Urban Economic Development Association of WI (UEDA)

08/06/2026

How do we get from HERE to THERE? Join us for the second session of UEDA's Emerging Topics in Economic Development series as we explore the future of public transportation and its impact on our region's economy, workforce, and communities.

Hear from local leaders and transportation experts:
🎤 Jennifer Sarnecki, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) – Transit Benefits Study
🎤 Steve Fuentes, Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) – Launch of the MCTS Forward Transit network redesign
🎤 Claire Enders, Transit Is Milwaukee – Transit Advocacy & Community Engagement

The program will conclude with a moderated panel discussion, audience Q&A, and networking. Coffee and pastries will be available beginning at 8:45 a.m.

📅 Thursday, August 20 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
📍 Concordia 27 (809 N. 27th St., Milwaukee)

🎟️ Register today at: uedawi.org
Full Flyer also available online.

🚍 Getting there: Take the Route 30, PurpleLine, or CONNECT 1 to 27th & Wisconsin, then walk one block north. Free parking is also available behind Concordia 27 and along 27th and Wells Streets.

08/05/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
Our 19th Annual Back to School and Resources Fair is happening on August 8th 2026 from 10am-1pm at our HAFA location.

Come join us to get your school supplies, enjoy live performances, connect with our resource venders, and best of all, enter into our raffle to snag a prize home!

Bring your family, friends, and your neighbor! We can't wait to see you all!

08/05/2026

🎒 We're excited to support this year's HAFA Back to School & Resource Fair this Saturday, August 8!

Stop by to connect with community resources, enjoy live performances, food, raffles, and pick up school supplies while they last ✏️ 📖

As this year's UEDA Carnival Milwaukee Bridge Builder Awardee, we're proud to celebrate the incredible work of the Hmong American Friendship Association (HAFA) and their commitment to serving Milwaukee families.

We'll also be joined by several UEDA members helping to make this event a success, including Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP), Safe & Sound, Inc., Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), and TMG Wisconsin.

📍 Hmong American Friendship Association
3824 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208
🗓️ Saturday, August 8 | ⏰ 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

We hope to see you there!

07/31/2026

"✨ July Member Spotlight: Aaron & Megan Foley ✨

Congratulations to Aaron and Megan Foley, UEDA's first married members! 🎉

Aaron, an attorney, joined UEDA to take advantage of educational programming and learn how organizations across Milwaukee are working to strengthen our communities. Megan, a consultant, was looking to expand her network, build new relationships, and sharpen her professional skills.

As Megan shared, ""Isn't it nice that our careers are converging? It comes down to being married to someone who shares your values and is as value driven as I am.""

We're proud to have Aaron and Megan as part of the UEDA community and look forward to the impact they'll continue to make together.

💼 Interested in becoming a UEDA member? Learn more at uedawi.org/membership."

07/23/2026

Join SOC NEXT SATURDAY, August 1st at their Annual Safetyfest!

Join us for our Annual People's Safetyfest!
FREE annual safety fair and fun including FREE resources for crime, fire, public health, and more!
Saturday, August 1st
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Kosciuszko Park
2201 S. 7th St, Milwaukee
FREE while supplies last on 1st come, 1st serve basis:
* Resources* Food* Giveaways* etc.
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MORE EXCITING NEWS TO COME!

07/23/2026

Join us for our Annual People's Safetyfest!
FREE annual safety fair and fun including FREE resources for crime, fire, public health, and more!
Saturday, August 1st
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Kosciuszko Park
2201 S. 7th St, Milwaukee
FREE while supplies last on 1st come, 1st serve basis:
* Resources* Food* Giveaways* etc.
----------------------
MORE EXCITING NEWS TO COME!

07/09/2026

Don't miss out on this Financial Education grant opportunity! Deadline coming up soon (Wednesday July 15th, 2026) 🗓️

Today, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced a $300,000 competitive grant program to help support the expansion of financial literacy education statewide. This will greatly help students get a better understanding of finances and prepare them for a future outside of the classroom.

Grants may be used to engage students as active participants in financial literacy program development, foster cross-grade collaboration, explore school and community partnerships, and create professional development opportunities for educators.

Applications are due by July 15, 2026. Learn more and apply at: https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/About/NewsEvents/NewsReleases/20260617PersonalFinancialLiteracyInnovationGrants.aspx

06/26/2026

✨ UEDA June Member Spotlight: AARP Wisconsin✨

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to recognize the important role homeownership plays in creating stability, opportunity, and stronger communities.

As highlighted during AARP's recent Six Minutes, One Idea event, housing is more than a policy issue—it is a lifelong experience that shapes how we live, connect, and navigate the world. Housing provides stability, supports healthy aging, and helps people remain connected to the communities they call home.

We're proud to spotlight AARP Wisconsin, a valued UEDA member and part of the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age

Learn More: https://www.aarp.org/states/wisconsin/

06/16/2026

📚✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Brown Bag event at the Martin Luther King Library!

We had a wonderful time learning from MPL's incredible team, Ha Hoang and Kristina Gomez, who shared the many resources, programs, and services available through Milwaukee Public Library. Their passion for serving as an anchor institution in Milwaukee's neighborhoods was truly inspiring.

A special thank you to Amy for leading a fantastic library tour and helping us explore all that this community treasure has to offer.

From discovering "100 Things to Explore at MPL" to learning about free resources like Freegal music streaming and the Libby app, attendees left with plenty of new ways to connect, learn, and explore.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and engagement—we loved spending the afternoon with you and look forward to seeing you at our next event! 💙📖

06/12/2026

🌈 Quick UEDA Member Shoutout: Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce! A valued UEDA member dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ and allied businesses across Wisconsin through advocacy, education, networking, and economic opportunity.

This June, they're celebrating Pride Month with a full lineup of events designed to help entrepreneurs connect, grow, and thrive:

✨ Have Pride! Get Certified! (June 17) Webinar
Learn how to certify your LGBTQ+-owned business through the NGLCC.

☕ Madison Big Gay Coffee Connection (June 20)
Build connections and community over coffee at the Big Gay Pride Market.

📈 Introducing NGLCC Allied SME Certification (June 23) Webinar
Explore a new certification opportunity for allied small and medium-sized businesses.

💡 Resilience Without Roadmaps (June 23) Webinar
A Pride Month conversation on LGBTQ+ financial identity, resilience, and building pathways forward.

🏳️‍🌈 2026 Pride Luncheon (June 24) Appleton
Celebrate Pride, recognize community progress, and connect with leaders from across Wisconsin.

🚀 Madison Entrepreneur Bootcamp (June 25–26) Madison
A two-day experience helping LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs discover, build, grow, and scale their businesses.

Thank you to the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce for creating spaces where businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities can thrive. We're grateful to have you as part of the UEDA network! Learn More: https://business.wislgbtchamber.com/events-calendar