COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 2026-04-09
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Community and Economic Development Committee approved multiple initiatives totaling $2.8 million to address grocery store and pharmacy closures in Milwaukee, including a $1 million Large Impact Development Fund for grocery/pharmacy retention and a $1.8 million Grocery Store Retention Fund. The committee also confirmed appointments to Business Improvement Districts and approved partnerships for youth engagement programs.
Key Decisions (14)
Large Impact Development Fund for Grocery Store Retention
Allocated $1 million from the Large Impact Development Fund to support grocery store and pharmacy retention and attraction. Program administered by DCD through NIDC, with grants up to $50,000 per applicant. Tiered match requirements (50%, 25%, or waived) based on community employment and other factors. One full-time equivalent job creation required per $35,000 maximum.
Grocery Store Retention Fund Expenditure
Approved expenditure from $1.8 million Grocery Store Retention Fund for healthy food access initiatives. First allocation of $400,000 to Fresh Food Fund. Fund to be alderman-led and administered through city clerk's office for community grocery initiatives including delivery services.
DCD and Health Department Grocery/Pharmacy Strategy Development
Directed Department of City Development to work with Milwaukee Health Department and other agencies to create strategies for retention and attraction of full-service grocery stores and pharmacies. Sponsored by Aldermen Coggs, Pratt, Chambers, Taylor, Perez, Jackson, and Stamper.
Appointment of Michael Bahrens to BID #4
Confirmed appointment of Michael Bahrens, a business attorney, to Business Improvement District number four.
Appointment of Mary Reid as Director of Compliance and Engagement
Confirmed Mary Reid as director of the newly created Department of Compliance and Engagement (formerly Office of Equity and Inclusion). Department handles contract compliance, small business certification, ADA compliance, and Equal Rights Commission staffing.
Reappointment of Thomas Ergens to BID #21
Confirmed reappointment of Tom Ergens of Ergens Development to Business Improvement District number 21 for his fourth term. Ergens Development owns BMO Tower, 770 building, and 833 E Michigan St in downtown Milwaukee.
Reappointment of Josh Weber to BID #51
Confirmed reappointment of Josh Weber to Business Improvement District number 51 (Harbor District) for his final term after 10 years of service since founding.
Milwaukee Succeeds Youth Partnership
Authorized partnership between City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Succeeds to improve collaboration between city and youth-serving organizations. Part of 18-month Results for America/Strive Together community of practice program.
Wisconsin Arts Board Regranting Program Grant Acceptance
Accepted Wisconsin Arts Board 2026 regranting program grant as matching funds for sustaining grant program. In 2025, Arts Board awarded 47 grants totaling $276,600 to local arts nonprofits. Maximum grants of $6,000 for organizations with budgets over $100,000 and $3,000 for smaller organizations.
Community Excellence Fund Reallocation for Girls' Day
Reallocated up to $1,000 from MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit to 2026 Girls' Day at City Hall event.
Cesar Chavez Day Event Rescission
Rescinded Common Council file 25165A relating to Cesar Chavez Day as official city event and Community Excellence Fund allocation.
MKE Community Excellence Fund Allocation for Three Events
Allocated up to $11,000 from MKE Community Excellence Fund for three official city events: Me Milwaukee (day of action), Hispanic Heritage Month, and Leaders Igniting Transformation Bridging Voices event.
Youth Victory Over Violence Week Designation
Designated April 26 through May 2, 2026 as Youth Victory Over Violence Week. Program led by Tracy Dent has worked with over 1,300 students over four years on mental health, healthy relationships, social media, bullying, and gun violence topics.
Residential Preference Program Requirements Held
Ordinance relating to residential preference program requirements for construction contracts held at call of the chair for further discussion next cycle.
Development Activity (1)
BMO Tower and Downtown Properties
Three downtown office buildings owned by Ergens Development contributing to downtown Milwaukee economic development
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Multiple grocery stores and pharmacies have closed in Milwaukee neighborhoods over past three years, with Walgreens announcing plans to close 1,200 stores nationally by 2027.
Housing Demand
Housing Trust Fund has approximately $1 million available but board appointments need to be certified before funds can be distributed to housing projects.
Infrastructure
Construction on Lisbon Avenue has caused Century grocery store to lose approximately 40% of business due to poor signage and access barriers.
Sentiment
Community advocates attribute grocery and pharmacy closures to corporate divestment rather than theft, noting low profit margins in grocery industry make retention challenging.
Commercial Demand
Neighborhood Improvement Project seeing rehabilitation scopes of $50,000-$60,000 exceeding federal maximum of $25,000, requiring CDBG supplemental funding.