From WisBusiness.com …
— Gov. Jim Doyle has departed for a business trip to Canada to meet with business and government officials, to discuss protecting the Great Lakes, and to promote Wisconsin’s leadership in agriculture and clean energy, his office said.
Doyle will visit the Canadian cities of Winnipeg, Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto. He will be joined at different events on the trip by Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank and Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.
In addition, Commerce Secretary Jack Fischer will have a variety of business meetings in Canada next week to build relationships and discuss investment in Wisconsin.
See story: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=126572
— Doyle did not sign the Great Lakes Compact before he left for Canada.
Doyle has not called for the bill and it hasn’t been delivered to his desk, Sensenbrenner said. Once Doyle receives it, he will have six days, not including Sunday, to sign it.
Sensenbrenner said Doyle could sign the compact when he returns next week with others on hand who worked on the agreement.
— Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s Department Stores will donate $3 million to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to establish the Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence.
The gift will provide an endowment for administration and programming for the center and a “state-of-the-art” facility for the center that will be built in the expanded and renovated UW’s School of Human Ecology building.
With the Kohl’s gift, the enhanced retailing center will have dedicated space for students to meet and increase the number of students it can serve. Construction of the $48 million addition and renovation to the Human Ecology building, including the Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence, is scheduled to begin in September 2009 and expected to be completed in 2013.
See release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=126540
— Manitowoc-based The Manitowoc Company Inc. has increased its offer for United Kingdom-based Enodis to $2.4 billion. The deal would include the assumption of Enodis’ net debt (approximately $245 million as of March 29, 2008).
Enodis is one of the leading global food and beverage equipment manufacturers with approximately 6,800 employees and 30 factories in 9 countries. The company is based in London and operationally headquartered in Tampa, Fla.
Earlier this month Illinois Tool Works Inc. made a $2.3 billion offer for Enodis, causing The Manitowoc Company to increase its offer.
— Scott Lockard, U.S. Bank, Madison market president, James R. Imhoff, Jr., chairman/CEO. First Weber Group, Inc., and Bill Duddleston, director of the Center for Economic Education at Edgewood College will highlight “The Wisconsin Economy in a Time of Uncertainty” forum on June 3 at 7:45 a.m.
The WisBusiness.com-WisPolitics.com breakfast event at the Madison Club in downtown Madison will feature discussion of the impact of the nation’s economy on Wisconsin. With the looming presidential election and recent economic turmoil, find out how you should be safeguarding your financial security.
The event is exclusively sponsored by AARP.
Additions to the panel and other participants will be announced in coming days.
The event is open to the public. General public tickets cost $10, but tickets area only $5 for AARP members and WisPolitics & WisBusiness subscribers. The ticket price includes breakfast.
For ticket information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 and greer@wispolitics.com
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Press Releases
APG Releases APG TOGAF(TM) Process Library
Clean Homes are Healthy Homes for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers
Commerce Administrator Honored by UW-Eau Claire
Governor Doyle to Visit Canada
Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence to Open at UW-Madison
Markel American Insurance Company Announces Release of Manufactured Home Program in Indiana
Quad/Graphics Honored With 2008 Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. Has Revised Its Offer to Acquire Enodis plc for $2.4 Billion
Two UW-Madison Researchers Receive Shaw Awards
Wisconsin Hospital Association: Non-profit hospitals and property taxes
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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400 at Janesville GM plant to accept buyout offers: Factory switching to one production shift… About 400 workers at the General Motors Corp. factory in Janesville have decided to accept buyout offers from the automaker, a plant spokeswoman said Monday. Employees have until Thursday to decide whether to accept severance or early retirement packages, said Mary Fanning of GM. The final deadline is May 29, to give employees a chance to let GM know if they change their minds. As of a few weeks ago, about 200 people had signed up for the buyouts, Fanning said. “The number is increasing on a daily basis,” she said. “It’s been steadily climbing.”
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752461
Virent named a top tech startup: Madison-based biofuels company Virent Energy Systems Inc. has been named to the 2008 Red Herring North America 100 list, which honors the top technology startup companies in North America. Virent, which has 68 employees, is one of six energy companies in the list. Virent’s patented “BioForming” process converts plant sugars into conventional hydrocarbon fuels and products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Red Herring, a magazine and Web site, specializes in identifying emerging technology trends capable of dramatically altering their industries. Past award winners include Google, Yahoo!, Skype, Netscape, Salesforce.com, and YouTube.
