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Oak Creek highlighted as site for Dursey expansion as officials tout housing pipeline and jobs
Summary
Speakers described an expansion by a trade-show marketing firm that cites capacity limits at its Milwaukee and Waukegan sites, while city representatives framed Oak Creek’s assets and a pipeline of about 1,500 dwelling units as reasons the company would fit locally.
Unidentified Speaker 2 said a trade-show marketing firm founded in 1948 by Jim Dursey is seeking a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Oak Creek after two current locations reached capacity. "The company was founded in 1948 by a gentleman named Jim Dursey," the speaker said, adding the firm now employs about 600 people and reports roughly $258,000,000 in annual sales.
Unidentified Speaker 1, speaking for Oak Creek in the transcript, outlined the city’s economic pitch: proximity to an international airport, a major interstate, Lake Michigan and multiple parks, plus a growing housing stock. "We have always had a very strong, stable, and core business community here," the speaker said, and added that choosing not to grow was "not an option."
City priorities for incoming firms, according to the transcript, emphasize more than tax revenue. "They have to add to our community in some way. Jobs, tax base, yes. What kind of corporate partner are they going to be in our community once they're here?" Unidentified Speaker 1 said, framing the discussion around job quality and local integration.
The company representative said Milwaukee and Waukegan facilities are at capacity and cited a lack of an adequately sized land site in Milwaukee as a factor in seeking expansion. The transcript also records the company representative saying the Oak Creek site under discussion has been owned by the firm for years and portraying the firm as privately held with deep regional roots.
Housing availability featured prominently in the exchange. Unidentified Speaker 1 told attendees the city has "over 1,500 dwelling units in the development pipeline," and argued that varied housing options make Oak Creek attractive to employers and prospective employees.
The transcript records no formal vote, agreement, or binding commitment during this discussion. No details about permitting timelines, incentives, or tax arrangements appear in the provided text.
Next steps were not specified in the transcript; the conversation presented the company’s intent and the city’s view of its assets but did not record any formal decision or staff direction.
