Business Recruitment & Expansion

A rare large-format manufacturing opportunity is now available in Racine County. The former Cree Lighting headquarters at 9201 Washington Avenue in Sturtevant offers nearly 642,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space on 30 acres, providing companies with a turnkey facility in one of the Midwest's strongest manufacturing regions. Available immediately, the property combines extensive production infrastructure, significant power capacity, and a strategic location with access to major transportation networks, including Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee Mitchell International airports, freight rail service, and Great Lakes ports.

The Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a collaborative innovation ecosystem bringing together industry, academia, government, and technology leaders to help Wisconsin companies use AI to solve real-world business challenges. Through hands-on, four-day prototyping sprints, companies—particularly manufacturers—work alongside Microsoft AI engineers and innovation partners to develop practical solutions that can improve productivity, quality, and workplace processes.

RCEDC's 2026 Mid-Year Economic Development Report highlights the progress we've made toward our strategic plan goals during the first six months of the year and outlines priorities for the remainder of 2026.

A new housing development proposed by Neumann Companies could bring 34 owner-occupied single-family homes to the former Giese Elementary School site at 5120 Byrd Ave. in Racine. The project aims to create attainable homeownership opportunities for local workers, particularly educators and municipal employees who have faced growing challenges entering today's housing market.

Racine County continues to experience strong growth in residential development, reflecting increasing demand for housing across the region. According to an article from The Journal Times citing data from the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA), Racine County recorded the second-highest increase in single-family home construction permits in Wisconsin during the first half of 2026.

The Village of Mount Pleasant has launched a new Small Business Retention and Expansion Program to strengthen connections with local businesses and support their long-term success. The initiative is focused on businesses with 500 or fewer employees and is designed to help owners access resources, share feedback, and connect with organizations that can assist with growth and expansion.

Calling tech founders, builders, disruptors, and problem-solvers. Join us on November 10, 2026, at 4 PM at the Kenosha Innovation Center, where you'll have the opportunity to pitch your company, showcase your vision, and connect with investors, industry leaders, mentors, and startup champions from across Southeast Wisconsin.

The Village of Mount Pleasant is experiencing a significant increase in residential development, with several new projects helping meet growing housing demand across the community. According to reporting by the Milwaukee Business Journal, the village issued permits for 475 new housing units in 2025, the highest annual total in nearly 50 years. Major projects underway include Springs at Mount Pleasant, a 280-unit apartment community, and Leo Living, a 220-unit rental housing development.

Microsoft recently committed to investing heavily in building a data center in the Village of Mount Pleasant in Racine County, Wisconsin. Here are the latest updates.

Racine County continues to stand out as a hub for impactful development, with several local projects recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as finalists in its 2026 Real Estate Awards for New Construction. Selected from a record number of nominations, these projects highlight the innovation, collaboration, and investment shaping the region’s future.

A global manufacturer of electric vehicle battery components is planning a major investment in Mount Pleasant, signaling continued momentum for advanced manufacturing in Racine County. According to reporting by the Milwaukee Business Journal, Kedali America LLC plans to invest approximately $72 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility and headquarters in the community.

GZ PrintPak, part of Czech-based GZ Media, has selected Mount Pleasant for its U.S. manufacturing expansion. The company is investing $7.1 million in a 69,000 sq. ft. facility to produce fully recyclable luxury paper bags, creating 40 new jobs. Future plans include adding collapsible and rigid box production, co-packing services, and exploring additional printing capabilities.