How's the economy in MKE? (Milwaukee: job market, manufacturing, area)

[zz4guy]

All I ever seem to hear is how bad rust-belt cities are and how their economies suck. But how is Milwaukee?

How is the manufacturing sector there? Would a professional with a technical background stand a good chance of finding a job in a manufacturing field?

[Nuclear_Art]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

All I ever seem to hear is how bad rust-belt cities are and how their economies suck. But how is Milwaukee?

How is the manufacturing sector there? Would a professional with a technical background stand a good chance of finding a job in a manufacturing field?

The mining industry is still going very strong. P&H is a great place to find a job if you have what they are looking for. Bucyrus is also located in the area doing the same type of stuff.

[lioninaconcretejungle]

Milwaukee's economy sucks.Its the 8th most impoverished city in the country,and last I checked,had the second highest unemployment rate (behind Detroit) of any medium /large sized city in the country.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

All I ever seem to hear is how bad rust-belt cities are and how their economies suck. But how is Milwaukee?

How is the manufacturing sector there? Would a professional with a technical background stand a good chance of finding a job in a manufacturing field?

That's something I'd like to know. From my perspective, the (good) job market is DOA. My field, absolutely no takers, or they're a slick talker who has the ubiquitous "great opportunity", but of course can't pay nearly what you're worth. It is really disappointing, because if the job market can't be kept above water, and if good employers can't be lured to the area, the area doesn't have a very strong future. I'd hate to see that, because there are so many good things about the area.

I'm sure there are jobs available, just not as many as I would think looking at Milwaukee from afar, and once in a while, from within. I would expect to have a much more vibrant economy since shucking the old factory town image. the key is not to lose employers, especially economically viable ones.