the country for a best place to work and live.”

Partner Emeritus Baker Tilly US Member since 2010

If we fail in this effort, reaching our full potential as a region will not be possible.”

President/CEO Strattec Security Corp. Member since 2012

NICK SAYNER

CEO The Difference Principle Member since 2019

“The Milwaukee area is largely subdivided by the city, county and surrounding counties and those attitudes do a disservice to all communities. Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties are nowhere without the city and the city benefits greatly from the surrounding communities. If we want to bring real wealth to our area this culture war needs to stop.”

mmac.org | 35

The Importance of Offering Vision Benefits You might picture Delta Dental of Wisconsin only as your dental benefits provider – but we also offer insurance to help cover your vision care costs through our DeltaVision® plans. Providing comprehensive vision benefits gets us closer to our goal of supporting your employees’ overall health. Whether or not a company provides employer-sponsored vision benefits can significantly influence a candidate’s decision to work there. Since vision coverage is not an option everywhere, employees have begun seeking out companies that provide it. As of a 2019 Glassdoor survey, 80% of workers would prefer a benefits package over a pay raise. This may seem shocking, but comprehensive benefits carries more weight for today’s employees. Not only does supplying vision benefits save the employee money, but it also saves a company money in the long run. 79% of employees’ job performance has been impacted

36 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

by headaches, fatigue, and focus. Additionally, eye exams are vital because they can uncover early signs of health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease that could otherwise go unnoticed and untreated. Although employers will pay more to supply vision insurance, it will help the company long-term by keeping employees healthy, happy, and productive. Prioritizing your employees’ eyes and health is a must. As you see, offering vision benefits is instrumental when it comes to running a successful business. Feel free to contact me with any questions about how Delta Dental and a DeltaVision plan can be the right fit for your company.

Jackie Bloomer Sales Executive Delta Dental of Wisconsin

Milwaukee’s

keeps trucks rolling Supply chain issues. It is a phrase we’ve all become familiar with, and it has been blamed for everything from empty shelves at grocery stores to delayed construction projects.

// Anna Lardinois Startup Storyteller, MMAC

Milwaukee-based Renaissant has created a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that gets trucks on the road quickly and works to bridge gaps in the shipping system that is an essential part of the supply chain. As Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development Patrick J. McGartland says, “There are bottlenecks along several of these pathways, but wherever you can help improve the turn and the speed of freight movement you have an impact on the overall supply chain.”

Founded in 2019 by McGartland and Tom Dean, CEO, Renaissant has created driver and yard management technologies that reduce labor costs while improving efficiencies across the shipping pipeline. The solution is nothing short of revolutionary to a system that remains largely paper-based and relies on handwritten data inputted by individual drivers. The new system fully automates the process, allowing for contactless driver check-ins and provides data ready for analysis.

Benefits for drivers Drivers benefit from having the communication displayed in the language of their choice, which eases communication barriers and improves the accuracy of the information provided by the drivers. Additionally, they are issued the paperwork they legally need to travel with electronically, making the documents easy to locate and display at checkpoints along their routes. Workforce management All of this data allows companies for the first time to know precisely where their inventory is on each leg of its journey. It also provides a great deal of predictive data that allows unprecedented workforce management opportunities throughout the supply chain. “We can tell customers with a high degree of certitude, based on our machine learning and algorithms, what percentage of drivers will show up late, or early, or without the proper equipment,” McGartland said. “That information can help ensure the warehouse has the correct number of employees to handle the incoming deliveries and outgoing shipments on a given day.” Continued on page 39 mmac.org | 37

Spectrum Reach Lends a Helping Hand to Small Business Owners Spectrum Reach, in partnership with local chambers and associations, continues its support of multicultural-owned businesses through its “Pay It Forward” (PIF) program, committing $15M in advertising and marketing support to help local businesses thrive. In the Milwaukee area, six locally-owned businesses are participating in the “Pay it Forward” program and will receive a free three-month optimized TV schedule, dedicated support from a local sales representative, access to a complimentary customized Waymark commercial, and planning services through Spectrum Reach’s self-service platform, Ad Portal. Nubian Simmons, business owner of Pink Bakery (thepinkbakery. com/) in Milwaukee, was referred to “Pay It Forward” by the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation. Simmons says she remembers designing her logo years ago, thinking how good it would look on TV. “As our business is just starting to get off the ground, I’m thankful for the PIF program’s timely support,” said Simmons.

An allergen-free baking mix company, Pink Bakery also donates a percentage of each sale to the Birthday Party Project (thebirthdaypartyproject.org) to ensure children living in homeless shelters can still celebrate their birthdays. No matter what the future holds, Spectrum Reach will be there to invest in communities and help local businesses grow. Spectrum Reach provides aggregated and de-identified data-infused marketing and advertising solutions for businesses of all sizes and helps businesses find new customers and reach anyone, anywhere, on any screen. A trusted neighbor and one-stop shop, Spectrum Reach can help businesses grown with the best insights, content, products, and people. Learn more about Spectrum Reach and Pay It Forward: https://spectrumreachpayitforward.com/

Picture

YOUR BUSINESS on TV.

