Milwaukee Commerce - Spring 2022 by MMAC

MILWAUKEE COMMERCE Spring 2022 - Volume 101, No. 1

THE

INFRASTRUCTURE Building on the Milwaukee Region’s strengths to ensure a competitive future

ISSUE

Christopher Banaszak

Robert Sholl

David Sisson

Lynn Stathas

Robert Driscoll

Katie Triska

In a rapidly evolving workforce, talent drives success. At Reinhart, we understand that one of a business’s most important assets is its people. That is why our experienced Labor and Employment attorneys bring to bear a wide range of talents for our clients on today’s most pressing employment matters, including the adoption of effective remote work programs. As you navigate today’s changing workforce, our team is here to help you set up a remote work program or audit your existing remote work practices to account for these critical new realities.

Michael Gentry

Benjamin Kurten

Christopher Schuele

Shannon Toole

reinhartlaw.com 414.298.1000 Matthew DeLange

2 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

In November, the New York Times put out an Opinion Interactive called, Where Should You Live. “Everyone’s moving to Texas,” it proclaimed. “Why?” I thought; it’s hot there (ok, it was not quite as cold here at the time as it is now). Try as I might, I could not get the Times’ quiz to validate my choice to live around Milwaukee. So, I investigated the article’s biases. And sure enough, it summed it up well: “Places are shaped by the people who live in them, and people are full of surprises that no algorithm can capture.” That’s right, I think. It’s Milwaukee’s people that make this an interesting place to live and work. As a midwestern transplant, it’s a place that I have been proud to call home since 2010. And, I’d argue, a good place to start and run a business.

TRUE GRIT Michael Gentry Labor & Employment Shareholder mgentry@reinhartlaw.com 414.298.8715

Sometimes overshadowed by its neighbor to the south, and often underappreciated, Milwaukee is a cultural powerhouse. Summerfest. Harley Davidson. Annual cultural festivals celebrating Milwaukee’s diverse roots. The recently re-opened America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Likewise, the Bucks-in-six championship certainly did not diminish Milwaukee’s cultural standing nationally. What’s more, Milwaukee has grit (an intangible quality not easily measured by algorithms). Our kind are more likely than most to endure the cold at Lambeau, or sit outside during winter when a pesky pandemic prevented indoor dining. And the cost of living in Milwaukee (and even in Milwaukee’s surrounding communities) is low when compared to most other metropolitan areas its size. So, Milwaukee’s workforce presents an attractive ROI for employers

and Milwaukee should be an attractive option young professionals seeking to build their careers in a vibrant city where they can afford to live near downtown. As an employment attorney, I have encountered quite a few characters in and around Milwaukee. It’s always the people involved in a deal or dispute that keep things interesting. But the last couple of years have provided an especially challenging context for building good, lasting relationships between employers and their employees. Employers have been put through the ringer —adapting to remote work, constantly shifting state/local/federal pandemic-related restrictions, rising prices (without necessarily increasing margins), hiring and training and retaining workers whom they scarcely if ever see in person while enduring the zeitgeist of the “Great Resignation.” Each of these issues has presented its own set of legal questions: how do we build company culture when we’re never together? What changes do I need to make to my policies, contracts and offer letters to accommodate our reconfigured workforce? How can I keep my employees safe while still delivering the service that our customers expect? And how can I protect my customer relationships in a market where employees jump from job to job? Many employers I have spoken to over the past couple of years feel like the ground has shifted such that they’re reluctant to plan for the future —like a builder who has weathered a bad storm. But, by embracing the new realities and refreshing certain employee practices, policies and agreements to rise to the occasion (like remote work practices and refreshed, enforceable contracts and policies) they can put their workforce, their people, in the best position to help their companies succeed. That’s true grit.

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CONTENTS/ Meet MMAC’s Director of Governmental Affairs - Andrew Davis

Building a more competitive region

A recent analysis by MMAC member McKinsey & Company shows that by 2030, demand for water will outstrip supply by 40 percent, and that about half of the world’s population will live in water-scarce areas. For much of the world, this is a looming existential challenge. For Great Lakes cities like Milwaukee, it’s an opportunity – if managed correctly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Great Lakes contain 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water and about 21 percent of the world’s supply. By acting as good stewards of one of the world’s most precious resources, Milwaukee will be well positioned for an uncertain future. That stewardship is happening right now. In this issue of Milwaukee Commerce, you’ll read about the importance of the Great Lakes Compact, expansion efforts at Port Milwaukee and MMAC-supported efforts to clean up the Milwaukee River estuary. Beyond that, the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill will provide federal resources to replace lead pipes that still poison the drinking water of too many of our citizens. But water is just one aspect of how infrastructure will help determine Milwaukee’s future. Another example can be found in our energy grid: Last year, We Energies was recognized as the nation’s top energy company by the businesses it serves. We have more infrastructure-related challenges to take on – as do most metro areas. When we build on these strengths, we make our region even more competitive in the future.

A clear opportunity

A chance to leave our environment better than we found it by Kevin Schafer – Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 10

The Great Lakes Compact Long term government collaboration that really works by David Strifling– Marquette University Law School 14

Advocating for I-94 improvements The last piece in a 20-year puzzle by Nancy Hernandez – Hispanic Collaborative 17

New opportunities coming to Port Milwaukee

Q and A with Adam Tindall-Schlicht -- Port Milwaukee 18

Rapid Radicals Protecting our greatest asset by Anna Lardinois – Startup Storyteller, MMAC 22 The Milwaukee Region’s infrastructure 24

Volume 101, No. 1 - 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

MMAC’s Leadership Council infrastructure survey results 26 M7 update - Grants awarded to businesses moving into vacant spaces 29

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)

Member Milestones New MMAC Members MMAC’s Impact Report Staff Directory & Membership Message

30 32 36 37

Thank you to our advertisers Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Wintrust Commercial Banking Building Advantage Associated Bank

4 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

2 6 8 12

Delta Dental J.H Findorff & Sons Spectrum Reach Wells Concrete

16 20 28 30

JCP Construction Weber Advising Zoological Society UnitedHealthcare

32 33 34 38

In a divided world, can infrastructure bring us together?

t a time when just about every issue causes both sides to back into their respective corners and start tweeting past one another, infrastructure is one of few places where we can still see the bipartisan spirit of cooperation alive and well. Not even cable news or social media can disrupt our shared belief in the importance of systems and resources that make our lives and our businesses possible. Fundamental must-haves like access to water, hassle-free transportation and a reliable power grid all enhance the Milwaukee Region as a great place to live. It also makes Milwaukee a great place to do business, keeping us competitive in the global marketplace for jobs and capital investment. In this issue of Milwaukee Commerce magazine, you’ll read about our commitment to enhancing the Milwaukee Region’s infrastructure. I’d like to highlight a recent win: MMAC-supported, bipartisan legislation that provides much-needed resources to clean up toxic residue that has been in the Milwaukee River estuary for more than a century. We backed this bill because the river is a critical part of our region’s livability value proposition and an area of our city that is seeing

significant new business and residential development. This makes one of our city’s exciting, emerging spaces even better. The most remarkable part of the story? This bill advanced through the state legislature without a single “no” vote, and Governor Evers promptly signed it. We thank legislators on both sides for recognizing the importance of this issue. Advocating for a better business environment is one of the most important things we do as a chamber. In the pages ahead, we’ll introduce you to Andrew Davis, MMAC’s new point person for advocacy efforts. Many of you know Andrew already and I hope you’ll welcome him to his new role at MMAC – and don’t hesitate to reach out to him if you need advice or support. For all the progress we’ve made on infrastructure issues, we all have much work left to do. We welcome passage of the recent federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will help fund the replacement of lead pipes along with other critical improvements. When I see broad, bipartisan agreement on infrastructure issues, I can’t help wondering: What other big things can we agree on and accomplish together?

Tim Sheehy MMAC President

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Visit townbank.us/partnerships to see how we help local businesses achieve their goals.

