Sept 2015Next City
A Year In Review
Co-Chair Message
Message from Our Co-Chairs
2015 was a significant defining point for The Water Council. The concentration of knowledge and expertise comprised of over 200 water technology companies and 20 academic institutions with water-based curriculum, and the unique spirit of collaboration in Wisconsin has positioned us as the world's water technology center of excellence.
From the announcement of a 2nd Global Water Center, and relocation of Zurn Industries' global headquarters to Milwaukee; to the development of new technology that detects the age of drinking water at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and an expanded Water Law & Policy Initiative at Marquette University, Milwaukee's World Water Hub has achieved many great successes.
To help our network continue to connect, we launched the world's 1st Global Water Port creating an online, globally-focused research and collaboration platform to enhance connectivity between individuals and companies seeking innovative solutions with the highest impact to address the planet's water-related challenges.
"Milwaukee – This is a town that understands water."
From severe droughts and flooding, to water security and aging infrastructure risks, the world needs innovative solutions. It is now time to push harder on the proven approach of cluster development, and strategically expand our efforts to improve water-related conditions around the world.
We've had an exceptional year with rapid movement thanks to our members, global partners, financial supporters and staff.
What does 2016 have in store? Policy. Growing our national and global footprint. Demonstration sites for testing new innovations. Creating opportunity for small water technology businesses. Attracting companies to Milwaukee.
Rich Meeusen, Co-Chair
Water Council Co-Chair
President/CEO/Chairman
Badger Meter, Inc
Paul Jones, Co-Chair
Water Council Co-Chair
Retired Chairman
A. O. Smith Corporation
Revenue
| Grants & Contracts | $1,600,373 |
| Global Water Center | 706,523 |
| Membership | 257,399 |
| Water Summit | 233,510 |
| Contributions | 47,340 |
| Other | 17,113 |
| Total Revenue | $2,862,258 |
Expense
| Programs | $1,921,109 |
| Global Water Center | 699,732 |
| Operations | 426,269 |
| Water Summit | 79,053 |
| Marketing | 60,701 |
| Total Expense | $3,186,864 |
The charts above provide unaudited financial information as of December 31, 2015. The excess of expenses over revenue is due to the planned use of restricted funds recognized as revenue in 2014. The use of these funds added approximately $394,000 in expenses in 2015.
In The News
Top articles in 2015.
The Water Council has a proven track record of success and engagement…when you visit The Water Council, you walk into that space [the Global Water Center] and that is really the epitome of a world class cluster.”
By The Numbers
5
$5 Million
Water Seed Fund initiated to invest in early stage water companies through the U.S. Commerce Department’s Regional Innovation Strategies Program
1
North America's 1st
3 training workshops by the Alliance for Water Stewardship-North America held in Arizona, California, and Illinois where 29 companies and 45 individuals completed training for utilizing the International Water Stewardship Standard
8
8 New Initiatives Launched To Help You Excel
- Alliance for Water Stewardship-North America
- BREW Corporate
- Global Water Center II
- Global Water Port
- Pilot Deployment Program
- Small Business Channel
- Water Seed Fund
- Water Venture Investment Conference
180
Over 180
Member organizations in our global network
$211.6
$211.6 Million
in total investment in the Milwaukee Water Technology District since 2010
62
62 stories
about TWC in the media, averaging 5 per month
6
6 Years
since we became an official 501(c)(3) organization
47
47 countries
spanning 5 continents visited our World Water Hub
$14 million
$14 million Zurn global headquarters
Zurn Industries’ Global Headquarters (an affiliate of Rexnord Corporation) announced their relocation to Milwaukee and began construction in the Reed Street Yards Water Tech Park
$2,500,000+
$2,500,000+
in self-reported, funding (royalty-based, equity, debt financing and grants) raised by startup portfolio companies located in the Global Water Center
408,600 ft2 - 37,960 m2
408,600 ft2 - 37,960 m2
of R&D and office space dedicated to water innovation in the Milwaukee Water Technology District including University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, Zurn Industries’ Headquarters, and Global Water Center I & II
26 New Classifications
were determined by TWC as qualified industry parameters of what a ‘water technology company’ is
1 new, stellar website
giving you 24-7 access to current news and events
2 Economic Development Honors
TWC received the SSTI Excellence in Technology-Based Economic Development national award “Improving the Competitiveness for Existing Industry” and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association award for “Expanding Sector – Advancing Wisconsin’s Position in the World Marketplace”
3 new startups
added to our accelerator each round thanks to corporate partners like Veolia
1st ever
Water Venture Investment Conference held during WEFTEC, bringing together 120+ investment professionals and entrepreneurs to examine the untapped potential in water investment
50 small businesses
participated in 16 programs dedicated to small business development in the water tech industry
14 projects
funded with $650,000 through the Water Equipment & Policy Research Center, which has generated funds totalling $7.57 million since being founded in 2010
Over 2,000
K-12 students in the Milwaukee region exposed to opportunities in water through TWC
3 pilot sites
launched plus new funding announced to help move working prototypes out of the lab with financial support from Wells Fargo, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and Fund for Lake Michigan
17 water tech startups
have offices in the Global Water Center with additional space opening in 2017 in Global Water Center II
19 regions
contacted TWC to learn how to develop a successful public-private partnership around water in their region
37 expert speakers
and over 350 water professionals attended our 8th annual Water Summit
24 Presentations
given by TWC staff at global conferences to create awareness of our membership’s strengths
227 Tours
of the Global Water Center given to students and inquiring organizations from around the world
Over 60
events and programs developed and carried out for TWC Members to help expand networks
21 partners
including our 4 new partners in 2015: Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea Water Forum, Catholic Relief Services, and U.S. Water Partnership
Co-Chair
Badger Meter, Inc.
Rich Meeusen
President/CEO/ChairmanBadger Meter, Inc.
Co-Chair
A. O. Smith Corporation
Paul Jones
Retired ChairmanA. O. Smith Corporation
Treasurer
Greater Milwaukee Committee
Julia Taylor
PresidentGreater Milwaukee Committee
Secretary
Open
Todd Adams
President & CEORexnord
Kirk Allen
President & CEOSloan Valve Company
Dan Bader
PresidentHelen Bader Foundation, Inc.
Tom Barrett
MayorCity of Milwaukee
Steve Booth
President & CEORobert W. Baird & Company, Inc.
Preston Cole
MemberWisconsin Natural Resources Board
Glen Daigger
PresidentOne Water Solutions LLC
Gary Grunau
PresidentGrucon Group
Mary Jean Huston
State DirectorThe Nature Conservancy
Dennis Klein
CD Smith ConstructionMichael R. Lovell
PresidentMarquette University
John Matthews
PrincipalMatthews Strategic Services, LLC
Mark Mone
ChancellorUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
David Ryder
Vice President, Brewing & ResearchMillerCoors
Kevin Shafer
Executive DirectorMilwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Jim Stern
Executive Vice PresidentA. O. Smith Corporation
Lee Swindall
Vice President of Business and Industry DevelopmentWisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Dean Amhaus
President & CEOThe Water Council