New issue of Milwaukee Commerce highlights M7 project wins
In the latest issue of Milwaukee Commerce magazine, we highlight the work of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development partnership as it nears a significant milestone later this year: Its 100 th project win for the Milwaukee Region. In addition to business retention, expansion and attraction efforts in our seven-county region, M7 also is leading the way on talent development efforts.
MMAC welcomes two new Board members
John Minich
President
ATI Forged Products
Minich was named president of ATI Forged Products in 2014. ATI purchased the former Ladish Company, based in Cudahy, Wis., in 2011.

Since 2016, revenues in the Cudahy operations have increased 80 percent, full-time resources have grown by over 130 employees (currently 800), and two major investments in new capacity and technology exceeding $100 million are in progress. Minich is also responsible for ATI Forged Products operations in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Poland.

Minich has 37 years of service with ATI. Prior to 2013, he held various positions in operations, engineering and supply chain in other ATI business units. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science. He resides in Elm Grove with his wife Michele.
Wes Saber
Executive VP & CFO
HARIBO of America
Saber has been an international leader in innovative management philosophy and business development for more than 22 years. He currently is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for HARIBO of America, the fastest-growing confectionery company in the U.S.

Saber spearheaded a $242 million investment to create more than 400 jobs in Chicagoland and the upcoming manufacturing facility in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin property is HARIBO’s first manufacturing space in North America and it will be one of the largest confectionery plants in the U.S.

Prior to joining HARIBO, Saber had roles in 25 countries around the world. In addition to English, he is fluent in Arabic and also speaks Turkish and French.

The tax is back! (And it’s still a bad idea)
After failing in their attempts to pass a business property tax hike last year, a coalition of legislators is back to try again this year. The so-called “Dark Store” bills they are pushing would empower local municipal assessors to double-tax businesses by allowing business value and profitability (which is already taxed by the state) to be included in the assessed value of their real estate for property tax purposes as well.
 
This tax assessor empowerment act is being pushed in the name of prohibiting businesses from lowering their property tax assessments by comparing new buildings with vacant or dilapidated properties. That justification is a myth, however, since such apples to oranges comparisons are already prohibited by state law.
Over the past decade, commercial and manufacturing property owners in Wisconsin have seen a more than 2 percent increase of their share of the statewide property tax burden, while residential homeowners have seen a reduction in their share of the tax burden. MMAC will continue its fight against this proposed business property tax again this session. Now is no time to be giving local tax assessors more tools to burden the businesses that fuel their local economies.
WTMJ interview with Tim Sheehy

"There are communities all over the world competing for talent and capital investment. And we can't rest on what we did yesterday, let alone last year."
MMAC president Tim Sheehy recently joined WTMJ Radio for an in-depth conversation about big-picture opportunities and issues facing the Milwaukee Region.
MMAC launches upgraded electronic Certificate of Origin platform
MMAC’s electronic Certificate of Origin partner is launching an upgraded platform: essCert.

The new platform has been developed with exporters and forwarders in mind and is fast, flexible and easy to use. The new platform will be live on Monday, April 29. For new users, this is a great opportunity to begin saving time and money while increasing compliance and productivity by processing Certificates of Origin electronically from your desktop.

If you are an existing eCertify user, your new essCert profile will have been created automatically. Users will need to retrieve new login details after the new platform launches on April 29 onward. Any document applications that have been applied for through the previous platform, eCertify, will not be processed after that date. >>Learn more
MMAC mourns the passing of Joe Bartolotta
In the April 23 Milwaukee Business Journal article, MMAC President Tim Sheehy noted Bartolotta’s impact extended beyond the numerous restaurants Bartolotta brought to the area. Sheehy highlighted the philanthropic work of the Care-a-lotta program and his contributions to developing a workforce through the ProStart program in Milwaukee Public Schools. Many of the programs were established and operated with the help of his wife, Jennifer.

"Whether it was Foxconn or dozens of other opportunities where we were going to host a business leader or a CEO who was looking to make a significant investment in Milwaukee, Joe was always very gracious in hosting or helping to host a dinner meeting with other CEOs at a restaurant of his,” said Sheehy.

The MMAC sends its deepest condolences to Joe's family, friends and colleagues.
Kohl ’s shifts philanthropic focus to family health with $10 million initiative. >>more
Radisson Milwaukee Airport hosting grand re-opening on Tuesday, April 30. >>more
Offsite 's 12-acre data center to support I-94 corridor tech growth. >>more
ABB robots team up with human musicians to play live on Chinese television. >>more
Milwaukee Brewing Company seeking a president, CEO; McCabe to focus on product, marketing. >>more
Diversity in Business Awards: 88Nine Radio Milwaukee connects communities through music, media. >>more
Landmark Credit Union could eventually add second building at planned Brookfield HQ site. >>more
Northwestern Mutual 2020 annual meeting moved back to accommodate DNC. >>more
Brought to you by