economy

Four low-income areas of Milwaukee continue to be designated "Promise Zones," where city officials say they're making special efforts to create jobs, improve education and reduce crime. On Saturday, a bicycle tour through one of the zones on Milwaukee's north side offered both a look at the promise of the neighborhoods and some of the challenges.

Since the construction of the Bucks’ Fiserv Forum started three years ago, much has changed in that part of town. The area, which some have dubbed the “Deer District,” has taken huge leaps forward over the past year. But there's still much to be done.

As the final bits of rubble are cleared from the former Bradley Center, the Fiserv Forum's limelight is shining a bit brighter. 

Municipalities in Wisconsin are very limited in the kinds of taxes they can levy. Every kind of tax is highly regulated by the state. That includes the room tax, which is placed on hotel rooms and other overnight stays in Wisconsin. The tax has become increasingly popular in communities throughout the state. 

With more than $60 billion worth of manufactured goods each year, Wisconsin is one of the country’s top manufacturing states. Many of the items produced here are exported to other countries around the world. The number of people employed in manufacturing industries is also impressive, as nearly a half million Wisconsinites make their living in this critical sector of the economy. That’s why the continued debate over tariffs imposed by our government is so important to people living in the Badger state.

President Donald Trump continues to tweet messages claiming the U.S. is winning its staredown with China over tariffs and trade. After some thaws in the relationship earlier in his presidency, Trump and his administration have upped the rhetoric and put tariffs in place. The goal of the tariffs is to shift the balance of trade more in favor of the U.S.

If you’ve bought or sold a house recently, or just seen the forest of for sale signs around town, you know the Milwaukee real estate market is hot right now. Demand is outstripping supply in many parts of town. 

READ: 'Milwaukee Magazine' 2019 Real Estate Guide Demonstrates The City's Cresting Housing Market

The farmers whose cows supply much of the milk consumed in Wisconsin, or used in products like cheese and yogurt, are having a tough time.

Eight percent, or nearly 700, of the state's dairy farmers left the business last year for economic reasons. A few thousand more farmers got out over the previous five years. Those still at it say being creative is one of the things they have to do to keep going.

A report issued this week shows jobs in the solar industry in Wisconsin grew by 3 percent in 2018. But the state's largest electric utility, Milwaukee-based We Energies, also hopes more people will consider joining its company. 

The report by The Solar Foundation indicates the U.S. solar industry employed 242,000 people last year. That was down 3 percent nationally.