Milwaukee, WI

Opinion: Manufacturing is Wisconsin’s fastball. Opportunities abound for economic growth.

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Opinion: Manufacturing is Wisconsin’s fastball. Opportunities abound for economic growth.

Opportunity is knocking in our region.

Dale Kooyenga
| Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

As our Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the playoffs a baseball analogy seems appropriate.

Fans know a successful pitcher needs a repertoire of weapons in his arsenal. A potent curveball or slider are nice for any pitcher to have in his back pocket. But that overpowering fastball is typically what gets the job done.

The same holds true for a regional economy. A diverse make-up of business sectors defines any successful economic climate, but you need that one sector to drive the region forward. For generations here, it’s been manufacturing.

Companion column: Manufacturing opportunities come to Wisconsin. Do we have a workforce ready?

Manufacturing is our fastball in Wisconsin. We have the highest concentration of these jobs in the country. We are makers and producers here.

Manufacturing jobs pay about 20% higher than service industry

Have the jobs changed? Yes. Advances in technology provide efficiencies that help companies increase productivity while protecting the bottom line.

Has the volume of manufacturing jobs decreased? Again, yes. Over the past quarter century, those same efficiencies coupled with the offshoring of jobs, have caused the overall volume to decrease. In the four-county Milwaukee metro, the latest figures showed about 114,000 area residents employed in manufacturing compared to about 165,000 in 2000.

That said, the loss of manufacturing jobs is not indicative of a post-manufacturing economy here. Quite the contrary. We need to continue growing the sector through expansion and attraction efforts as well as advocating for common-sense policy at the local, state and federal levels.

The future of manufacturing job fair and town hall: Register for the free event Oct. 3 at MATC

Growing our manufacturing base is vital for a strong local economy. These are good jobs – paying about 20 percent more on average compared to those in the service industry. We can lift the fortunes of this generation and those that follow by providing the right opportunities.

On a macro level, investing in manufacturing is also in the best interest of our national well-being. Growing a resilient supply chain will ensure parts are made right here in the United States. Countries like China are cheating by stealing intellectual property and knowhow while providing direct government support to bolster manufacturing and exports. This is a clear threat to the rules of international free trade and presents a substantial threat to national security, our economy and, therefore, our way of life.

Milwaukee is fast becoming home to advanced manufacturing

The cliché about manufacturing floors being dirty, dark and dangerous is a relic of decades past. Today, Milwaukee is fast becoming home to advanced manufacturing. Our density of advanced manufacturing jobs is nearly twice the national average.

Look no further than Rockwell, a global leader in industrial automation, manufacturing products that help businesses optimize their production. Rockwell’s operations paint a perfect picture of advanced manufacturing, conducting it themselves while helping clientele move in the same direction.

At the same time, Microsoft’s historic $3.3 billion investment in a cutting-edge data center will drive AI-powered production in the region. Having forward-thinking manufacturers in an environment where an investment like this is being made makes it clear that Milwaukee is a place where the information technology economy is intersecting with the manufacturing sector. It’s a good spot to be in.

There’s more good news. This spring, the region was named one of 12 U.S. Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs. The designation, focused here on biohealth and personalized medicine, is expected to create more than 30,000 direct jobs, 110,000 indirect jobs and produce a $9 billion economic impact over the next decade.

But the work is just beginning.

Organizations like MMAC, it’s economic development arm – the Milwaukee 7 Regional Partnership (M7) – and partner organizations driving economic growth are working on a number of fronts to create an environment welcoming to manufacturers moving to or expanding in our region. We have a story to tell, this region is where the software economy is intersecting with the traditional hardware economy.

We need to recruit and retain talent. And welcome immigrants.

One of the demands this will place on southeastern Wisconsin is a workforce ready to meet the moment. We already hear our manufacturing members say attracting and retaining talent is a huge challenge. That said, MMAC is working to bring real-world manufacturing programming, such as robotics and other advanced manufacturing education, to high school classrooms in our area. Sparking an interest in our students and making them realize they can thrive in this sector is the first step in getting them into a manufacturing career.