6 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

2022 Commercial Real Estate Outlook During the height of the pandemic, many took a pessimistic view of not only office, retail and the hospitality asset classes, but of the broader commercial real estate market as well. What transpired instead was an unexpected boom in commercial real estate demand, whether due to increased liquidity, investors chasing yield, pent-up investor demand, opportunistic purchases of distressed asset classes, on shoring, etc. Will this resilience continue or will we see a real estate market decline in 2022? Below is a snap shot at our bullish commercial real estate market forecast and some factors at work in 2022:

Economy The economic growth that started in the third quarter of 2020 is expected to continue into 2022. The Federal Reserve’s forecast on real economic growth for 2022 is 3.3%.

Construction Cost The cost of construction is expected to decrease. While there is inflation looming which has driven up the prices of building material. It is expected in 2022 that bottlenecks in the real estate related supply chain will be fixed with continued economic growth and companies restocking their inventory which will help ease costs.

Liquidity Investors have a significant surplus of capital yet to deploy. Additionally, investor funds have already been planned, budgeted and raised for future projects.

Interest Rates Even with increases in interest rates, rates are still near historical lows. While not directly correlated, CAP rates will adjust with, but lag interest rates, meaning it may be another year before we see an impact on the market.

Changes in Office While changes in political office could affect 1031 exchange rules by this administration and are something to watch, the U.S. office market registered positive net absorption for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during 4Q21, as changes to the ways landlords and tenants utilize space are occurring.

Retail is Not Dead Many left the retail store for dead at the onset of COVID, however, it came roaring back at year end with 4Q21 sales volume of $33 billion, the single highest quarterly total on record. 4Q21, asking rents for shopping centers rose broadly nationwide while vacancy fell close to its pre-pandemic level and net absorption neared the previous quarter’s high watermark. This is expected to continue lead by experiential retail.

Wintrust Commercial Real Estate Wintrust Commercial Banking at Town Bank, N.A. www.townbank.us/

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Build in Milwaukee to keep and recruit the best talent In an increasingly competitive environment for workforce talent, building in Milwaukee is key to your company’s talent recruitment strategies. Whether you’re looking to kickstart, expand or relocate a business, Milwaukee offers something for every company. Our skyline is changing to support our culture, residents, and businesses, including several fortune 500 companies based in our region.

experience and efficiency will maximize your return on investment.

Great spaces recruit great people. Building your business in Milwaukee position’s your organization to compete for the best talent. Milwaukee’s union trades and contractors have built many of the region’s landmark office spaces like Komatsu’s harbor district campus and the Northwestern Mutual Tower. Regardless of your project’s scope, we have the right experience to make sure your project is delivered on-time and on-budget.

If you’re considering building in the greater Milwaukee region, reach out to us. We’re here to address your questions about partnering with labor.

Trusted union trades are the clear choice to build or renovate your project. With an emphasis on safety and training, union tradespeople get the job done right the first time. Ultimately, our

BUILD WITH THE EXPERTS For contractors, owners and developers alike, jobsite productivity is key. The union commercial construction industry has continued to prove its efficiency in the Milwaukee area largely due to superior education and training, and mandated safety guidelines. Whether you’re looking to use union labor or become a union contractor, you’re making a profitable decision for your project and the success of your organization.

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

8 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

Building Advantage was created by the Construction Labor Management Council of Southeast Wisconsin to promote the benefits of hiring union affiliated contractors and trades. We are comprised of thousands of tradespeople, hundreds of contractors, and five management associations.

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

in this role, Steve Baas. Having been on the receiving end of Steve’s lobbying efforts several times, I quickly came to understand that the issues he was working on, and the policies he was advocating for on behalf of Milwaukee’s business community were very compelling. So when a spot opened up on Steve’s team, I jumped at the chance to work here at the chamber, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.

Meet MMAC’s Director of Governmental Affairs

Andrew Davis

414/287-4141 | adavis@mmac.org

he reason I’m passionate about policymaking and advocacy work today is the same reason I was drawn to it as a college student trying to determine my career path: You have the ability and opportunity to affect a lot of people’s lives in a positive way. I see that work happening here at MMAC every day and I’m honored to be a part of it. I’m a Milwaukee native, growing up in South Milwaukee before going off to St. Norbert College in De Pere where I majored in political science and did an internship in Washington, D.C. working for thenCongressman Paul Ryan. That experience inspired me to move to D.C. full time after graduation, where I spent a year working on Capitol Hill. It was an incredible experience -- but at times I felt like a “small fish in a big pond,” and wondered if I could have an even greater impact if I moved back home to Wisconsin. So I did, first hitting the campaign trail in 2006 before transitioning to roles with State Senator Alberta Darling and later for Reince Priebus at the state Republican Party. After the 2010 election cycle, I went to work for Governor Scott Walker, where I continued to develop my relationship with MMAC and my predecessor

It was an easy decision. I had always heard that MMAC is a great place to work with great leadership, and it turns out both those things are very much true. Once I got here and learned more about our mission, to improve metro Milwaukee as a place to invest capital, grow business and create jobs, that’s where I really saw the benefit MMAC provides to Milwaukee and how you can affect so many lives.

Motivated by community impact One of the highlights for me in my first few years at MMAC include assisting with legislative work that helped the Fiserv Forum become a reality, ensuring that the Milwaukee Bucks stayed right here. Every time I walk through the doors at Fiserv, I’m so honored to have played a small role in its success. More recently, I was proud to help get financing authority approved for the MMSD to help clean up the Milwaukee River Estuary. You can read more about that project on page 10 in this issue of Milwaukee Commerce. In the area of K-12 education, MMAC has always advocated aggressively for more options for parents and families, and more accountability for schools. We’ve made progress increasing high quality options for students and families in Milwaukee, expanding chartering entities and working to create a statewide report card to help students and families make informed decisions about the schools they attend. You can view this important resource at mkeschoolmap.org. Today, we’re working to increase the number of seats available in highperforming schools in Milwaukee. This is one of the most important issues we work on; we have so many talented students in our schools, but far too few make it to graduation or college. We need to create pathways to connect more of our citizens to

I pledge to continue to work hard every day on behalf of you, our members, and Milwaukee. good, family-sustaining jobs. Education is one of the areas where we can have the biggest impact – and, at times, face the most obstacles. But we cannot accept underperforming schools. Generations of Milwaukee students and families are counting on us to do better. What’s next? Our biggest priority is to determine a revenue source to help the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County avert an impending fiscal cliff that, if left unresolved, will severely degrade public safety and amenities such as the parks system. Our view is that a modest local sales tax increase is the best route to solve this pressing problem – a very rare position for a chamber to take, which hopefully shows you how important we think this is. We also are pressing for the completion of the I-94 expansion project, which you can read about on page 17 in this issue, and for new investments in higher education. Stay tuned. I was honored when MMAC President Tim Sheehy gave me the opportunity to step into the new role leading the government affairs department. I pledge to continue to work hard every day on behalf of you, our members, and Milwaukee. As my predecessor was fond of saying, “if you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” We’re here to make sure you have that seat at the table in important discussions that affect our business climate and the future of our region. If you ever have questions or need help with a legislative issue – or just want to chat -- please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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A clear opportunity A chance to leave our environment better than we found it

e sit at the precipice of implementing one of the last grand efforts to improve our natural environment in the Milwaukee Region. While there will always be more work needed, this grand effort will allow us to leave our natural environment better than we found it.

// Kevin Shafer Executive Director Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

This effort is focused on the Milwaukee River Estuary Area of Concern (AOC). The work in the AOC will not only improve the natural environment, but will also jumpstart the economy and protect our drinking water supply. The Milwaukee River Estuary was designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an AOC in the 1980s. An AOC is a location that has experienced significant environmental degradation, so the public cannot use it in a safe or beneficial way. For generations, Milwaukee was known as the “machine shop to the world.” But there was a downside: many of those machine shops, tanneries, breweries and manufacturing plants simply dumped their industrial waste into the nearest river. The legacy chemicals found deep in the river sediments are still there – PCBs, mercury, coal tar and heavy metals lead a long list of pollutants.

The good news is that today our rivers are much cleaner thanks to many initiatives over the years, such as the building of the deep tunnel system, dam removal projects and habitat restoration efforts. More than ever, we see an increase in kayaks, recreational boats and people fishing and enjoying our rivers and the lakefront. This investment has improved our quality of life and delivered a huge economic boost to the region and the state. This investment has also helped protect Lake Michigan, the source of drinking water for more than a million Wisconsinites. A strong economy needs a clean environment. The reverse is true as well. The work completed to date is starting to showcase this connection. Now, we must take the next step and clean up the AOC. The EPA estimates that there are approximately 1.4 million cubic yards of sediment that need to be removed from the waterways (Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers and the Harbor) to meet public health, environmental, and navigational needs. The EPA proposes to spend roughly $270 million to dredge and pump the contaminated river sediment through a pipeline to a special containment area called the Dredged Material Management Facility (DMMF), the most environmentally sound and economically feasible option to safely store contaminated river sediment.

