The Global Water Center, located in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point Neighborhood, solidifies Milwaukee’s position as a world water hub.
The Milwaukee area holds a $10.5 billion stake in the market, which accounts for 4 percent of the world’s total water business.
“The opening of the Global Water Center is one of the most significant steps for the Water Council since it was founded in 2009,” said Rich Meeusen, co-founder and co-chair of the Water Council, as well as chairman, president and CEO of Badger Meter Inc. “One-fifth of the world’s population lacks access to clean water. By attracting new talent and collaborating together to develop new technologies, the Milwaukee region has the unique opportunity to address global freshwater needs and positions Milwaukee as the Silicon Valley of water technology.”
Grand opening celebrations will take place today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the sold-out “Innovation Flows” gala. Open to the public, the ribbon cutting will include speakers from business, government and academia, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and United Nations Global Compact Cities program director Paul James.
After nearly 13 months of construction, the Global Water Center is located at 247 W. Freshwater Way. Formerly the intersection of 3rd and Pittsburgh Avenue, the street was formally renamed to Freshwater Way to symbolize the industrial evolution happening in the region.