Founded in 1973 as the Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation, the Milwaukee Development Corporation has served as the business community’s not-for-profit civic developer. In 2003, Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation became an affiliate organization of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, changed its name to the Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC) and expanded its mission to includ
e more broad-based economic development initiatives throughout greater Milwaukee. MDC initially was provided private-sector leadership and financial support to revitalize downtown Milwaukee through the support of 46 leading Milwaukee businesses. The first priority of the organization was stabilizing the central retail district west of the Milwaukee River. The development focus was a $150 million venture that included the construction of the Hyatt Regency, the Henry Reuss Federal Plaza and the Grand Avenue. Today, MDC continues to initiate and promote projects that support the Milwaukee community. The MDC is active in the Pettit Ice Center, 30th St. Industrial Corridor, City of Milwaukee Downtown Stakeholders, Menomonee Valley Partners, and the W. Wisconsin Avenue Task Force. The MDC has also taken on a leadership role and is the operating entity for the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Partnership. The affiliation between the MMAC and the MDC strengthens both organizations’ ability to respond to retention, expansion and attraction opportunities that drive economic growth for the region.
