The Milwaukee Fresh program will reimburse qualifying moving expenses for up to 50 households relocating from outside Wisconsin.
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee is offering eligible out-of-state households up to $9,000 in relocation reimbursements through Milwaukee Fresh, a new effort to bring workers and residents to the city while helping newcomers with housing and community connections.
The City of Milwaukee and workforce development agency Employ Milwaukee launched the program with funding from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Milwaukee Fresh is designed to attract people from outside Wisconsin, particularly workers in fields where employers face critical staffing needs. The program is expected to serve up to 50 households.
The amount available depends on household size. A one-person household can receive up to $3,000 in reimbursement, while a two-person household can receive up to $5,000. A three-person household can qualify for as much as $7,000, and households with four or more people can receive up to $9,000.
The money is reimbursement for qualifying relocation expenses rather than an unrestricted cash payment. Applicants must currently live outside Wisconsin, relocate to the City of Milwaukee and have an annual household income of at least $55,000. They also cannot participate in another Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grant program at the same time.
The initiative is supported by a $455,763 state grant awarded to Milwaukee. The funding is part of a broader Wisconsin effort to recruit workers and residents. The state-funded talent recruitment program includes 17 projects and was created through the 2025-27 state budget, according to reporting on the Milwaukee initiative.
Milwaukee Fresh is focused in part on recruiting workers for fields with significant workforce needs, including health care, skilled trades and public safety. Employ Milwaukee President and CEO Julie Cayo said the city also has employment opportunities in engineering, information technology and biotechnology. The program is intended to connect new residents with those opportunities while making the cost of relocating easier to manage.
Participants who relocate through the program can also receive help finding a place to live. A housing concierge will work with households to identify Milwaukee neighborhoods that fit their budgets, lifestyles and commuting needs and help them search for homes to rent or buy.
The program includes a community component as well. Participants are expected to have access to networking opportunities and organized outings intended to introduce them to Milwaukee neighborhoods, restaurants, sporting events and cultural attractions. The additional services are meant to help newcomers establish personal and professional connections after their move.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement that the city wants prospective residents to view Milwaukee as a place for a fresh start. The program comes as city officials look for ways to attract and retain residents while expanding the pool of workers available to local employers.
Applications and current eligibility information are available through Employ Milwaukee’s Milwaukee Fresh program. Because the initiative is limited to a relatively small number of households, the amount of relocation assistance ultimately distributed will depend on the number and household size of applicants who meet the program’s requirements.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2026.