Rite-Hite: To fight eminent domain action

Contact: Sara Everts
(414) 973-3609
severts@ritehite.com

Brown Deer – Rite-Hite Holding Corporation and its owner Michael H. White have filed a legal challenge to a filed eminent domain action by the Brown Deer Village Board. The action involves seizure of six acres of land that Rite-Hite and White jointly own just north of its current global headquarters on Arbon Drive. The Village plans to relocate its Department of Public Works facility (including its waste/recycling center) to that location, although the current DPW site is less than 1 mile away.

The eminent domain action was commenced by the Village Board on December 20, 2016 and follows several failed bids by the Board to buy the six-acre parcel from Rite-Hite and White. Eminent domain is a legal procedure that government entities can use to take private property for public use purposes in the event a private land owner is unwilling to sell his or her property. Financial compensation is given to the private owner. Losing this parcel would severely limit Rite-Hite’s options for expanding its corporate headquarters at the current location.

Rite-Hite has been joined in its public opposition to the measure by several prominent Brown Deer businesses. In addition to the legal challenge, Rite-Hite is encouraging its over 220 Brown Deer employees, as well as all Brown Deer residents and businesses, to contact the Village Board and encourage them to drop the eminent domain action.

Rite-Hite is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of loading dock and industrial safety equipment, with operations in the Americas, Europe, China and Australia. Founded in 1965, Rite-Hite has maintained its headquarters on Arbon Drive since 1989. It regularly flies in customers from around the world, virtually all of whom stay at local hotels and dine in local restaurants.

Rite-Hite is also a major supporter of civic and charitable organizations in both Brown Deer and the Greater Milwaukee area. The company sponsors and hosts a variety of events and fundraisers, including blood drives, food bank contributions, financial support of the Brown Deer 4th of July Celebration and support for the Brown Deer Schools Color Run. Rite-Hite has also been a major financial contributor to the YMCA in Brown Deer (the Rite-Hite Family YMCA).

“Rite-Hite has been a proud Brown Deer resident and community partner for more than three decades,” said Sara Everts, Rite-Hite Corporate Marketing and Communications Manager. “As the company continues to grow, the loss of this land through eminent domain would hamper Rite-Hite’s ability to potentially expand in its current location and force it to evaluate other growth avenues outside of Brown Deer. We’re asking the Village Board to abandon this action and support its local businesses and residents.”

Village Board meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Earl McGovern Board Room (Room 100) at Village Hall in Brown Deer.