(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 10 Nov. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— National retailer Linens-n-Things is planning to close two Milwaukee-area stores, according to a filing with the state. The closing of locations in Greendale and Brookfield is expected to result in the layoff of 61 employees on or about Jan. 4. 

— The Public Service Commission is dealings municipal water and electric rate hike requests by several Wisconsin communities. On today’s schedule is a telephone hearing at Bruce Town Hall and its Madison headquarters for the Village of Bruce’s request to hike water rates (Docket# 810-WR-101).  Also today are hearings at the Stratford Village Hall and in Madison on a request to hike municipal electrical rates for the Stratford Municpal Water and Electric Utility (Docket# 5760-ER-103).

Get details by entering the docket number here:

http://psc.wi.gov/

— WisBusiness columnist Gregg Hoffmann says Dairyland Power Cooperative and opponents of a coal ash dump both deserve kudos.

The co-op announced last week it is suspending its search for a landfill site in Vernon County to dump coal ash from the Genoa plant. Officials said the cooperative instead will burn a modified coal blend that produces less byproduct requiring disposal.

Dairyland’s plans for a landfill had sparked opposition among many people in Vernon County and from around western Wisconsin.

Motives, plus questions of who won or lost, don’t count now. Instead, Dairyland officials should be complimented for listening to the people who live in Vernon County and either directly or indirectly are customers of the co-op.

The officials’ decision was the right thing to do, for the environment, for the quality of life in the region, etc. Ultimately, it also will turn out to be a wise business decision.

Those who protested the landfill plans also should be complimented. While they were aggressive and vocal in their opposition, they kept it civil for the most part.

Read more on the decision from Hoffmann:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=202

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See more: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=138124

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Press Releases
· Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Ag Dept. offers guide for local foods market development, regulations
· Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce: To host post-election economic update
· Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: Commissioner welcomes federal expansion to Michelle’s Law
· Wipfli: Announces Robert Kaczmarek has joined the firm to lead construction cost segregation practice

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


TOP STORIES
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Boilermakers fired up at hiring of nonunion workers in Green Bay: Union representatives for workers at Marinette Marine say they intend to challenge a decision to hire nonunion workers at a new boat-building facility in Green Bay. Lenny Gunderson, international representative for the Boilermakers, said the union isn’t going to stand by and “forfeit those jobs without a fight.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081108/GPG03/811080635/1247

Kohler to slash 80 more positions: Kohler Co. will lay off 80 employees in the coming weeks, a move that — like the layoff of 50 workers a month ago — is blamed on the slumping housing market, a union official said Friday. Pete Behrensprung, president of United Auto Workers local 833, said Kohler Co. will cut 60 workers in the brass division and 10 each in the distribution center and the foundry. The employees affected have as many as 10 years of experience.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081108/APC03/811080587/1028

Updates to Chrysler’s Kenosha plant on hold : The end to merger talks with General Motors and a bruising auto industry slowdown are raising concerns about whether Chrysler will abandon its plan to invest in a new line of engines at its Kenosha engine factory. Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman said he was told last summer that Chrysler’s plans for Kenosha are “on hold” because of slowing sales and concerns about the economy. “And the economy was in great shape last summer compared with where it is now,” he said.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34126729.html

Andersen lays off 52 at Menomonie plant: Andersen Corp. is laying off 52 employees at a factory in Menomonie, according to media reports. Andersen, a manufacturer of windows and doors based in Bayport, Minn., will have 193 employees at the plant after the layoffs. The slowdown in new home construction this year prompted the layoffs, according to media reports.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily54.html

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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)
– What’s next for fledgling Mad City Broadband?
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/313412

– Local firm releases first computer security product
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/313646

– Cafe owners corral the bandwidth hogs
http://77square.com/citylife/tech/features/story_292134

– Wisconsin, Craigslist reach agreement on erotic ads
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily48.html

– PSC to overlay new area codes for 715, 920 regions
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily49.html

– Metavante not afraid as it turns 1 year old
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34179134.html

BIOTECH(back to top)
— Obama Weighs Quick Undoing of Bush Policy (stem cell research, oil drilling)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10obama.html?th&emc=th

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Execs offer tips for success in difficult economy
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20081109/MAN03/811090457/1397

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Innovation at heart of United Plastic Fabricating in Neenah
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081108/APC03/811080558/1028

– Oshkosh Corp. has $2.7 billion in debt to pay off as shares are trading at $6
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081109/OSH03/811090372/1167

– Ladish’s Polish unit lands five-year contract
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily46.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Workers move on in wake of Kimberly’s NewPage paper mill shutdown
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081109/APC03/811090574/1028

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Inc. Innovator Update: Asian cuisine helps join communities
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081110/APC03/811100483/1028

– New London family back in furniture business
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081109/APC03/811090571/1028

– Pet cabbie service open for business
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081109/APC03/811090572/1028

– BUSINESS Profile: GREENWOOD’S APPLIANCE & VIDEO
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20081109/MAN03/811090450/1397

– Corrigan’s named Best of De Pere for general contractors
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081110/GPG03/811100348/1247

– Growth for roofers comes word-of-mouth
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/10/smallb1.html?b=1226293200^1729948

INVESTING (back to top)
– Confessions of a Money Manager: Wall Street under President Obama
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/313422

– Companies to make a pitch at Baird show
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34179154.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Lindenwood Development work continues as school and developer talk
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081110/OSH0101/811100362/1128&located=RSS

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Wood County won’t rush into land sale that would turn forest into cranberry marsh
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081110/MNH0101/811100430/1732&located=RSS

RETAIL (back to top)
– Dealerships gear up to ride out tough times
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081109/GPG03/811090740/1247

– Store sells toys parents can trust
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/313557

– The early bird catches the … snowblower?
http://www.jsonline.com/realestate/34056359.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Tribe sues to suspend review of Kenosha casino
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily56.html

TOURISM (back to top)
– Bradley Center to offer imported cognac
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily55.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Coal-fired power plant coming to Cassville?
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/313433

– Cost, biofuels smudge lines in debate on coal-fired power plant
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34184364.html

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Stevens Point scoliosis clinic has global appeal
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20081110/SPJ0101/811100400/1657&located=RSS

– Group Health ranked eighth in U.S.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/313394

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Anchor Bank loses $23.3 million in third quarter
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/313446

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Bemis Co. names new finance executive
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081109/APC03/811090569/1028

– Who’s news: Integrity Insurance names vice president
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081109/APC03/811090562/1028

– Private equity executive takes over Allen-Edmonds
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/10/story5.html?b=1226293200^1729698

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– John Torinus: Politicians should get real about job creation
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34124254.html

Media Partners
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—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek

National Business Roundups ( back to top)
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–CNBC BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.cnbc.com
–ABC BUSINESS NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/
–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html

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