Regional Cooperation Between Milwaukee, Chicago, and Gary

By Aaron S. Robertson

For some time, there has been a lot of talk by state government officials, business leaders, and researchers throughout the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana about the need to build cooperation between the metro areas of Milwaukee, Chicago, and Gary.

I have been following the discussion with great interest. It first came to my attention when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a number of articles and opinion pieces on the subject during the summer of 2012. Just today, in fact, there was another great opinion piece published in the Crossroads section of the Journal Sentinel, written by Paul Jones and Kelly O'Brien. Wisconsin governor Scott Walker discussed it during a speaking engagement at an economic symposium held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago some time ago. I hope that the concept catches fire, and that we can see cooperation flourish.

Even though Milwaukee, Chicago, and Gary are in different states, it really makes no sense to try to poach companies and other resources from each other. In the end, though each state is concerned about its own economic vibrancy and has its own goals, we're all a part of a larger unit, the United States. So while raiding each other's corporate and research assets may beef up our own individual state growth numbers, what are we really gaining in the end? On the national level, there's really no gains made.

But by moving toward a more collaborative direction, we have a great opportunity to lift those national numbers up by pooling great minds in both business and research, among other resources. This can lead to so many more great discoveries and innovations on many, many levels.

I sincerely hope the idea takes off.

What are your thoughts on more regional cooperation between the metro areas of Milwaukee, Chicago, and Gary? Please share your thoughts in the Comments section.

County Executive Abele Hires Economic Development Director

For Immediate Release                                                                                               
DATE: April 8, 2013
Contact: Brendan Conway, Communications Director
414.278.5281 Office
Brendan.Conway@MilwCnty.com
Twitter: @MkeCoExecPress

County Executive Abele Hires Economic Development Director

Teig Whaley-Smith, Economic Development Firm Founder and Adjunct Professor of Law at Marquette University, Joins Milwaukee County
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is excited to announce that he has hired Teig Whaley-Smith to join the County as the new Economic Development Director. He will officially start on April 15^th.

“I am working hard to bring in the best and brightest to Milwaukee County and Teig is certainly that,” Abele said. “He has successfully helped develop in some of the most challenging neighborhoods in Milwaukee and he brings a wealth of experience in economic development that will be a springboard for growth across the County.”

Whaley-Smith has over a decade of experience in economic development. He founded and currently runs Community Development Advocates (CDA). The legal and development firm represents several non-profits that are developing inner-city housing and spearheading Milwaukee’s neighborhood commercial revitalization efforts.

Whaley-Smith is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Marquette University Law School, where he teaches Community Economic Development Law and Starting & Managing a Law Practice.

Before CDA Whaley-Smith worked as an attorney specializing in small business rehabilitation and he served as the Executive Director and primary administrator of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District, overseeing growth of over $100,000,000 in development.

“I’ve seen County Executive Abele’s dedication over many years to the community through his work with groups like the Boys and Girls Clubs and I know he shares my commitment to empower every community. With his support, and working with the County Board, I know we can move Milwaukee County forward,” Whaley-Smith said.

Whaley-Smith is the recipient of the prestigious 40 Under 40 award from the Milwaukee Business Journal and serves on the boards of numerous community-based organizations – such as Milwaukee Kickers, Urban Ecology Center and Washington Park Neighborhood Improvement District.

Whaley-Smith came highly recommended by people in the public and private sector including Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines, Milwaukee County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb and Perry Huyck, the Executive Director of United Methodist Children’s Services.

Whaley-Smith replaces the former Economic Development Director whose position was eliminated by the County Board in 2012.