Thank you for joining us for our 2025 Emerging Topics Series!
We explored some great topics this year, including how some of our partners are addressing the construction worker shortage, how the city and other funders can help small businesses thrive during road construction and how Hispanic small businesses play a key role in empowering Wisconsin’s economic health. Keep an eye out for our Emerging Topic Series 2026!
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 Revitalize Milwaukee and Jim Gaillard at Ezekiel CDC, moderated by Lamont Davis from the Milwaukee Community Land Trust. 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.
Session 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, VIA 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, City of Milwaukee DCD Commercial Corridors team
JoAnna Bautch, VIA CDC, Executive Director
Willie Smith, Northwest Side CDC (NWSCDC), Executive Director
Leticia Muñoz, Orenda Café
Access the presentation slides here!
Session 3: Celebrating Entrepreneurship: Hispanic Entrepreneurs Powering Wisconsin’s Prosperity
November 5 | 9-11 AM | YWCA Training Room
Led by Dr. Nelson Soler titled Celebrating Entrepreneurship: Hispanic Entrepreneurs Powering Wisconsin’s Prosperity, this engaging session highlighted how Hispanic-owned businesses continue to drive job creation, innovation, and community wealth, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Access the UEDA event slides here and Dr. Nelson Soler-WI Latino Entrepreneurs Slides.
Access the handouts here. The 2025 US Latino GDP report and Small Business Wisconsin 2025 State Profile.
