FAQ
- What is the Gateway to Milwaukee?
- Who supports the Gateway to Milwaukee programs?
- What is the Airport Gateway Business Improvement District #40? (AGBID)
- What is the Airport Gateway Business Association? (AGBA)
- How does AGBA fund itself?
- What are some of the key activities of AGBA?
- How can I join AGBA?
- How can I get involved with AGBA?
What is the Gateway to Milwaukee?
The Gateway is General Mitchell International Airport plus the surrounding area, including I-94 that divides into the I-894/43 beltway around and the I-43/94 freeway through downtown Milwaukee, an Amtrak station, a proposed station for the developing KRM railroad and the Port of Milwaukee. Within this area are many hospitality businesses, trucking terminals, warehouses, manufacturers and other businesses supporting the Airport and exporting activities. This is the Gateway not only to greater Milwaukee but also to the Milwaukee 7 counties in southeastern Wisconsin.
Who supports the Gateway to Milwaukee programs?
The Gateway is brought to you by Airport Gateway Business Improvement District #40 and by Airport Gateway Business Association.
What is the Airport Gateway Business Improvement District #40? (AGBID)
AGBID was formed in 2006 and is a defined geographic district in the City of Milwaukee’s Garden District along the north and west sides of the Airport. Over 460 commercial property owners in the District pay annual assessments ranging from $250 to $5,000 proportionate to their assessed values. These monies total over $320,000 and are used to execute the Operating Plan that is approved annually by the City of Milwaukee to enhance the business environment in the District. These activities include interacting positively with governments, beautification, security, marketing the area, networking to grow the businesses in the area and administration.
What is the Airport Gateway Business Association? (AGBA)
AGBA was begun in May of 2005 by about 10 business people simply to make the areas near the west and north sides of the Airport look better. It has grown into a 501(c)3 organization with over 80 members that manage the AGBID and similarly influence the business environment in the other municipalities surrounding the Airport.
How does AGBA fund itself?
AGBA’s members currently pay $100 in annual dues after a $500 initiation fee and it also receives some funding from AGBID for administrative expenses. With the recent introduction of http://www.gatewaytomilwaukee.com, AGBA also generates funds from advertisers and businesses that offer coupons through the web site. In the near future, additional funds will come from regular networking meetings, an annual golf outing that is being planned and other activities.
What are some of the key activities of AGBA?
Most significantly, AGBA:
1) has worked with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that the Layton Avenue ramps stay open and are safely modified during the upcoming I-94 reconstruction project;
2) is working with the DOT in planning that project’s upgrading of the appearance of the Airport Spur (to be renamed the Airport Gateway), traffic flows in the Gateway area during construction and communicating with businesses and the public in the area;
3) participates on the City of Milwaukee’ Southeast Side Comprehensive Plan formation to highlight the needs of businesses in the area;
4) has contracted with Allied Barton to patrol the Gateway area at night to enhance the perception of security in the Gateway;
5) works with the forestry departments of the City and County of Milwaukee to supplement landscaping along medians in the area;
6) has worked with neighborhood associations in the Garden District in support of their public garden displays;
7) will landscape around and paint the railroad bridge over Layton Avenue near 11th Street this summer;
8) has rolled out http://www.gatewaytomilwaukee.com and will provide public relations and advertising to include billboards about the Gateway area in the second quarter of 2008; and
9) is actively participating on the newly formed Airport Area Economic Development Steering Committee
How can I join AGBA?
You can go to the web site’s home page and click on “Join the Gateway” or select “Membership” from the main menu.
How can I get involved with AGBA?
You can volunteer to join one of the committees that currently include Government, Beautification, Security, Marketing and Programs. Just go “Contact Us” on the home page’s menu and let us know that you are interested.
