City celebrates Valley Industrial Center’s 6th groundbreaking

Charter Wire begins construction

Construction began Tuesday on Charter Wire’s new $20 million production facility in the city’s Menomonee Valley Industrial Center, east of Miller Park. Mayor Tom Barrett led the Valley Industrial Center’s 6th groundbreaking, marking the continued growth of businesses on this western end of the Menomonee Valley.

The Valley Industrial Center is the home of 723 jobs and counting, once construction of all six projects is completed. Longtime Milwaukee company Charter Wire, a division of Charter Manufacturing, purchased 7.8 acres in what was once the state’s largest brownfield, now today’s prime site for next generation manufacturing.

The company plans to build a 160,000 square foot modern manufacturing plant. The Menomonee Valley has proven successful in positioning companies to compete globally through the construction of more efficient production centers. Charter Wire has manufactured shaped steel wire products in Milwaukee’s Third Ward for over 70 years.

Charter Wire employees arrived by trolley to participate in the groundbreaking and to mark the beginning of the next phase in company history.

The new Charter Wire facility will replace the current leased facility in the Third Ward, allowing the company to retain all 115 family-supporting jobs and positioning the company to expand operations in the future. Mayor Barrett declared the Valley Industrial Center is on track, home to six companies and 723 jobs and counting. More than a dozen projects throughout the Menomonee Valley will create 2,100 jobs when completed.

There are 20 acres left to purchase in the Valley Industrial Center. Companies interested in growing in the Valley should contact Dave Misky, 286-8682.