# Potawatomi Ventures

> Potawatomi Ventures is the economic development and diversification arm of the Forest County Potawatomi Community - a 100% tribally owned Milwaukee holding company that spreads capital across data centers, federal contracting, construction, retail and real estate. Formerly Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, it manages a portfolio that reports roughly $363 million in revenue and employs close to 750 people, all guided by a 'seven generations' philosophy that measures success in the next 150 years rather than the next quarter.

- **Founded:** 2002
- **Headquarters:** Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
- **Founders:** Forest County Potawatomi Community (Founding Owner), Kip Ritchie (CEO (since 2023))
- **Team size:** ~750 employees across subsidiaries (holding company core ~72)
- **Products:** Data Holdings, Greenfire Management Services, fireside MARKET, Sagewind Development, PBDC Federal Group
- **Notable:** Named the third-largest minority-owned business in the Milwaukee area by the Milwaukee Business Journal, Grew a diversified portfolio to roughly $363 million in revenue and close to 750 employees, Built and operates Data Holdings, the data center that hosts the Milwaukee Internet Exchange

## Products & services

- **Data Holdings** — Wisconsin's premier Tier III+ carrier-neutral commercial data center, commissioned in 2014 on Milwaukee's near west side, offering colocation, cloud and bare-metal infrastructure. It hosts the Milwaukee Internet Exchange (MKEIX), keeping regional internet traffic local and reducing latency.
- **Greenfire Management Services** — Full-scope construction and project management firm handling projects from concept through completion, including the fireside MARKET builds.
- **fireside MARKET** — A modern convenience store, gas station and fresh-food retailer with made-to-order rotisserie proteins (brisket, salmon), drive-thru service and EV charging. First store opened in Slinger, WI in 2025 with statewide expansion planned.
- **Sagewind Development** — Real estate developer building and managing multifamily, mixed-use, retail and industrial properties across southeastern Wisconsin.
- **PBDC Federal Group** — A collection of roughly 14 active small businesses serving the federal government in IT, training, program support, medical, manufacturing and construction - including 8(a)-certified Redhawk Administrative Services and Potawatomi Federal Solutions.
- **Potawatomi Ventures Emerging Technologies** — An emerging venture focused on EV-charging infrastructure and sustainable-growth solutions.
- **WGEMA Leasing** — Property management arm operating a 14-acre Milwaukee campus of roughly 368,736 square feet valued at about $54 million.
- **Lyons Electric** — Electrical contractor acquired in 2025 and certified as a Minority Business Enterprise, expanding the commercial trades portfolio.

## Achievements

- Named the third-largest minority-owned business in the Milwaukee area by the Milwaukee Business Journal
- Grew a diversified portfolio to roughly $363 million in revenue and close to 750 employees
- Built and operates Data Holdings, the data center that hosts the Milwaukee Internet Exchange
- Rebranded from Potawatomi Business Development Corporation to Potawatomi Ventures in 2024
- Launched fireside MARKET, opening its first location in Slinger, Wisconsin in 2025
- Acquired Lyons Electric in 2025 and earned it Minority Business Enterprise certification
- Operates roughly 14 active federal small businesses including 8(a)-certified Redhawk Administrative Services

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Recognized among the best minority-owned businesses of 2026 and named third-largest minority-owned business in the Milwaukee area.
- **2025-09** — Opened the first fireside MARKET in Slinger, Wisconsin - a fresh-food gas station with drive-thru rotisserie and EV charging.
- **2025-01** — Acquired Lyons Electric and launched a federal contracting leadership track amid heightened 8(a) scrutiny.
- **2025-01** — Data Holdings began hosting the Milwaukee Internet Exchange to strengthen regional connectivity.
- **2024-03** — Rebranded from Potawatomi Business Development Corporation to Potawatomi Ventures with a new flame logo.

## Links

- Website: https://potawatomiventures.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/potawatomiventures
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/potawatomibdc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotawatomiVentures/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/potawatomi-ventures
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-15