Accelerating Economic Development

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/ 

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) has a plan to accelerate economic development. The plan was published as part “The Blueprint for Economic Prosperity” they recently published.  

Their web site states “Alongside traditional economic development activities, MMAC has developed imitative and programs to accelerate economic growth by broadening its impact and extending its reach.”

One of those initiatives is FUEL Milwaukee.  Business needs to attract and retain a capable talented workforce. FUEL Milwaukee helps employees and employers to connect. FUEL engages professionals (mostly under 40) in a network of peers with opportunities to grow, volunteer, learn and have fun.  This helps those involved to broaden their network. Those more connected and involved in the community are more likely to stay. Brain drain has been a real problem in the past for Milwaukee.

According to the Great Places to Work Institute, Milwaukee ranks 1^st in the nation for the number of “Great Places to Work” per capita. We have great places to work and a pool of educated willing workers.  FUEL Milwaukee also provides a key connection for human resources professionals to market their company and region to highly talented professionals.

The MMAC has a diversity initiative. They feel if the number of minority owned businesses were aligned with our populations, it would mean another $2.3 billion in revenue.  Diversity brings strength to an economy. The goal is to serve ethnically diverse firms. The Business Council serves ethnically diverse firms and helps them to increase their ability to do business. The cornerstone of the program is the Supplier Diversity Module. This connects minority owned business firms to corporate and public sector work. So far $135.5 million in spending has occurred through this program.

The MMAC is supporting new ways to think, act and innovate to continue prosperity and create jobs.  One such program is the Milwaukee World Trade Organization. This helps companies to develop international business relationships though a network of 400 members. MMAC’s China Business Council has helped members enter this market.

MMAC is also helping to attract foreign investment through their regional Immigrant Investor Zone. The program offers green cards to foreign investors and their family members for a minimum investment of $500,000 and the creation of 10 new jobs.

These programs are an example of some of the things the private sector can do to create jobs. The MMAC should be applauded for their efforts.

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Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation