African American Chamber moving offices to King Drive
A redeveloped Milwaukee building that will provide co-working space and the new offices for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin is getting a state grant as it prepares for a January grand opening.
The Chris Abele Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space, 1920 N. King Drive, is receiving a $144,400 grant provided through Milwaukee County by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., state and local officials announced Friday.
Renovations at the two-story, 4,000-square-foot building, which includes a former storefront, started in 2019.
The chamber will move its offices there from 633 W. Wisconsin Ave. in
December, with a grand opening planned for January, said President and Chief Executive Officer Ossie Kendrix.
The Legacy Building will put the chamber’s operations closer to the small businesses it serves.
Also, it will include co-working space that entrepreneurs will be able to lease on a monthly basis, as well as private office spaces and a shared commercial kitchen.
The building will also include a coffee shop.
Locating all of those facilities in one spot will help encourage more collaboration among business operators, according to the chamber.
The chamber, which has over 250 members, expects a 25% increase in membership annually.
The $650,000 development’s financing includes a $300,000 gift from former County Executive Chris Abele, who left office in April.
WEDC leads economic development efforts for the state of Wisconsin.