LA Times article paints MKE very favorably

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by quijote

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If Wisconsin has to market itself with a sexy product or service, what would it be?

Now that is a very good question. I guess from a part-time outsider's perspective, I see a lot more positive or marketable attributes to the state, although there IS a significant economic force driven by agriculture. The general consensus of Wisconsin, outside of Wisconsin, is that it's a cheesehead state, full of farmers. And Milwaukee is a blue collar factory town. The city hasn't really done a great job of advertising itself or knocking down that image, although part of that can be my perspective, because I travel a lot and seem to always run across things in other cities that I really enjoy.

Will people be complaining in 50-80 years about Wisconsin's "old economy" in healthcare and engineering?

IMO, those are pretty good and it would pay to link business to education, which would (my opinion) keep the area growing and marketable. Finance is nice but it's easily moved and subject to a lot of peaks and valleys. Engineering, health care, architecture, and other trained sciences are very important--not that other things aren't. Getting on the map with good educational programs linked to good job opportunities would be really nice. Having people stay in the area after graduating is very important.

[quijote]

I agree that cheese/dairy and manufacturing continue to be product icons for Wisconsin across the nation, in spite of the state's growing economic diversity and attempts to change the image. Beer used to be a major icon, and still is in a residual way, though today's announcement regarding the relocation of MillerCoors to Chicago only accentuates a trend (the decline of Big Beer in Wisconsin) that's been going on for quite a while. It's interesting that Napa Valley has emerged as a wine capital, with a handful of other U.S. locales emerging as satellite wine capitals, yet beer in the U.S. is very geographically fragmented. Big Beer is pretty much an international concern now, and microbrews haven't really developed in a way parallel to the country's boutique wine industry.

[radraja]

Beer influence is still big in MKE, though. It seems like half the city is owned by Miller (the zoo, the baseball stadium, parts of Summerfest, beaches, etc.).

[mikki]

Awesome article! I lived in the SE WI area in and around Milwaukee for 27 years from teen years until my 40's (we left last summer), and I agree with this journalist. While I miss the Summerfests of the early and mid 80's (who wouldn't with 50 cent beers and $2.50 cent admissions along with REAL wood picnic tables and fantastic music!), Milwaukee HAS grown with the times. If Milwaukee's climate could compare with Reno's (our current location), it would be off the charts. As a former poster indicated, it should stay a well kept secret. While I do not miss the weather, I definitely miss the CLASS of Milwaukee! Love you all!!!