Now, you can advertise on the top TV networks on your budget using our online platform.

scan to learn more

38 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Continued from page 37 Industry possibilities McGartland explains that this kind of data collection can be used in any number of industries, giving the example of hospitals predicting the patient demand for emergency rooms and states. “Past data is a great predictor of future behavior, so that is what we are doing with driver behavior,” he said.

shortages and there’s a retention and dwell time challenge that many shippers face.” Drivers are typically only paid for their time on the road, so time spent waiting in shipping yards to complete paperwork or finding loads is often uncompensated time. “If we can turn trucks faster, we can reduce that pain,”

“There really isn’t a driver shortage. There’s a retention of driver shortages and there’s a retention and dwell time challenge that many shippers face.” -Patrick McGartland Renaissant is also streamlining the supply chain with a yard inventory management solution that tracks and manages trailer loads. Through the implementation of electronic data, shipping yards using the solution have reduced the time drivers spend in yards picking up load to ship from 90 minutes down to 16 minutes.

McGartland said. “We can make drivers happier so that they don’t leave the profession. We can have them be paid more because they get paid when they’re rolling.”

The impact of the improved process has wide-reaching benefits. Not only do these new efficiencies cut labor costs, but they also help keep frustrated truck drivers employed in an industry that desperately needs them.

The software company sees a strong need in the market for their product. “There’s a real pain here in the global supply chain space,” McGartland said. He notes that in the past, warehouses and loading docks were not places where companies would invest in new technologies: “If you needed to improve the speed or the efficiencies of those operations, you’d simply hire more people.”

“There really isn’t a driver shortage,” McGartland said. “There is a retention of driver

The labor shortage put an end to that practice. “There’s nobody to hire,” he said. “You can’t throw

bodies at this problem any longer …You need to bring to bear technologies that can solve these problems.” Funding success Renaissant is ready to be one of the solutions the supply chain needs in order to rebound. The company completed a successful funding round in March 2022, raising $1.07 million dollars in capital. With a fully completed product already working in the field, the influx of money is earmarked for marketing. “Within a matter of weeks, we can have 50 or 100 people trained in our system, ingesting data from other sources to seed our system, so that we can begin to deliver value, to reduce that dwell time and improve the overall shipping times and for our clients,” McGartland said.

To learn more about Renaissant and their supply chain solutions, visit

Renaissant Founders

Thomas Dean

Founder & CEO

Patrick McGartland

Founder & Executive Vice President Business Development

renaissant.com MMAC has partnered with members of the Milwaukee’s startup community to elevate our region as a destination for founders and funders. Read more stories like this at:

mmac.org | 39

Revitalizing Milwaukee’s History of Growth New construction projects are key to the city’s legacy — and its future. Scott Bertschinger President and COO | Wells – Great Lakes | 414.290.9128

Thanks to its prime location on the western shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has long been recognized as a city of opportunity for economic growth. As a significant trade harbor, industries of all types flocked here in the early 1800s — from shipping to processing and manufacturing, Milwaukee quickly became a destination that enabled businesses to thrive and grow. Though growth ebbs and flows throughout history, the past few years have been an exciting time for construction and development in Milwaukee. As one of the nation’s largest building solutions providers, specializing in prefabricated construction solutions, Wells is proud to be a partner in the redevelopment and revitalization of the M7 region, supporting new construction and business expansion on underutilized sites.

Some of our recent partnerships and projects in the area include Komatsu Mining’s new state-of-the-art headquarters and manufacturing campus in Milwaukee’s harbor district; the expansion of Milwaukee Tool’s headquarters in Brookfield; and a large new campus for ABB’s US Motion business. Together, these facilities not only highlight business success and expansion, but thousands of additional job opportunities to spur local economic growth within the next several years.

leadership and planning to ensure the facility maximizes its potential.

As businesses like these continue to grow, collaborating with prefabrication professionals can help create even more efficiencies throughout the construction process. Once a property or project is identified, companies with building expertise and a wide range of solutions — like Wells — add value from the outset, providing important

Helping our partners succeed builds on this city’s legacy as well as local pride — and economic opportunity — with every new project. Wells takes great pride in our own history of successful partnerships with architects, engineers, developers and owners in this city, and we look forward to helping strengthen the future through the new partnerships, progress and projects that lie ahead.

Choosing a full-service building partner gives businesses a clear and operable timeline and trajectory — from project launch through production and utilization — and helps ensure access to the right solutions for unique business needs. By considering every facet of the project, new facilities can become a more cost-effective investment, as well as a lasting part of the city landscape and industrial legacy.

