Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic Announces New Commitment of $200,000 in Workforce Development Funding on Couture and Streetcar Projects

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic today announced $200,000 in additional funding for workforce development. The Barrett Visionary Development Group has promised $100,000 that has been matched by the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. This new $200,000, led by the county, takes the overall workforce investment combined from the Couture and Streetcar projects to half a million dollars.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic said: “This city-county partnership will help touch more than 500 workers, providing the necessary job training skills needed to connect with open positions in our growing economy while building our talent pipeline.”

Rick Barrett, of Barrett Visionary Development, has proposed the 44-story, $144 million Couture development with more public access at the site of the under-used Downtown Transit Center. He has agreed to hire 40 percent of workers from within Milwaukee County and contract with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for 25 percent of this development.

The Committee on Economic and Community Development approved the development unanimously and it will go before the County Board on Thursday, December 18.

Earl Buford, President of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment  Board said: “The investment of half a million dollars from the city and county together will be used for evaluation, assessment, recruitment workshops, and career pathway/training programs translating into real jobs on these projects.”

According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, the City of Milwaukee’s Streetcar Project will bring a new mode of transportation for people to connect with their jobs, their homes, and their entertainment destinations.  USDOT said construction work related to the Streetcar Project infrastructure will bring approximately 350 new jobs.  The Streetcar Project calls for certification that will ensure under-represented populations have access to career pathways with family sustaining wages, benefits and opportunities for advancement.

Dimitrijevic thanked Rick Barrett for his contribution to the city and county’s efforts to develop and strengthen our shared workforce. Rick Barrett added: “As a lifelong Milwaukeean, I am excited to help take us to the next level. I am happy to partner with the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board to provide additional resources to train workers and develop our diverse workforce.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.