The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation is expanding its real estate presence literally and figuratively.
Business development branch for Community of Forest County Potawatomi Wisconsinannounced Friday that it has signed a new lease for 18,357 square feet of office space at 833 Eastern Michigan office building in downtown Milwaukee.
The new space will accommodate the growth of PBDC’s subsidiaries, such as construction management firms Green Fire Management ServicesWgema leasing and a new electric vehicle (EV) business unit, Friday’s press release stated, as well as the expansion of the corporation’s property development group.
“This office expansion prepares us for anticipated growth among several of our subsidiary companies, while also representing a significant milestone for our company and our owner, the Potawatomi Community of Forest County, as it coincides with our 20th anniversary,” Randy Mueller, chief executive officer PBDC executive, he said. “We are excited to establish a strong presence in Milwaukee’s central business district as it continues to demonstrate our commitment and dedication to being part of an active and engaged community.”
Mark Irgens, whose company developed and owns the 88 East Michigan building, located at 833 E. Michigan St., said “having PBDC join the tenant list at 833 East brings We are a high quality resident that enhances even more” a 358,962 square foot, 18-story Class A office building.
“We welcome the addition of this growing team to our community,” said Irgens, chief executive officer of Irgens.
PBDC will continue to maintain office space in the Bgemagen Building on the Wgema Campus on Milwaukee’s west side, where it has been headquartered since 2011. The space at 833 East Michigan will house PBDC’s new real estate group, Sagewind Development, PBDC’s retail operations and the company’s EV business unit.
“We see tremendous growth opportunities now and are well positioned to leverage each of our business units in a complementary way,” Mueller said.
PBDC launched Sagewind Development to focus on development in southeastern Wisconsin and to capitalize on opportunities among other subsidiaries. The company is led by Andy Wiegman, a 20-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry.
PBDC Retail is led by David Lloveras, who prior to joining the company, spent more than 30 years in the convenience/retail industry. PBDC currently operates travel center locations in Crandon and Carter, Wisconsin, is finalizing prototypes for future stores, and is identifying sites for growth along high-traffic corridors across the state.
The EV business unit was launched last summer, and Dan Montague is director of strategy for the company. The company is focused exclusively on researching and utilizing offerings in the emerging electric vehicle technology space to create a set of commercially viable initiatives and products, the press release said.
“With big plans for our next decade, we see the opportunity to expand our office presence to include the Near West Side and downtown Milwaukee as a great step for our future,” Mueller said.
Founded as an economic development and income diversification business of the Potawatomi Forest County Community (FCPC), PBDC currently employs more than 1,000 people across the United States.