Inspiring change in every new project. From discussing your vision to celebrating your grand opening, Wells is committed to surpassing your expectations at every stage in your next building project. As one of the nation’s leading prefabricated building solutions innovators, Wells collaborates with architects, engineers, developers and building owners, offering transformative construction solutions and creating structures that help communities thrive. wellsconcrete.com 800.658.7049

Komatsu Mining Corporation South Harbor Campus

40 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

Recruit out-of-state talent by sharing this customized tool: discovermilwaukee.com and the Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide We invite you to explore this free resource available immediately to all MMAC member companies, in print and online. The new edition of the Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide provides a tour of the Milwaukee region with highlights and details about: • Urban and Suburban Living • Entertainment and Events • Career Opportunities • Schools and Universities • Cost of Living Comparisons • Neighborhoods • Apartments • Community Descriptions and Data The contemporary and engaging website showcases what makes Milwaukee a desirable place to live: short commute times, big city amenities, diverse and aﬀordable neighborhoods, below average cost of living, an abundance of natural resources and a nationally recognized educational system.

Order copies for your Talent Acquisition team today, and share the digital edition on discovermilwaukee.com!

TALENT FUELS GROWTH Supporting Milwaukee employers to retain and attract the talent they need to grow and thrive!

mmac.org | 41

MADISON NIGHT IN MILWAUKEE

Madison Night in Milwaukee brought over 400+ people together at the Bradley Symphony Center on April 13th. Guests heard from the Mayor of Milwaukee, Cavalier Johnson and County Executive David Crowley.

1. County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson 2. Alexander Ayala, Milwaukee Police Association; Senator Patrick Testin, State of WI; George Petropoulous, REV Group; and Matt Bongel, Milwaukee Police Association 3. Darren Fisher, SPEARity and Karen Nelson, Rogers Behavioral Health

4. Georgia Maxwell, Commissioner, Labor & Industry Review Commission, and Reggie Newson, Ascension WI 5. Jennifer Cwiklinski and Nasir Khan, X-Centric IT Solutions

42 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

6. Kalan Haywood, Assistant Minority Leader; Represetative Robyn Vining, State of WI; Representative Daniel Riemer, State of WI; and Sydnee Matthew, State of WI 7. Nathan Berken, Medical College of WI; Tim Hoven, Hoven Consulting; and Kathryn Kuhn, Medical College of WI

8. Senator Latonya Johnson and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, State of WI 9. Shawn Reilly, City of Waukesha; Millie Coby, Employ Milwaukee; and Steven Ponto, City of Brookfield 10. David Marstellar and Israel Ramon, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds; Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, State of WI

mmac.org | 43

BE THE SPARK - EXPLORE

MPS Students at AmFam Field 1

MMAC and the Brewers Community Foundation hosted nearly 300 Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students for a career experience day at American Family Field

1. Students pose with the Johnsonville Racing Sausages 2. Dr. Keith P. Posley, Milwaukee Public Schools. 3. Nick Treder, Johnson Controls 4. Kevin Jezewski, Delaware North Sportservice

5. Bridgett Beene, Advocate Aurora Health Care

44 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

BE THE SPARK - CAREER CONVERSATIONS

MPS Students at The Avenue In April MMAC hosted nearly 150 10th graders from MPS for a series of one-time career conversations with dynamic and diverse professionals from over 25 local businesses.

6. Corry Joe Biddle, MMAC; Dashawn Austin, Milwaukee Marshall High School; Jasmine Johnson, iHeartMedia; 7. Clifton Phelps, JCP Construction 8. Travon Kelley, Audubon High School student listens to a mentor.

9. - 10. Students enjoy the selfie museum located in the 3rd Street Market Hall courtesy of Omar Shaikh

mmac.org | 45

CONTRACTOR OR EMPLOYEE?

MAKE SURE YOU CLASSIFY CORRECTLY TO AVOID RISKS Properly classifying individuals who perform services for your company is critical to avoid penalties and issues with the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Misclassifying can land you in big trouble as the IRS has stringent definitions to determine which is the appropriate classification.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee According to the IRS, the definition of an independent contractor or an employee depends on the relationship between the worker and the business. Generally, there are three categories to examine: •

•

Behavioral Control Does the company control, or have the right to control, what the worker does and how the worker does the job? Financial Control Does the business direct or control the financial and business aspects of the worker’s job? Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? Examples are how the worker is paid, are expenses reimbursed, who provides tools/ supplies, etc. Relationship of the Parties Are there written contracts or employeetype benefits (i.e., pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?

