Yes. For brands that don't need to be inside the Chicago city limits, Milwaukee offers much lower rents, less traffic congestion, and a highly stable labor force, all while being close enough to reach Chicago customers in less than two hours.

As of Q1 2026, Milwaukee’s industrial market is one of the most stable in the U.S., with asking rents at approximately $5.30 to $5.55 per square foot (NNN). Vacancy rates remain healthy at around 4.2%–5.0%, indicating a balanced market for new tenants.

Absolutely. Given the city's manufacturing heritage, 3PLs like Rock Transfer & Storage and Stratus Industries specialize in heavy-haul logistics, overhead crane-equipped storage, and reinforced flooring for industrial machinery and medical imaging equipment.

While smaller than O'Hare, MKE is a highly efficient air cargo hub. 3PLs near the airport benefit from significantly less ground traffic than O'Hare, allowing for faster "last-mile" turnarounds for urgent or high-value air freight.

Yes. FTZ #41 covers the Milwaukee region. Utilizing an FTZ-certified 3PL allows brands to defer, reduce, or eliminate duties on imported components—a major cash-flow benefit for the region's electronics and automotive parts manufacturers.