“We have power as a region that we ought to exploit.” - Sammis White, Urban Planning Professor at UWM

Sammis White, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Professor of Urban Planning, outlined the need for a more skilled workforce and to develop strategies to accentuate our regional advantages last Tuesday at a Smart Growth Seminar for students and members of the UWM community.

The lecture was given on behalf of the Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Campaign and stressed the importance of the Milwaukee region’s economic sustainability.

The Milwaukee 7 economic development group is named after the seven counties that make up the greater Milwaukee area: Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth and Kenosha.

The project aims to improve the economy of the Milwaukee 7 region by “attracting, retaining, and growing companies and diverse talent.”

The seminar began by clearly outlining the group’s goal, which is the Milwaukee region being considered “globally competitive in an innovative economy.” According to White, the Milwaukee area economy needs to enhance its competitiveness and build on its capacity to be creative in order to sustain itself and succeed as an attractive business market.

Although White cites a lack of skilled workers as the top complaint among Milwaukee area employers, he was also quick to point out the geographical advantages of the region that could build upon its financial strength.

Highlighting the fact that extreme weather conditions can interrupt business, White described the Milwaukee 7 region as a “safe place,” being outside of high-risk hurricane and tornado zones.

Secondly, he stressed the importance of using the resources of Lake Michigan and the Midwest’s agricultural abilities as an economic advantage. Natural resources in the Milwaukee area hold the possibility of new assets that are not being utilized, and White suggested increasing the focus on water-related businesses as an example of making better use of environmental advantages.

“We have power as a region that we ought to exploit,” said White, who has a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning.

White concluded his lecture by emphasizing the need for cooperation in improving the Milwaukee area economy, pointing out how much of a challenge that could prove to be in a state not exactly known for creating new jobs.

According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin ranked 38th in the U.S. for job growth in 2007. White also referred to the projected labor force growth rate in Wisconsin, which is only .04 percent per year.

“It’s going to take an awful lot of effort to overturn an economy that is slow to change,” he said. “Milwaukee 7 cannot solve all the problems.”

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