Milwaukee on the Rise: Corporate Moves Fueling Urban Revival

Milwaukee Business Commits to Moving Forward

At Associated Bank, we’ve witnessed the excitement and the potential of Milwaukee’s downtown revival: world-class arts and sports facilities, new transportation options and thousands of high-end apartments and condos in revitalized neighborhoods.

It’s what spurred us to purchase, renovate and move our offices to the landmark RiverCenter building, and why we’ve committed to fostering our city’s culture through sponsorships of the Rep and the Pabst Theater Group.

“As Milwaukee has grown and seen revitalization through visionary leadership, we’re proud that our clients—as well as Associated Bank itself—have also been a part of the expansion,” says Gus Hernandez, Associated Bank Senior Vice President / Director of Business Banking.

Other companies are following suit, with recent announcements of relocation and expansion plans.

Milwaukee’s skyline is set for another transformation thanks to downtown’s largest employer, Northwestern Mutual. The company announced, in October, that it will undertake a $500 million renovation to its north office high rise into a second landmark glass tower. This will be a new workspace for thousands of employees currently working in suburban Franklin.

Regal Rexnord Corporation is also moving its corporate headquarters from Beloit to a 10-story office complex on West Michigan Street.

Corporate moves are also happening even further west of downtown. For example, Mayville Engineering Company announced it would move executive and administrative functions to the city in May, drawn by greater access to a skilled workforce and amenities like an international airport.

2024 will bring national media attention to the city, as the Republican National Convention comes to town in July. Thousands of attendees, delegates and journalists will descend on the area this summer. As these visitors enjoy our unique local restaurants, admire our lakefront and riverwalks and see our vibrant, growing skyline, Milwaukee can be confident that its standing as a major city—a great place to do business—will only expand in the years to come. 

Gus Hernandez looks forward to seeing Associated Bank keep growing here—and helping other businesses expand in the region as well. “We look forward to continuing to support our great city’s ongoing transformation, and we welcome talking to companies who’d like to help grow their communities—and their bottom line.”