It's an exciting day for a Milwaukee business cutting the ribbon on its new space in the Menomonee Valley.
Plum Media has moved into the old Milwaukee Casket Co. building on Saint Paul Ave.
President Rich Schmig said more than $1.5 million was spent on gutting and remodeling the building. Some of the old light fixtures, doors and wood trimmings were restored and kept.
"Milwaukee has a lot of history and the Menomonee Valley has a lot of history, and for us it was very important to retain some of that history in our building," Schmig said.
The Menomonee Valley has experienced rapid growth in the last decade and a half.
Corey Zetts, Executive Director of the non-profit Menomonee Valley Partners, said 45 businesses have relocated or expanded to the area in the last 15 years.
She said that's created more than 5,000 new jobs.
Zetts said Plum's decision to relocate has already helped attract more development to Saint Paul Ave., which had been largely dormant for the last 15 years.
"After Plum announced they were moving we've had 6 other companies announce they're moving to the street," Zetts said.
According to Schmig, the recent growth was part of the reason his company chose to move. He said the Menomonee Valley is appealing because of its ample parking and proximity to downtown.
"There's a lot of new business coming in, it's freshening things up," Schmig said.
He added he expects more businesses to come in the future.
"There are a lot of buildings down here just looking to be developed," Schmig said. "They need to be freshened up in some way. There's tremendous potential here."
