This was a year full of big news and significant developments for the southeastern Wisconsin business community. Milwaukee landed the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Fiserv Forum’s first year was a huge success, efforts to revive Midwest Express Airlines moved forward, the Foxconn project made progress but evolved (causing the Evers administration to say it does not qualify for tax credits), the region’s retail landscape continues to change…BizTimes Media covered all of those stories and tackled some of the major issues facing the region.
As the year comes to a close, check out the cover designs for the BizTimes Milwaukee magazines of 2019. And see below for links to digital versions of each issue.
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Jan. 21 issue: The annual economic trends report said an economic slowdown was likely this year. Indeed, U.S. GDP slowed from 2.9% in 2018 and 3.1% in the first quarter of 2019 to 2.0% in the second quarter and 2.1% in the third quarter. GDP growth for the fourth quarter is projected at 2.1% by the Atlanta Federal Reserve.
Feb. 4 issue: The annual family business issue looked at family feuds of some Milwaukee area businesses including disputes at Giuffre Bros. Cranes Inc., Seville Flexpack Corp., Cousins Submarines Inc. and Walbec Group Inc.
Feb. 18 issue: The cover story profiled brothers Que and Khalif El-Amin, entrepreneurs and owners of Young Enterprising Society who also started The Blueprint, an urban entrepreneurship training program. Later in the year they received the BRAVO! Regional Spirit Award from BizTimes Media.
March 4 issue: The cover story examined how some companies, in a tight labor market, are becoming more willing to hire felons who have completed their sentence. The story dug into the challenges of connecting ex-offenders to job opportunities.
March 18 issue: The cover story provided an update on Foxconn's evolving plans for its Mount Pleasant manufacturing complex. By the end of the year, Gov. Tony Evers' administration said those changes have made the company out of compliance with its deal with the state and therefore ineligible for tax credits. The company could receive up to $3 billion in tax credits under that deal, but so far has not received any.
April 1 issue: The cover story took an in-depth look at Fiserv's $22 billion all-stock deal to acquire New York-based First Data Corp.
April 15 issue: The cover story examined the struggles of Bayshore Town Center in Glendale.
April 29 issue: The cover story examined the need for major upgrades to some of Milwaukee's most cherished cultural assets.
May 13: The cover story focused on the trend of companies moving their offices to new locations, particularly to downtown Milwaukee, in part to help attract talent.
May 27: The cover story profiled Donald Baumgartner, co-founder of Milwaukee-based Paper Machinery Corp. and the recipient of this year's BRAVO! Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award from BizTimes Media.
June: 10: The cover story featured the family-owned BILTRITE furniture store in Greenfield, now in its 90th year in business.
June 24: The cover story examined the growth of beer-related tourism in the Brew City.
July 22: The annual Mid-Year Economic Report said the U.S. economy was in good shape ("sunny skies"), but there were concerns about a possible looming recession ("clouds ahead"). Since then, slow economic growth has continued and fears of recession have diminished.
Aug. 5: The cover story examined what it will take to expand and improve the popular Amtrak Hiawatha service that connects Milwaukee to Chicago.
Aug. 19: The cover story highlighted efforts to attract and retain tech talent in Milwaukee.
Cover image of the Sept. 2, 2019 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee.
Sept. 16: As part of BizTimes Milwaukee's annual coverage of the MMAC's Future 50 Awards, the cover story profiled Derse, a Future 50 company with impressive growth.
Sept. 30: The cover story took an in-depth look at the MMAC's new initiative to promote increased diversity of the workforce and leadership of Milwaukee area companies.
Oct. 14: The cover story examined why so many nursing homes are closing at a time when the population is aging.
Oct. 28: The cover story profiled Fair Oaks Farms president and CEO Michael Thompson, who was named Kenosha County’s Entrepreneur of the Year by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.
Nov. 11: With Milwaukee getting a surge of national attention, especially for being picked as the host city for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, the cover story looked at what's next for Milwaukee and if the region can take advantage of the publicity.
Nov. 25: The cover story looked at why some brands, such as Midwest Express and Harley-Davidson, develop cult-like loyalty from customers.
Dec. 16: The annual Best in Business issued featured Milwaukee Bucks vice president Alex Lasry on the cover, who was named BizTimes Milwaukee's Community Leader of the Year for 2019 for leading the effort to have Milwaukee selected to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Click on these links to see digital editions of the 2019 issues of BizTimes Milwaukee:
- Jan. 21 (economic trends issue): “Slowdown Ahead”
- Feb. 4 (family business issue): “Family Feuds”
- Feb. 18: “Changing the Trajectory”
- March 4: “Hiring Felons”
- March 18: “Foxconn: Searching For A Clear Vision”
- April 1: “Big Bucks: Fiserv’s $22 Billion Deal”
- April 15: “Sink or Swim”
- April 29: “Milwaukee’s Crumbling Cultural Assets”
- May 13: “Want Talent? Where’s Your Office?”
- May 27: “Baumgartner Gets Things Done”
- June 10: “Rites of Passage”
- June 24: “Wish You Were Beer”
- July 22 (mid-year economic report): “Sunny Skies…”
- Aug. 5: “Improving the Connection”
- Aug. 19: “Clicking with Milwaukee”
- Sept. 2: “Fiserv Forum Brings Milwaukee Together”
- Sept. 16: “Standing Out in a Crowd”
- Sept. 30: “Representation Matters”
- Oct. 14: “The Nursing Home Funding Crisis”
- Nov. 11: “Milwaukee Has Arrived…Now What?”
- Nov. 25: “Cult Brands”
- Dec. 16: Best in Business issue
