(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 10 March 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— Wall Street is wobbly, credit markets are imploding and two firms with deep Wisconsin ties have been battered by problems in mortgage and the bond insurance arenas.

But neither MGIC Investment Corp., the Milwaukee-based mortgage insurance company, and New York-based Ambac, which was founded in Milwaukee and sells financial guarantee insurance, are in danger of failing, according to Sean Dilweg, the state’s insurance commissioner.

“But both companies are very well capitalized and, as I see it, should be able to weather the fallout from the subprime market,” he said.

See story later at WisBusiness.com

— Small Business Times has announced the winners of the 2008 Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards for excellence in business leadership.

The Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards are given annually to southeastern Wisconsin’s most dynamic and innovative business leaders.

This year’s special Regional Spirit Award goes to Anne Zizzo, founder, owner and chief executive officer of Zizzo Group Advertising and Public Relations, Milwaukee. Her company has grown to have more than $40 million in annual billings, and Zizzo is one of the most prominent promoters of the Milwaukee region as a place to do business.

See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/3/7/#sbt-announces-winners-of-bravo-entrepreneur-awards

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Press Releases
Copyright Verdict Positive for Defendant
DockMaster Software Will Re-Sell ARI’s PartSmartÆ Product
Governor Doyle Announces Appointment of David Hoffman to Circus World Museum Foundation
J. J. Keller Announces Final Changes for 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook
Kohl’s Partners with Rocker Avril Lavigne for New Juniorsí Lifestyle Brand to Launch July 2008
Mayors Receive Awards for Support of Great Lakes Compact
PSC Awards Over $200,000 to Citizen Groups

For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82


TOP STORIES
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Crafted with success:New Glarus Brewing Co. builds 2nd brewery, bucking trends on both ends of beer industry… As the world’s largest brewers consolidate and cut jobs, a brewery in small-town Wisconsin is taking a different approach. New Glarus Brewing Co. is not only building a new brewery, but it also is keeping the original facility open. Both are located in the village (population: 1,290) that provides the company’s name. The $20 million investment will help New Glarus Brewing solidify a reputation for high-quality beer that has devotees scattered throughout the country, even though its Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel and other brews are found only in Wisconsin. The new brewery also makes New Glarus Brewing unusual among the nation’s 1,400 craft brewers – a term for smaller, independent brewers that produce higher-quality beers.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726338

Woodman’s union-busting allegations disputed: As hearings continue over the future of union representation for Woodman’s employees, allegations that the Janesville-based grocery store chain hired a “union-buster” to instigate the process are wrong, the grocer’s consultant said Friday. Earlier this year, an employee at a Woodman’s store in Madison circulated a petition to decertify United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1473 as the bargaining unit for the 900 employees at the Madison, Janesville and Beloit stores.
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/mar/10/woodmans-union-busting-allegations-disputed/

Tower’s new life stalls: Dispute with city over plans for redevelopment leaves site vacant… The single biggest industrial site in Milwaukee remains largely vacant, even as the investors who bought the property more than a year ago insist that they have plenty of ideas for infusing it with new life. The hang-up, according to the investors: a city bureaucracy that “turned on us” a few months after the investors purchased 84 acres at the mothballed Tower Automotive works, a campus of cathedral-sized factories in the heart of the inner city. “We’ve been sitting on this property for over a year, and they don’t allow us to utilize it,” said Donald Murn, a lawyer representing the investor group’s company, Milwaukee Industrial Trade Center LLC.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=725948

Legislature aims to put a dent in scrap metal trafficking: More than $100,000 worth of scrap metal has been stolen from We Energies in the last two years, according to a company spokeswoman. With similar problems occurring around the state, the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly last month unanimously passed a bill that will hold scrap metal dealers accountable for the items they purchase. The bill will soon go before Gov. Jim Doyle. … Instead of scrap yards buying metal without question, Senate Bill 473 will require dealers to obtain the seller’s identifying information, license plate number and descriptive information about the item. A seller will also have to state he is the owner of the items they are trying to sell.
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/03/10/local_news/doc47d4b48fbc9ef024549927.txt

