From WisBusiness.com …
— The rush in the United States to produce corn-based ethanol as an alternative fuel will likely worsen pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and expand the annual “dead zone” that kills fish and other aquatic life, according to new research.
In the first study of its kind, lead author Simon Donner of the University of British Columbia and Chris Kucharik of the University of Wisconsin-Madison modeled the effects of biofuel production on nutrient pollution in an aquatic system. Their findings are publishing online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers looked at the estimated amounts of land and fertilizer needed to meet future production goals for corn-based ethanol. The U.S. Senate recently announced a production target of 36 billion gallons annually by the year 2022, which is more than three times the amount of ethanol produced in 2006.
See release: http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=120515
— General Mills Operations, a subsidiary of General Mills, has told state and local officials it plans to shut down a plant in Poplar startng in May and concluding by the fall. The plant closure is expectd to be permanent.
The company said it will lay off 26 workers from the facility. None of them have bumping rights.
— Milwaukee’s Johnson Controls, one of the state’s largest employers, is launching a research project called OXYGENZ — a global survey of Generation Y to learn about their preferences for their future workplace.
The survey was developed by the company’s Global Workplace Solutions business in partnership with Haworth, a global leader in the design and manufacture of adaptable workspaces.
Generation Y includes those aged 18 to 25. OXYGENZ will investigate how, where and when young people want to work. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the company said this new knowledge will inform businesses about the workplace attributes essential in the recruitment and retention of young people.
OXYGENZ is sponsored and supported by leading global corporations including the BBC, BP and Cisco, looking to understand young people’s choices on a global scale.
*See release:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=120384
*To participate in this interactive survey, go to:
http://www.oxygenz.com/
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Press Releases
Baird Named Middle Market Investment Bank of the Year by Buyouts Magazine
Commerce Group Corp. and Manti Holdings LLC Enter Agreement to Fund the San Sebastian Gold Mines
EPA Awards $86,353 Grant to Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District for Clean School Bus Project
Increased Ethanol Production to Worsen Gulf of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’
Johnson Controls and Haworth Launch Global Survey to Understand Expectations of Next Working Generation
Midwest Air Group Reports February Performance
Opto Circuits (India) Limited Commences Cash Tender Offer for Criticare Systems, Inc.
Parts Now! Announces 2007 Sales
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Paper firm lauds ruling: Appleton wins round in unfair imports case… The papermaker Appleton Monday applauded a preliminary U.S. Department of Commerce decision to apply the U.S. anti-subsidy law to imports of lightweight thermal paper from China. The ruling is the first step toward a May 6 determination in a bigger case alleging illegal sale of goods in the United States by China and Germany at prices below those in the country of origin at prices lower than the cost of production, a practice known as dumping. Appleton filed petitions in September with the department and U.S. International Trade Commission alleging the Chinese government is subsidizing the country’s lightweight thermal paper industry.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC03/803110525/1888/APCbusiness
Survey: 26 percent of employers expect to hire in next 3 months: Even as employers nationwide slashed some 63,000 jobs last month, more than a quarter of U.S. companies say they plan to hire within the next three months, according to a survey of 14,000 companies scheduled for release Tuesday. Across the country, some 26 percent of companies expect to increase the size of their work force between April and June, according to the survey by global staffing firm Manpower Inc. Nine percent plan a decrease, while 60 percent predict no change and 5 percent are unsure, the Milwaukee-based company found. The numbers are slightly worse than those for the same quarter last year, when 28 percent of employers expected to hire and 7 percent planned to cut jobs.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/11/wi/2w.txt
Inner City Growth Awards honor 5 Milwaukee firms: Celebration adds new sponsor… The annual Inner City Growth Awards exist mainly to change an economic debate in Milwaukee. Now in their fourth year, they honor companies that grow in the heart of an aging urban economy that has seen its share of problems. On Monday, the celebration at the Pfister Hotel had greater attendance than past years, partly because of a new sponsor in addition to the Greater Milwaukee Committee. The Urban Entrepreneur Partnership just marked its first year as economic catalyst. In its first year, the partnership coached 22 start-ups and existing for-profit companies with a roster of 12 business coaches.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726612
Veolia opening national service center in Milwaukee: Veolia Environmental Services North America Corp. said it will hire 40 new employees for a new back-office and purchasing support services center it is opening in Milwaukee. The services center will be located at the Honey Creek Corporate Center and is part of a national project to integrate Veolia Environmental Services North America’s financial and purchasing systems by the end of the year. Veolia worked with Milwaukee’s Eppstein Uhen Architects on the 8,700 square foot expansion to ensure integration of sustainable design.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily5.html?surround=lfn
Plaintiffs in Cranberry Grower Suit Appeal Case to Supreme Court: As promised, a group of out-of-state landowners who failed to sue a Sawyer County cranberry grower for allegedly polluting nearby waterways is taking their issue to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. According to reports, the plaintiffs claim that William Zawistowski released phosphorus from the application of fertilizer into Musky Bay, which flows into the Lac Courte Oreilles–the eighth largest natural lake in Wisconsin. The appeal is in response to the District 3 Court of Appeals decision in February to upheld a judge’s dismissal of the case against the farmer after a county judge ruled in favor of Zawistowski’s right to farm.