When hiring independent contractors, always have a written contract that outlines the specifics of the work expected and the timeframes. Longterm work or extended deadlines will bring into question if the individual should be an employee. An agreement (or contract) between a business and an individual does not mean they are truly an independent contractor. They must meet the requirements of an independent contractor and the appropriate taxing authorities must agree that they meet the requirement.

How Can a Potential Issue be Brought up for Examination?

Red Flags Indicating You May Have an Issue

•

An independent contractor applies for unemployment when they are no longer needed by your organization.

When working with your independent contractor, here are 5 things you need to avoid:

•

An independent contractor receives a 1099 and a W-2 in the same year. Although there can be certain situations that this can occur, it can also be a red flag.

•

An independent contractor submits a worker’s compensation claim. There are situations where independent contractors can be covered under a company’s worker’s compensation policy, however this will lead to a review of the facts.

Do not let your independent contractor use company equipment or work onsite unless the job absolutely requires it.

•

Do not provide a company email, title, or invite them to employee meetings.

•

Do not prohibit them from working with other companies or require full-time work for your company.

•

Do not pay weekly, biweekly, or monthly – require invoices for payment of services.

•

Do not give additional work after the project is completed without signing a new contract.

Check out the Wisconsin ninepart test at: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/workerclassification/wc/ninepart/

What Happens if a Misclassification Occurs? An employer is required to withhold and pay income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes for each worker. If it is deemed that the individual is an employee, the underpayment of these taxes can result in large balances due as well as penalties from the IRS.

Do Your Due Diligence

Nancy Mehlberg,

CVB, EA Principal SVA Certified Public Accountants Nancy helps clients improve their company profitability and protects their interests by clearly understanding their future goals. She works closely and proactively with clients with an emphasis on business and income tax planning and financial reporting.

Measurable Results.

46 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

•

If you have independent contractors, consult with an outside advisor to have them review your contracts. Taking the time for a review could save you significant dollars in the future. Better safe than sorry!

SVAaccountants.com

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND YOUR BUSINESS MSOE’s AI experts, student research teams and leaders from small and large businesses at various points on the journey spoke about implementing AI as a business driver. Guests also got a peek at “Rosie” the supercomputer at MSOE’s Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall

1. “Rosie”, MSOE’s supercomputer 2. Gregory Wesley, Medical College of Wisconsin 3. Anna Lardinois, MMAC and Carol Hirschmugl, COnovate 4. Jonah Turner and Ramki Krishnamoorthy, Molson Coors Beverage Company

5. Eric Baumgartner, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

mmac.org | 47

Building Milwaukee’s Skyline Since 1920 CG Schmidt has been Wisconsin’s trusted building partner for over 100 years. We built our reputation by tackling some of the most recognizable projects in the state, literally shaping the Milwaukee skyline and evolving the physical landscape of cities everywhere.

MILWAUKEE // MADISON // CGSCHMIDT.COM

48 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

COUNCIL OF SMALL BUSINESS EXECUTIVES(COSBE)

Roundtable Spring Social Members of COSBE’s Roundtable group enjoyed food, drinks, and activities—including the Topgolf simulator at the new 3rd St. Market Hall

1. Mike Burzynski, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP); Ian Favill, Stack41; and Peggy Williams-Smith, VISIT Milwaukee 2. Richard Hensley, National Exchange Bank & Trust 3. Lynn Corazzi, Data2Profit Consulting; TK Kingston, Heartland Payroll+HR Services; and Linda Crawford, BizTimes Media

4. Tom Reminga and Nick Zellmer, Risetech Partners 5. John Major, American Deposit Management

mmac.org | 49

Supporting Developers from Financing through Construction As a developer, you have the vision for what a space could be and access to capital to make it happen, but sometimes obstacles can get in the way of your vision. Building Advantage and our partners are the answer to getting your project financed, staffed, constructed, and completed. We’ll work with local, state, and federal officials to help you win support and approval of your project, and assist with securing financing. For unions, being a strong community partner also means being willing to financially back local projects. Several years ago, the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) financed $42.4 million with union pension funds to help finance the construction of the $56.7 million Moderne project. More recently, we saw the HIT invest $104.5 million to secure Barrett Lo’s $191 million Couture project. This is in addition

to the partnership from the local Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund, whose investment helped close the gap and get this project moving for the City and the region. Building Advantage is here to be a full-service resource for developers looking to build in Southeast Wisconsin. Learn more about us and our partners on our website: buildingadvantage.org.

Chris Mambu Rasch Executive Director Building Advantage buildingadvantage.org/ (414) 897-1146

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT Visit buildingadvantage.org for more information about partnering with Milwaukee’s Union Trades and Contractors

250 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 100, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | 414.897.1146 | info@buildingadvantage.org

50 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

MMAC Member Milestones FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2022

MMAC strives to be your partner, resource and ally in doing business in Milwaukee. Your renewal is the ultimate source of feedback on our mission to improve metro Milwaukee as a place to create jobs, invest capital and grow business. Thank you for your investment. 105 years

15 years

1 year

Maynard Steel Casting Co. The Pfister Hotel Phoenix Products Co., Inc.

