From WisBusiness.com …
— After a six-year absence, the Great Circus Parade is due for a return to Milwaukee next summer.
City officials said bringing the parade to Milwaukee will cost $1.5 million. Though they have no specific figures, they hope the parade and related activities will bring in at least $25 million.
That was the figure cited in a 2003 UW-Milwaukee study that said as many as 400,000 people came to Milwaukee to see the parade in 2001.
Steve Freese, executive director of the Circus World Foundation Museum Foundation, predicted the parade will be one of the largest the city has seen. It was held in Milwaukee every summer from 1963 to 2003 before financial problems ended its run.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett pledged to raise, by himself, the estimated $15,000 to pay for city permits for the parade, which is expected to include as many as 50 horse-drawn, painted antique circus wagons from Baraboo’s Circus World Museum.
In addition, Barrett’s office said lakefront show grounds will feature entertainment several days before the parade, including big-top performances by the Kelly Miller circus.
— Chrysler is telling employees worldwide to take a mandatory two-week vacation in July.
Chrysler informed employees of the plan in an e-mail sent to employees that was obtained by The Associated Press. Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Beth Heilprin confirms the e-mail was sent.
Chrysler plans a corporate-wide shutdown the weeks of July 7 and July 14. Heilprin said some employees may be asked to stay on to work on special projects.
— Quad/Graphics Inc. will expand its Wisconsin operations with two major construction projects: a 192,000-square-foot expansion of its West Allis plant for the company’s growing direct mail operations; and, as previously announced, a new 388,800-square-foot distribution center in Menomonee Falls for cross-docking freight produced in its five Wisconsin plants.
“These two construction projects are exciting news for our company, our clients and our community,” said Joel Quadracci, president and chief executive officer of the Sussex-based firm.
“We are investing in our platform to give our employees advancement opportunities and to give our clients the most sophisticated printing and distribution capabilities.”
See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/3/13/#quad-graphics-announces-major-wisconsin-expansions
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Press Releases
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· Sonic Foundry Announces Nasdaq Deficiency Notice
· State Biotechnology Association Appoints New Board Members, Staff
· State’s Bioscience Association Applauds Stem Cell Summit Announcement
· Wisconsin’s Deteriorated Urban Roads Cost State Drivers $1.2 Billion Annually in Extra Vehicle Operating Costs
· YMCA Leaders Ask Congress to Help Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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NewPage seeks 50 workers: Two months after NewPage announced plans to eliminate 600 jobs companywide, it is now looking to fill as many as 50 positions in central Wisconsin, company officials said. While some of the positions will be in NewPage’s mills in Biron, Whiting and Stevens Point, the bulk of the jobs will be at the Wisconsin Rapids facility. Company spokesman Tim Laatsch said the positions are for “people who are working the lines,” and officials will hire for all shifts.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/WDH0101/803140699/1581/WDHnews
Quad/Graphics to expand West Allis plant: Quad/Graphics Inc. of Sussex said Thursday that it will construct a $12 million to $14 million expansion of its West Allis printing plant to serve its growing direct mail operations. The announcement marks the firm’s second major Wisconsin expansion project announced in recent weeks. The 192,000-square-foot West Allis expansion will add production space on the northwest side of the plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in April with completion anticipated by the end of March 2009. The company will not initially be hiring any additional employees upon completion of the expansion, but growth over the next few years could result in the hiring of 50 to 100 new employees there, Quad/Graphics spokeswoman Claire Ho said.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily39.html?surround=lfn
Enlargement firm Great Big Picture shrinking staff: Great Big Pictures, a Madison printer that specializes in giant-sized enlargements, is shrinking the size of its staff. Great Big Pictures ended the jobs of 38 of its 232 employees this week, including 12 temporary workers.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277025
Molson Coors plans to cut jobs; Brewer to outsource some duties to HP: Molson Coors Brewing Co., which plans to merge its U.S.-based Coors unit with Miller Brewing Co., said Thursday it plans to eliminate up to 390 jobs, or about 4% of its global work force, as part of a cost-cutting drive. It plans to outsource the duties to the technology company Hewlett-Packard Co. The cuts will be divided about evenly among the company’s three operating divisions: Coors Brewing Co. in Golden, Colo., Coors Brewers Ltd. in England and Molson Inc. in Toronto, the company said.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728039
New Glarus Brewery building second facility: As larger brewers consolidate or trim operations, New Glarus Brewing Co. continues to grow and is building a second brewery. Like the original facility, the new $20 million brewery will be located in New Glarus, population 1,290.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/GPG03/803140709/1247/GPGbusiness
Graebel to cut 20 office positions: Citing the impact of the U.S. housing and mortgage crisis on the relocation industry, Graebel Cos. on Thursday announced plans to cut its administrative work force by 3 percent, or less than 20 employees, at its Wausau office.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/WDH0101/803140635/1581/WDHnews
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Gibson in litigation with Activision over ‘Guitar Hero’
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily40.html?surround=lfn
– Institute learns rules of attraction; Singapore has tips to bring in R&D
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728006
– Washington County OKs radio contract; Emergency system to cost $10.3 million
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728096
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Roche NimbleGen expands Affymetrix license
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily34.html?surround=lfn
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Consumer prices held steady in February; Inflation index posts mildest reading in six months
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23629605/
– Dollar Squeezed From All Sides; Economic Setbacks Converge, Sending Currency to Record Lows
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031303620.html
– Multiple blows hit economy
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277023
– Milwaukee departments millions in red; Borrowing pursued to pay for storms
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728093
