(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 15 Dec. 2008

Moody’s downgrades Charter, says bankruptcy likely in 2009: Moody’s Investors Service lowered its credit rating on Charter Communications Inc. by two notches Friday after the company said it will hold discussions with bondholders in order to shore up its finances. The ratings agency said it believes a default is imminent and bankruptcy is likely for Charter in 2009. Any bankruptcy almost certainly would be reorganizational, rather than a liquidation, which means customers wouldn’t necessarily see an immediate change in service.
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/318539

Greenheck Fan cuts 164 jobs, shakes local economy: Manufacturing giant Greenheck Fan Corp. announced Friday that it will lay off 164 employees. The layoffs include factory and office workers, and represent 6 percent of the company’s 2,800-person work force.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081213/WDH0101/812130710

WS Packaging Group, ASK join to make new items: WS Packaging Group, Green Bay, entered a joint venture with ASK, a French company, to manufacture and market contactless cards and tickets. ASK is the leading global manufacturer of contactless microprocessor smart cards, contactless cards and paper tickets, and radio frequency identification smart paper labels. The new company, ASK-intTag, will be the first RFID manufacturer in the United States to print silver-based inlays on paper, the composition of which is highly resistant to forgery.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150505/1247

Kohl’s acquires Mervyns locations: Kohl’s Department Stores said it has acquired 31 locations from Mervyns LLC, which is liquidating under bankruptcy. Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) said Friday that it won an auction of leaseholds Thursday in the Mervyns bankruptcy case. Kohl’s said it prevailed in a joint bid with Forever 21 Inc. for 46 locations for approximately $6.25 million. Kohl’s will assume 31 locations and Forever 21, of Los Angeles, will assume 15, pending bankruptcy court approval.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily52.html

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– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com

– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Fox River Valley Goodwill stores go online
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081214/GPG03/812140355/1247

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Scientists begin digging for genetic triggers
http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/36146249.html

– UW graduate program teaches business of biotech
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36087844.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Worries about economy increase stress
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081213/OSH03/812130355/1167

– Greater Milwaukee Foundation sets up fund
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily51.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Ariens takes invention to market
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150508/1247

– Omro business on cutting edge of technology
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081214/OSH03/812140599/1167

– Orion receives renewable technology award
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20081214/SHE03/812140456/1096

LABOR (back to top)
– Recession survival: Health coverage after a layoff
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081214/GPG03/812140356/1247

– Technology training essential
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20081214/SHE03/812140464/1096

– Bucyrus, Steelworkers agree on extension
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily50.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– De Pere boutique aims to ‘save you time’
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150509/1247

INVESTING (back to top)
– Steering clear of investment fraud
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150512/1247

– High-quality corporate, muni bonds look like bargains
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36110734.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Schneider gift boosts St. Norbert project
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081215/APC0101/812150423/1004&located=RSS

– Developer requests more time for downtown project
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36087949.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Nasonville Dairy wins honor
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20081215/WRT03/812150517/1844

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Story, video: Area trucking companies in it for the long haul
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081214/GPG03/812140350/1247

RETAIL (back to top)
– General Growth Properties narrowly avoids default on $900M in debt but still faces finance hurdle
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily58.html

– Miner’s acquires Roundy’s Hurley store
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily55.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Businesses voicing opposition to recycling bins
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081215/OSH0101/812150364/1128&located=RSS

TOURISM (back to top)
– ‘Wow’ factor: The Dells’ Kalahari adds to resort by opening $20 million indoor amusement center Friday
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/318406

– Bradley Center a home-court disadvantage
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36087854.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Power company changes name to WPPI Energy
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150504/1247

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Health groups end affiliate talks
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081215/GPG03/812150511/1247

– Cardinal Health NeuroCare will move to Middleton
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/318466

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Executive Q&A – Mark Meloy: Madison bank head targets niche market
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/318404

– Family change at InvestorsBank
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/story5.html?b=1229317200^1746155

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Journal Communications exec gets bonus
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily59.html

– TomoTherapy president, co-founder retires
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/08/daily56.html

Media Partners
—Channel3000
—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek

National Business Roundups ( back to top)
–YAHOO FINANCE: http://finance.yahoo.com/
–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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