Office of African American Affairs
Affordable land and leasing costs, abundant fresh water, an educated workforce, low business costs and easy access to financing, technical assistance and efficient transportation have helped local businesses succeed and grow.
Find information about things to do and happenings in the City of Milwaukee.
Office of Equity & Inclusion
The city’s small business development programs are designed to assist and protect the interests of emerging and small businesses. We serve as a gateway for small businesses to engage in and compete for city contracts.
The City of Milwaukee's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program is designed to enhance the emerging small business community by maximizing support services, contract opportunities, and financial resources to the small business community.
The City of Milwaukee helps underemployed and unemployed residents gain access to employment opportunities through its Residents Preference Program (RPP). The RPP certification is designed to promote the use of city residents as part of a contractor’s or developer's workforce on certain city-funded construction and private development projects.
The City of Milwaukee's Revolving Loan Program is designed to assist SBE-certified firms with financing for prime and sub contracts awarded to them. Funds are available to all currently certified SBE firms with upcoming City, MATC, MPS or MMSD contracts.
The City of Milwaukee’s Business Capacity Building Program is designed to mentor and promote existing Small Business Enterprise firms actively engaged with city-funded private development projects and procurement. The program seeks to ensure full opportunity for participation by SBE firms on future public works and private sector development projects.
The City of Milwaukee has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”). The Study will determine whether there is a disparity between the percentage of minority and women owned firms that are available to provide goods and services to the City and the City’s utilization of those firms. Over the course of this Study, there will be several ways the local business community can be involved. GSPC will be conducting surveys, public hearings, virtual informational meetings, and other public engagement meetings. If your firm is contacted to provide input, we thank you for your participation. You may also email us any comments or questions at [email protected].
About OEI
City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Room 606, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
@ OEI General Email
414-286-5553
TDD: 414-286-8547
414-286-8547
Business Development Staff @ Dontreal Teague, Business Inclusion Program Coordinator