Matt Dorner - BID 21 - Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships for Economic Development Success

Downtown Milwaukee has experienced significant growth in recent years, with Business Improvement District (BID) 21 playing a pivotal role in its development. As of 2024, the district is home to approximately 42,000 residents, reflecting a 26.5% increase since 2010, according the City of Milwaukee website.. The area also accommodates over 90,700 workers and attracts more than six million annual visitors, underscoring its status as a vibrant urban center. ​city.milwaukee.gov

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Dorner, who has been with BID 21 since 2014 and is slated to become the organization's CEO in June 2025. With a background in urban planning and economic development, including previous work with the Village of Menomonee Falls, Matt has been instrumental in driving initiatives that enhance Milwaukee's downtown district.​

Join us as Matt discusses the purpose of a BID, how BID 21 is unique to others across the country, and how BID 21 leverages public-private partnerships to foster economic growth, enhance public spaces, and solidify downtown Milwaukee's status as a premier destination for business, culture, and community life as well as a resource that benefits the entire State of Wisconsin.