Milwaukee Launches First Innovation District in Walker’s Point

Common Council President José G. Pérez has introduced file #250660 – a resolution creating a Milwaukee Innovation District. The file designates a portion of the Walker’s Point neighborhood and surrounding areas as a Milwaukee Innovation District – a place where creativity meets strategy, allowing for the convergence of people, ideas, and resources in ways that drive sustainable growth as characterized by new models of entrepreneurship, research, design, technology development, and collaboration between public and private sectors.

“Innovation districts focus on facilitating the creation of new ideas across a wide variety of sectors. This resolution is about recognizing that this type of work and momentum already exists in Walker’s Point, while laying the groundwork to replicate this approach in the future,” said President Pérez. “While Walker’s Point has a significant density of tech and tech-enabling businesses, as well as many conditions necessary for the foundation of innovation, we recognize that Milwaukee is home to many great emerging companies and thought leaders. Our belief is that this will just be the beginning, and other areas of the city that already have, or later develop, tech-centric identities can follow suit as we work to create a tech-forward Milwaukee where innovation is truly embraced.”

The resolution also establishes a public-private leadership model. President Pérez is partnering with Steve Glynn, Chief Milwaukee Officer of Experience Milwaukee and operator of the Wantable Café, to guide the Innovation District’s launch and ongoing development. Glynn notes, “After years connecting people, ideas, and opportunities in Milwaukee, I’m honored to help launch our first Innovation District.”

The file will be heard at the next meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 in room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. The meeting will also be streamed live on the City Channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee) and via streaming video on the city website at city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.