Milwaukee sits at the confluence of three rivers - Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic - on the shore of Lake Michigan. Photo credit: VISIT Milwaukee

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This vacuum-type dredging operation will eliminate the need for trucks to haul away the sediments, reducing the impacts to residents, traffic concerns, and greenhouse gas emissions and saving approximately one million gallons of diesel fuel. For the EPA to start dredging, they need the DMMF to be built, and have identified its $100 million cost as one that Milwaukee must bear. This is the precipice that was identified over a year ago. Through many discussions, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) was identified as the agency most capable of designing, constructing and financing the DMMF -but to do this, a change in state law was required. Along with many partners, MMAC and MMSD worked with the state legislature and Governor Evers to change the law. In January, the governor signed a bill allowing MMSD to move forward with this project. It took over a year to accomplish, but this bipartisan bill was approved unanimously by the Senate and the Assembly. Together, this state walked over the precipice. Now the next phase moves forward with completion of the design in 2022 and construction starting in 2023. When completed in 2024, the EPA will then begin to fill the DMMF.

“More than ever, we see an increase in kayaks, recreational boats and people fishing and enjoying our rivers and the lakefront. ” It will take years for this newly created 42 acres of lakefront to be usable. But as Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, “Not only will the region now have a safe location to deposit dredge material. Decades ahead, city leaders can determine the best public use for the large swath of newly created harbor-front land.” I would like to thank all MMSD’s partners on this effort, but, in particular, I want to thank Tim Sheehy and the MMAC for your support. Tim immediately understood the significance of this work and helped push it over the precipice. Now, we must get the job done.

Photo credits: MMSD & VISIT Milwaukee mmac.org | 11

YOU BUILD THE MIDWEST WE BACK IT. For over 160 years, Associated Bank has proudly backed commercial businesses. We combine big-bank capabilities, like employee benefits programs, treasury management and international finance, with the superior, personalized customer service of a local bank. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you, because strong communities are built on strong businesses. Associated Bank is proud to support our commercial banking partners. Learn more at AssociatedBank.com/Commercial.

Jim Engel Team Leader Senior Market Leader – Commercial Banking Milwaukee • 414-283-2353 James.Engel@ AssociatedBank.com

Chris Hamilton Team Leader Market Leader – Commercial Banking Milwaukee • 414-283-2277 Christopher.Hamilton@ AssociatedBank.com

Gus Hernandez Group Senior Vice President Market Leader – Commercial Banking Milwaukee • 414-283-2270 Gus.Hernandez@ AssociatedBank.com

Deposit and loan products are offered by Associated Bank, N.A. Loan products are subject to credit approval and involve interest and other costs. Please ask about details on fees and terms and conditions of these products. Property insurance and flood insurance, if applicable, will be required on collateral. Member FDIC. (10/21) P04839

12 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

Building Milwaukee: The view from Here. The role of a financial institution in any community is to promote economic growth by safely holding deposits, facilitating the exchange of money and lending capital. Associated Bank has been doing this in Wisconsin for over 160 years. We’ve grown to be the largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin, with more branches throughout the state than any other bank.

This keeps Milwaukee at the forefront of industrial innovation, drawing both local and outside firms to continue investing in new factories and R&D centers throughout southeast Wisconsin. In addition, our workforce often starts new businesses, fueling a positive cycle of innovation and wealth generation.

Milwaukee continues to be a primary focus for us and a catalyst for our future growth. Our substantial investments in the region include the purchase of the Associated Bank River Center in downtown Milwaukee. Come spring, our CEO, several other executive leaders and a large team of our colleagues will be moving to the newly remodeled space in what will be our southeastern Wisconsin headquarters.

We partner with individuals, families, hospitals, nonprofits and thousands of businesses—from sole proprietorships to publicly traded companies and governmental organizations—in the Milwaukee area, with loans, payment processing and other services that companies need to function. This, in turn, helps power infrastructure projects, including roadbuilding, energy, transportation, clean water initiatives and healthcare access.

We have several reasons for concentrating on Milwaukee. Milwaukee has done an excellent job developing infrastructure on both the public side and through public-private partnerships. We have strong highways, a port on Lake Michigan, an efficient airport and reliable rail connections that make Milwaukee a hub for commerce. Our focus on freshwater technology is unparalleled and rightfully envied throughout the world. In addition, the Milwaukee region is served by top-rated healthcare systems. But without question, the strongest asset of the Milwaukee area is the people. The strong work ethic and Midwestern attitude combined with the genuine interest in and care for others is truly unmatched in other parts of the country. Studies show that Wisconsin also has one of the most talented workforces in the nation, especially in science and engineering.

Associated Bank recognizes Milwaukee as a growth market that will continue to elevate the entire region. Our motto is “Your Money Works Here®”; it’s the foundation of why we’ve committed to reinvesting in our communities while fostering, retaining and supporting local talent. Deposit and loan products are offered by Associated Bank, N.A. Loan products are subject to credit approval and involve interest and other costs. Please ask about details on fees and terms and conditions of these products. Property insurance and flood insurance, if applicable, will be required on collateral. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Christopher Hamilton Team leader, Commercial Banking Group Associated Bank www.associatedbank.com/commercial

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THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT LONG-TERM GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION THAT REALLY WORKS

M // David Strifling Director, Water Law and Policy Initiative Marquette University Law School

ilwaukee’s culture, its environment, and its economy are tightly intertwined with water, and particularly with Lake Michigan. Protecting this invaluable resource for future generations has been at the forefront of policymaking efforts since Wisconsin became a state, and probably even longer than that. The Wisconsin state constitution itself embraces the importance of keeping the waters of the state “forever free.” Much more recently, though, all of the Great Lakes states decided to join together in a critical agreement known as the Great Lakes Compact, intended to protect and preserve the Great Lakes. The Compact confers a variety of benefits on the people who live in the Great Lakes basin. Most casual observers are familiar with the Compact’s main feature: it generally bans diversions of Great Lakes water outside the Great Lakes basin. There are exceptions in certain circumstances for public water supply to communities that straddle the basin line, or that lie within straddling counties. And the Compact allows businesses to ship Great Lakes water out of the basin in small containers when included

14 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

in a product for sale. But for as long as it is in place, the Compact definitively ends any hope of thirsty western cities to tap into Great Lakes water. To be sure, the ban on diversions provides an important competitive advantage for Milwaukee and other cities in the Basin. While other states fight “water wars” all the way to the United States Supreme Court—even “wetter” eastern states like Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee—the Great Lakes states chose a path of cooperation. This avoids economically draining struggles for water and makes cities in the basin an attractive destination for residents and industry alike. The value of a stable water supply can’t be overstated, especially in an era when climate change is expected to place increasing strain on water resources, and when businesses are increasingly focused on sustainability metrics such as their “water footprint.” Such considerations are especially important in Wisconsin, which boasts the second-most miles of Great Lakes shoreline, trailing only Michigan. But the Compact contains much more than the diversion ban. To focus exclusively on

The value of a stable water supply can’t be overstated, especially in an era when climate change is expected to place increasing strain on water resources.

that ignores many of the Compact’s notable features that together set up a joint management framework for the Great Lakes. Unlike many interstate water agreements, for example, it takes groundwater use into account. And it includes innovative new technical features such as water use reporting requirements, cumulative impacts assessment, data collection, and intergovernmental Lakes management. Managing these activities is no small job; it required a new governance framework. Instead of each state going its own way to make independent management decisions, the Compact created two new cross-jurisdictional, quasigovernmental entities: the Compact Council and the Regional Body, each including a representative from each member state. These groups do the on-the-ground work of administering the Compact and managing the Lakes. These features represent significant advancements and create a framework for employing sound science in the joint management of the Great Lakes. They are a tribute to the Compact’s architects. What’s more, these features give Milwaukee and other basin cities built-in reasons to be good stewards of the resource. Today, we take it for granted that we would protect the resource against those who might wish to take it. But enacting the Compact was a remarkable achievement that likely wouldn’t be possible in today’s political climate:

it is a bipartisan, multi-jurisdictional agreement with benefits that may occur more in the future than in the present. This was remarkable, then and now. During a 2018 conference convened at Marquette University Law School to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Compact, noted author and journalist Peter Annin, an expert on the history of battles waged over Great Lakes water, said that he believes the “Lakes have never been better protected” from large scale diversions, thanks to the Compact. In short, it is an example of government collaboration that works. Despite these advantages, questions persist about the Compact’s staying power. Annin expects more and more applications to be filed seeking an exception from the diversion plan. Other legal and political experts predict that thirsty regions across the country are still focused on the Great Lakes as a potential water source, and at some point might seek to dislodge the Compact using legal means. Perhaps the Compact will not be fully tested until water shortages strike broad swaths of the country, including areas outside the Great Lakes basin but within the Great Lakes states. Many advocates for the Lakes hope that day never comes, believing that despite the uncertainties, the Compact represents the best hope of preserving the Great Lakes as a resource for future generations. Milwaukee (and Wisconsin) can take pride in that goal.