Express Promotions MukLuks Port Milwaukee

100 years

10 years

Milwaukee Athletic Club

Alliance Forest Products American Heart Association Antigua Catering & Events Aptean B&K Powder Coating Corp. Bern Office Systems Canopies Capital Electric Wire & Cable Commerce Industrial Chemicals, Inc. Fiserv, Inc. Hydro-Thermal Corporation JCP Construction LLC Kerry, Inc. KHS USA, Inc. Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc. M|GROUP Holdings, Inc. Molded Rubber & Plastic Corporation Oberlin Filter Company Scimitar Foundation/Tripoli Shrine Center Strattec Security Corp. Valuation Research Corporation W.M. Sprinkman, Inc.

A Goodman’s Desserts Arch Electric, Inc. BOLDT Bremer Bank Carthage College CentroMotion CI Design, Inc. ClearCom, Inc. DataComm Plus Diverse Dining Eaton Corporation Edvest College Savings Plan Enviro-Master Services of Milwaukee Executive Strategies Elite Groupware Technologies GSF USA, Inc. Indian Community School, Inc. International Thermal Systems iPlanRx IronwoodDrive Financial Group Landre Photography Midwest Products & Engineering Pathway Design Build Process Retail Group, Inc. Stella & Chewy’s Team Todd Incorporated Transistor Digital Tri-Bolt LLC Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley Riverside Park Washington Park Williams Financial LLC ZenBusiness

80 years Andrus Intellectual Property Law LLP

70 years Catholic Financial Life Zilber Ltd.

45 years Jacobs

40 years Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental, Inc. Independent Business Association of Wisconsin

35 years Adelman Travel Group Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. Milwaukee Urban League Wipfli LLP

30 years Advantage+ Lakeland University

25 years Karim Bakhtiar M.D. SC University Club of Milwaukee

20 years Deep River Partners Ltd. KLH Industries, Inc. Town Bank Wisconsin Athletic Club

5 years Aries Industries, Inc. Dave’s Magikist Carpet & Rug Cleaners Dnesco Electric, Inc. KMB Design/Consulting LLC Northbrook Publishing OneAmerica Retirement Services Riley Construction Chicago Kenosha The Weaponry LLC Transwestern Commercial Services Vrakas CPAs + Advisors

mmac.org | 51

New MMAC Members FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2022

Agora Learning & Consulting Crestcom Int’l Licensee Vilson Simon, President 2020 Kathlynn Ct. Brookfield, WI 53045 crestcom.com (414) 469-6834 Consultants & Trainers

BI WORLDWIDE

Greg Narey Business Development Director 7630 Bush Lake Rd. Minneapolis, MN 55439 biworldwide.com (262) 751-9880 Marketing Consultants

Carl Collective

Erik Brooks, Regional Director 1131 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53233 carlcollective.com/ (414) 261-7631 Communications Consultants

Chisel and Vine LLC Jayne Page, Owner 3149 N. 90th St. Milwaukee, WI 53222 chiselandvine.com (262) 788-3834 Contractors

ConsortiEX, Inc.

Neal Long, CEO 733 N. Van Buren St. Ste. 501 Milwaukee, WI 53202 consortiex.com (414) 231-4575 Healthcare Technology

Culligan Of Waukesha

Dustin Kavelaris, Area Manager 1801 Pewaukee Rd. Waukesha, WI 53188 culliganwaterwaukesha.com (262) 547-1862 Water Treatment Equipment-Service/ Supplies

Dohmen Company Foundation

Kathy Koshgarian President 215 N. Water St. Ste. 300 Milwaukee, WI 53202 dohmencompanyfoundation.org (414) 501-5277 Foundations

Dykema Gossett PLLC Kate Bechen Office Managing Member 111 E. Kilbourn Ave. Ste. 1050 Milwaukee, WI 53202 dykema.com/ (414) 488-7300 Legal Services

Weber Advising Providing Independent Advisor Services

52 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

EWH University for Small Business Brian Michael University Ambassador 20670 Watertown Rd. Waukesha, WI 53186 ewhuniversity.com (262) 649-3972 Consultants/Leadership

Expedient

Ian Christian, Area Vice President 4777 W. Ironwood Dr. Franklin, WI 53132 expedient.com (412) 316-7809 Technology

Fox, O’Neill & Shannon SC Michael Koutnik, Shareholder 622 N. Water St., Ste. 500 Milwaukee, WI 53202 foslaw.com (414) 273-3939 Legal Services

Frank Productions LLC Joel Plant, CEO 29 S. Livingston St. Madison, WI 53726 frankproductions.com (608) 234-5794 Entertainment

