From WisBusiness.com …
— There’s no such thing as too much security or toughness when it comes to data centers.
That’s the thinking of the TEAM Companies, an Iowa-based firm that recently opened a new Tier 3 facility in the Fitchburg Technology Campus. CDW Berbee is the anchor tenant for the center.
The “Tier 3” classification means the facility has 14- to 24-inch concrete and steel reinforced walls that can withstand an F4 tornado with 200-plus mph winds and a fire detection system that can identify minute smoke molecules. It also has multiple levels of redundancy that TEAM officials believe will all but eliminate the likelihood of a catastrophic failure.
As for security, it has features such as retinal scanners for personal identification. When built out, the $50 million project will cover 50,000 square feet and have more than 20 high-tech employees. It will run around the clock, 365 days a year.
“It’s a state-of-the-art facility in terms of efficiency, cooling, power and security in the Midwest and nationally,” said Mark Kittrell, a TEAM Companies co-founder.
Read a new WisBusiness interview with Kittrell:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=136396
— The 2008 World Stem Cell Summit kicks off Sunday in Madison with “Lab on the Lake,” a series of free events at UW-Madison’s Pyle Center. The day includes a career & education fair, a hands-on stem cell lab experience and several lectures and documentaries from stem cell experts.
See the “Lab on the Lake” agenda: http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com/pdf/lab_on_the_lake_info.pdf
The bulk of the summit is set for Monday and Tuesday.
See the summit Web site for details:
http://www.worldstemcellsummit.com
— Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for August was 4.7 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from July. The rate was unchanged from the rate in August of 2007. The national rate for August was 6.1, up 0.1 percentage points from July, and up 1.5 percentage points from August 2007.
See the DWD release:
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2008/unemployment/0808_state_lmi.pdf
— Monsanto Co. has made a $1 million gift to support plant breeding and genetics in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison.
The Monsanto Graduate Fellowship in Plant Breeding will help fund Ph.D.-level graduate students in the plant breeding and plant genetics program.
See details:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=136503
— The state announced eight awards Thursday totaling $16.415 million that will be used to construct freight rail-related facilities, and preserve and upgrade rail infrastructure as part of overall efforts to support job growth and Wisconsin’s agricultural economy.
Gov. Jim Doyle made the announcement at Specialty Ingredients in Watertown, where he presented the company with a $737,700 award to build a rail track and facility to more efficiently transport ethanol and other products.
See details:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=136475
— Also Thursday Doyle and four other Midwest governors announced the creation of a regional transmission planning effort that will promote regional electric transmission investment and cost sharing. The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative will identify wind generation resources, transmission projects and infrastructure needed to support those resources in a cost-effective manner.
Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota will join Wisconsin to coordinate efforts among state regulatory agencies, transmission companies, utilities, independent generation owners and other key stakeholders in the initiative.
See details:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=136480
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WISPOLITICS.COM/WISBUSINESS.COM: “DIAGNOSING A POLICY FIX TO U.S. HEALTH CARE”
WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com is convening a half-day conference Friday, Sept. 19 at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison to bring together national, state and Canadian experts to discuss how health care providers, insurance companies and policy makers are addressing proposed health care changes this election year.
The event is open to the public. Individual tickets cost $60 each. Tables are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $450. Student discounts also are available. The ticket price includes two meals.
For ticket information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 and greer@wispolitics.com
Initial sponsors for this event include the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), Marshfield Clinic/Security Health Plan, Dean/St. Mary’s and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. The government of Canada is an event partner.
