MMAC
Barb Smith, senior account executive at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, has been named a recipient of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Membership Development Division’s Lifetime Sales Achievement Award.
Smith was one of eight chamber sales professionals recognized with the award in the Million Dollar Circle, which highlights sales executives that have sold more than $1 million in chamber memberships during their career. Recipients of the award are all members of ACCE’s Membership Development Division Circle of Champions, a program that notes excellence in membership sales performance and provides opportunities for chamber sales representatives to exchange ideas related to best practices. Smith’s award, sponsored by Save Local Now, was presented to her at the national association’s annual convention held in Oklahoma City, Okla., in July.
Bucyrus Foundation and United Way of Greater Milwaukee
The Bucyrus Foundation has given a $1 million gift to United Way of Greater Milwaukee to help individuals overcome employment barriers in Milwaukee. The funds will be rolled out in $100,000 annual grants over the course of 10 years. The gift will enable United Way to strengthen programming that helps adults advance their education and build a financially stable future. Programs benefitting from the grants focus on GED training and test-taking support, assistance with driver’s license reinstatement, transportation, and child care. Funding will also help adults develop and refine critical job readiness skills such as interviewing, resume writing and adult literacy.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
The WEDC recently jumpstarted the Idle Industrial Site Redevelopment Program to restore state industrial sites that have been vacated or are in need of significant updates. The program will provide maximum grants of $1 million to communities throughout Wisconsin that have plans to revitalize large industrial sites sitting idle or sites that have been underutilized for at least five years. Under the program, the WEDC will distribute $3 million annually to cities, villages, towns, redevelopment authorities, community development authorities or other government agencies to restore industrial sites spanning more than 10 acres. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and will cover demolition, environmental remediation and custom improvements outlined in each community recipient’s redevelopment plan. The WEDC hopes this new program will bring idle sites to shovel-ready status or reposition their attractiveness to stimulate creation of business and jobs.
Drilling’s Panther Pub and Eatery
Drilling’s Panther Pub and Eatery opened recently at 5651 Broad St. in downtown Greendale. The pub holds about 100 people and displays more than 75 historic photographs of Greendale sports history, which includes Greendale High School’s panther mascot. The pub’s menu features burgers, sandwiches, a few choice entrees, a Friday fish fry, craft beer and specialty drinks. Owner Mike Drilling is a native of Greendale.
