Milwaukee Downtown Names Matt Dorner as Economic Development Director

Matt Dorner

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 has hired Matt Dorner as its new Economic Development Director. Primary responsibilities of the position include implementation of economic development initiatives from the Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 Strategic Plan, along with a focus on retention and expansion of existing tenants, and identification and attraction of new office and retail tenants to the central business district. Dorner brings nearly a decade of experience in urban planning, and community and economic development.

Before joining Milwaukee Downtown, Dorner served as Assistant Director/Economic Development Specialist for the Village of Menomonee Falls Community Development Department. In his role, Dorner led facets of economic and community development, including heading the creation of Tax Incremental District No. 12, as well as developing and administering a downtown matching grant program that leveraged nearly $700,000 in private sector investment. Dorner also served as a research consultant on a Regional Workforce Alliance project and provided planning support to Foth Infrastructure & Environment.

“From concept to fruition, Matt brings efficiency and tenacity to all stages of a project,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “His track record for developing incentive packages, implementing creative placemaking and luring new development to underutilized areas, makes him a strong asset to our organization. We’re thrilled to add his talents to our team.”

The Economic Development Director position was created in 2012 as a result of the organization’s adoption of a five-year plan. The top priority identified in the strategic planning process was repositioning Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 as a driver of economic prosperity for Milwaukee’s central business district through results-oriented approaches that promote investment, retention, expansion and job growth.

Dorner will work with Milwaukee Downtown’s Economic Development Committee to implement the organization’s economic growth objectives. Initial projects will include updating the CEO call program and building a rapport with national site selectors. Other functions of the Economic Development Director position consist of analyzing and maintaining current market data; identifying existing incentives and opportunities for new incentives at the state, city and county level; and serving as a conduit for information, options and referrals between building owners, real estate representatives and prospective tenants.

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.

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