Commercial Development Key to Being Premier City

In these challenging economic times, governments at all levels are focused on economic development. States and cities are increasingly aggressive in recruiting businesses to their jurisdictions.  

Governor Walker has emphasized that “Wisconsin is Open for Business.” The City of Brookfield has long emphasized the importance of its business sector. One of the chief reasons for Brookfield’s success is that it has a large commercial property tax base which has enabled us to have a relatively low property tax rate. In effect, the large commercial sector in our City is helping us maintain lower property tax rates for the benefit of all property taxpayers — most notably, residential property taxpayers — and still provide a high level of services.

In promoting business development in Brookfield, I work closely with Community Development Director Dan Ertl and Economic Development Coordinator Tim Casey. The City of Brookfield also has an Economic Development Committee and a Community Development Authority. We cooperate with the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation, and Milwaukee 7, a regional, cooperative economic development organization for the seven counties in Southeastern Wisconsin. The City also works with the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, the Brookfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Waukesha County Business Alliance. 

I am very pleased with two recent economic development successes in Brookfield. First, the City has approved a as the anchor for the Underwood Crossing retail development on the site of the old Quebecor printing plant on the eastern end of Bluemound Road. This site has been vacant for five years, old buildings need to be torn down and the site remediated. Target and the developer have been very cooperative in meeting the special requirements of this site.  The key approvals by the Plan Commission and the Common Council were unanimous. Construction of the new Target store is scheduled to begin in October.

Second, just a few days ago, we were able to announce that a German company, Thomas Magnete GmbH, has selected Brookfield as the site of its . This company manufactures fluid power devices for the automotive and machinery markets. While this is a relatively small manufacturing operation, it will provide highly skilled, family-supporting jobs. The search for a site was wide-ranging throughout North America and we’re very pleased that they chose Brookfield. Particular thanks go to M-7 and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for their efforts in this matter. 

There are a number of other initiatives underway. The bottom line is that we want to assure that the City of Brookfield continues to have the economic base necessary to maintain and enhance its position as a premier city.