Northwestern Mutual project hired 800 city residents
The Northwestern Mutual skyscraper did more than reshape Milwaukee’s skyline — it redefined expectations for businesses when it comes to hiring city residents and working with small businesses.
About 800 city residents were hired during construction of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. Tower and Commons, and the project awarded about $127 million in contracts to local small businesses, city and company officials announced at a Tuesday news conference.
“They wanted this company to be the leader in establishing goals, and meeting those goals, to have small businesses, local businesses and local residents literally build the future of Milwaukee,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.
Previously unemployed or underemployed residents hired through the Residents Preference Program worked nearly 44% of construction hours on the project, exceeding the company’s 40% hiring goal. The $127.1 million awarded to City of Milwaukee Small Business Enterprises made up more than 31% of the contracts, beating its 25% goal. Those figures were included in a Northwestern Mutual report released Tuesday about the $450 million project.
“Not only has Northwestern Mutual met the goals, it has surpassed them. And as a result, hundreds — literally hundreds of individuals — who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to be a part of the future of Milwaukee got that opportunity,” Barrett said. “And I’m here today to say thank you.”
The 550-foot high, 1.1 million-squarefoot building opened in 2017 after three years of construction. The project employed more than 200 apprentices and involved outreach to more than 100 community groups to help ensure a diverse workforce, the report said.
Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton said there were doubters who insisted the city “just didn’t have the talent or the workforce” capable of building the shimmering skyscraper.
“We want to stand here together and say that there’s nothing we can’t accomplish if we put our minds together, work
“Not only has Northwestern Mutual met the goals, it has surpassed them.” Tom Barrett Milwaukee mayor
together and commit ourselves to doing something great,” Hamilton said. “And that’s what happened with this building.”
He said Northwestern Mutual created a process that is now being duplicated on other construction projects.
“They created a legacy of being able to commit ourselves to something that most people would say is impossible to do,” Hamilton said.
Eric Christophersen, a company vice president for strategic philanthropy and community outreach, said he hopes the Northwestern Mutual project becomes a template for other companies.
“We know it can be done, and we hope others follow suit,” Christophersen said.