Implausible as it might sound, Milwaukee is transforming itself from a dying industrial center into a technology mecca–a water technology mecca. The region is home to more than 150 water-related companies, including giants like A.O. Smith (water heaters), Badger Meter (water meters), Kohler (faucets and toilets), Siemens (water filtration), Veolia (sewage filtration) and Pentair (flow management and filtration)…

The goals are simple: support economic growth in the region, attract new talent and develop the technology to solve the world’s water problems. “We’re going to position Milwaukee as the Silicon Valley of water technology,” Meeusen says. He knew it wouldn’t work without building an entire ecosystem around the water industry.

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