Chamber presents 5-year plan

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milwaukee will aid in the development of 500 new and existing central city Milwaukee businesses over the next five to seven years, said Dester Martin, executive director of the Chamber.
“The entire city of Milwaukee presents opportunities for business development,” Martin said. “We want to do our part to aid that business development and to encourage the African-American community to take advantage of the business opportunities here.”
Part of the plan, which was announced last month, involves the Chamber working with students at North Division High School to prepare them for careers in professional fields such as architecture, engineering and computer science. The program, which starts in September, includes opportunities for students to get internships with local Milwaukee businesses in fields of the students’ choice.
“The high school students represent the future of business in Milwaukee,” Martin said. “By getting them interested in professional careers now, we are hoping to insure that central city business development will continue for years to come.”
The Chamber’s main role in the plan is not one of recruiter, Martin said. Businesses wanting to locate in Milwaukee contact the Chamber, which then directs the business owners to the proper individuals and organizations that can aid the entrepreneurs in various areas of business development. The Chamber also will provide information about Milwaukee’s population, demographics and politics, Martin said.
Furthermore, in August of last year, the Chamber received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant, which will be used to aid start-up businesses, Martin said.
Martin believes the Chamber’s goal of developing 500 businesses in five to seven years is achievable, but he adds that as with any goal, there never is 100% certainty that it will be reached.
“We think the goal definitely is realistic, but we can’t play God,” Martin said. “We will do as much as we can to help business owners, and hopefully we will reach the goal.”
– Heather Stur