Miranda Braatz

05/31/2023

🗓️🔍 Hello, Community! As June rolls in, it's an excellent time to check in on the progress of our local city/county budgets. Why June, you ask? 🤔 Well, many municipal budgets run from July 1st to July 1st, meaning we're about to enter a new fiscal year or hit the half-way point.

Keeping track of our budget progress is an essential part of civic participation 🏛️. It's not just about numbers or spreadsheets; it's about ensuring our tax dollars 💰 are put to good use in areas that matter to us – parks, schools, public safety, and much more.

By staying informed and engaged, we are taking responsibility for our communities. It's both a civic duty and a patriotic act to care about where our local taxpayer dollars go 🇺🇸.

Take some time this June to delve into your city or county's budget. Let's ensure our communities are thriving and our resources are well-managed. 💪🏾

From your former City Manager - Miranda Braatz

05/15/2023

For my Founders / Entrepreneurs:

We have been waiting YEARS for updates to SBA 7A loans to make it easier and more equitable for access to capital for our small businesses.

The new rules and changes that the Biden Administration have promised are now in effect!

Equitable access to capital, availability to apply for loans, consideration and access of more banking options are all important to our small business ecosystem. As a Founder of three companies in the past three years, I have bemoaned the SBA system as too complex, difficult to navigate, and time intensive.

These new rules expand access to funders, quicken the timeline, prevent fraud, and take into consideration small business circumstances. Putting much needed funding into the start-up ecosystem across the country.

This is exciting and needed! life and life is not easy, not for the weak and there have been many many days I have thought about giving up or moving on - but its the opportunities to create something, to leave something special for the next generation, to have a community impact that keep us going.

Happy to help any other or Founder navigate the changes - DM me if you have questions.

Link here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2023/05/11/biden-harris-administration-announces-new-development-improvements-loan-program

05/09/2023

Such a great time talking about Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing in Milwaukee, and why my business partner Jordan Roman and I are passionate about it in our City! Also, we detail our exciting redevelopment vision for the old Villard Theatre.

Excellent content on local authentic redevelopment with a vision promoting income equity and inclusivity. That's how I run my businesses and all areas of my life.

Click the link below to listen:
https://altiusbuildingco.com/behind-closed-boards/

04/17/2023

New Post Alert!

🎉🌟Exciting News!🌟🎉 I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I'll be working with a Nationwide Top Consulting Firm as a Senior Subject Matter Expert Specializing in Transit Orientated Funding and Equitable Development.

Over the past three years I have consulted and worked with many communities across the country, building their community and economic development priorities. As a long time, advocate and preacher of Equitable Economic Development and Transit and Infrastructure Funding for local government. It made complete sense to me that I would come into this role.

This role means a lot to me because it's crucial to have representation for equitable infrastructure and economic development practices. What was most important to me is that I would retain my residency in Milwaukee, as Milwaukee has famously struggled with equitable representation at the table. It was important for me to show that Wisconsin can produce some of the top subject matter talent in the nation on these topics, and retain talent in the community, not to contribute to the brain drain of the State. Milwaukee is a diverse melting pot of cultures, and having an advocate in this position ensures that everyone's voice is heard.

As we work towards creating a more inclusive and prosperous economy, we must focus on the needs of historically underserved communities. By doing so, we can foster economic growth and opportunities that benefit everyone.

I'm excited to work alongside amazing leaders and organizations, using my knowledge and passion to create a lasting impact in communities.

(Don’t worry, my journey in community development is far from over! My other companies are still growing and expanding but had to share the other news of what I have been up to! )

Stay tuned for updates on our journey towards a brighter and more equitable community for all!

04/17/2023

🎉🌟Exciting News!🌟🎉 I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I'll be working with a Nationwide Top Consulting Firm as a Senior Subject Matter Expert Specializing in Transit Orientated Funding and Equitable Development.

Over the past three years I have consulted and worked with many communities across the country, building their community and economic development priorities. As a long time, advocate and preacher of Equitable Economic Development and Transit and Infrastructure Funding for local government. It made complete sense to me that I would come into this role.

This role means a lot to me because it's crucial to have representation for equitable infrastructure and economic development practices. What was most important to me is that I would retain my residency in Milwaukee, as Milwaukee has famously struggled with equitable representation at the table. It was important for me to show that Wisconsin can produce some of the top subject matter talent in the nation on these topics, and retain talent in the community, not to contribute to the brain drain of the State. Milwaukee is a diverse melting pot of cultures, and having an advocate in this position ensures that everyone's voice is heard.

As we work towards creating a more inclusive and prosperous economy, we must focus on the needs of historically underserved communities. By doing so, we can foster economic growth and opportunities that benefit everyone.

I'm excited to work alongside amazing leaders and organizations, using my knowledge and passion to create a lasting impact in communities.

(Don’t worry, my journey in community development is far from over! My other companies are still growing and expanding but had to share the other news of what I have been up to! )

Stay tuned for updates on our journey towards a brighter and more equitable community for all!

12/30/2022

It’s that time of the year when winter parking regulations in Milwaukee become second-nature knowledge. Brush up on your winter parking regulations so we can all be prepared for these next few months of snow and help keep our streets clear and safe for drivers.

Read the full details here:
https://city.milwaukee.gov/Parking/ParkingRegulations

12/29/2022

Enjoyed a wonderful Breakfast with Santa and Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Drive at the The Center Club in Baltimore. Senior Federal Programs Manager Manager Roxanna Johnson and Family joined the festive community event, and even took a photo with Santa! Thanks to the Center Club for hosting. Baltimore is and an amazing City to do business in!

12/16/2022

At R3 Elevated, we specialize in Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing,(NOAH) a type of equitable affordable housing that promotes economic mobility of low-income people and prevents displacement of people from neighborhoods.

NOAH is important for Milwaukee and other revitalizing communities as it is an equitable way to address the affordable housing crisis.

12/13/2022

Wisconsin will end 2022 on a high note! 👏

Over the past six months, I have been proud to partner with the National League of Cities as the Wisconsin State Grant Navigator for Federal Funds. My team at Elevated has helped Wisconsin communities apply for over $47 million dollars of federal grant funds across 30 communities. We can't wait to see what gets awarded!

Thanks to the National League of Cities and their Great Lakes Federal Grant Program for entrusting this valuable and exciting service with me.

Now let's get some grant awards in Wisconsin! 👏

09/13/2022

Been a rewarding summer serving on the City of Baltimore Food Policy and Planning Committee. Representing and who engage in non-traditional farming techniques. and urban low income food access have always been a passion of mine, and we are making impactful technological advancements in growing techniques. Can’t wait to show you what we have been on the farm… 🪴🪴