MILWAUKEE — The Wisconsin Center District (WCD) Governance Committee unanimously approved a resolution to finance the $420 million convention center expansion project.
This was the final approval needed in order to begin the planning phase of the project.
"The Wisconsin Center expansion has been years in the making, and today is an exciting day,” said Marty Brooks, president and CEO of the WCD. “Meetings and convention business acts as the economic foundation for hospitality and tourism in our region. I applaud the WCD Board and Governance Committee for the actions they have taken in the last two years and the trust they have placed in me and our team to lead the Wisconsin Center District toward Building More for the city we love.”
According to WCD, the project will support 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs and $100 million in on- and off-site construction wages during construction.
Double the convention center's size will allow multiple, overlapping, and simultaneous events.
After completion, the expanded convention center is projected to attract an additional 100,000 out-of-state visitors, and stimulate at least $6.5 billion in total spending in the state over a 30-year period.
“The WCD Board has invested countless hours over the last two years providing input and guidance on the expansion project,” said Jim Kanter, WCD Board Chairman. “From creating jobs to attracting visitors, this project sets our city up for immediate and future success. The WCD will serve as a sign of economic strength for the city of Milwaukee and join the rest of the development taking place west of the river. From ground-breaking to grand-opening, the expansion of the Wisconsin Center will be a real source of pride for all of Milwaukee.”
