Earlier this week, Mayor Tom Barrett announced that a Spanish wind turbine firm will build its first U.S. production facility in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley. On Tuesday the company shared details. Here's WUWM's Ann-Elise Henzl with the information, and an update on development in the valley.
The Menomonee Valley is the wide stretch of land extending from Miller Park east to the Harley-Davidson museum.
For decades, that low-lying area along the Menomonee River was Milwaukee's industrial hub. But that changed, as the heyday of manufacturing declined and companies closed.
State Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel remembers those days.
"When I was going to school at Marquette University back in the mid '70s, this was an area of Milwaukee that was struggling. The old tanneries were gone or on their last legs, and it took a lot of leadership -- and I also think a lot of vision -- for this city to resurrect this area," Leinenkugel says.
In fact, it's taken two mayors and more than a decade for a Menomonee Valley development plan to come to fruition. Manufacturers and other businesses have been moving to the site, as contaminants have been removed and roads have been built.
"Four years ago you needed an all-terrain vehicle to get from one end of the valley to another. This was really one of the most difficult areas, in fact the largest brownfield in the state of Wisconsin," says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Barrett says today, the dreams for the valley are coming true, with a new environmental twist. The most recent company to announce it's building in the valley is Ingeteam, a Spanish manufacturer of equipment used in solar and wind power systems.
"We can truly say that this former brownfield is now green," Barrett says.
Joining the mayor in the valley Tuesday were representatives of Ingeteam. Spokesman Aitor Sotes says it will spend $15 million on the new facility.
"We're going to be beginning construction of this 100,000 square foot facility in April, and hopefully we'll be able to finalize construction by the end of December," Sotes says.
Ingeteam says it was drawn to Milwaukee, in part, because of the city's highly ranked college engineering programs. The new operation is expected to create 275 jobs, ranging from skilled positions to entry level. Mayor Barrett calls it the kind of mix he wants to see in the valley.
"One of the things we're focusing on is workers. We want these to be companies that are employing individuals. And we want them to be employed in family supporting jobs," Barrett says.
A representative of the Spanish government hinted Tuesday that additional companies from his country are considering expanding in Wisconsin. Barrett says they'll have to act quickly, if they want to build in the Menomonee Valley. Of the city's 60 acres there, only 12 are still available.
Share / Email
Print
Download
Email a Friend
Facebook
Del.icio.us
Stumble Upon
Digg
Newsvine