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Vision Benefits…from Delta Dental? Did you know your eyes can give your doctor a clear picture of your overall health? This is just one way vision benefits can help employees stay healthy. Adults are four times more likely to have an eye exam than a medical physical. This may be due to the ease of scheduling an eye exam and feeling that it’s a less invasive procedure, or the simple fact that noticing a change in your vision is a lot easier than noticing a change in your cholesterol, for example. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute – why is a sales executive from Delta Dental talking about vision?” Well, we’re experts not only in dental insurance, but also in vision insurance. Throughout 2022, I plan to focus these quarterly articles on how dental and vision benefits are imperative. If offered by their employer, 85% of adults would take a vision insurance plan. In most benefits packages, vision insurance falls third in line (following medical and dental) as the most desired benefit. Delta Dental of Wisconsin not only offers great dental insurance, but covers your vision care needs as well. When looking at ways to increase productivity at work, vision may not be the first thing that comes to mind; however, it should

be, since 75% of adults need some form of vision correction. Employees have shown a 2.5% increase in productivity simply by having the most accurate vision prescription, and a 20% decrease in productivity by having an inaccurate vision prescription. With the effects of aging and the increase in screen usage, vision health should continue to be a top priority along with dental and medical. For less cost per month than most employees spend on coffee, let Delta Dental of Wisconsin show you some vision insurance plans for your organization. I invite you to contact me or scan the QR code with your smart phone’s camera to learn more about dental and vision plans. We want to clearly see those beautiful smiles. Stay tuned for our future articles, which will discuss bundling dental and vision; the connection of vision, oral, and overall health; and Delta Dental’s plan features.

Jackie Bloomer Sales Executive Delta Dental of Wisconsin Source: eyemed.com/en-us/employers/why-vision

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Advocating for I-94 improvements The last piece in a 20-year puzzle

he Interstate 94 East-West project is the last piece in a 20-year puzzle to improve our freeway system that is, at its core, about safety, better access to jobs, and greater mobility.

// Nancy Hernandez President, Hispanic Collaborative

We all share the concerns that the corridor’s outdated infrastructure results in congestion and all too real safety concerns. That said, we should also be concerned with economic and quality of life impacts that depend on implementing the best solution to move this project forward.

With the remainder of our freeway system having already been improved and built for higher capacity, rebuilding the corridor without additional capacity makes no sense and results in continued freeway congestion from day one. More importantly, not adding the additional lanes perpetuates merging problems and reduces safety levels for users of the corridor.

Lane expansion supports safety, more capacity Expanding the freeway from six to eight lanes will ensure we safely rebuild this corridor with the capacity to better accommodate today’s demands, and the demands of our growing region for tomorrow. By contrast, retaining a six-lane configuration still has over a billion dollar price tag but delivers neither the safety nor capacity that Milwaukee needs and deserves. For motorists who have spent hundreds of hours stuck in traffic on the interstate between 70th Street and 16th Street over the years, rebuilding the corridor without additional

capacity only to have the freeway congested on the day of the ribbon cutting makes no sense. We understand how freeways got a bad reputation among Black and Brown communities, as they historically helped physically separate and often marginalize them. But transportation officials today are embracing the connections that roadways can provide to those same communities. Imagine a beautiful and safe pedestrian bridge across the 16th and 27th Street viaducts bringing the north and south neighborhoods closer together. And with the density of hardworking families found in our urban center, imagine rapid transit spanning from the north to the south of the county along 27th Street, enhancing access to jobs, medical centers, businesses, and schools. These improvements, along with bike and pedestrian facilities along key local roadways, are all currently being discussed as part of the I-94 East-West project. I no longer live in the near southside neighborhood that I grew up in, but I drive back to the neighborhood several times a week to do business, shop, or see friends and family. The same stretch of freeway I use to go to work downtown each day is the stretch of freeway that keeps me connected to my broader Milwaukee home, and keeps me invested in the diverse businesses and neighborhoods that make this city special. When I am asked, what side of the road I am on regarding the I-94 project, I say proudly that I am on Milwaukee’s side: the side of progress and staying connected. A version of this editorial originally ran in the Milwaukee Business Journal.

mmac.org | 17

New opportunities coming to

Port Milwaukee

Rail merger, more cruise ships and upcoming agricultural export terminal point to growth

ort Milwaukee ships approximately 2.5 million tons of cargo through the Milwaukee Region every year, making it a critical piece of our region’s infrastructure. Milwaukee Commerce recently spoke to Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Director of Port Milwaukee, for an update.

//Adam Tindall-Schlicht Director, Port Milwaukee

Milwaukee Commerce: How does the port serve as a valuable regional asset? Adam Tindall-Schlicht: Having a fully multimodal port in the heart of the City of Milwaukee is key for area manufacturers, growers, producers and other businesses, particularly at this time when domestic and international supply chains have been stretched to the maximum. We know there’s been delay and degradation in the North American supply chain. Having ready resources for domestic and international vessels, having access to the Mississippi River inland system for cargoes via tug and barge, and also having access to two Class One rail lines, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific, provides port customers with easy access and an array of solutions as they may be seeking new supply chain alternatives in the years ahead. MC: What role does the port have in helping alleviate supply chain pressure? ATS: One resource that I continue to talk about is the port’s international trade team. During this time, when customers aren’t quite sure what resources to use and how to best look at new supply chain solutions, we have a team of international trade specialists here at the port that can help customers figure out what new

18 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

options are before them, helping customers navigate the complexities of the domestic and international supply chain. I think leveraging our core areas of business, which are in the shipment of bulk commodities and break bulk commodities -- cargos that are not containerized but have a complex route into the heartland of North America -- that’s really our sweet spot. And we’re looking to work with more customers in our area that are specializing in those markets. Third, I want to talk about the last mile, those local supply chain needs on the street level here in downtown Milwaukee or in Oak Creek or Oconomowoc. For example, the Ascent project downtown received its mass lumber and timber on a just-in-time basis via the port. So those customers that really have a to-theminute, to-the-hour delivery need, they’re giving us a call for assistance. And I think we’re going to see more of that business coming our way in the years ahead as well. MC: What are some details on the $3.5 million grant from the state to build a new cruise ship dock? ATS: We have seen a tremendous uptick in cruise business. In 2018, we had fewer than 1,000 passengers on cruise ships coming to our port. This year, we anticipate well over 10,000. The $3.5 million is going to go an incredibly long way in needed reinvestment so we can stay competitive in the cruise market. Obviously in 2020 and 2021, cruise activity was not possible because of public health guidance. But it

We now have a budget forecast and an infrastructure renewal plan reinvesting in all of the port’s transportation assets for the next 50 years.