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287099
Doyle embarks on Canada trip: Visit to state’s top trade partner will cover water, power, trade… Gov. Jim Doyle departed Monday on a four-city trip to Canada to discuss trade, agriculture, protection of the Great Lakes and green power generation. Doyle has scheduled visits in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto and returns Saturday, his office said in an announcement. He will be joined at different stops by Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank and Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. The announcement also said Doyle will take a helicopter tour Tuesday of several Manitoba Hydro electrical-generation projects during a visit to Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba. Business executives will not accompany the governor on his stops in Canada, a Doyle spokesman said.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752482
Albany-Chicago sold to private investor: Albany-Chicago Co., a Pleasant Prairie manufacturer of custom die cast and machined components, has been sold to private investor Mike Altschaefl, the buyer announced Monday. Albany-Chicago was sold by Grafton’s CPL Industries Inc., a holding company that also owns Orion Corp., of Grafton. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Albany-Chicago supplies components to the diesel engine, hydraulics, automotive, electromechanical devices, health, agricultural and other industries. The buyer, Altschaefl, previously was the managing partner for the Wisconsin practice of Grant Thornton LLP.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily9.html?surround=lfn
State, Milwaukee sewerage district settle suit: The state Department of Justice has settled a lawsuit alleging that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District allowed a series of sewage overflows in 2004. As part of the agreement announced Monday, the sewerage district will pay the state $500,000 following more than 60 incidents. The state filed the civil lawsuit asking for penalties for past violations and a court order requiring the district to take corrective actions. It also wanted the district to improve monitoring and make overdue repairs and upgrades. The Justice Department on Monday said the sewerage district was making progress toward a plan to ensure compliance with pollution-control laws.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/20/wi/04wis20.txt
Nine counties, including Racine, violate ozone standards: Nine Wisconsin counties violate the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for ozone pollution. The eastern Wisconsin counties are among 85 nationally that fail to meet the standards, requiring companies to operate under more restrictive rules against pollution. The counties include Door, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. Last June, Gov. Jim Doyle asked the EPA to reclassify eight counties as in compliance with the federal law because ground level pollution had been dropping for years. But the unseasonably warm summer pushed ozone levels upward.
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/05/20/local_news/doc4832c15c7146b929755554.txt
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Charter Web tracking legal, consumer protection officials say
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287126
– Cable gains in broadband share against phone firms
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287200
– Microsoft, Yahoo talking again
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/287143
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Two UW scientists honored
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/287111
– Wisconsin Opens 100 Ethanol Fueling Stations
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=620&yr=2008
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Bidding war has ties to state
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC03/805200481/1028
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Manitowoc revises Enodis offer, outbids ITW
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily2.html?surround=lfn
– J.M Brennan buys Racine HVAC contractor
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily11.html?surround=lfn
LABOR (back to top)
– Janesville GM plant employees have until midnight Thursday to apply for buyout
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/287144
– Fewer Hired Workers on Area Farms This Year
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=621&yr=2008
– City of Beloit offers incentives to retain jobs
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/may/19/city-beloit-offers-incentives-retain-jobs/
– Clinton reaches tentative benefits agreement after mediation
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/may/19/clinton-reaches-tentative-benefits-agreement-after/
– Officers pull in six figures with OT
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752503
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Business finance subject of workshop
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/FON0101/805200538/1985/FONopinion
INVESTING (back to top)
– Elmbrook investment strategy falters
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752612
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Hot neighborhoods in a cold market
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/286842
– State housing authority gives $1 million in grants
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/GPG0101/805200416/1978/GPGnews
– Winter’s chill slows first-quarter home sales
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/GPG03/805200445/1247
– 20 homes could be demolished in Zoo Interchange construction
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752526
– Hospitality Inn sold for $6.95M
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily6.html?surround=lfn
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– State Corn Planting Already Half-Completed
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=618&yr=2008
– State & National Milk Production Up in April
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=619&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– ‘Uncle Rodney’ Kreunen out as railroad commissioner, Sen. Breske in
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287127
– Local gas prices steady, diesel at a new high
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287257
– FAA to pick up tab for airport control tower
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BGLURIQHD2I
RETAIL (back to top)
– Charter ties for last in customer satisfaction survey
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287261
– Music star Fergie to start shoe line with Famous Footwear parent
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287067
– Brown Shoe taps Campbell Mithun to lead Famous Footwear campaign
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily8.html?surround=lfn
REGULATION (back to top)
– House to again vote on anti-OPEC bill
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC0101/805200500/1979/APCnews
– Kimberly considers creating TIF district
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC0101/805200499/1979/APCnews
– State weighs long-term impact of Great Lakes compact
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/GPG0101/805200410/1978/GPGnews
– State gas tax break ‘unlikely’
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/MNH0101/805200326/1980
TOURISM (back to top)
– Soft economy has tourist attractions working harder for visitors
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/287154
– Wis parks director forecasts busy camping season
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_NO_CAMPING_WOES_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
UTILITIES (back to top)
– State, Milwaukee sewerage district settle suit
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_SEWAGE_OVERFLOWS_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
– Alliant Energy commits $85 million to reduce Iowa power plant’s coal emissions
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/286903
– Xcel Energy: Raccoon to blame for Saturday outage
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/20/news/z07xcel0520.txt
– Open houses set on proposed 150-mile transmission line from Twin Cities
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/20/news/z04line0520.txt
– Pewaukee residents to pay in full for water, sewer project
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752616
– Wind farms power up
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752484
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Med Flight staff ‘healing’; no patient flights for a while
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/287116
– Breivogel joins area MRI center
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/GPG03/805200446/1247
– Milwaukee among top 20 for women’s hearts
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily7.html?surround=lfn
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Troubled credit union turns profit
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752480
– Analyst: Wells Fargo may boost reserves
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily3.html?surround=lfn
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Anderes to be chief operating officer for UW System
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287137
– Martenson & Eisele Inc. alters its structure
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC03/805200482/1028
– Shopko Foundation donates $31,000 in grants
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/GPG03/805200444/1247
– Helping hands from the Badger State
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=752507
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Arlen Boardman: The good old days of Air Wisconsin are long gone
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC0701/805200475/1436/APC03
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