Kenosha, Wisconsin — Uline, the shipping and packaging supply company owned by Republican megadonors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, has paused construction of a major new distribution center in southeastern Wisconsin, citing economic uncertainty and available warehouse capacity within its current network.
The planned facility, which would exceed one million square feet, was slated for development in Kenosha County. Company officials recently requested a one-year extension from the city’s planning commission on its conditional use permit, saying shifting economic conditions and expanded lease agreements at existing facilities reduced the immediate need for the project.
Brad Folkert, Uline’s director of construction, told local officials that “there’s unsettlement in the economy right now” and noted the company had extended leases at nearby Pleasant Prairie properties. According to the request, construction is now expected to remain paused until at least 2027.
The Kenosha Planning Commission approved the extension request for 12 months.
The delay comes as economic concerns continue affecting manufacturing, logistics, and commercial real estate projects nationwide. Wisconsin also remains politically significant after narrowly supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election following Joe Biden’s win there in 2020.
Richard Uihlein donated nearly $80 million to a pro-Trump political action committee during the 2024 election cycle. The company also drew national attention over reports involving an internal employee election survey and employee criticism tied to the owners’ political support for Republicans.
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