Staff, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Map: Milwaukee Organizations for Help

Posted by Staff | Dec 16, 2016 |

This map includes placemarks that feature additional locations and resources for support in Milwaukee. They feature local food pantries, meal programs, shelters, clothing resources, hotlines, and care for basic needs. CONTACT INFO These organizations help the underserved of Milwaukee. Please share this information with those in need, and support the year-round work that these groups provide. This list is not kept up-to-date, and is provided as a community service. FOOD PANTRIES Interchange Food Pantry 130 E. Juneau Ave. 414-276-4108 TUE. 2-5 p.m. + WED 4-7 p.m. (53202, 53203, 53211 only – bring photo ID) Central City Outreach Ministries 3022...

WEDC to award $585K in grants for minority business development

Posted by Staff | Dec 16, 2016 |

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) awarded $585,000 in grants to five Milwaukee-based organizations. The grants will help provide assistance to minority-owned businesses throughout the state. Governor Walker announced the grants on December 14 at MARKETPLACE 2016, the 35th annual statewide conference for minority, woman, and veteran-owned businesses, held at the Potawatomi Hotel and Conference Center in Milwaukee. “These grants to the minority chambers of commerce across Wisconsin will enable them to provide a wide variety of much-needed services to businesses in the communities they serve,” Governor Walker said. “Whether it’s helping secure funding or providing mentorship or training,...

Elana Kahn: Jewish lessons for the other “Other”

Posted by Staff | Dec 9, 2016 |

After leaving the Jewish community of Milwaukee, where her grandfather owned a grocery store in Bronzeville, growing up in Salt Lake constantly showed Elana Kahn just how different she was. The experience taught her to become comfortable as both a Jew and an outsider, and how to celebrate “others” as a process for building a more inclusive Milwaukee.

Germania restoration a template for building a better Milwaukee

Posted by Staff | Dec 2, 2016 |

Restoration progress was briefly revealed during a private tour for project partners and supporters at the Germania Building recently. The general public remained unaware for years of the terrible deterioration within the iconic 8-story building at North Plankinton Avenue and West Wells Street. “The windows were ready to blow out, the sidewalk and street were falling in, the elevators were damaged or failed inspection, and the roof was leaking,” explained Mark Klann, Director of Construction and Capital Improvements for Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. “So we focused on those things, once we took over the construction part of the project,...

Public feedback extended for Hiawatha Service improvement

Posted by Staff | Nov 29, 2016 |

The comment period for environmental assessment of the popular Amtrak route has been extended to January 15, 2017. To provide stakeholders and interested parties more opportunity to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed service and track improvements on Amtrak’s Hiawatha line, the comment period has been extended. The proposed improvements would increase Hiawatha Service trips between Milwaukee and Chicago to ten round trips daily, an increase from the current seven weekday and Saturday round trips, and six round trips on Sunday. Infrastructure improvements will be required on the main tracks, side tracks, and train...

“Shop Small, Dine Small” aims to support local small businesses

Posted by Staff | Nov 26, 2016 |

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has designated November 26 as Small Business Saturday, and the Milwaukee County suburb of West Allis showcased a preview tour supporting local enterprises. From Milwaukee to New York, Americans are encouraged to “shop small” at local businesses and “dine small” at local restaurants and bars, as part of Small Business Saturday on November 26. “Small Business Saturday is about supporting local businesses, the pillars of economic stability and job creation in communities all across the nation,” said Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the SBA. “This celebration helps bring vital activity into our nation’s 28.8...