See more: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=135065
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THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Madison Gas & Electric
- University Research Park
- Wisconsin Technology Council
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Press Releases
* Alliant Energy: To host economic development workshops in Belmont and Madison
* Clean Wisconsin: Alternative to Aliant’s coal plant proposal would produce cleaner energy at lower cost
* Coalition Organized for Reliable Energy: Transmission line project backed by businesses, labor groups
* CricketToes: New cultural blog offers affordable advertising to independent artists
* Dept. of Workforce Development: August Wisconsin unemployment rates released
* Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Gassman introduces Milwaukee area job seekers to Wisconsin’s new internet employment site
* Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Gassman introduces Waukesha job seekers to Wisconsin’s new internet employment site
* Families USA: Health care premiums rose 4.8 times faster than earnings in Wisconsin from 2000 to 2007
* Gov. Doyle: Announces regional initiative focused on wind energy support
* Gov. Doyle: Announces transportation awards totaling over $16.4 million
* Gov. Doyle: Welcomes World Stem Cell Summit to Wisconsin
* Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls-Saft awarded grant for development of hybrid battery technology
* National Federation of Independent Business: Backs pro-small business U.S. Representatives from Wisconsin for reelection
* Puja Wellness opening near Hilldale, offering Ayurvedic therapies
* Thrive: Thrive and regional partners at the World Stem Cell Summit
* U.S. Oil Co. Inc.: Plans corporate expansion on newly purchased land
* UW-Madison: Monsanto supports UW plant breeding with $1 million fellowship gift
* UW-Oshkosh: College of Business receives federal grant to support international business education
* Waste Management of Wisconsin: Union sets vote on Waste Management contract
* Wisconsin Stem Cell Now: Wisconsin stem cell leaders release new report on medical research
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Teamsters to vote on Waste Management contract Friday: Waste Management Inc. said trash collectors represented by Teamsters Local 200, who have been on strike since Aug. 26, will vote on the company’s labor contract offer at 8 a.m. Friday. If approved, the five-year contract would take effect immediately, ending the strike. Waste Management officials had said the proposal would boost worker wages and benefits and replace a failing pension plan. Union officials have been silent on details of the offer.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily45.html
U.S. Oil plans new headquarters in Kimberly: The village may have lost the NewPage paper mill, but soon will be home to U.S. Oil Co. Inc.’s new headquarters. U.S. Oil, which operates the Express Convenience Centers, on Thursday announced plans for a new office building that will bring together about 260 of the company’s employees now spread around separate offices in Combined Locks and Kimberly. The company has purchased about 20 acres in the CE Commercial Park, which is near County CE and Hwy 441.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/OSH03/309190024/1167
Rising health insurance costs outpace income: Wisconsin workers who have trimmed family budgets to pay health insurance premiums already know the costs have risen, but they may be shocked to learn by how much. A report released Thursday says Wisconsin workers’ premiums for family plans have risen nearly five times faster than their pay since 2000.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/WDH0101/809190458/1581&located=RSS
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Milwaukee-area firms win clean energy project funds
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily43.html
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Wisconsin still world class in artificial insemination
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/305478
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Jobless rate steady as state loses jobs
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily41.html
– Potawatomi, Oneida banding together in trade group
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily37.html
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Oshkosh wins $18M contract modification
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/APC03/809190528/1028
– Case IH plans Mount Pleasant dealership
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily40.html
– Minhas Brewery celebrates new book and new beer
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/305490
LABOR (back to top)
– Appleton: Area firms to pare staffs
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/APC03/809190530/1028
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– New bars pop up throughout Fox Valley
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/APC03/809190536/1028
– Mechanics see increase in fuel-related repairs
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/GPG03/809190688/1247
– A second chance: Demand grows for small businesses
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/22/story2.html?b=1222056000^1702954
INVESTING (back to top)
– Treasury, Fed announce steps to support nation’s money market funds industry
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FUND_RESCUE?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Menasha: RestorU building project under way
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/APC03/809190520/1028
– Mandel site favored for UWM hall
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/22/story1.html?b=1222056000^1702943
– East side building has new owner
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily42.html
– Milwaukee: Credit drought complicates downtown real estate developments
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=796564
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Lack of rain delays Wisconsin apple crop
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/GPG03/809190692/1247
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Wisconsin seeks waiver for summer gas blend after hurricanes
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=796596
RETAIL (back to top)
– Marshfield Target remodeling nearing completion
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/MNH0101/809190443/1732&located=RSS
– New Copps store planned for Sun Prairie’s east side
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/305520
REGULATION (back to top)
– Dane County: Contractors required to offer partner benefits
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_PARTNER_BENEFITS_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
– More financial regulation may be needed, state delegation says
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=796630
– Church’s Chicken gets zoning approval
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=796557
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Wells Fargo chairman: ‘I feel like a kid in a candy store.’
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/15/daily44.html
– MATC Credit Union, UW Credit Union plan to merge
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/305547
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Oshkosh Corp. announces key executive promotions
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/APC03/809190531/1028
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Jacque Georgia commentary: Now is a good time to buy a home
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080919/GPG03/809190691/1247
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