LC 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.

TOM POSTA - Co-President, Bader Rutter

LC members live & work in the following Wisconsin counties:

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

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

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:

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

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 high performing k-12 schools

• Change our tax structure, using a sales tax increase to address key needs

• Address infrastructure challenges

• Reform immigration policies to increase our workforce