918,000
Population
470K
Workforce
$60,000
Median household income
3.8%
Unemployment
Location introduction
Why Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County is home to the Global Water Center, more than 200 water-technology companies, and a manufacturing base that builds everything from mining equipment to motorcycle icons. A working port on Lake Michigan, direct rail to Chicago, and a resurgent downtown talent scene make Milwaukee the Midwest's most investable big-city value play.
Where we are
Location
Industry sectors
What thrives here
Water Technology
The Global Water Center hosts the world's leading freshwater-technology cluster — research floors, corporate R&D, and the BREW accelerator under one roof.
15K
Sector workforce
$80,000
Avg annual wage
Incentives: The Water Council BREW accelerator; freshwater research partnerships.
Assets: Global Water Center, UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, Lake Michigan
Advanced Manufacturing
From mining equipment to motorcycles, Milwaukee builds hard things — with automation leader Rockwell headquartered downtown.
55K
Sector workforce
$64,000
Avg annual wage
Incentives: City TIF districts and WEDC enterprise-zone credits for expansions.
Assets: Port Milwaukee, Komatsu harbor campus, MSOE engineering pipeline
Financial Services & Fintech
Northwestern Mutual's $500M venture arm and two Fortune 500 financial HQs anchor a growing fintech scene.
40K
Sector workforce
$85,000
Avg annual wage
Assets: NM Tower tech hub, MKE Tech Hub Coalition
Actively recruiting
Businesses we want to attract
Benefits
Incentives & programs
Tax credits & abatements
Milwaukee Enterprise Zones
Up to $9MRefundable state credits for major job creation and capital investment in designated zones.
Talent
Workforce & education
470,000
Total workforce
10%
STEM workers
$60,000
Avg annual wage
3.8%
Unemployment
9,000
Graduates / year
Anchor tenants
Major employers
Connectivity
Infrastructure
I-94, I-43, I-41
Highways
Milwaukee Mitchell International — 8 miles
Nearest major airport
CPKC + UP; Amtrak Hiawatha to Chicago (89 min)
Rail
Port Milwaukee — Great Lakes heavy-lift terminal
Port access
Multi-provider fiber downtown
Broadband
Lake Michigan supply — a global advantage for water-intensive industry
Water
Liveability
Quality of life
$220,000
Median home price
$1,150/mo
Median rent
23 min
Avg commute
Choice-rich district landscape incl. top charters
Schools
Marquette, UWM, MSOE
Higher education
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
Healthcare
Lakefront, Summerfest, Deer District
Recreation & culture
Lake-tempered four seasons
Climate
Get in touch
Contact the EDA
Milwaukee County EDA
Economic Development Agency
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