(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 18 Feb. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— Some 43 percent of those surveyed in a new WISC-TV poll believe the economy will worsen this year, while about the same (42 percent) think it will remain the same and 14 percent say it will improve.

The Channel 3 survey, which polled 600 likely voters, was conducted by Research 2000. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

According to the survey, men are less pessimistic about the economy. Only 38 percent said it would worsen, while 40 percent said it would stay the same and 21 percent said it would improve.

By contrast, 48 percent of women said they believe the economy will worsen, while 44 percent said it would remain the same and 7 percent said it would get better.

See story: http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=118401

— More than a few Wisconsinites are getting a little tired of winter, wishing it were May and the flowers were out.

Not Vicky Baumann, operations manager of the Granite Peak Ski Area in Rib Mount State Park.

“The way we look at it, this winter has been exceptionally good and our numbers are up well over last year,” said Baumann, whose resort has 500 snowguns to make snow when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating.

But Mother Nature is more than doing her part, with many places in the Badger State breaking snowfall records – to the dismay of some and delight of others.

See story: http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=118425

— Domtar has officially notified the state that it plans to close its Port Edwards pulp and paper making mill in June and lay off 500 workers. The company originally made the announcement in December and the state Workforce Development Department has been working to assist the affected employees and their families since then.

The Canada-based company said bumping rights exist for roughly 90 employees who are represented by two unions, USW Local 50 and OPEIU, Local 95. Domtar said the closing will be permanent and that the decision to shut it down is the result of a declining market. A spokesman said the company will shift production to more efficient plants.

— Milwaukee ranks as one of the least-prepared metropolitan markets in the country for the Feb. 18, 2009, conversion of television from analog to digital signals, according to a new survey by the Nielsen Company.

Nielsen released the results of its digital readiness survey at its annual client meeting on audience management in Las Vegas.

Milwaukee ranks 51st among the 56 markets surveyed. According to the report, less than 20 percent of the homes surveyed in the Milwaukee market would be able to receive digital signals if the change was enacted today.

See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/2/15/#nielsen-says-milwaukee-is-not-ready-for-digital-tv-conversion

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Press Releases


Air Wisconsin Reports January Traffic

Badger Meter Declares Dividend And Elects New Officers

Briggs & Stratton Corporation Announces Adoption Of Rule 10b5-1 Plans By Executive Officers

Corn Seed Treatment To Repel Cranes Approved

Criticare Systems Oem Partner Fukuda Denshi Co, Ltd. Receives Japanese Gmp Approval

Edil Receives Turkish Science Award

Governor Doyle Announces Marvel Equipment Update

Governor Doyle Announces Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative Website

Johnson Controls Receives U.S. Department Of Commerce Export Achievement Award

Merge Healthcare Announces Rightsizing Initiative

Midwest Air Group Announces Board Appointments

Nerites Corporation Announces Closing Of Series A Funding Round

Oshkosh Corporation Subsidiary, Jlg Industries, Awarded Usd $24.7m Contract From U.S. Navy

Parents Encouraged To Vaccinate Children Against The Flu

Plexus Announces Vp Of Global Human Resources

Research Team Examines The Challenges Of Coexistence Between Humans, Wolves

State “Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year” Announced

Study: Religion Colors Americans’ Views Of Nanotechnology

Task Force On Global Warming Work Groups To Provide Status Updates

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



TOP STORIES

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Poll: Democrats, Republicans at odds over statewide smoking ban: A new poll asked likely voters whether they would support a statewide smoking ban for all bars, restaurants, and workplaces in Wisconsin, and support for the idea was split along party lines. Among Democrats polled, 69 percent said they were in favor of the ban, with 19 percent against and 12 percent undecided. Among Republicans polled, 36 percent were in favor of the ban, 56 percent were against, and 8 percent said they were undecided. About 56 percent of voters declaring themselves as independents were in favor of the ban while 33 percent were against and 11 percent said they were undecided.

http://www.channel3000.com/sports/15323870/detail.html?rss=c3k&psp=news

Dairy subsidy could be issue for candidates: Wisconsin has received a half billion dollars — more than twice as much as any other state — from a federal subsidy meant to help out dairy farmers struggling with low milk prices. Should farmers keep that safety net? Both Democratic presidential candidates think so. In a tough 2004 re-election fight, Republican President Bush said he, too, would support renewing the program in spite of its cost to taxpayers. But this year ‘s GOP frontrunner, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, says he can ‘t do that.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/272950

No fizzle in this area housing boom; Milwaukee north side neighborhoods buck national trend:

As the national housing market provides a seemingly endless flow of bad news, some local home builders are focusing on an unlikely hot spot: a central city neighborhood on Milwaukee’s north side. … “We’re very optimistic, despite the obvious turmoil in the housing market,” said Sally Peltz, Legacy Redevelopment president. “If you build the right product in the right place, the market will find it.” Buyers for central-city housing developments tend to be African-American families seeking affordable, newly built homes near downtown. Some are city employees who are required to live in Milwaukee. Other buyers could live elsewhere but are choosing these neighborhoods because they’re close to downtown jobs and attractions and are part of a surge of new residential development.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718792

