Join us for our 2025 Emerging Topics Series!
We explored some great topics so far this year, including how some of our partners are addressing the construction worker shortage and how the city and other funders can help small businesses thrive during road construction. We have our third and final session of the year!
Session 3
November 5 | 9-11 AM | TBD
Stay tuned for more details!
Session 1: Workforce Development: Constructing the Future
June 3 | 9-11 AM | YWCA Training Room
This informative event was designed to address the construction trade labor crisis. Both affordable housing and those with the skills to build it are in short supply. Economists expect this labor shortage to spread as skilled tradesmen retire. Filling this gap is an opportunity to strengthen our communities. Thank you for joining us to hear from experts from two local nonprofits about their workforce development programs – Jackie Weber at Revitalizar Milwaukee and Jim Gaillard at Ezekiel CDC, moderated by Lamont Davis from the Fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias de Milwaukee. We began a collaborative discussion on how to effectively work together within our communities in a stronger effort to fill the talent pipeline. Access the slides here.
Sesión 2: Construction Season: Surviving the Mayhem
August 7 | 9-11 AM | PK Palace
What is in place to help small businesses stay afloat during construction season when transportation/ infrastructure upgrades bring needed improvement to areas that have suffered from disinvestment? Our colleagues from Milwaukee Dept. of City Development, VÍA CDC, and lending institutions held a conversation designed to develop a pilot program to provide operating grants to impacted businesses.
Thank you to our panelists:
Natanael Martinez, WEDC, Regional Economic Development Director
Matt Rejc, DCD de la ciudad de Milwaukee Commercial Corridors team
JoAnna Bautch, VÍA CDC, Executive Director
Willie Smith, CDC del lado noroeste (NWSCDC), Executive Director
Leticia Muñoz, Orenda Café
Access the presentation slides here!