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=316&yr=2008
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Green building finds fertile ground in Waukesha
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048067&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048067%26snippet%3Df
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Study: Wisconsin sixth in medical devices industry in Midwest
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily7.html?surround=lfn
– Green energy summit planned
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726594
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Gas prices near record
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276417
– Legislators balk at extension of Miller Park sales tax
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/03/10/local_news/doc47d5fd7409b43874510332.txt
– Cultural visit aimed at strengthening ties with China
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726602
– ETC posts second-straight profit
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily3.html?surround=lfn
– MMAC: Job losses point to possible recession
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily8.html?surround=lfn
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Big, small companies find the benefits of going Lean
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG03/803110587/1247/GPGbusiness
LABOR (back to top)
– Spring hiring expected to slow
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726614
– Green Bay employers expected to hold steady on hiring
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG03/803110586/1247/GPGbusiness
– Fox Cities hiring at standstill
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC03/803110526/1888/APCbusiness
– Job market expected to get stronger for Janesville and Beloit
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/mar/11/job-market-expected-get-stronger-janesville-and-be/
– Appleton school board OKs layoff notices for 34 teachers
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC0101/803110520/1003/APCnews
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Valley firm helps tavern owners cut their losses
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC03/803110513/1028/APCbusiness
– Housing downturn takes toll on Signature Lighting
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/March_08/03082008_03.asp
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Trend in Brown County foreclosures shows increase from ’07
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG0101/803110615/1207/GPGnews
– Group seeks solutions to the housing crunch
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/11/news/z00housing.txt
– Home sales, listings fall
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726593
– Park East tower work tied to condo sales
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726555
– 8-story building could expand
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726611
– City, tower close to settling
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726554
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Kohl & Feingold Call for MILC Provision in Next Farm Bill
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=317&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Bus system has growth plan
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/276473
– Neenah may restudy roundabouts
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC0101/803110519/1003/APCnews
– Air Wisconsin traffic, capacity rise in February
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily10.html?surround=lfn
RETAIL (back to top)
– New Glarus Brewing building second brewery
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/11/wi/6w.txt
– Brett Favre retirement news flies off shelves
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG0101/803110574/1207/GPGnews
– Manitowoc Festival Foods plan keyed to road deal
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG03/803110577/1247/GPGbusiness
REGULATION (back to top)
– Doyle calls for $330 million in cuts to fix budget
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/276445
– Nuclear power faces stall in state Legislature
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG0101/803110571/1207/GPGnews
– Public renews debate: Public intoxication ordinance set to expire March 31
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/11/news/00lead.txt
TOURISM (back to top)
– Some scenes from Depp film to be shot in Oshkosh
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC0101/803110561/1003/APCnews
– Harley 105th celebration gets park OK
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726590
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Few options to Appleton water rate hike
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC0101/803110528/1003/APCnews
– State Legislature looks at wind power regulations
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG0101/803110572/1207/GPGnews
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Hospital tax, fund transfer proposed
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/276488
– Doral Dental to buy Atlantic Dental
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily2.html?surround=lfn
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Seminar to cover business disaster planning
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/WDH0101/803110480/1581/WDHnews
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Report: Big Ten Network reaches framework of deal with Comcast
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/276433
– Minority owner to close construction company, buy bigger one
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/276492
– Business Expo set for today in Green Bay
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG03/803110584/1247/GPGbusiness
– Doyle Appoints Rohde to State DNR Board
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=315&yr=2008
– Ad man makes politics catchy
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726589
– Midwest Air names Skornicka successor
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/10/daily6.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Ragan E. Cheney: Personality tests need thoughtful execution
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/GPG07/803110585/1247/GPGbusiness
– Arlen Boardman: Investors can play with the markets if they pay attention
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/APC03/803110518/1888/APCbusiness
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