The
“M7 did an excellent job
Ripple Effect
communicating the Wisconsin value proposition, which factored importantly into our decision to site our new production operation in Pleasant Prairie.”
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.
Mariam Darsot CEO, Nexus Pharmaceuticals
Nexus Pharmaceuticals nexuspharma.net
Project Metrics: Industry:
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
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
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:
Interested in investing in the Milwaukee 7?
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.
$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.
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“If we had not had the assistance of Jim Paetsch and the
“Wisconsin is a great fit for Grand
Milwaukee 7 team, we would not be where we are at this
Craft. We were particularly attracted
point. We are brewers. We have no experience navigating
by the strong workforce, as well as
all the unknown complications of moving a business.”
a business climate that values and encourages manufacturers like us.”
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
Patrick Gallagher President & Chief Executive Officer, Grand Craft
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:
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 • M7 facilitated meetings with local elected officials to ensure support of a microbrewery in their neighborhood.
Annual Payroll:
• M7 walked the owners through the necessary government permitting processes.
Location:
$1.1 million 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.
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