Milwaukee's Loss of Manufacturer is Muskego's Gain

Tom Sheahan was driving around one day when he noticed the empty building once home to Salentine Buick.

Sheahan, the owner of Technical Metal Specialities, had been looking for a place to move his business. He's also a Muskego resident.

Plans to relocate the manufacturer and about 50 jobs to the former car dealership, S66 W1444 Janesville Road, quickly came together. Word of the move dropped last week, and on Tuesday, Sheahan was in front of the Muskego Plan Commission requesting a zoning change. 

"It's been a real fast turnaround," he told the commission. "We're very happy to move out here."

Some Milwaukee officials, on the other hand, were not so happy. After Sheahan was quoted as saying he wasn't happy in Milwaukee, two of the city's aldermen sparred over the reasons behind that. The issue was also picked up by local talk radio. 

"It feels kind of good that now we know they did want us there, but it's too late," Sheahan said.

What's one community's loss is another's gain. Muskego officials are delighted about the move, noting that some cities struggle for years to fill shuttered businesses the size of Salentine. 

Salentine Buick closed in February after 90 years in Muskego. 

"We're very fortunate we have found someone to occupy that space (and) bring jobs to the city," Plan Commissioner Jerald Hulbert said. 

Technical Metal Specialties plans to double its business within the next five years with the move to Muskego, according to a report to Plan Commission members. TMS is a key supplier of munitions pallets to the government and also does illuminated menu boards, point-of-purchase display systems, motorcycle components and many other metal projects. 

The company would largely use the former Salentine site the way it is now, according the report.

A public hearing on rezoning, which would change to manufacturing, will be held Tuesday during a Muskego Common Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.