Business Recruitment & Expansion
RCEDC’s Business Recruitment & Expansion staff have been assisting expanding business in and locating to Racine County since 1983. As the first point of contact, our experienced staff proactively assists with: expansion project resources; market research; location selection; grant and loan opportunities; and securing incentive packages to grow your business in Racine County.
Our mission is to grow Racine County’s property tax base and provide employment opportunities in Racine County.
We Are Here To Help
Recent Business Recruitment & Expansion News
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.
According to Realtor.com, The Wisconsin housing market is heating up, with Southeast Wisconsin leading the way. Among the nation’s 20 hottest housing markets this month, Racine County claimed the No. 7 spot, joining six other Wisconsin metros on the list. The region is quickly becoming a top destination for homebuyers drawn to its growth, affordability, and quality of life.
This expansion is driven by increasing demand from U.S. customers and the need to strengthen domestic supply chains for advanced data and technology infrastructure. Foxconn leaders say the company’s Wisconsin workforce—already a significant portion of its U.S. employees—will nearly double by the end of the decade.
Microsoft joined the Village of Mount Pleasant in 2023 and is building two datacenters that will support the company’s global cloud operations. Alongside construction, Microsoft is making meaningful investments that benefit Racine County residents, students, and the environment.
Nine Racine County entrepreneurs celebrated their graduation from the BizStarts Racine program on October 9, 2025, at Gateway Technical College’s iMET Center—marking the completion of another successful cohort. Presented by RCEDC in partnership with the BizStarts Institute, this year-long program supports aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into sustainable businesses.
On November 12, 2025, Southeast Wisconsin’s top entrepreneurs gathered at the Kenosha Innovation Center for the Pitch Perfect Competition, showcasing the region’s brightest startup talent from Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties. The event highlighted innovative ideas and fostered collaboration across the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At the October 14, 2025, RCEDC Leadership Council meeting, local educators in a panel discussion highlighted how Racine County high schools are equipping students for future careers and fostering connections with area employers.
Major employers such as Amazon, Uline, Haribo, Microsoft, and Eli Lilly are expanding across Racine County and Southeast Wisconsin, creating thousands of new jobs. This rapid growth has put pressure on the housing market, prompting economic development leaders to focus on residential needs alongside traditional commercial development. At the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Racine/Kenosha Growth Summit on Oct. 22, RCEDC's Executive Director, Jenny Trick, noted that Racine County has added roughly 5,000 multifamily units since 2018.
INVEST IN RCEDC
RCEDC’s mission is to grow Racine County’s property tax base by supporting business expansions and providing employment opportunities to Racine County residents. In 2025, RCEDC staff were able to facilitate 84 projects that included comprehensive site selection, loans, grants, and incentives resulting in $158 million in expansion projects and/or new developments. RCEDC’s Loan Committee and Board of Directors approved $22 million in loans and grants to facilitate this private investment.
INVESTOR BENEFITS
- Tax-deductible contribution (RCEDC is a 501C(3) org.)
- Discounted admission to all RCEDC events
- Support RCEDC’s mission
- Marketing of your company to RCEDC prospects
- Highlight your company as a preferred resource