We Energies, Associated Bank among businesses near RNC protest areas. What are their plans?

The security perimeter is set for the Republican National Convention, and with it are the designated protest areas.

The massive event is scheduled to take place July 15-18 and is expected to bring thousands of delegates, police, media, guests and protesters to the city.

Those protesting the convention and presumptive nominee Donald Trump have two designated "First Amendment zones" on the north and south sides of the security zones.

And businesses near those areas are preparing for the crowds who, like the delegates, want their voices to be heard.

South of the security perimeter, Zeidler Union Square is going to be a main area for protesters to gather during the convention and it will also be the launching point for the “parade.”

WEC Energy Company, known as We Energies, is located feet from the square.

More: Milwaukee protest group slams RNC demonstrations plan, vows to march its own route

Brendan Conway, spokesman for We Energies, said the company “will continue to work with Milwaukee Police, the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe event.”

“Employees who work in those buildings are being encouraged to work remotely that week, if they have the ability to do so,” Conway said. “That is something we shared with employees earlier this year. We will have our facilities in and around the secured zone staffed appropriately.”

The protest areas have been a source of fierce debate between officials with the convention, protesters and local officials. Originally it was thought one of the protest areas would be Pere Marquette Park but the Republican National Committee filed a permit to reserve the park and the Milwaukee County Historical Society .

Local activists are upset with the city and party officials over the new areas for protest and some have planned to march on their own route .

On the north end of the convention area, the protest area is planned to be at Haymarket Square Park on West McKinley Avenue and North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Mark Olson, owner of Best Fish, a fish pet store located at 1335 North MLK Dr., said he isn’t taking any extra security precautions and will be open throughout the convention.

“The only real concern I have is the lack of business I will have during the convention,” Olson said adding the store's proximity to the event will likely deter some customers from coming.

More: Fenced-in perimeter, demonstration areas for RNC announced. What to know.

Charter Communications, which operates Spectrum, is near the intersection of MLK Drive, McKinley Ave and East Knapp Street. That location also houses Spectrum News 1.

A spokesman for Spectrum News said the news channel will be fully staffed for the convention but did not elaborate on if it was planning to use additional security for the building or any other precautions.

And feet away from Haymarket Square Park is an Associated Bank branch.

A spokesperson for the bank said that branch will be closed the week of July 15 but customers can go to the Wisconsin Avenue branch which is less than a mile from the Haymarket Square branch.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: We Energies, Associated Bank among businesses near RNC protest areas. What are their plans?