Milwaukee could get some Olympic gold; City could host athletes, but some frustrated by lack of marketing effort: Milwaukee may become a training ground for Olympic athletes if Chicago is the winning bidder for the 2016 Olympic Summer games. While the Milwaukee area has done little to market itself as a prime location for athletes, trainers and their fans, an official with the nonprofit organization working to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago considers Milwaukee a logical location for teams to train four to eight weeks prior to the Olympics. This would allow the athletes to become acclimated to weather in the Midwest, but far enough removed from the Olympic buzz in Chicago, said Patrick Sandusky, a spokesman for Chicago 2016, the group organizing Chicago’s Olympic bid.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/18/story1.html?b=1203310800%5E1592196

ABC Supply names successor to Hendricks: ABC Supply Co. Inc. has appointed president David Luck to the additional post of chief executive officer, succeeding Ken Hendricks. Hendricks, ABC Supply’s co-founder, chairman and CEO, died after suffering a massive head injury as a result of a fall at a construction site at his home. He was 66 years old. Luck joined ABC Supply as president and chief operating officer in July 1998.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/11/daily43.html?ana=from_rss

White is golden for ski shops, snow services: … While the winter of “aught-eight” has left some with the blues, it has also proven a tremendous boost for anything snow-related. From hardware stores and plowing services to ski shops and snowmobile clubs, you can find plenty of smiles amid the grumbling. The biggest challenge, business owners say, is just keeping up with demand.

http://www.madison.com/tct/business/272672

‘Good deal’ might not be real: The Milwaukee area has seen a spate of furniture store closings in recent years as mom-and-pop furniture retailers across the country have been wounded by competition from low-priced Chinese imports. Most of the sales here, like others nationwide, have been conducted by liquidation firms that bring in merchandise for the sale. “It’s probably 80% of the time,” said Britt Beemer, who leads America’s Research Group in Charleston, S.C., and does consulting work for furniture retailers. “They do about a year’s worth of business in three months.” … Retailers who use liquidators typically don’t want to talk about the arrangements. One who spoke on background referred to the liquidation business as “the dark side.”

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=719112

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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)

– [WARF, Intel] Patent tug-of-war waged in Congress

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718791

BIOTECH (back to top)

– New funding will let Nerites add employees

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/272820

ECONOMY (back to top)

– Candidates all over map on tax policy

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718773

– Tech colleges gain as economy suffers

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=719113

MANUFACTURING (back to top)

– Bucyrus gears up to meet demand

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718813

– Demand, acquisition boost Bucyrus earnings

http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_milwaukee/~3/235764088/daily44.html

– Sheboygan: Fire does $100,000 damage to paint firm

http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/SHE0101/802180413/1062&located=RSS

LABOR (back to top)

– Port Edwards: Severance pay considered

http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/WRT0101/802180540/1806&located=RSS

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)

– Free Wi-Fi: Businesses find it’s smart to keep customers connected

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/02/18/news/z01wifi18.txt

– Eau Claire: Local product aims to improve manual dexterity

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-business.asp?id=BFPVU7K2ALA

INVESTING (back to top)

– Wells fund sees value in retail stocks

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718668

– File return to get rebate, IRS says

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718770

– Kit and caboodle for saving keeps it simple

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718785

– Analysts see bear market

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/272818

REAL ESTATE (back to top)

– Renters caught in middle of mortgage mess

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718797

– Expert: Home crisis initiatives won’t help

http://www.madison.com/tct/business/272692

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)

– Nationally Known Wisconsin Cheese Marketer Buys Tennessee “Cannabis Cave” To Create Agri-Tourism Opportunities

http://www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html?newsid=8089?=US

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)

– AirTran sees mergers as a way to gain gates

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718774

RETAIL (back to top)

– Whole Foods Market says, “B.Y.O.B.”

http://onmilwaukee.com/market/articles/bagban.html

– Wilsons to close many mall stores

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/272819

– State is full of Old-Fashioned girls and guys

http://www.madison.com/tct/entertainment/273006

– Maker finds customers hungry for natural dog treats

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718659

TOURISM (back to top)

– Wausau: Tourism group gets advice

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080216/WDH0101/802160502/1981

– Tourism secretary ‘wowed’ by Beloit

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2008/02/15/news/news05.txt

– Tourism to get lift from China

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-business.asp?id=BFQ1FGJ5AMS

UTILITIES (back to top)

– Kewaunee [nuclear plant] security contractor replaced

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718665

– Wood County to consider water plan change

http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/WRT0101/802180499/1806&located=RSS

HEALTH CARE (back to top)

– Proposed reforms must also address rising health care costs, leaders say

http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/MNH0101/802180494/1732&located=RSS

– Candidates get specific on health care

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718775

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)

– A very good year for Northwestern Mutual, CEO

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=718776

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)

– Penelope Trunk: Gen Y’s work habits reflect politics

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/272737

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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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