Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee: A Call to Action

Format:Print
| Language:English

Abstract

The inner city of Milwaukee holds great promise, but is not advancing economically. The inner city has been hard hit by the loss of many of its largest employers as a result of relocation, acquisition and failure. According to the 2000 US Census data, thirty percent of Milwaukee's inner city residents live in poverty, compared with only 11% for the region. This prosperity divide is also a racial divide. 65% of the inner city population are minorities compared to 10% for the region. Despite these challenges, the inner city offers a solid platform for future improvement. According to the Wisconsin Department of Labor, there are more than 5,000 businesses in the inner city that collectively employ more than 120,000 people.