Fusion Recruiters

Christina Stone VP, Recruiting Solutions 856 River Ridge Crcl. Waterford, WI 53185 fusionrecruiters.com/ (414) 870-3873 Talent Solutions Directory

Gateway Capital

Dana Guthrie, Managing Partner 1433 N. Water St. Ste. 400 Milwaukee, WI 53202 gwaycapital.com (414) 614-1293 Venture Capital

Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown LLP

Britt Frank, Marketing Director 330 E. Kilbourn Ave. Ste. 1170 Milwaukee, WI 53202 grgblaw.com (414) 271-1440 Legal Services

Harwood Engineering Consultants

Thomas Olejniczak President, Principal, Director of Civil Engineering 255 N. 21st St. Milwaukee, WI 53233 hecl.com (414) 918-1240 Engineers-Consulting

Continued on page 54 Advertisement

THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE welcomes companies that want to support the Society and the Milwaukee County Zoo in meaningful ways.

We offer a variety of ways to partner with us that puts your business in a positive position to create memorable connections across desirable demographics. Get your brand in front of up to 1.1 million visitors a year and reach the largest membership of almost any nonprofit in the state.

BECOME A CORPORATE MEMBER! Join the Society’s Platypus Circle and support our mission to conserve, educate and support the Milwaukee County Zoo. Your employees will enjoy special benefits including transferable membership cards, invitations to VIP events, rental discounts and more. Go to BeAPlaty.org to learn more. SUPPORT US WITH A GRANT The Society offers recognition and significant engagement to companies that support our mission through our grants program. Opportunities range from school-based programs for underserved youth to local and global wildlife conservation to capital investments. To learn more, contact Nicole Rogers at 414-918-6152.

PARTNER WITH US AS A SPONSOR

From black-tie fundraisers to family-fun events, we will help put your business in the spotlight. Marketing partnerships with the Society and the Zoo can: •

Boost your brand by associating with one of Wisconsin’s

•

Demonstrate corporate commitment to our community

•

top family attractions

Engage employee volunteers or host key customers

To learn more, contact Patty Mills at 414-918-6185.

9358E22

mmac.org | 53

New MMAC Members FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2022 Continued from page 53

Horicon Bank

Fred Schwertfeger Chief Strategy Officer, EVP PO Box 144 Horicon, WI 53032 horiconbank.com/ 1 (888) 343-3040 Banks

Horicon Bank - New Berlin 15600 W. Cleveland Ave. New Berlin, WI 53151 horiconbank.com/new-berlin 1 (888) 343-3040 Banks

Horicon Bank - West Bend 1535 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095 horiconbank.com/west-bend (262) 334-3040 Banks

Howl at the Moon

Jessica Brockway Sales & Events Manager 1103 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53203 howlatthemoon.com/milwaukee/ (414) 928-4695 Tavern

Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Del Wilson, Executive Director 325 W. Walnut St. Milwaukee, WI 53212 youthartscenter.org/ (414) 267-2902 Nonprofit Education

Port Washington State Bank Brian Gold Vice President, Business Banking 10509 N. Port Washington Rd. Mequon, WI 53092 pwsb.bank (262) 284-4416 Financial Services

Prescient Solutions Aurora Bautz Regional Sales Manager Milwaukee, WI 53202 prescientsolutions.com (414) 375-2035 IT Solutions Providers

Project Echelon

Eric Hill, President N9W27151 Woodridge Ln. Waukesha, WI 53188 projectechelon.org (262) 347-7763 Marketing-Sports

Signature Bank

Austin Smith Senior VP, Commercial Banking WI 551 Yosemite Ave. Hartford, WI 53027 signaturebank.bank (262) 501-6559 Banks

Investing In

Our Future Every project, on time & within budget jcp-construction.com JCP-ads-half-page-FINAL-November.indd 1

54 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

5/12/22 2:35 PM

SoftwareONE

Melissa Johnson Community Relations Lead 20875 Crossroads Crcl., Ste. 1 Waukesha, WI 53186 softwareone.com (262) 439-3176 Information Technology Consultants

The Trade Hotel Milwaukee Rich Lundt, General Manager 420 W. Juneau Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53203 thetradehotel.com/ (214) 783-1685 Hotels/Motels

Support your fellow members by doing business together.

mmac.org/directory.html

Wacker Neuson America Corporation Gert Reichetseder, President & CEO N92 W15000 Anthony Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 wackerneuson.com (262) 257-4990 Manufacturers

Business Savings Program that you know and love is now...

