Economic Development
Economic development in Southeastern Wisconsin is conducted by county and local economic and community development organizations, including economic development corporations or agencies established by each of the seven counties in the Region. Regionally, the Milwaukee 7 (M7) provides a cooperative economic development platform for the seven counties.
The Commission serves as a resource through its staff, data, and plans to the county economic development organizations (EDOs) and M7 as they work to maintain and expand the regional economy.
Regional Cooperation
The Commission and M7 also work directly with the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Partnership (REP). The REP includes representatives from the seven county EDOs or staff, the City of Milwaukee, We Energies, M7, and the Commission. This group of practitioners operates on an informal basis and meets regularly to coordinate economic development planning with the Commission, M7, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Through this regional cooperation, the Commission worked with M7, the REP, and other stakeholders to prepare the Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS represents a collaborative effort to develop a strategic plan that will diversify and strengthen the Region’s economy.
Economic Development Strategy
Grant Application Assistance
Commission staff is available to be a resource when applying for funding from U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant programs. Staff can connect potential applicants with the appropriate EDA staff and provide relevant data from Commission inventories and other publicly available sources. Contact us to learn more.
Contact Us
Economic Modeling Data
Through a partnership with WEDC, the Commission can access and share local employment and industry data available through Lightcast (formerly EMSI). Contact us to learn more and request data.
Economic Data
Business Parks and Absorption Studies
The Commission has worked with county EDOs and local government planners to compile a list of existing and proposed business parks in each county and to prepare Industrial Land Absorption Studies.
Business Parks
Economic Profiles
As a service to communities and counties, Commission staff can compile information to highlight a community’s assets and support economic development efforts.
Economic Profiles