In a region where population has stagnated, we also need to be welcoming to an immigrant population that can help us meet the staffing needs necessary to be competitive. Smart immigration policy is paramount in building a strong, growing workforce in southeastern Wisconsin so the history of manufacturing brainpower and muscle is intertwined with the story of immigration.

A historic opportunity: Wisconsin’s largest cities have synergies to make tech hub flourish with new partnership

Lastly, our tax policy needs to be economically feasible for companies looking to move, or even stay here. That’s why it’s critical Wisconsin retains the Manufacturing and Agricultures Activities Credit – which allows business to keep income derived from manufacturing tax free. Losing this credit would force many to look elsewhere – most likely states with no income taxes – to do business.

Opportunity is knocking in our region. In getting back to baseball, one could liken our current situation to being at the plate with the bases loaded. If we take the right approach, it could be a really productive at bat.

Dale Kooyenga is president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Celtics?

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Celtics?

The Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum just over 24 hours after one of their most disappointing losses of the season, when they scored just eight fourth-quarter points and gave up a 39-point swing in the second half in a blowout loss at Chicago on March 1.

Boston comes into town as one of the league’s hottest teams having won eight of its last 10 and after beating Philadelphia on March 1. The Celtics (40-20) are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are looking to stay in front of New York.

The Bucks (26-33), meanwhile, had been winning games but have dropped two in a row and three of their last five. In those three losses, all to teams currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the team failed to score 100 points.

Is Giannis playing?

Yes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo began the day as questionable to play, and was upgraded to available after his pregame workout. It was the first time he had been listed as anything other than “out” since reinjuring his calf on Jan. 23. The game will mark the return of the former two-time MVP, who has missed the last 15 games with a strain of his soleus muscle in his right calf.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

11-17.

Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes. They are 1-2 when he has exited games early due to injury.

Is Jayson Tatum playing?

No.

Boston’s all-NBA wing is continuing to work his way back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the playoffs in May. Tatum has been doing five-on-five work lately.

Boston Celtics injury report

Jayson Tatum, out (Achilles)
Jaylen Brown, out (illness)
Neemias Queta, out (rest)

Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)

Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right calf strain)

Bucks probable starters

Guard: AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Myles Turner

What time is the Bucks game?

The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT.

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call. The game was originally supposed to be a national broadcast on Peacock but was moved to NBA TV.

NBA playoff standings

The Bucks are currently out of the postseason picture entirely. Here are the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference heading into game play on March 2:

No. 7: Orlando (31-28): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. The Bucks host the Magic on March 8.

No. 8: Miami (32-29): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Miami on March 12.

No. 9: Atlanta (31-31): The Bucks lead the season series 1-0. The Bucks host the Hawks on March 4 and then travel to Atlanta on March 14.

No. 10: Charlotte (30-31): The Bucks own the tiebreaker over the Hornets having won the season series 3-1.

No. 11: Milwaukee (26-33): The Bucks have had better luck against the play-in teams to date, as they are just 5-13 against the top six seeds in the conference.

“We say we didn’t play ourselves out of it,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “Obviously I’m competitive. I think we should’ve had an even better record. But, not having your best player for that long and staying above .500 is huge for us. It’s funny, when he went out (Jan. 23) the talk around me was ‘being .500’ and I was like we can be better than that. We were. I’ll take it. But, never satisfied.”

