Located along I-94, in the fast-growing corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee, Racine County is the ideal place to live, work and do business. Check out the latest development insights, news, and resources in this edition of the RCEDC Development Newsletter.
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.
CNH Industrial has begun relocating hundreds of employees to its newly acquired office building in the Village of Waterford. The company purchased the former Runzheimer International corporate headquarters in March and is now transitioning 230 employees to the site.
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.
Water plays a vital role in site selection, especially for industries that depend on it for manufacturing, cooling, cleaning, or agriculture. In the article “Water Resources: Water & Site Selection” by Business Facilities, water access is identified as a key driver of economic development. In Southeast Wisconsin, this essential resource isn’t just plentiful and high quality—it’s a strategic advantage for businesses planning long-term growth.
Located along I-94, in the fast-growing corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee, Racine County is the ideal place to live, work and do business. Check out the latest development insights, news, and resources in this edition of the RCEDC Development Newsletter.
Zilber Property Group has begun construction on Zilber Industrial 2, a 142,560-square-foot speculative industrial facility at 4300 Carly Avenue in the new Caledonia Corporate Park in Racine County.