ODP Business Solutions Program benefits: •Up to 55% off on office supplies •Up to 55% off on cleaning & breakroom items •10% off branded; 20% off private brand ink & toner •Average 10% off on over 200 technology core items •Free next-day shipping on orders of $50 or more •SIGNIFICANT savings on copy & print •Customize pricing for the items you buy most often* • Specials and Promotions from your favorite brands *Based on business size or order size

Join today at MMAC.org mmac.org | 55

Save the date

SUMMIT

November 9

RE A C H I N G

NEW HEIG H TS

Join Milwaukee 7 for a morning of insights and inspiration at our M7 Summit on Wednesday, November 9, in-person at the Harley-Davidson Museum. This premier event will feature an update on M7’s growth and progress, current economic forecast, and inspirational keynote address by José Moreno Hernandez, retired NASA astronaut and engineer. Hernandez is a shining example of self-determination: he was selected to the 2004 astronaut candidate class after vying for a spot for three years and being turned down eleven times. He later became a member of NASA’s 19th U.S. m7 summit astronaut group and flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009 as the flight engineer to the International Space Station. An accomplished engineer before becoming an astronaut, Hernandez and a colleague developed the first full-field digital mammography imaging system to help in early detection of breast cancer. From humble upbringings as the son of migrant parents to orbiting the Earth as an astronaut, Hernandez will share his inspiring journey of reaching the American Dream – an incredible story of perseverance, patience and dedication that you can use as motivation to overcome challenges in your personal and professional life.

with NASA astronaut José Moreno Hernandez

For more information contact Lynn Olberding at lolberding@mmac.org or 414/287-4177. Sponsorship opportunities available. 56 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

is here to serve our members. Our team of experts is ready to help!

Gain guidance on your toughest challenges. CORP. EXPANSION & ATTRACTION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Looking to increase your sales?

TALENT INDUSTRY ECONOMIC TRENDS PARTNERSHIP & RESEARCH

Brought to you by the

For the Love of

Networking Forum

Jim Paetsch 414/287-4171 jpaetsch@mke7.com

Lynn Olberding 414/287-4177 lolberding@mke7.com

EQUITY & INCLUSION

Julie Granger 414/287-4131 jgranger@mmac.org

Corry Joe Biddle 414/287-4137 cbiddle@mmac.org

Susan Koehn 414/287-4136 skoehn@mke7.com

Bret Mayborne 414/287-4122 bmayborne@mmac.org

SMALL BUSINESS & MEMBERSHIP

FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Stephanie Hall 414/287-4121 shall@mmac.org

Andrew Davis 414/287-4141 adavis@mmac.org

Grow your peer networks.

ETHNICALLY DIVERSE BUSINESSES

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLES

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Marjorie Rucker 414/287-4172 mrucker@mmac.org

Whitney Maus 414/287-4130 wmaus@mmac.org

Gina Balke 414/287-4162 gbalke@fabwisconsin.com

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

NETWORKING FORUMS

Katie Henry 414/287-4123 khenry@mmac.org

Barb Smith 414/287-4173 bsmith@mmac.org

Denise Salamone 414/287-4165 dsalamone@mmac.org

Gain exposure for your business. ADVERTISING & MEMBERSHIP

MEDIA RELATIONS

Jane Trenchard-Backes Chris Jenkins 414/287-4114 414/287-4152 jbackes@mmac.org cjenkins@mmac.org

EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS

Karen Powell 414/287-4166 kpowell@mmac.org

HISPANIC COLLABORATIVE

Nancy Hernandez 414/287-4118 nhernandez@mmac.org

Sales

Attend MMAC’s quarterly For the Love of Sales series This series is for business leaders, sales professionals, and sales leaders to learn effective tools and strategies to find the right clients and build lasting relationships – ultimately resulting in more revenue for your business. Each event will have: • Expert-led training on specific topics • Networking with connected and motivated business professionals • Tips to sharpen your sales skills • One per quarter Past topics have included The Sales Apology, Crucial Conversations and The Six Principles of Persuasion. Watch for upcoming events

MMAC.org/events.html Networking Forum for referral leads Participants in MMAC’s Networking Forum can attend the For the Love of Sales series for no cost! The Networking Forum is a structured platform for sales and marketing professionals to build trusting relationships. Participants expand their business network for the purpose of developing sales referrals and closing more business. Learn more at

MMAC.org/NetworkingForum.html mmac.org | 57

Teaming up to help bring your benefits costs down Discounted rates, quality employee benefits and surplus refund*potential when medical claims are lower than expected. They’re all possible with a UnitedHealthcare Level Funded health plan for your business through the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

9,300

average health plan surplus refund

among the 28.7% of MMAC Level Funded plan sponsors who received a refund in 2021*

Get all the details from an MMAC-affiliated broker or visit uhc.com/mmac Don’t have a broker? Contact Barb Smith at bsmith@mmac.org or 414-287-4173.