The four teams in the play-in will face one another to determine the final two playoff teams (which will face the top two seeds). Teams that hold the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds only have to win one game to advance, teams that hold the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds must win twice to advance

Bucks vs. Celtics odds

Boston is a 7.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 216.5 points, per BetMGM.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Weather – Frosty and cold morning, sunny day ahead

Published

15 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels

Frosty Monday morning with temps in the teens inland to low 20s near the lake.
Mostly sunny to sunny skies on Monday. Highs in the mid-40s inland, upper 30s near the lake.
A total lunar eclipse will happen Tuesday morning, total eclipse from 5-6am. It may be tough to see due to increasing clouds.
Increasing clouds on Tuesday with highs in the low 40s. Chance of rain and storms possible Wednesday through Friday with warming temperatures.

Today: 39 Lake. Mostly sunny.
High: 44°
Wind: SE 5-10

Tonight: Partly cloudy this evening, mostly clear overnight.
Low: 27°
Wind: SE 5

Tuesday: 39 Lake. Mostly cloudy.
High: 43°
Wind: E 5-10

Wednesday:41 Lake. Chance for scattered showers and t-storms.
AM Low: 32° High: 45°
Wind: E 5-10

Thursday: 39 Lake. Mostly cloudy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 37° High: 42°
Wind: NE 5-10

Friday: Chance for showers and t-storms Warmer. Warming at night.
AM Low: 37° High: 57°
Wind: SE 5-15

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with AM rain showers. Blustery with falling afternoon temperatures.
AM Low: 47° High: 53°
Wind: NE 5-10

6-day planner

FOX6 Weather Extras

Local perspective:

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX LOCAL Mobile app

FOX Weather app

FOX Weather

Big picture view:

Maps and radar

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

School and business closings

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

FOX6 Weather Experts in social media

Daily ForecastWeatherMilwaukee

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Milwaukee, WI

Four new community-powered fridges open on Milwaukee’s North Side

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Four new community-powered fridges open on Milwaukee’s North Side

Community members and city leaders celebrated the opening of four new community-powered fridges on the North Side of Milwaukee. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday, Feb. 27, at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, 3624 W. North Ave., to mark the occasion.

The effort to fight food scarcity by opening community-powered fridges comes after several grocery stores closed in the area, creating a food desert.

Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II, emceed the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of four new community-powered fridges.

District 15 Ald. Russell W. Stamper II, who saw several grocery stores in his district close over the past few years, served as the event’s emcee.

“We could either complain about the problem, or we could come together to find a solution,” Stamper said.

People fill up the community-powered fridge with fresh produce.

In July 2025, a Pick ‘n Save on the North Side closed, prompting the opening of a community-powered fridge at Tricklebee Café in the Sherman Park and Uptown area. Since then, several other grocery stores have closed in the area.

This led Stamper, FEED MKE, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and One MKE to open four more community-powered fridges.

Christie Melby-Gibbons, executive director of Tricklebee Café, talks about opening the first community-powered fridge at her cafe.

Christie Melby-Gibbons, executive director of Tricklebee Café, talked about the organization’s community-powered fridge. About a week ago, the fridge was empty for the first time since its launch, so staff turned to their online community for support.

“Within 20 minutes, a woman came in with bags of food and filled the fridge for less than $100,” Melby-Gibbons said.

Danell Cross (right), executive director at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, Metcalfe Park resident Farina Brooks (left), and other attendees applaud during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The community-powered fridge network is run by residents on a take-what-you-need, leave-what-you-can model. Taking a grassroots approach to solving food insecurity in the area, community members provide fresh produce and other healthy food options to ensure that their neighbors have access to nutritious foods.

Residents line up to fill the community-powered fridge with fresh produce.

“Everybody deserves to eat. I can’t go to sleep at night knowing my neighbors are hungry,” said Melody McCurtis, deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges.

Here’s a list of all the community-powered fridges:

Metcalfe Park Community Bridges

3624 W. North Ave.

Rooted & Rising- Washington Park

3940 W. Lisbon Ave.

Sherman Park Community Association

3526 W. Fond du Lac Ave.

Dominican Center

2470 W. Locust St.

Tricklebee Café

4424 W. North Ave.

Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.

This article first appeared on Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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