By Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Mayor Tom Barrett
In 1937, the Strauss Brands was established. Over the years it grew and currently boasts “four generations of authenticity.” Earlier this week, it was announced that Strauss Brands will be constructing a 175,000 square foot headquarters and meat processing operation in Milwaukee.
Mayor Tom Barrett, along with the owners of Strass Brands, announced the news on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The new facility will become a part of Milwaukee’s Century City Business Park, which is located near the intersection of North 31st Street and West Capitol Drive in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor and compromised of 84 acres.
The Century City Business Park was created through the Century City Redevelopment Plan and approved in 2005, according to the City of Milwaukee website. Since then, the park has grown and expanded into 15 “discrete parcels.” Nine parcels are for heavy industrial uses and seven are for light industrial or commercial uses.
Strauss Brands will be joining other employers, which include Good City Brewing, Talgo and the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works. The five employers established in Century City, employ hundreds of people, according to the City of Milwaukee website.
According to the press release, “Strauss supplies premium quality, sustainably and humanely raised meats to customers coast to coast.”
Randy Strauss, the third-generation co-owner and CEO of Strauss Brands, explained in the press release that Strauss Brands has been operating in and around Milwaukee since its conception.
“Today, with the support of Mayor Barrett and Milwaukee economic development officials, we are excited to announce our return to the city of Milwaukee, home of our operational roots,” Strass said.
Barrett praised the addition of Strauss Brands to Century City.
Khalif Rainey
Ald. Khalif Rainey, said that Century City offers strong advantages for businesses, an attribute, which Strauss Brands recognizes. He added that the land is buildable and offers a good transportation network.
“The best part of Century City, though, is people – welcoming neighbors, capable workers, and a supportive group of fellow business operators,” Rainey said.
Construction for the new facility is expected to begin later this year. By 2021, Strauss Brands intends to have occupancy. According to the press release, Strauss Brands will employ 250 workers at the Century City location, which include headquarters staff and production personnel.
Per the press release, “The facility will be designed to accommodate growth scenarios that could bring significant additional jobs and investment to the Century City operation.”
“Century City is part of Milwaukee’s continuing reinvention,” Barrett said in the press release. “We are building a manufacturing future here with good companies, modern facilities, and jobs for great Milwaukee workers.”
According to the press release, for one dollar, Milwaukee will sell 20 acres along Hopkins Street south of Capitol Drive to Strauss. The city will also advance a developer-financed tax incremental district valued at up to $4.5 million.
In exchange, Strauss has agreed to meet requirements established by the Residents Preference Program and Small Business Enterprise.
“Century City is the site upon which much of Milwaukee’s rich manufacturing heritage is written,” Said Gale Klappa, co-chair of Milwaukee s economic development organization and executive chairman of WEC Energy Group.
“Strauss will soon be creating a robust new chapter, bringing jobs and investment to Milwaukee’s north side,” Klappa added.