is a robust economy, and interest and excitement is high for cruise business to return to our port, and return to Milwaukee. I’ll specifically talk about two partners: Pearl Seas Cruises, which operates a vessel called the Pearl Mist, entered into an up to 20-year agreement with the port to maintain their cruise activity here. Also during the pandemic, Viking Cruises announced its entrance into the Great Lakes market and its selection of Milwaukee for turnaround service. Viking will be bringing its new vessel, the Viking Octantis, to our port. I look forward to welcoming that vessel and her passengers later this year. MC: What other infrastructure improvements has the port made in recent years? ATS: Infrastructure investment requires a long-term strategic plan. The port developed and released its new capital asset renewal plan, which is a visionary tool, where we now have a budget forecast and an infrastructure renewal plan reinvesting in all of the port’s transportation assets for the next 50 years. The port will need to reinvest at least $200 million for its current infrastructure to maintain our operations. And we have a strategic roadmap to accomplish that. The port, in partnership with the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, has reinvested over $10 million in its rail infrastructure, making sure that customers and manufacturers can continue to have easy access to both Canadian Pacific’s rail service, as well as Union Pacific’s rail service through the port. And I certainly must bring up the DeLong project. We are building a new agricultural export terminal at the port with $35 million in public-private funding. This is the largest one-time investment in the port’s recent history. We are very optimistic that the terminal will be fully built and operational by April of 2023. This

Photo credit: VISIT Milwaukee

is going to infuse Wisconsin’s economy with, we estimate, $60 million or more in economic impact each year. Our next chapter is fully utilizing the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill. We think that the Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress passing this legislation is a game-changer for our port, for Great Lakes ports and ports nationwide -and the customers that require our access to domestic and world markets. We expect there will be more federal competitive programs that receive funding as a result of the bill, and the port is already preparing to make sure that we’re an active player. I’m thankful for our partnership and our longtime membership in MMAC, working within the MMAC family to bring forward competitive grant applications in recent years. MC: Anything else we should know about? ATS: There’s one thing that I would encourage everyone to check out because we believe this is an exciting opportunity. Last year, it was announced that Canadian Pacific was merging with Kansas City Southern rail line. This is the first merger of two Class One rail lines in North America since the late 1990s. With this merger, Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern are going to offer the first direct rail service that goes from Canada, through Milwaukee and into Mexico. For those businesses in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin that are trying to figure out new ways to hit the Canadian market and hit the Mexican market, leverage our port. Let’s start having those conversations about how we can help you reach those markets. This is a game changer for rail utilization in North America going forward.

mmac.org | 19

building better by going beyond

Visit findorff.com/industries to learn more.

20 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

Maximizing Construction Success Virtually In an age where digital dominates, how are the top construction companies utilizing new technology to enhance their communication and refine the construction process? While many others in the construction industry lag when it comes to adopting new technology, Findorff has been investing in embedding construction technology into our workflows for over a decade. At the core of this innovation is Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a tool that allows project teams to input critical data throughout the project’s lifecycle into a 3D model. For many companies, BIM solves potential issues that could turn costly if they reach the field undetected.

Improving the Flow of Information A construction project’s web of communication is a complex array of stakeholders, and can include Owners, Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, and Subcontractors. Each creates and documents information throughout the project’s life cycle, which is communicated to other stakeholders for input, clarifications, and implementation. Although this communication process may sound straightforward, there are many challenges, which can include: •Lack of transparency between stakeholders •Missing and inconsistent information •Out of date information •Disconnected data To alleviate these challenges, utilizing BIM in the communication process can build the structure virtually before physically, providing a singular source of truth.

BIM-led planning process results in greater team trust Technology in the construction sphere continues to evolve and is a vital part of the project cycle to mitigate risk, improve cost savings, and enhance communication. Through the creation of this BIM-led communication process and issue resolution, the Virtual Design Construction (VDC) team is creating an opportunity to proactively solve issues compared to a conventional approach where issues may not be realized until after construction is underway. In addition, tradespeople are informed of pertinent information quicker than conventional communication method. The future is now, and technology barriers in construction are being broken down, allowing for minimized risk and maximized success. Our VDC team at Findorff is eager to be a part of the evolution and continued impacts it will make in the industry, providing greater success and reward to our partners, clients, and customers.

Donnie Bogle-Boesiger Senior Virtual Construction Specialist J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. https://findorff.com/

mmac.org | 21

Pictured: Will Schanen & Page Peters

Rapid Radicals Protecting our greatest asset

f you are a Milwaukeean who associates heavy rains with basement flooding and sewage backups, you are not alone. Dr. Daniel Zitomer of // Anna Marquette University Lardinois was one of the many city dwellers who Startup Storyteller, found their basements MMAC flooded after a powerful rainstorm rolled through the area in July 2010. Rainwater overwhelmed the sewer system, leaving the overflow with nowhere to go but into people’s basements, and into Lake Michigan. Flooding is an annual problem in our city, particularly in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Zitomer, an engineering professor, was certain something could be done to protect 22 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

both homes and the lake from the untreated water that overwhelmed Milwaukee’s sewer systems, as well as help the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District meet its 2035 strategic vision of zero overflows and zero basement backups. So he began to work on the problem that impacts an estimated 800 cities throughout the nation. Graduate student and environmental engineer Paige Peters was recruited to work on the project that launched in 2015 with a grant from the National Science Foundation Water and Equipment Policy IndustryUniversity Cooperative Research Center.

Faster water treatment equals fewer backups At the onset of the project, the group noted that it takes about eight hours to safely treat wastewater through the current system. They determined if they could dramatically cut down the processing time,

they would be able to move water out of the system quickly and avoid the processing backups that cause flooding. By employing a process that uses both physical and chemical treatment, the team developed a method for treating wastewater 1500% faster than the current methods being used. The project had a number of early successes, and in June 2016 it was decided the project should move forward as an LLC. Rapid Radicals Technology was formed to begin offering the technology being developed in the lab to the cities that could use these services. Peters, a self-described adventure seeker, was eager to take the helm of the newly formed company. Peters has always been drawn to the water. “I was a swimmer for eight years growing up, so water is where I feel the most comfortable, she said.” Her time in the pool, coupled with frequent visits to Lake

Michigan throughout her childhood, made water a powerful force in the life of founder and CEO of Rapid Radicals Technology. “My interest in engineering was founded on the idea of wanting to be helpful and wanting to affect change,” she said. “I had a conversation with my father when I was in my freshman year of undergrad, where I (said) ‘engineering is really hard.’ I wasn’t doing well in chemistry, and I didn’t want to continue. He looked at me and said, ‘Well, if you really want to help people, you have to have a skill. You have to be able to contribute something.’ Engineering made the most sense to me as this kind of skill, and as soon as I had that conversation with him, everything just made sense. It was doing things for a good reason and the struggle was worth it through engineering school because I had this purpose and water within that made the most sense because it is the thing that brings us together.” To Peters, water is “inherently social and public” in nature. “It non-selectively gives life,” she said. “It connects us all. And so for me, wanting to be an engineer, that was affecting change on a public level. … It’s not about the technical solution, it’s about helping make all those key factors line up for success, and let infrastructure really be what it needs to be for different communities. The desire to affect change started it all, and science made the most sense. And water was the way I wanted to do it.” The company won the People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Wisconsin Innovation Awards and just landed a $983,995 phase two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation in November. The additional funding will allow Peters to expand her team and build a second pilot water treatment facility. A pilot system is funded by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District through a research grant to Marquette and a phase one STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer program grant) from National Science Foundation. “That system is down at their South Shore facility, and we’ve been operating it for two years now,” Peters said. ”That system is going to stay there, and we’re going to use this funding to build another pilot.”

The CEO, who designs and builds the company’s pilot water treatment facilities, describes the new location as, “a bigger version of it, which is going to allow us to test chemical treatment on a larger scale and actually test it at real outfalls. The location ready systems would be implemented during storm events to eliminate the overflow aspect.”

conveyed in a way that doesn’t pollute our rivers or doesn’t end up in the lake. But the next steps — ‘What action are you willing to take?’ — is a difficult question for people.”

Peters is an advocate for grassroots change and urges everyone who flushes a toilet to consider their impact on the sewer system.

“So that’s the challenge I put out there is to think about how much this service means to you,” Peters said. “We can all agree water itself is a human right. But the service to get that water to you is a whole complicated, expensive thing that we should be willing to question the way that we see it now. It’s not so complicated that only engineers are working on this.”

