This week's announcement that MillerCoors will move its corporate center to a neutral location is to be expected and while disappointing, it's not surprising. Frankly, it's not that bad for Milwaukee.

Sure, I'm ever the optimist. But, given the role that Chicagoland plays in Southeastern Wisconsin's economy, having the new MillerCoors HQ in Chicago while adding production and brewing capacity in Milwaukee isn't all that bad.

Keep drinking Miller and add a few Coors to your tailgate, too. We live in an economy that thrives on collaboration, competition, connections and in this case some financial incentives.

Companies today collaborate and great economies do the same. And, even though, Chicago is reported to have provided more than $20 million in tax incentives to lure MillerCoors, I believe that as Chicago goes, hopefully Milwaukee continues to go, too. This decision should keep the company strong. This is good for both Milwaukee and Chicago.

As many people and groups, including the Milwaukee7, an economic development organization dedicated to business growth and expansion in the seven-county Milwaukee Region, have noted the MillerCoors joint venture is intended to create a more competitive company with which to compete in the U.S. beer market. Kind of makes you wonder if Midwest Airlines should have taken that Airtran offer? But, that's a separate blog.

"This was not a case of choosing Milwaukee over Denver," said Gale Klappa, co-chairman of the Milwaukee 7 and chairman and CEO of We Energies. "During the discussions with MillerCoors, it became clear that this decision was based not on the great assets the Milwaukee Region has to offer, but instead on the need for a neutral location to reflect the 50-50 structure of the joint venture."

"We do have incentive packages, and we should improve those tools. But in this case the issue of a neutral location was a bottom line for the joint venture-and no incentives would change that -- that was MillerCoors' response," Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce told me via e-mail.

Milwaukee is and remains Brew City. MillerCoors says it will make a $50 million investment in the Milwaukee brewery, which will include additional jobs that will increase Milwaukee brewery production to levels not seen in more than 40 years.  And, let's not forget our other great breweries like Sprecher and Lakefront.  

Milwaukee also will remain home to Miller International; the headquarters of the company's Eastern division; and the Great Lakes Regional Sales office. Miller Milwaukee also keeps jobs in finance, IT, HR and operations. Reality is that these positions are ones where people can live anywhere. Some might choose Milwaukee, others a suburb or even Chicago. Which raises another point. Just because 150 or so jobs are going to Chicago it doesn't mean that those people won't choose to live in Kenosha or even Milwaukee. Just saying that Milwaukee's still a part of this whole new MillerCoors picture. And, that's a good thing.

"It's likely that Milwaukee will be the largest footprint for the MillerCoors joint venture," added Klappa.

So, Milwaukeeans, it's still Miller Time. Drink up, think bigger and stop crying in your beer.