What We Do
Riverworks Cleans provides employment opportunities for Milwaukee residents while improving neighborhoods and properties, operating as a business unit that also generates income for the organization.
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Riverworks Cleans
The Neighborhood Department at Riverworks works with residents, small businesses, and stakeholders across Riverwest and Harambee to build a vibrant, locally-driven community.
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Neighborhood
The Financial Clinic is a one-stop-shop, providing innovative solutions helping families reach their full financial potential by increasing credit scores, building wealth, and learning new ways to achieve short and long-term financial goals.
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Financial Clinic
Riverworks' real estate projects serve as an economic development tool designed to be profitable, sustainable, and impactful, with revenue reinvested to support the organization's broader social mission.
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Real Estate Projects
Our Impact by the Numbers 2025
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Farmer's
Market Sales
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Home Equity Dollars Stabilized through Legacy Planning
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Neighbors Attended Music on the Beerline
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Tax Dollars Returned to Community
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Gallons of Litter Picked Up
“Riverworks Development Corporation is a community leader that has spearheaded the revival of the Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods, attracting millions of dollars of local and national corporate and philanthropic investment, and some of the top technical expertise in the country.
Moving from a creative Placemaking organization to a Placekeeping organization while keeping our commitment to creating a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community through strong partnerships and innovative programming.”
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- Darryl Johnson, Executive Director
Our History
Founding & Early
Recognition
Northeast Milwaukee
Industrial Development
Corporation is
incorporated...
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1992 — 1999
Foundation Building
& Rebranding
The org establishes
formal economic
development tools...
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2000 – 2005
Expanding Community
Investment
RDC broadens its
mission beyond
commercial corridors
into housing, financial
services, and public
space...
Read more
2006 – 2013
Neighborhood
Infrastructure
& the City Center Era
Creative placemaking
becomes a tool for
community
development...
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2014 — 2018
Community Programming
& Financial Clinic Growth
RDC scales up public-
facing programming
while deepening its
financial empowerment
work...
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2019 — 2021
Recent Growth
& Placemaking
RDC continues expanding
its civic footprint and
community programming
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2022 — Present
Make a Difference.
Make an impact in the community by volunteering.
Or view our services if you are in need of assistance.
