Economic Development and Job Creation

In December 2006, Mayor Tom Barrett brought together policymakers, business and community leaders for a two-day summit on community and economic development in the City of Milwaukee.  As a result of that conference and the work of the Mayor's Anti-Poverty Committee, a report was developed with the intent of providing a framework for further economic development activities in the City. To read a copy of the report to Mayor Barrett, click here.

Testimonials from the Economic Summit and Anti-Poverty Report

Increasing Minority Entrepreneurs, Promoting Affordable Housing and Building Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods are not just catchy phrases for Mayor Barrett; they are challenges which he aggressively and humbly accepted as a result of the City's Community and Economic Development Summit convened by the Mayor in December 2006.  

The recently published Report on the Summit lays out a coherent and comprehensive framework for all of us to join together in building a strong, healthy and vibrant City.  Now, it's time to get to work!!

James A. Hiller, President
The Burleigh Street Community Development Corporation
Milwaukee, WI

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The conference was outstanding and this report demonstrates the excellence and effort that characterized the conference.  I am in the process of planning my Homeownership Month activity schedule and will now piggyback on this effort to plan a predatory lending event based on what's in the report and what was discussed at the conference.

Congratulations again, great work and thanks Mayor Barrett for allowing HUD to participate.

Sheila Ashley
Deputy Director
U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Milwaukee Field Office
Milwaukee, WI

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I applaud the community framework for action created by participants of the Mayor's 2006 Community and Economic Development Leadership Summit and Anti-Poverty Action Team forums.  This document is purposeful and meaningful, and I look forward to continuing to do my part in addressing Milwaukee's community and economic development challenges.

William Johnson
Executive Director
Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA)
Milwaukee, WI

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The 2006 Community and Economic Development Leadership Summit hosted by Mayor Tom Barrett was impressive right from the moment we gathered. We were all there because we care about Milwaukee and you could feel it the large room.

The Mayor's sincere message of hope was most inspiring. His desire to create "jobs, jobs, jobs" acknowledges his awareness of the poverty of the city and problems created from the lack of family supporting jobs. Our clients face a huge challenge upon recovery because a job gives a man dignity and without one the feelings of hopelessness contributes to relapse and the cycle of addiction continues.

When Mayor Barrett said "The City of Milwaukee is open for business," he sent a strong message to the outside world to come and check us out.  But for me the introduction of us as "The Fresh Coast" was the message I responded to the most since it celebrates us and our location as something just as exciting as the east or west coasts. We must get over our inferiority complex. Milwaukee is a beautiful city.

The report and the action taken by the Mayor since the summit has put a momentum and direction in place for improving our great city.

Kathy Arciszewski,
Matt Talbot Recovery Center
Special Projects Coordinator and
President of A New Way