Milwaukee, WI – Oct 3, 2017 – The continued high volume of inquiries for office and research space within Milwaukee’s Global Water Center since the building’s completion in 2013 has led to the creation of a shared, collaboratory workspace called the “Oasis Coworking Community” to house companies from around the world seeking to tap the growing network of industry resources located in the burgeoning water technology cluster.
The Oasis is a reformat of approximately 4,000 square feet (743 square meters) of each the second and third floors of the Global Water Center – a seven story, 98,000 square foot (9,104 square meter) building serving the world water hub – to create more workspace options with a variety of time-period lease arrangements and affordable pricing to accommodate entrepreneurs and small businesses in Wisconsin, as well as national and global organizations.
The Center is the only one in the world combining industry, academia, government and talent devoted to the water space.
“Businesses are calling us on a weekly basis interested in opening a small office in Milwaukee, to connect with Wisconsin’s water technology cluster or to establish an entrance into the U.S. market,” said Dean Amhaus, president and CEO of The Water Council. “Our initiatives were developed to broaden our cluster’s new business opportunities and to expand new industry cluster participants. The Oasis lets the powerful formula of collisions, conversations and collaboration that we’ve seen in the Center work at a whole new level.”
Oasis amenities include:
Activities taking place within the Global Water Center range from research and development, startup company acceleration, mentoring, talent development and business attraction initiatives.
“The new coworking space will elevate the level of synergy we have seen among tenants at the Global Water Center since its opening in 2013,” said Mark R. Hogan, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which provides funding that enables participants in the BREW Accelerator to lease space in the Center. “By offering flexible space for startup companies, the Global Water Center will now provide even more opportunities to attract and retain promising new high-tech businesses to Wisconsin.”
The Water Council frequently hosts national and international delegations interested in learning more about Milwaukee’s cluster development model. The Council’s network includes partner organizations in France, Germany, the Netherlands, China, South Korea and other parts of Asia. Since the opening of the Global Water Center in 2013, The Water Council has hosted representatives from more than 74 countries who traveled to Milwaukee to witness firsthand the Wisconsin’s water industry development outcomes.
Overall Milwaukee’s water industry cluster development is also paying dividends locally, with more than $211 million in public and private investment made in the Water Technology District over the past five years, according to a recent economic investment analysis of the area by Kristian Vaughn of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Milwaukee’s Water Technology District comprises the Walker’s Point, Fifth Ward and Harbor District neighborhoods. Vaughn’s analysis also found that economic development in the water sector has had a very positive impact on property values in the area compared to other parts of the city.
The Oasis is scheduled to be completed in early 2018. More information about leasing opportunities are available at www.thewatercouncil.com/oasis or by contacting Amy Jensen at (414) 988-8756 or ajensen@thewatercouncil.com.
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About the Global Water Center
Opened in 2013, the Global Water Center (GWC) is a 98,000 sq. ft. (9,104 m2) facility located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin housing water-centric research, office and collaboration facilities for universities, existing water-related companies and new, emerging water technology companies. With over 45 tenant organizations, the GWC continues to be a magnet for U.S. and foreign dignitaries, global water technology businesses, economic development organizations and students from all levels. The development of the GWC was an important milestone as it established a highly visible headquarter base for The Water Council and a landing pad for organizations to participate in the leading U.S. water technology hub.
About The Water Council
Headquartered in the Global Water Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next to the world’s largest freshwater system, The Water Council is a non-profit organization that drives economic, technology and talent development to support the global water industry. As the leading U.S. cluster, and one of the most powerful water technology hubs in the world, the organization convenes global water leaders and supports more than 190 members from small and mid-sized businesses and large global corporations to engineers, entrepreneurs, utilities, government agencies, education programs and non-profits, with valuable services, programming and networking opportunities. Established as a 501(c)(3) in 2009, the driving force behind its success is the vibrant spirit of collaboration between public, private and academic sectors with a strong, shared commitment to finding innovative solutions to critical global water challenges. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com.