Strong infrastructure make cities possible “We can not live in cities without reliable infrastructure that safely brings water to your home and infrastructure that safely carries wastewater away from your home,” Peters said. “It’s the only thing that allows us to live in cities.” She continues, “Everybody should care more about this. … As a community, we should be building accountability around the infrastructure that serves us. And what does that look like? Does it look like being willing to pay a little bit more so that we can maintain that infrastructure? Is it asking more questions and placing less blame? I think it’s all of that, but it really is something that affects all of us.” She advocates for collective solutions to responsible stewardship of water as a natural resource.

Rapid Radicals uses poet W.H Auden’s line, “water is the soul of the Earth,” as one of its mottos, and the sentiment is what drives the company forward.

To follow this company determined to enact positive change for people and the environment, connect with them via LinkedIn.

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:

“Of course, nobody wants to spend more money,” Peters said. “But I would spend whatever it took to make sure that the water that came to my home was safe for my family, and that the wastewater was mmac.org | 23

pOWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION •We Energies has one of the most reliable energy grids in the country. The company’s success with keeping the lights on has been recognized repeatedly by independent organizations that monitor energy reliability and customer satisfaction.

•WEC Energy Group, the parent company of We Energies, is planning to invest $17.7 billion by 2026 to further strengthen energy infrastructure and continue providing affordable, reliable and clean energy.

•Last year, We Energies was recognized as the nation’s top energy company by the businesses it serves. We Energies received the highest score on the 2021 Trusted Business Partner Brand Trust Index in a nationwide study by Escalent, a top human behavior and analytics advisory firm.

•We Energies and WEC Energy are investing $3.5 billion building new solar, wind and battery storage projects in Wisconsin as part of their commitment to reduce carbon emissions 80% by the end of 2030 and to exit coal by 2035. •The companies are focused on achieving net-zero carbon emissions from power generation by 2050.

The Milwaukee Region’s

WATER TREATMENT

PORT MILWAUKEE

• The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) provides water reclamation and flood management services for about 1.1 million people in 28 communities in Greater Milwaukee.

•With 16 berths and two dedicated barge berths, Port Milwaukee handles an average ofapproximately 2.5 million tons of cargo per year.

• MMSD is highly regarded nationally as a leader in wastewater treatment, flood management, and green infrastructure.

•Port Milwaukee is served by the Union Pacific (UP) Railway and the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway. Both UP and CP provide direct pier delivery at all port facilities.

• A recipient of the U.S. Water Prize, MMSD has captured and cleaned 98.5 percent of wastewater from 28 communities in a 423 square mile area since 1994. Many metropolitan areas struggle to capture and clean the national goal of 85% of all the rain and wastewater that enters their sewer systems.

24 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

•Port Milwaukee is the sole Lake Michigan port approved to serve the Mississippi River inland waterway system with direct river barge access from the port to the Illinois River, a vital connection between other U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes region.

MILWAUKEE MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT •Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) currently offers nonstop flights to 38 destinations coast-to-coast, and more than 200 international destinations are available with just one connection. •MKE is served by Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. •The airport handled more than 169 million pounds of air freight in 2021. •256 arriving/departing flights per day and 6,894,894 passengers per year (pre-pandemic 2019 data)

Infrastructure | AT A GLANCE

OTHER TRANSPORTATION •Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service is the busiest route in the Midwest, offering numerous daily passenger trains that connect Milwaukee with Amtrak’s regional hub in Chicago. Milwaukee also is served by Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which provides service to St. Paul/Minneapolis and Seattle or Portland. The city’s Amtrak station is located at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, which is located just south of downtown Milwaukee, with a suburban stop at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

Photo credit: Powergrid and helmets: We Energies/WEC Energy Group | Port of Milwaukee: Port Milwaukee Website | Mitchel Airport & The HOP: VISIT Milwaukee

•The Lake Express High Speed Ferry connects Milwaukee and Muskegon, MI, allowing travelers to bypass Chicago’s congested roadways. The ferry makes two round trips per day, three during the summer months. •The Hop, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, is a modern, fixed-transit network connecting the Milwaukee Intermodal Station with the Historic Third Ward, East Town business district and Lower East Side.

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MMAC Leadership Council: Infrastructure Survey Results // Barb Smith, Director of MMAC Leadership Council To keep the Milwaukee Region’s economy growing, businesses rely on the availability and capacity of our underlying infrastructure systems including safe and efficient roadways, clean drinking water, and reliable energy to name but a few. These systems also allow residents of southeastern Wisconsin to enjoy a high quality of life that includes low commute times and the confidence to know the lights will always turn on. 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 assets liabilities in our regional infrastructure and how it supports their businesses. Below you can read their insightful and wide-ranging comments.

“To create the workforce that our region needs for the future, we must address the barriers that are preventing the development of said workforce. Transportation is at the top of the list.” Kathy Thornton-Bias Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

What part of the Milwaukee Region’s infrastructure is most important to the future of our economy?

53%

TRANSPORTATION COMMUNICATION ELECTRIC WATER

“Connectivity to other metro areas is important to make us a destination city. Imagine choosing to live in MKE because it is such a great town, even if your job is in Chicago, Madison or Minneapolis.” Jeff Niesen - BOLDT “Enabling goods and services to flow to/from our manufacturers to customers in a global economy is most vital to a healthy economy in Wisconsin.” John Ische -Trisept Solutions

A strong & growing base of local leaders The Council’s 60 + members include companies in:

Automotive, Aviation & Marine Communications Construction Finance Healthcare Higher Education Manufacturing Non-profit Professional Services Technology Real Estate Retail 26 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

More than half of our survey respondents cited the regional transportation system as the most important infrastructure resource. They referenced commute times and the ability to transport goods in and around our area as key advantages.

of respondents agree that rebuilding the I-94 corridor near American Family Field will result in less congestion, smoother merging and better safety for drivers. The majority of repondents agree that expanding the freeway here is necessary. Yet, many also do not think this is the region’s top infrastructure priority.

“Job creation is important to open more opportunities for those in our community that are low skilled or have a desire to pursue skilled labor. A reliable transportation system that services employment pockets in the city and surrounding areas is an imperative to stable employment.” Ryan Barbieri M3 Insurance

Those who selected Milwaukee’s communication networks as most important referenced the rise of remote working. Many employers, both large and small, use it when recruiting workers. The demands of new technologies on the current system – now and in the future – was also noted.

“Communication network access is already driving the data economy, bringing technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to the masses as well as improving internal and external collaboration. (It)is a catalyst for innovation we have yet to imagine.” Sarit Singhal Superior Support Resources

The value of an intermodal terminal at Port Milwaukee 10 6%

of respondents believe that investments along the riverfront provide the largest benefit

9 6%

“This project is an historic opportunity for the region to leverage federal EPA funds for a large-scale environmental cleanup that will create jobs, lead to future redevelopment in the project area and increase recreation and tourism.”

6 6% 5

4 6this 8asset Respondants0that2weighed as more important, stressed its role to regional economic growth. Those seeing it as less important, discussed this being only one of several issues impacting delivery times and referenced the negative impact of increased traffic in Lake Michigan.

Mark Sobczak - Sikich LLP

Kris Naidl - Laughlin Constable

16%

This important legislative win, announced earlier this year, is detailed on page 9 in this issue of Milwaukee Commerce. Respondents who were aware of the MMSD project see the increased investment opportunities along the riverfront as the top benefits, building on projects such as Michels Corporation’s $100 million, mixeduse development, and Komatsu Mining Corporation’s new $285 million corporate campus. Other benefits include improved fish and wildlife habitat and increased traffic capacity at Port Milwaukee.

19%

“Supporting broadband expansion and service across the state is crucial for the education, health and vitality of other areas. Metro Milwaukee can only benefit from those areas being strong, well-educated students coming from there.”

“Delays and shortages of raw materials and key components negatively impacted our revenue last year. It would be valuable if Milwaukee could play a role in alleviating some of the factors contributing to supply chain delays.” Mary Isbister - GenMet

“Continue to focus on technical training and education as part of infrastructure. A well-trained workforce is critical to the success of the region and attracting talent.” Richard Hensley National Bank & Trust

“Focusing on removing state taxes to entice future employees to move to Wisconsin would be beneficial. This would increase Wisconsin’s competitiveness against other states.” Jon Wehrli - Eaton

Vision for our future When asked for any further comments on regional issues MMAC should be more involved with, the respondents overwhelmingly cited improving

EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT as a top priority.

