(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 13 Oct. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— GM officials today confirmed that the company’s Janesville manufacturing plant will close by the end of this year, instead of the previous closing date of 2010.

See statements and reaction at http://www.wisbusiness.com

— The Dow Jones average was up more than 350 points as of 9 a.m.

— Biotechnology and medical devices companies developing new products can connect and develop relationships with six major life sciences companies at the Building Strategic Partnerships and Alliances Conference, to be held Oct. 22 at Waukesha’s Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center. The participating companies are: Eli Lilly, Enlight Biosciences, GE Healthcare/Life Science, Johnson and Johnson, Medtronic, and Roche Nimblegen.

The event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Devices Association and the Department of Commerce.

— When two iconic businesses — Borgen’s Café in Westby and Leo & Leona’s tavern near Middle Ridge — closed over the last couple years, it was a blow to part of the western Wisconsin region.

Both were places that had been open for decades and had become unique attractions to visitors and area residents alike.

But, largely because of the love of former patrons and area residents, Borgens is about to re-open, and Leo & Leona’s has been open for a few months.

Read more about the businesses in a new column from Gregg Hoffmann: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=202

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Janesville GM Plant To Close This Year; Plant To Close Dec. 23: General Motors officials confirmed Monday that the Janesville assembly plant will close by the end of this year. General Motors is dealing with slumping sales and a collapse in its stock price. Last week, GM stock fell to a 58-year low as shares lost nearly half their value. The Janesville plant was previously scheduled to shut down by 2010. General Motors officials on Monday confirmed that the Janesville plant will shut down on Dec. 23.
http://www.channel3000.com/money/17701280/detail.html

Related:

– GM employees get official word

http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/oct/13/gm-employees-get-official-word/

Plan to buy stock of ailing banks ‘gaining steam,’ senator says: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson told international leaders on Sunday that isolationism and protectionism could worsen the spreading financial crisis. With a new trading week dawning, U.S. lawmakers urged quick action by the Bush administration on measures to make direct purchases of bank stock to help unlock lending.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/GPG03/810130498/1247

Pierce Manufacturing wins $10.7M order: Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a fire-fighting and rescue vehicle manufacturing unit of Oshkosh Corp., has won a $10.7 million contract to supply 68 Pierce pumper rescue vehicles to U.S. Army troops in the Middle East.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/06/daily39.html

Institutions launch genomics research collaboration: Four Wisconsin research institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, have launched a collaborative effort to advance genomic research and personalized health care. The Wisconsin Genomics Initiative is a collaborative research effort that also includes the Marshfield Clinic, Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced Friday.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/06/daily40.html

Twin Ports worried about icebreaking on Great Lakes: The Twin Ports have a lot to lose if the Great Lakes don’t have enough icebreaking capacity to ensure cargo moves on time this winter. Together, docks in Duluth and Superior moved 47.9 million tons of cargo last season — more than their peers in any other Great Lakes port. Much of that cargo leaves the Twin Ports by vessel during ice season, which can run from Thanksgiving through April.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/GPG0101/810130556/1207&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)
– De Pere company keeps records safe for area businesses
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/GPG03/810130495/1247

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Genomics project unites four Wisconsin research institutions
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=804911

– Green Bay’s Enzymatic Therapy acquired
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/06/daily35.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Green Bay: On Broadway Inc. on award short-list
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/GPG03/810120656/1247

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– MotoTron Corp’s ownership change not expected to impact city plant
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/OSH03/810130340/1128&located=RSS

– Kimberly-Clark watch: Huggies hits 30-year mark
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081011/APC0701/810110483/1436/APC03

LABOR (back to top)
– Milwaukee’s black/white jobless gap is highest in U.S.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=805189

– Companies sought for Northeastern Wisconsin job fair
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/GPG03/810130489/1247

– Holiday job hunt not so jolly
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=805169

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Executive Q&A – Pete Vogel: Marking its 80th year, Vogel builds for the future
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/308964

INVESTING (back to top)
– Even manager is in a holding pattern
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=805165

– Recession may boost some state stocks
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=805166

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Real estate next progression for entrepreneurs
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/APC03/810120501/1028

– Valley building projects honored
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081011/APC03/810110493/1028

– Shopko TIF request approved, with some reservations
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/OSH03/310080007/1167

– Home is where the hurt is
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=804908

– Milwaukee: Local home sales rise for first time this year
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=804921

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Meet Inc. Innovators: Terry and Paula Homan
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/APC03/810130467/1028

– Workshops address farm grant issues
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/FON03/810120579/1327

– Farm column: Here’s to Wisconsin’s state fruit: The Cranberry
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/FON03/810120573/1327

– Local farms feed area restaurants
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/13/story4.html?b=1223870400^1714835

RETAIL (back to top)
– Green Bay: Martzke opens seventh A&W
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/GPG03/810120661/1247

– Scary economy not spooking Halloween sales
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/OSH03/810120450/1167

TOURISM (back to top)
– Lambeau Field atrium project on hold
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/06/daily37.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Power player: WPPI provides electricity for 50 municipally operated utilities
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/308963

– Wind turbines in lake feasible, but energy cost could double
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=804949

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Flu clinics open for business
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/SPJ0101/810130407/1657&located=RSS

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Pioneer Credit holds reopening at Green Bay office
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/GPG03/810130497/1247

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Yoder resigns from Spectrum Brands
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/308912

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Richard Ryman column: Survey reveals how to keep downtown Green Bay rolling
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081012/GPG03/810120655/1247

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