Discover the latest economic development news happening in Racine County! Some features from this edition include Microsoft’s investment in the community, RCEDC’s Leadership Council exploring career connections for young talent, BizStarts Racine’s third cohort graduation, and more.
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.
Smallman Tools & Equipment, founded by Nick Smalley, has acquired a commercial property at 732 S. Pine Street in Burlington to support the company’s continued growth. After launching the business in 2023 and transitioning from a mobile tool distributor to an independent supplier serving customers across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Smalley is expanding retail, online, and mobile sales operations while creating a centralized hub for inventory and administration. The project was supported through a partnership between RCEDC and Community State Bank, utilizing a Community Loan to help position the business for long-term success and expansion.
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.
According to a recent analysis by the Badger Institute, Racine County experienced the highest rate of new construction in Wisconsin for 2024—posting a 4.83% increase in property value from net new construction (after accounting for demolitions). This growth rate is nearly three times the statewide average of 1.65% and almost double that of the next-highest county, Adams, which came in at 2.94%.
Southeast Wisconsin is gaining national recognition for its strong economy and skilled workforce as traditional industries like manufacturing join emerging sectors such as AI, clean energy, and biohealth. Reports like “Wisconsin: Capturing More Than a Moment” highlight the region’s appeal to global corporations and startups due to its business climate, tax incentives, and access to talent. Major investments, such as Microsoft’s $3.3 billion data center in Mount Pleasant, will create hundreds of jobs and boost demand for technical talent.
Woodman’s Markets has opened a new 240,000-square-foot store in Racine, marking its 20th location and its first new Wisconsin store since 2015. As reported by the Milwaukee Business Journal, the Janesville-based grocer purchased 21 acres of the former Regency Mall site in 2024 and developed the property into its newest full-service store.
Discover the latest economic development news happening in Racine County! Some features from this edition include details about applying for the third BizStarts Racine cohort, the second phase of the Microsoft data center project in Mount Pleasant, and more.
Saputo Cheese USA Inc., one of the largest dairy processors in the world, has expanded its footprint in Wisconsin with the opening of a new 311,000-square-foot cold storage and distribution facility in Caledonia Corporate Park. The $59 million investment will create 160 new jobs over the next three years, strengthening Saputo’s operations in the Midwest. Earlier this summer, RCEDC joined Saputo leadership, project partners, and community leaders for a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.