JOIN THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL The MMAC Leadership Council is the place to make exclusive connections, discuss ideas and be recognized for your leadership. MMAC provides a platform to convene and create the strategies that will ensure our prosperity. Your perspective is critical to setting the course for Milwaukee’s future.

ACCESS: Unlock exclusive opportunities to develop relationships with key Milwaukee business leaders and be among the first to hear what’s coming next for our region’s economy.

INPUT: Your experience and perspectives will help us develop our agenda for business growth.

IMPACT: Be part of a long-range collaborative effort to advance metro Milwaukee for talented & diverse employees, high-skill jobs and businessfriendly environment.

Interested in learning how you can participate in MMAC’s Leadership Council? Contact Barb Smith at 414/287-4173 or bsmith@mmac.org mmac.org | 27

DIY TV Advertising – Creating an advertising campaign has never been easier Recent studies confirm that TV ranks number one in time spent with media. According to Nielsen’s Total Audience Report, U.S. adults spent twice as much time with TV as they do with radio, and they spend 50% more time with TV than with web on a smartphone.1 The Spectrum Reach Ad Portal provides simple and efficient ways to grow a business with the power of TV: Two ways to create. Business owners can choose from a collection of TV-ready commercial templates and create one on their own, or collaborate with the creative experts at Spectrum Reach’s in-house agency, Kernel. Ad frequency optimization. Adding TV to a digital or social media schedule increases reach and provides better frequency. As a rule, three is the magic number— where an ad will make a lasting impression and produce results.2

Results. The Ad Portal’s reporting dashboard makes it easy to understand an ad’s effectiveness with real-time campaign results. The Spectrum Reach Ad Portal, an easy-to-use, do-it-yourself TV advertising solution, is here. Are you curious? Create your first campaign, at https://www.spectrumreach.com/adportal Sources: Advertising Across Today’s Media: The Nielsen Total Audience Report, March 2021.

“The Power of Repetition for Your TV Campaign.” Spectrum Reach, 6/28/21. https://www.spectrum-

reach.com/articles/power-repetition-your-tv-campaign

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

28 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

Partnership for Economic Development

Main Street Bounceback grants awarded to 870 businesses moving into vacant spaces across the region Milwaukee 7 (M7) and Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) are administering the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) grant program in southeast WI to help businesses open and expand in vacant spaces.

Central Standard Craft Distillery recently expanded in a long-time vacant building at 320 Clybourn St. in Downtown Milwaukee

The Main Street Bounceback grant program from WEDC has provided financial support to 870 businesses in the Milwaukee Region, helping them move into existing vacant commercial properties and creating a foundation for long-term success for the businesses and their communities. More than half of the grants have been awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses.

870

Kenosha Milwaukee Ozaukee Racine Walworth Approved Grant Washington Applications by County: Waukesha

25 462 46 140 34 44 119

Funded from the American Rescue Plan Act, the program offers $10,000 grants to businesses moving into vacant space. To date there have been 2,500 grants approved across the state. Funds can be used to pay leases, mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location in what has been a vacant business.

New Milwaukee Tool manufacturing facility in West Bend set to open Milwaukee Tool is currently installing equipment and prepping to begin operations at its new 94,700-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Bend. The plant will manufacture new-to-market hand tools for professional electricians and utility linemen. Within three years, Milwaukee Tool plans to create 50 full-time jobs. Strong collaboration between Milwaukee Tool and the Milwaukee 7 has supported the company’s multiple expansion projects. In the last five years, Milwaukee Tool has invested more than $235 million in projects across the Milwaukee Region, accounting for 3,000 jobs. Congratulations to Milwaukee Tool for also being named a Glassdoor.com Best Places to Work for the third year in a row, ranking No. 25 and moving up 19 spots from last year.

To learn more about the program, visit wedc.org

mmac.org | 29

MMAC Member Milestones NOVEMBER 2021 TO JANUARY 2022 105 years

50 years

Rockwell Automation, Inc. Viking Electric Supply

Zilli Hospitality Group

100 years Zurn Water Solutions

J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

95 years

35 years

Jacobus Energy LLC Ryerson, Inc. Wisconsin Center District

American Society for Quality (ASQ)

40 years

30 years Boston Lofts A Mandel Community Creative Business Interiors, Inc. Mandel Group, Inc. - Gaslight & Corcoran Lofts Mandel Group, Inc. - Library Hill Mueller Communications LLC

80 years Superior Die Set Corporation

70 years Milwaukee Forge LLC

25 years

60 years Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee Douglas Dynamics Jorgensen Conveyors, Inc.

Cushman & Wakefield|Boerke Discovery World Environmental Innovations Inc./Oasis Coffee Services MTI Connect LLC

Creating landmarks. Inspiring change. 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 precast innovators, Wells collaborates with engineers, developers and building owners, offering transformative building solutions and creating structures that help communities thrive.

Let’s transform your community. wellsconcrete.com 800.658.7049

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30 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

2/24/22 3:04 PM

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.

20 years First Business Bank - Milwaukee

15 years Global Precision Industries, Inc. Lake-Express High Speed Ferry Tailored Label Products, Inc. Weyco Group, Inc.

10 years Affinity, Inc. GPS Education Partners Revitalize Milwaukee

5 years AdviceWorks Wealth Advisors Best Version Media LLC Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. General Plastics Inc. Riverwater Partners LLC

RMR Analysts a div of Robinson Management Resources, Inc. Together with CCHP Total Wine & More Warehouse - Lighting

1 year Biocut Systems Deville Technologies LLC Enterprise Consulting Fiddleheads Coffee First Federal Bank of Wisconsin i.c.stars |* Milwaukee ICS LLC Keystone Click Lippert Flooring & Tile Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria - Brookfield Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria - Fox Point Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria - Greenfield

Lyft, Inc. Nō Studios Nicholas Financial NVNG Investment Advisors LLC Precision Door Service Principal Financial ProBrew Serendipity Labs Wauwatosa The Fox Company, Inc. The Kubala Washatko Architects

A legacy of success in Milwaukee. A strong infrastructure has the power to strengthen communities and create new opportunities for people to thrive. By forming connections with local partners — and using innovative construction solutions to help those partners succeed — Wells has supported Milwaukee’s infrastructure for more than 70 years. Supporting construction success reinforces Milwaukee’s legacy and builds local pride with every new project. We look forward to helping strengthen the city’s future through new partnerships, new progress and new opportunities.

Scott Bertschinger President and COO Wells-Great Lakes

wellsconcrete.com | 800.658.7049

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2/24/22 3:05 PM

mmac.org | 31

New MMAC Members NOVEMBER 2021 TO JANUARY 2022

ARCpoint Labs of Milwaukee North Alan Wedal, President 4125 N. 124th St., Ste. G Brookfield, WI 53005 arcpointlabs.com/milwaukee-north/ (262) 923-8386 Drug/Alcohol Testing

Be! Elizabeth Thelen, Coach N7997 Lakeview Rd. Oconomowoc, WI 53066 bedohaveshare.com (262) 893-3345 Business Consultants

CMC IT Industries

Felix Global

Chris McLean, Owner 1729 N. 55th St. Milwaukee, WI 53208 cmcitindustries.com (414) 350-5557 Computers, IT & Technology

Natalie Forward, Vice President 10 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 1940 Chicago, IL 60603 felixglobal.com (414) 550-3403 Executive Search Consultants

Dinvy

Kraus-Anderson Construction

Timothy Schmitt Director of Sales 215 N. Water St., Ste. 150 Milwaukee, WI 53202 dinvy.com (414) 499-5298 Managed Service Provider

Mike Timmers Director of Operations 126 N. Jefferson St., Ste. 402 Milwaukee, WI 53202 krausanderson.com (414) 216-7249 Construction Management

Building Toward a Better

Wisconsin

Every project, on time & within budget jcp-construction.com

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32 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

11/11/21 9:42 AM

MarchantSchmidt

Podcast Town

David Foley, COO 24 W. Larsen Dr. Fond Du Lac, WI 54937 marchantschmidt.com (414) 477-6972 Industrial Equipment-Supplies/ Manufacturers

Elzie Flenard, Founder/CEO 11220 W. Burleigh, Ste. 100 Wauwatosa, WI 53222 podcasttown.net (262) 278-0535 Marketing Consultants

Merit Marketing, Inc.

