Milwaukee Launches Milwaukee Fresh Relocation Program

The city and Employ Milwaukee are offering up to $9,000 in relocation reimbursement to 50 out-of-state households.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Job Fairs

Brick rowhouses line a quiet tree-lined street, with a single cardboard box resting on a front stoop beside a potted plant. — Milwaukee's new Milwaukee Fresh program offers up to $9,000 in relocation reimbursement to 50 out-of-state households earning at least $55,000 a year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Milwaukee Fresh, a talent relocation program from the City of Milwaukee and Employ Milwaukee, offers up to 50 out-of-state households up to $9,000 in relocation reimbursement. Eligible applicants must move to the city from out of state and have a household annual income of $55,000 or more.

Why it matters

The program aims to attract workers to Milwaukee, Wisconsin's economic hub, which has roughly 460,000 jobs. It is funded through a Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Talent Recruitment Grant that supports 17 municipalities statewide.

Milwaukee Fresh caps participation at 50 households and reimburses up to $9,000 each, with a $55,000 minimum household income. The announcement does not say how many applications have been received or how quickly the slots will be filled.

The players

Employ Milwaukee

Employ Milwaukee is the city's workforce development agency that co-runs the Milwaukee Fresh program with the City of Milwaukee.

OnMilwaukee

OnMilwaukee is a Milwaukee-based media and events company that coordinates community outings for program participants.

The details

Participants receive a local housing concierge, Jess Annabelle of the Milwaukee Real Estate Collective, who helps them learn about neighborhoods and find a home to rent or buy. Participants are also invited to community and professional events, and OnMilwaukee, a Milwaukee-based media and events company, is coordinating outings including sporting events, restaurant meals, and cultural and neighborhood tours.

Nov. 10, 2026: Milwaukee Fresh relocation program announced.

Talent Pipeline

Milwaukee Fresh draws on a Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Talent Recruitment Grant that funds relocation efforts across 17 municipalities statewide. Milwaukee's version adds direct cash reimbursement to that state framework for out-of-state households.

Out-of-state households with incomes of $55,000 or more can apply for up to $9,000 toward moving costs to Milwaukee. Eligible participants also get one-on-one help finding a rental or home from a local housing concierge.

The takeaway

Out-of-state workers considering a move to Milwaukee should check Milwaukee Fresh eligibility, since the 50-household cap and $55,000 income floor may limit who qualifies.