Top 2023 business stories: Brewers stadium funding, Microsoft's big expansion, Judy Justice, Buc-ee's, and new Antetokounbros store
Throughout 2023, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters have covered the successes and failures of Wisconsin businesses and the local economy. That list also includes the dreamers, fraudsters and the developments yet to come.
Here are some of the most important and most-read local business stories of 2023.
Brewers get the stadium funding
One of the biggest business and political fights of the year took place in the state Capitol involving the future of American Family Field and how future stadium upkeep expenses will be handled. The Milwaukee Brewers and state and local officials worked to find away to fund the next iteration of the ballpark that opened in 2001.
But the process wasn't easy and even included a visit by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to lobby the state for public funding of the project.
Eventually the Legislature approved and Gov. Tony Evers signed a $500 million public funding plan that extended the Brewers lease through 2050.
Microsoft announces huge expansion in Racine County
The Foxconn Technology Group development in Mount Pleasant has been under scrutiny since it was proposed in 2017. Today the size of that development has been scaled back from the initial promise of 13,000 high tech jobs to about 1,000 workers.
And now Microsoft is dramatically increasing its investment on a village site originally assembled for Foxconn.
The tech giant purchased 1,000 acres of land from Foxconn and plans to build a $1 billion data center.
In December, Microsoft completed the purchase of the land. Foundation work has started, but the development plans to officially break ground sometime in 2024.
All rise... for Judy Justice
Local reality TV show fans love a good Wisconsin connection. But on the TV show "Judy Justice," Judy Sheindlin, a former family court judge in Manhattan and formerly the star of long running "Judge Judy" show, two Milwaukee area residents were charged with a felony for illegally trafficking food stamps.
The episode started over a dispute about a 2005 Toyota Camry. But a discussion about buying and selling food stamps emerged and tipped off local officials which eventually lead to charges in Milwaukee County.
Generac in court over dispute with supplier
Generac Power Systems, Inc., was sued by Spartronics, a Pennsylvania-based electronic equipment supplier, for allegedly forcing the company to pre-order generator supplies and then backing out of the agreement.
Spartronics claims Generac owes the company $44 million for the generator parts based on orders from a number of its subsidiaries.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed in Pennsylvania against the Waukesha-based power company.
Four Wisconsin women on Forbes list
Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé all made Forbes list of 100 richest self-made women in America, and so did four Wisconsin women, including three in the top 10.
Diane Hendricks, co-founder of Beloit-based ABC Supply roofing and building supplies, was at the top of the list with an estimated worth of $15 billion.
Judy Faulkner, CEO of Epic System, the medial records company based in Madison was third on the list with an estimated net worth of $7 billion.
Elizabeth Uihlein, president of Uline,, a shipping and packing supplies company in Pleasant Prairie, was ninth on the list with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion. Although Uihlein lives in Illinois, her connections to Wisconsin are strong enough to take notice.
Pleasant Rowland created the popular American Girl doll brand and was 77th on the list with a estimated net worth of $350 million.
Wisconsin company illegally employed more than 100 children
A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found Packers Sanitation Services, based in Kieler, employed more than 100 children at meat processing plants in eight states.
The children's ages ranged from 13 to 17, and the investigation found them working overnight shifts, with hazardous chemicals and cleaning meat processing equipment including saws and head splitters.
The company paid $1.5 million in penalties for the action.
Buc, yeah! Buc-ee's to come to Wisconsin
Native Texan and Journal Sentinel reporter Beck Salgado described it to us as "a combination of a Kwik Trip and a Woodman's, but bigger."
Buc-ee's, based in Lake Jackson, Texas, is planning to open a 74,000 square feet location near DeForest. The September announcement introduced many Wisconsinites to the business that, in addition to the massive number of gas pumps, also has hot food and very clean bathrooms.
Truckloads of milk flushed at MMSD
In July, Dairy plants were filled with milk and couldn't accept more of the perishable product, so it was dumped into Milwaukee's sewer system.
The milk was treated to comply with federal regulations. It's unknown how much milk was flushed into the system but it was roughly five truckloads a week. And one truck can carry up to 6,500 gallons.
While the volume of milk being spilled is shocking, it could be a larger symptom of changes in the agriculture industry.
Antetokounmpo brothers open shop at Trade Hotel
The Milwaukee Bucks are a bit of a family business for the Antetokounmpo's. Franchise star Giannis, along with brothers Thanasis and Alex are all part of the organization and they, along with their other brothers Kostas and Francis, opened a store in Milwaukee.
The Antetokounbros Shop is located on the first floor of the new Trade Hotel just across the street from Fiserv Forum.
Their business also sells items through its website, antetokounbros.shop.
Antetokounbros Shop's wares include T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, coffee mugs and other items emblazoned with the Antetokounbros brand and the catchphrase "We Are All Bros."
Former Bucks coach Budenholzer's lake home hits the market
Mike Budenholzer's time with the Bucks was a rollercoaster that included a NBA championship in 2021. But after a early exit from the playoffs last season, he was fired. Which means he was moving and he put his Okauchee Lake home up for sale.
It sold for $7 million in August. The pictures of the residence are stunning. Have a look for yourself.
USS Milwaukee decommissioned by Navy
The USS Milwaukee was built in a massive shipbuilding program in Marinette but served less than eight years after being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy.
The littoral combat ship (LCS) cost roughly $500 million to make but the brand of ships faced a multitude of problems with mechanics and breakdowns at sea.
Originally, the ships were meant to have interchangeable mission modules that would allow them to fulfill various roles such as anti-submarine warfare, battling other ships, and searching for underwater mines. But after years of delays and problems in the design and implementation, the concept never panned out.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Top business stories: Brewers stadium funding, Microsoft, Buc-ee's