Paul Hanon, Photographer 2612 S. Greeley St., Ste. 316 Milwaukee, WI 53207 premierheadshots.net (262) 370-6403 Photographers-Commercial

Denise Kohnke Chief Strategy & Growth Officer 121 Locust St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 madewithmerit.com (717) 652-0100 Advertising Specialties

Premier Headshots

RCS Innovations -

Commercial Interiors Division Rod Winter President & CEO 7075 W. Parkland Ct. Milwaukee, WI 53223 rcsinnovations.com/commercialinteriors/ (414) 354-6900 Office Furniture/Interior Design & Dealers

Continued on page 34 Advertisement

Weber Advising Providing Independent Advisor Services

mmac.org | 33

Continued from page 33

New MMAC Members NOVEMBER 2021 TO JANUARY 2022

ROCKSTAR HOLDINGS LLC Steven B Goodman President 301 N. Broadway, Ste. 304 Milwaukee, WI 53202 rockstarevents.com (414) 332-0000 Hospitality/Resorts/Hotels

Sabljak & Budisch Anna Steinmetz Director of Operations 4550 S. 119th St. Greenfield, WI 53228 sabljakandbudisch.com (414) 588-5500 Consultants

Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Mike Steinborn, Manager 813 N. Mayfair Rd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 team-rehab.com/locations/ wisconsin/ (262) 347-9765 Physical Therapist

WoodgeniX Paul Golden, CEO 200 Woodland St. Random Lake, WI 53075 woodgenixllc.com (920) 994-9528 Cabinet Makers

Support your fellow members by doing business together.

mmac.org/directory.html

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 Angie Doucette 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.

9160B22

34 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

Business Savings Program We’re proud to be a part of the Office Depot OfficeMax Business Savings Program. This exclusive program provides our members with special deals that extend to almost every item, access to Office Depot’s technology services, and more. The savings include: •Up to 55% off retail on cleaning & breakroom items •Up to 55% off retail on office supplies •10% off branded; 20% off private brand ink & toner core list •Average 10% off retail on 200 technology core items •Free next-day shipping on orders of $50 or more •SIGNIFICANT savings on copy & print

Get signed up atat:MMAC.org http://bit.ly/MMAC_OD Get signed up today mmac.org | 35

Impact Report Thanks to your investment of time, talent and treasure YOU are making a difference in the success of the Milwaukee Region. MMAC works to provide a valuable return on that investment so your company can succeed and grow. As an network of diverse businesses, MMAC is strong, vibrant and growing.

1,871

MMAC MEMBER BUSINESSES 104 new members in 2021!

people joined the more than 350 CEOs and other C-suite execs involved in the highly-valued Executive Roundtable program.

Representing nearly

300,000 EMPLOYEES

2,500

hours spent developing relationships and sales referrals in the Networking Forum program in 2021.

23 years

is the average length of a membership

90%

of our advertisers in Milwaukee Commerce magazine renewed with us this year.

1,700+

individuals attended FUEL’s Professional Development Bootcamp - a 3-day, virtual program offering workshops on leadership, management, and career growth. FREE for members and their employees. March 2022

36 staff experts are available to help you with your business needs. Contact us at 414/287.4100 or visit mmac.org Report v3.inddCommerce, 1 36 2021| Impact Milwaukee Spring 2022

3/7/2022 5:57:48 PM

is here to serve our members. Our team of experts is ready to help! mmac.org/spotlights

Jon Wehrli

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TALENT INDUSTRY ECONOMIC TRENDS PARTNERSHIP & RESEARCH

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

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

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

EQUITY & INCLUSION

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

Corry Joe Biddle 414/287-4137 cbiddle@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

Shelley Jurewicz 414/287-4143 sjurewicz@fabWI.com

HISPANIC COLLABORATIVE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

NETWORKING FORUMS

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

Katie Henry 414/287-4123 khenry@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

President, Power Systems Division Eaton Corporation

Member of the

Leadership Council Benefit of participating in the Leadership Council Connecting with a fellow MMAC member to share our approach on empowering our teams to volunteer in the community. We also appreciate the advocacy of MMAC through roundtables. Benefits of MMAC Membership MMAC and the Leadership Council provide a powerful network of leaders in SE Wisconsin who are facing similar issues, such as labor acquisition and supply chain challenges. It gives us the ability to share best practices across the region. What is the 2-year outlook for your industry? Eaton is absolutely well positioned for growth. With the growth of the market, solar power and electric vehicles, it’s an ideal time to be in the commercial & industrial and utility segments.

Just for fun If you had a super power – what would it be? The ability to solve supply chain issues and fill all our open positions (www.eaton.com/careers) What’s one fact about you – that most colleagues don’t know? I lived in Kailua, Hawaii for a year when I was in fifth grade. I quickly forgot the need to wear shoes. What was the last event you attended? I attended the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, FL in February.

EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS

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

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

The MMAC Leadership Council serves as a trusted group of influencers and advisors. Contact me today to learn more!

mmac.org | 37

Manage health care costs without sacrificing coverage Together with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), we’re working to help make it easier for you to find a health plan that works for your employees and your bottom line. When you work with an MMAC-affiliated broker, you’ll receive discounted rates on UnitedHealthcare Level Funded health plans. Plus, when you work with an MMAC-affiliated broker, you’ll be able to offer your employees:

Supplemental financial protection benefits for groups with as few as 5 employees

Learn more

Wellness programs at no additional cost, including a walking program that rewards participants when daily step goals are reached

Specialty benefits, like dental and vision, to help you protect your employees’ total health

Contact an MMAC-affiliated broker or visit uhc.com/MMAC

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 EI20101192.4 2/22 © 2022 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21-498019-D

38 | Milwaukee Commerce, Spring 2022

5 tips that may help reduce your health care costs in 2022 By UnitedHealthcare

If you’re starting the year with a new health plan or simply a refreshed determination to trim expenses, now may be a good time to look for ways to save on your health care costs. These tips may help put your benefits to better use and make health care more affordable:

1. Understand what’s covered Many health plans cover costs for annual checkups, health screenings and immunizations, when you see a network care provider. Consider verifying how other services will be covered by logging into your member website or calling the number on your ID card.

2. Know where to go for care Heading to an emergency room for a non-lifethreatening issue may cost you far more than visiting an alternative setting, such as urgent care or a convenience clinic. An average ER visit is around $2,200, while a typical urgent care appointment may cost you $180. In addition, seeking care in the ER may mean longer wait times and an increased exposure to germs. If you are faced with a non-emergency health condition, but your primary care doctor’s office is closed, consider the potential benefits of a convenient, lower-cost virtual visit.

3. Stay in network Choosing doctors and labs in your plan’s network will likely mean paying less. In-network care providers and labs have pre-negotiated rates for health care services, which may help reduce the chances you’ll get a surprise bill.

4. Consider prescription options Your health plan may offer discounts, or you may have access to generic versions of brand-name drugs. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients but typically cost less. You may also be able to save even more by filling your prescriptions at a participating network pharmacy or by choosing home delivery by mail.

5. Take advantage of incentives Many plans offer wellness programs that may enable you to earn incentives for meeting certain health goals. Some programs reward you for activities you may already be doing, such as walking, cycling or strength training.

For example, the UnitedHealthcare Motion® program uses a motion device to track steps, reach goals and earn financial rewards (over $1,000 per year) to help offset plan participant out-of-pocket costs with deposits into their health savings account (HSA) —provided at no additional cost and part of your benefit plan

For more information about managing health care costs, visit uhc.com.

mmac.org | 39

Periodicals Postage

Interested in advertising in the next issue of Milwaukee Commerce?

PAID

Milwaukee, WI

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

Details at mmac.org/advertising.html Milwaukee Commerce magazines are printed by:

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

MMAC’s BREWERS OUTING

June 9

MEMBER ORIENTATION Back page ad space

Post event networking at the Avenue

June 22 COSBE’s EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE GOLF OUTING

August 8

2022 MMAC EVENTS

Save your spot at these Be sure to receive promotions on all our events by whitelisting info@mmac.org and info@metroMKE.org for your company.

MILWAUKEE NIGHT IN WASHINGTON D.C.

September 14

Find more events at MMAC.org