Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661
MILWAUKEE – Gov. Jim Doyle announced today that Historic Third Ward/Milwaukee Public Market will receive a $500,000 low-interest loan and a $750,000 Brownfields grant from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to develop a public market district in Milwaukee. Commerce Secretary Cory L. Nettles presented the award on behalf of the Governor at a “plowbreaking” held today (June 30) in Milwaukee.
“My Grow Wisconsin initiative calls for fostering economic development in Milwaukee and restoring brownfields to productivity,” Gov. Doyle said. “This project will enhance the attractiveness of downtown Milwaukee and create economic opportunity for Wisconsin farmers and food producers.”
Several small manufacturing facilities formerly occupied the ¾-acre project site, which has been used as a surface parking lot since 1970. A new market hall will house 24 new or expanded owner-operated businesses that sell fresh, locally-grown produce, meat, poultry, seafood, and specialty food items. This project is expected to create 120 full-time jobs over three years and result in $11 million of direct sales annually for area farms and food producers. The loan will be used for equipment and the grant toward environmental remediation of the site. Commerce funds will leverage $8 million in additional investment.
For more information about Commerce funding programs, visit commerce.wi.gov.
