“*Our sweet spot is in technologically advanced manufacturing jobs, and that is where we can expect to continue to grow.*”
Jim Paetsch, director of corporate relocation, expansion, and attraction for the Milwaukee 7

When thinking of emerging technological hubs in the country, manufacturing heavy cities such as Columbus, Ohio or Milwaukee do not immediately spring to mind. However, according to a recent article published in Forbes Magazine, maybe they should.

Forbes rated Milwaukee fifth in their top ten list of up-and-coming tech cities, citing thriving local technology companies like Rockwell Automation and Johnson Controls as evidence that Milwaukee may have a more diverse business climate than many realize.

Jim Paetsch, director of corporate relocation, expansion, and attraction for the Milwaukee 7, an economic development organization, insists that the cities manufacturing base goes hand-in-hand with emerging technology.

“The manufacturing field has really changed, and to compete globally and survive, you need the latest technology,” said Paetsch.

One of the main functions of the Milwaukee 7 group is networking with local CEO’s, and to help get the word out that Milwaukee is a viable place to run a business.

To capitalize on some of the momentum the city currently has going, with population rising for the first time in decades and some promising signs in the business community, Paetsch identified the need to “tell Milwaukee’s story” and focus on the positives Milwaukee can offer businesses.

“We are never going to be a logistics hub because of our location, and some people are never going to like our weather,” said Paetsch. “But when people ask about things we can control, is the city conducive to start-up companies, is it really a viable place to relocate, then we have to be on people’s radar screens.”

Paetsch remarked that Milwaukee has no plans to become another Silicon Valley and expects most of the cities development and growth to come from within.

“Our sweet spot is in technologically advanced manufacturing jobs, and that is where we can expect to continue to grow,” said Paetsch.

Others in Milwaukee’s business community feel that the city is on the right path in making it a more viable location for thriving business.

“I think that the city is already working hard on repositioning itself as more a of tech-based city,” said Monica Levy, Executive Director of Branding and Corporate Communications at Johnson Controls, a Milwaukee based technology company that employs over 140,000 worldwide.

Richard Marcus, an associate professor of business at UWM, offered some additional insight on how Milwaukee can continue to emerge as more of a tech city. Marcus pointed to the cities emphasis on reducing violent crime and continued commitment to developing our research-based universities.

“When you look at technology centers across the United States, one finds that they are clustered around research-based universities,” said Marcus. “Investments in universities have positive spill-over effects on the local communities for employment and quality of life.”

Marcus believes that a continued focus on education and crime reduction will continue to help Milwaukee grow as a place for businesses to relocate and succeed.

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