OnMilwaukee.com first told you about the major rebirth at Bradford Beach on May 15. New food, lifeguards, activities, security and more have all been added.

It's paid off with big crowds and a new sense of community at the once almost dead beach.

Miller Brewing Company announced Tuesday a five-year, $500,000 commitment to continued Bradford Beach revitalization plans that include a Blue Wave campaign that will seek environmental certification.

The Bradford Beach Revitalization and Blue Wave Campaign is a public-private partnership between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), the Milwaukee County Parks Department, the Greater Milwaukee Committee's Quality of Life Committee and private sector companies to attain Blue Wave status for Bradford Beach.

Blue Wave certification is granted by the independent, non-profit Clean Beaches Council and is America's first environmental certification for beaches.

Miller's half-a million dollar investment will be directed toward environmental and coastal management improvement, including algae removal, seagull control, water quality monitoring and research, and a public awareness campaign, as well as handicap accessibility equipment and the EPA Blue Wave application fee. $25,000 a year will go to the Great Lakes WATER Institute to fund water quality testing and a beach Web cam for recording purposes.

"We are thrilled to that Miller Brewing Company is a part of the revitalization efforts," said Sue Black, Director of Milwaukee County Parks. "This public-private partnership is an incredible collaborative effort between several Milwaukee organizations. It's a great example of groups working together to accomplish a goal that will really improve the quality of life for Milwaukee residents."