– Speaker: Arts should be part of state’s economic equation; Fine arts may lead to job opportunities, higher standard of life
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/GPG0101/803140710/1207/GPGnews
– White House Offers Plan to Ward Off Credit Crisis
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/business/14paulson.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
– Dollar losing clout around the world; Even in South America workers prefer euros, other local currencies
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23616851/
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– GM plans Janesville layoffs; Supplier strike forces shift cancellation
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728007
– Chrysler Sets a Two-Week Furlough for Most Workers
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/business/14auto.html?ref=business
– Neenah Paper a ‘clear leader’; Firm on solid footing after Fox River Paper, German acquisitions
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/APC03/803140511/1028/APCbusiness
– Manitowoc Co. forges link with China
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/APC03/803140510/1888/APCbusiness
– Alcoa in Beloit trims work week
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2008/03/13/news/news03.txt
LABOR (back to top)
– U.S. Labor Department sues Kenosha construction company owner
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/03/14/local_news/doc47d950c0ea467441431641.txt
– Tentative agreement between teachers, Janesville district detailed
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/mar/13/tentative-agreement-between-teachers-district-deta/
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Crafty collection: Artistic sisters open Anthology on State Street in Madison
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276960
INVESTING (back to top)
– Brady expands stock repurchase plan
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily33.html?surround=lfn
– Manpower buys Dutch placement firm
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily36.html?surround=lfn
– Sonic Foundry receives initial delisting warning
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily35.html?surround=lfn
– Stocks rebound, end trading session higher; S&P: Financial companies are near end of their major asset write-downs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/
– Job-training ideas sought; Milwaukee 7 to award $2.5 million in grants
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728011
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Housing troubles touch everyone, experts say
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728013
– Developers pull out of project on Royster Clark property in Madison
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/277045
– Back to drawing board on fertilizer plant site
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/276973
– Housing authority gives funds to Green Bay group; NeighborWorks helps homeowners avoid foreclosure problems
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/GPG03/803140708/1247/GPGbusiness
– Palladian nears completion; Downtown Wausau banquet, hotel space to open to public April 1
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/WDH0101/803140637/1581/WDHnews
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– UW study details biofuel drawback
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/276925
– Swiss Gruyere takes top cheese honors
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/276982
– Rising cost of wheat affecting price of treats
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/276991
– Swiss fear the wurst as sausage shortage looms; National nosh in jeopardy; pregnant ballerinas wanted; mmm, free be
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23616042/
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Group offers advice to Madison Metro
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/277068
– Doyle: Potholes won’t be filled without budget fix
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/277002
– Water taxis to ply river downtown; Daily service set for summer
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728008
– Austin Straubel airport has record-setting month
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/GPG03/803140705/1247/GPGbusiness
– Roadwork crunch early this year; DOT hopes spring start will lessen summer traffic snarls on 51/29
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/WDH0101/803140634/1581/WDHnews
RETAIL (back to top)
– Harry W. Schwartz to close Bay View shop April 1
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily38.html?surround=lfn
– Schwartz turns a page; Bookseller closing Bay View store
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728014
– Retailer stocks fresh fashion; Boston Store targets young adult women
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728044
REGULATION (back to top)
– Smoking ban fans promise to fight on
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/276946
– Tax credit bill passes Legislature; Funds a plus for Eau Claire area tech firms
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-business.asp?id=BG22IKIPB98
– ‘Vote no’ group: Taxes are a hangup regarding school referendums
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/14/news/02voteno14.txt
– Legislature is leaving a lot undone
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_XGR_BUDGET_WOES_WIOL-?SITE=WIFON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
– We breathe state’s worst air; Sheboygan County ties for worst ozone levels in Wisconsin
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/SHE0101/803140552/1062/SHEnews
– Kenosha stays up in air; Tougher standards mean county will stay on pollution list
http://www.kenoshanews.com/article_comments/view_comments.php?articleNum=2684617
TOURISM (back to top)
– Milwaukee Metro area has national organizations to spare; Bowling congress gone, but many happy to remain
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728074
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Oil prices seep over economy; We Energies asks to boost rates as crude touches $111
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728062
– We Energies seeks another rate increase; Natural gas, other fuel prices soaring, officials say
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=728047
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– UnitedHealth sees ‘pressure’ on 2008 results
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily37.html?surround=lfn
– Humana starts Medicare Advantage program
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily42.html?surround=lfn
– Tosa senior care provider names new president
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily41.html?surround=lfn
– Marshfield Clinic research had banner year for grant funding
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/WDH0101/803140630/1581/WDHnews
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Wall Street Journal: National City seeking buyer
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily43.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– John Oncken column: Annual tour proves no two farms work alike
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276919
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