The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute has outlined five steps for Milwaukee to develop a 21st century economy, the most important being public safety. George Lightbourn, Executive Vice President of WPRI, adds the new police chief and mayor have begun to take steps toward that.
The new report says there is an educational deficiency in the city's population, including a substantial amount of high school drop outs. Lightbourn says a high school education is the minimum for nearly every job, a requirement too many citizens can't fulfill. Metro Milwaukee is also severely lacking in college educated citizens.
"Right now Milwaukee is well behind the average American city and falling further behind every year."
Lightbourn says stronger partnerships between the University of Wisconsin system and business and city leaders could draw new college graduates to Milwaukee. The city's high-end manufacturing sector is also hurting for skilled workers and will continue with pending retirements.
The study also calls for a doubling of the downtown's population saying the city would benefit from a healthy economic and cultural core.