A timeline of events (1948-present)
The Greater Milwaukee Committee is a private sector civic organization whose mission is to contribute to the cultural and economic base of the Milwaukee Metropolitan area. The organization was formed in the late 1940s and is comprised of leaders in business, the professions, labor, education and philanthropy, nonprofit community development.
For example, in 1948, the GMC pushed for the development of a downtown arena – now the U.S. Cellular Arena. In the years to come the GMC initiated a string of major projects, including expressways, the public museum, the Milwaukee County Zoo, County Stadium, Miller Park, the Performing Arts Center and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
By the mid-1980s, the GMC began taking on more complex social issues such as education and inner city development. These projects are less visible, but their impact in the community is equally dramatic.
1948 GMC Officially incorporates
1950 Milwaukee Arena (now UWM Panther Arena) constructed
1952 County Stadium complete, Braves arrive following year
1955 General Mitchell Field's new terminal opens
1957 War Memorial dedicated on lakefront
1963 The Social Development Commission (SDC) launches in Milwaukee
1964 New Milwaukee County Zoo Opens
1969 Regional Medical Center development opens
1967 United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) begins
1970 Pilots land in Milwaukee and become the Brewers
1975 Milwaukee Art Museum expansion opens on lakefront
1982 Grand Avenue Mall dedicated
1985 First Riverwalk segment opens
2001 Miller Park Opens
2005 Milwaukee 7 initiative unites seven counties around an agenda to grow, expand, and attract world-class businesses and talent
2006 Regional Transit Authority established
2007 Inner City Growth Awards (now Diversity in Business Awards) begin
2007 MPS approves new Strategic Plan as first full four-year class graduates from Bradley Tech High School
2008 BizStarts Milwaukee forges region-wide approach to assisting entrepreneurs
2008 Creative Alliance Milwaukee audits cultural assets and develops new strategic plan
2009 Launch of The Water Council
2010 Milwaukee earns its first "Well City USA" designation followed by a second designation in 2015, the first city in the U.S. to win this twice
2011 Effective Government Committee champions fiscal and governance improvements in county
2011 Milwaukee Succeeds launches
2012 Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit enhances companies' diversity recruitment
2013 Teachtown MKE and Key to the City launched, improving teacher retention rates
2014 The Commons connects regional university and college students with companies to apply entrepreneurial teachings and improve talent development & retention
2014 Guiding Lens Group formed to facilitate the Beerline Trail Neighborhood Development creative placemaking project in Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods
2015 MKE United Strategic Action Agenda launched to create a shared and inclusive vision for the Greater Downtown
2019 Launch the Anti-Displacement Fund to prevent homeowner displacement and gentrification of neighborhoods surrounding downtown Milwaukee.
2017 Scale Up Milwaukee companies project $270M+ in revenue, over 600 new jobs in the region
2022 Performed an Operational Review of the City of Milwaukee to discover efficiencies and highlight sustainable solutions.
2023 Celebrated 75 Year Anniversary