*Among the UnitedHealthcare Level Funded plan sponsors who were MMAC members, 28.7% received a surplus refund in 2021, the average of which was $9,300. UnitedHealthcare internal reconciliation analysis, Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021. Please consult a tax and/or legal advisor to determine if, by receiving this refund, there are any restrictions or obligations. Surplus refund available only where allowed by law. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by All Savers Insurance Company (except CA, MA, MN, NJ and NY), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company in MA and MN, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY, and All Savers Life Insurance Company of California in CA. B2B EI221554556.0 5/22 © 2022 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 22-1424434-B

58 | Milwaukee Commerce, Summer 2022

How to Use Supplemental Benefits Plans to Support Employee Health By Tom Wiffler, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits For anyone confronted with an unexpected medical issue, the physical and financial stress can be daunting. To alleviate as many of those concerns as possible, it is important to have a plan in place to help facilitate access to quality care and support, especially when it comes to easing the administrative process and enabling faster payouts under qualified benefit plans. New integrated claims programs are helping to do just that, aiding people enrolled in supplemental health plans, such as accident, critical illness or hospital indemnity. The goal is to simplify and expedite payouts for employees whose employers combine supplemental health plans with medical benefits, assisting people when they need it most. While these supplemental plans provide valuable coverage to employees, in some cases people may forget they’ve enrolled, leading to a delayed payout or no payout at all following a qualified accident, critical

illness diagnosis or hospital stay. To address this issue, Benefit Assist from UnitedHealthcare is helping speed up payouts by using artificial intelligence to identify people who may qualify. Here’s how it works: • After a possible covered critical illness diagnosis, hospital stay or accident is identified, a Benefit Assistant contacts an eligible UnitedHealthcare member. • The Benefit Assistant initiates the claim, eliminating the need for the member to collect and submit necessary documentation. • Through the dedicated support from the Benefit Assistant, the member receives a payout more quickly and easily, enabling them to focus on recovery. Since launch, 77% of supplemental health claims have been initiated by Benefit Assistants, helping increase total dollars paid out by 66%.1 Through these benefits, payouts can reach

$5,000 or more under accident and hospital indemnity plans and $40,000 for critical illness coverage*. These plans can help pay for out-of-pocket expenses that may accompany a major illness or accidental injury, offering additional financial protection for the 45% of Americans who would struggle to cover an unexpected $500 medical expense.2 Benefit Assist is offered to eligible members enrolled in both a UnitedHealthcare medical and UnitedHealthcare supplemental health plan, including accident, critical illness or hospital indemnity protection.

For more information or to add a UnitedHealthcare supplemental health plan to your employee benefits package, visit uhc.com/ MMAC or contact an MMACaffiliated broker.

UnitedHealthcare Book of Business, 1/1/2020-11/23/2020.

Kaiser Family Foundation. Public worries about and experience with surprise medical bills. Available: kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/data-note-public-worries-about-andexperience-with-surprise-medical-bills/. Accessed: Feb. 2020. 2

*For illustration purposes only, with actual coverage amounts varying by plan; coverage amounts reflect a benefit payout per plan participant per year.

mmac.org | 59

Interested in advertising in the next issue of Milwaukee Commerce?

Periodicals Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI

Contact Jane Trenchard-Backes at 414/287-4114 or jbackes@mmac.org

Details at mmac.org/advertising.html RAPHIC

LT D

C E 19 1

275 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 220 | Milwaukee, WI 53203

RIES

Milwaukee Commerce magazines are printed by:

Thank you to our Partnership for Economic Development Campaign Investors

$25,000-$49,999

$500,000+ WEC Energy Group Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

$250,000 - $499,999 BMO Harris Bucyrus Foundation Gilbane Building Company HARIBO of America

$100,000 - $249,999 Froedtert Health ManpowerGroup Milwaukee Tool Molson Coors

Northwestern Mutual Robert W. Baird UW-Milwaukee

$50,000-$99,999 Children’s Wisconsin Deloitte Godfrey & Kahn Ingeteam

Ted Kellner Komatsu Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Rockwell Automation

A. O. Smith Charter Manufacturing City of Milwaukee Husco Inland Companies dba Colliers Leonardo DRS Michael Best Milwaukee Metro Sewerage District

Nexus Pharmaceuticals Palermo Villa Payne & Dolan QPS Employment Group Quarles & Brady Town Bank/Wintrust Wells Fargo

$10,000-$24,999 Amazon Corporation CG Schmidt Direct Supply Frank Beverage/ Beer Capitol Hammes Company

KPMG Milwaukee County PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Shorewest Realtors Waukesha County

Up to $9,999 Ozaukee County Washington County

To invest in the M7 campaign, or request additional information, contact Lynn Olberding at 414/287-4177 or lolberding@mmac.org.

Milwaukee Commerce Magazine - Summer 2022

Articles inside

LC Economic Development Survey Results

The New M7 Campaign - Milwaukee Commerce Magazine - Summer 2022

Marketing the region for new investment

Talent fuels growth