MillerCoors, We Energies and several local union leaders will voice their support of the proposed legislation to fund a new Milwaukee sports and entertainment arena at a joint press conference Tuesday, ahead of an expected Wednesday vote on the standalone bill.
The Chicago-based brewer, which brews most of its beer in Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee-based energy company support the project’s potential to revitalize Milwaukee’s downtown and spur regional economic development and job creation, according to a press release.
Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO, Laborers Local 113, Building Advantage and Teamsters Local 200 are also scheduled to voice their support of the arena plan.
This evening, the Milwaukee Urban League will host a meeting with prominent African American community leaders, including Cory Nettles of Generation Growth Capital, Milwaukee Alderman Joe Davis Sr., and Sen. Lena Taylor, to discuss the benefits of the arena. The meeting will be held at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St. in Milwaukee, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Alderman Robert Bauman will host a town hall meeting about the arena from 6 to 8 p.m. at Milwaukee Public Library’s Centennial Hall, 733 N. Eighth St. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is expected to deliver a presentation at the meeting.
Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, who is transitioning to the role from his state senator position this week, today issued a statement encouraging legislators to vote for the arena deal.
“I am in a unique position serving as both the Waukesha County executive and, for a few more days, as a state senator representing the 33rd Senate District,” he said. “I am working on behalf of state taxpayers to ensure a solid return on their investment, and as county executive, believing that an investment of this magnitude in our region benefits all of us.
“I strongly urge all legislators, especially those in Waukesha County and southeastern Wisconsin, to support the arena plan and ensure that hundreds of millions of dollars will be invested here in Wisconsin and not spent in Seattle, Las Vegas, or elsewhere. I hope we, as a state, recognize the rarity of the opportunity before us. We need to work together to move forward and invest in our future.”