Public Service Farm Show will be April 1-3 in Oshkosh: The 48th annual Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show returns to the grounds of the Experimental Aircraft Association April 1 to 3 in Oshkosh. This year’s show features nearly 400 exhibitors and is expected to draw thousands of visitors from the Midwest and Canada. There are expected to be more than 800 indoor and outdoor booths covering the 10-acre show site. Admission to the Farm Show is free, and parking is $2 per vehicle. Gates are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG03/803100536/1247/GPGbusiness

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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)
– UWM lab seeks gravitational waves
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726333

– Publication chronicles first 15 years of University Research Park
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276139

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Heparin probe widens beyond local firm
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276063

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Plan for quarry draws protest in Sauk County
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/276341

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Briggs & Stratton had a hybrid car in the ’70s
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726346

– Corenso expansion to add 10 new jobs
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WRT0101/803100499/1806

– Schofield: City faces questions on proposed annexation
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WDH0101/803100393/1581

LABOR (back to top)
– Mason says bill would give a boost to the work force
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/03/10/local_news/doc47d4995d871ee130610688.txt

– Retaining a new wave of workers
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726287

– Fox Valley workers among millions in U.S. suffering from fatigue
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/APC0101/803100463/1003/APCnews

– Corenso expansion to add 10 jobs in Rapids
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/SPJ0101/803100388/1983

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– When you want to advertise on the go
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/276114

– Wausau: Local brewmaster ready to serve up new tastes
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WDH0101/803100395/1581

INVESTING (back to top)
– 2 ‘special situations’ buck negative trend
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726286

– Don’t overlook homegrown stocks
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726285

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Hotels ascend around airport
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=725941

– Sheboygan: City contractors association lists 2008 officers
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/SHE03/803090340/1096/SHEbusiness

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Green Bay: Let Me Be Frank raising money for Farm Technology Days
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG03/803100530/1247/GPGbusiness

– Organic education opportunities scheduled in Oshkosh, Chilton
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/FON03/803090513/1327/FONbusiness

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Roundabout on East Side is planned
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/276342

– Maritime Metro Transit changes some routes
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/MAN0101/803090424/1984

RETAIL (back to top)
– Madison: East Johnson retail area strives for more recognition
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276083

– Database: Were you overcharged at a store? See state test results
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/APC0101/303100018/1004

– New Glarus Brewing building 2nd brewery
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WRT0101/80310036/1806

– A flap over plastic bags? Here, really not so much
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/SHE0101/803100426/1062

REGULATION (back to top)
– Bill to limit cell phone use
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WRT0101/80310031/1806

– Group seeks tougher laws for Wis. dog breeders
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/MNH0101/803100505/1732

TOURISM (back to top)
– Madison Symphony breaks out musical favorites, ticket deals for maestro’s 15th season
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/276246

– Mayors plead case to bowling congress
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726374

– St. Brendan’s brings touch of Ireland to Green Bay
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG03/803100532/1247/GPGbusiness

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Study reveals minimal wind turbine effect on bats
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/FON0101/803100341/1985

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Medication, drugs found in American tap waters
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG0101/803100571/1207/GPGnews

– Bill expected to increase number of Wisconsin organ donors
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_ORGAN_DONORS_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

– Fox Cities Health Fair offers tips to longevity, well-being
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/APC0101/803100474/-1/APCnews

– Aurora BayCare wins American Stroke Association award
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG03/803100534/1247/GPGbusiness

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– As spring thaw looms, state official suggests flood insurance
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_FLOOD_INSURANCE_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

– Stimulus rebate creates traffic for free tax-help program
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/APC0101/803100478/1003/APCnews

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Local companies win ADDY awards
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG03/803100533/1247/GPGbusiness

– Project promotes civil discussion
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/WRT0101/803100500/1806

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Greg Linnemanstons: B2B marketing focuses on hearing the voice of customers
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/APC0701/803100464/1888/APCbusiness

– Mick Hager: Lousy leadership causes unionizing
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/GPG07/803100535/1247/GPGbusiness

– Tom Saler: Loan we used for prosperity has come due
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726297

– Jim Zimanek column: Home ownership is a lifestyle choice that offers breaks
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/APC0701/803090555/1436/APCbusiness

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