The Community Economic Exploration Project

1. The Community Economic Exploration Project Brown Deer High School Brown Deer, WI Haley Crenshaw Marlon Parr Chelsea Nash Shantique Smith-Hayes

2. Brown Deer • The village of Brown Deer is a suburb of Milwaukee located in the North Shore area.

3. Demographics • Total Population :12,170 • Racial Distribution • Caucasian 64% • African American: 13% • Asian: 3% • Other: 1% (information from 2011 census) • Age Distribution • Under 18: 26.4% • Ages 18 to 64: 57% • 65 and older: 16.6% (information from 2010 census)

4. Residential Income and Workforce • Median Household Income: $61,097 (between 2005-2009 according to U.S. Census Bureau) • Workforce • Population age 16 and over: 10,039 • Civilians employed: 64% • Civilians unemployed: 2% • Not in labor force: 33.8% (according to U.S. Census Bureau)

5. Workforce Brown Deer has an unemployment rate of 3.0%, compared the national average of 5.8% Brown Deer jobs have decreased by 45% since April 2010

6. Interviewing Process • Multiple attempts were made to interview businesses and companies within Brown Deer. Many of these establishments were non-responsive to our outreach or shared minimal information. • Getting straight forward information from businesses that sell stocks was especially difficult. • It can be assumed that companies that sell stocks were uneasy about giving out information about the company from fear that if certain information is released stocks will be sold and stock prices will go down.

7. Interviewing Process • However we were able to extract quality information from at least one company in each sector of Brown Deer. • Specific companies and businesses were chosen due to their willingness to cooperate. • This information was collected through interviews over the phone, through e-mail, and in person.

8. Community Sectors The following information is an analysis of the data that has been collected from each sector of businesses in Brown Deer.

9. Manufacturing • In Brown Deer we received mixed reviews on the quality of business after the recession. • Some companies stated that business is doing well and are even hiring more employees. • On the other end some companies are no longer hiring or only hiring part time employees. • The products sold for the companies determined whether they saw positive or negative changes in sales and overall business.

10. Retail • Old Navy indicates that there are approximately 800 employees employed by their business and they serve people of all ages, primarily people aging from 15-40. • Shops are increasing their number of seasonal and part-time employees. • Because there are more seasonal and part-time employees there is an increase in general hiring but a decrease in sales. • People aren’t spending as much money as they used to in stores, most likely due to the inelasticity of clothing. • New products are used and old products are marked down in price to increase sales.

11. Commercial • Benefits have been cut like insurance, sick days, paid vacations. • Cuts have also been made in bonuses, and overtime pay. • Sales have been affected since the recession but business remains steady. • Lower priced fast food has seen an increase in sales while sit down restaurants have seen a decrease in sales. • Hours have been cut for employees and work loads on employees has increased.

12. Dentists in general see a slow down in business. We can assume that this has occurred due to scarcity in income, money is being spent on greater necessities. On the other hand walk in clinics are seeing an increase in business. Private practices have seen steady business. Professional

13. Banks have noticed an increase in people’s savings. Less investments are made in long-term accounts. More investments have been made in liquid accounts. People are working harder to receive the same results as they did before the recession. Financial

14. Thrift stores like the Salvation Army have seen an increase in business. Churches have seen more members attending masses but fewer donations are being made to the church. Non-Profit

15. Labor • Community members have received cuts in benefits and pay. • More people have been laid-off. • People have increased work loads and hours with less pay. • Bonuses have been eliminated.

16. Agriculture • Due to the fact that Brown Deer is such a small village there is no extra land for agriculture. • However there is a seasonal Farmer’s Market that comes weekly. • The Farmer’s Market is located in the parking lot of the recently vacant Lowe’s building on Brown Deer Rd.

17. Schools • The School district of Brown Deer has an increase in elementary level students due to closings in local private schools. • Almost half of students in Brown Deer qualify for free and reduced lunch. • Recently a referendum passed that will create a better overall campus and facilities. • The referendum will allow to demolish the deteriorating elementary school and moved the students to the current middle school. • The middle school will turn to grades K-6 and an addition will be made to the high school to make it grades 7-12. • All of these changes will be made with minimal tax raises to the community.

18. Schools • Other schools in the community like Infinite Gymnastics Academy and Kindercare serve constituents outside of the Brown Deer area. • Kindercare only serves about 13 children from the area but have noticed a drop in children coming to the center. • On the other hand Infinite Gymnastics has not seen many changes in business and it remains steady. • Infinite serves mostly people from the Mequon and North Shore area and only about 15% are from Brown Deer

19. Community economist Mr.Piotrowski predicts that within the next few years the economy in Brown Deer will rise. Mr.Piotrowski has also made us aware that currently: Housing prices have gone down since the recession Vacant home levels have risen from 3.8% to 5.45% Brown Deer has seen limits in new development due to less tax revenue and limited land. Government

20. Conclusion • After an analysis of just the information we collected we can develop the idea that the economy of Brown Deer has remained steady for the most part. • Sectors producing elastic products like retail have seen decreases in sales. • On the opposite end sectors like non-profit have seen increased interest. More people are attending mass in church and thrift stores have seen an increase in business.

21. Economic indicators however can lead us to conclude that the economy in Brown Deer has dropped. Economic Indicators: Vacant homes have gone up to 5.8% Foreclosures have gone up Office space leasing is down Limited new development Housing prices have gone down Loss of businesses Recently the Lowe’s located on Brown Deer Road shut down without notice to employee’s or the community overnight due to underperformance. Conclusion

22. References • John Cotton, P.E. • Tapco • Shonda Young • Metavante • Kim Nicholas • Brown Deer Lanes • Evonne Siodlarz • Infinite Gymnastics Academy • Mr.Piotrowski • Community Economist • Joe Buressa • Brown Deer Church • Bill Specht • Cousins Subs • Lacrita Spence • State Farm Insurance