(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 21 Oct. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— Senior biotechnology and medical device executives in Wisconsin remain optimistic about the prospects for their own companies despite a dramatic shift from a year ago in their perceptions of capital availability capital, according to the new Wisconsin Biotechnology Index.

The new quarterly index, a project of the Wisconsin Biotechnology & Medical Device Association (WBMA) and the Madison-based online news source WisBusiness.com, is being launched in advance of Wednesday’s WBMA annual conference. The conference is being held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center, Waukesha, Wis. Registration for the conference is open. Registration information and material are available at www.wisbiomed.org.

“The quarterly Wisconsin Biotechnology Index is an important resource not only for our industry, but also for the public and policymakers,” said James L. Leonhart, executive director of the WBMA. “By surveying those who know the state’s senior biotechnology and medical device industry executives – those who know the industry best – we’re creating a tool that will serve as a primary catalyst of the discussion about how to ensure the continued growth of the industry in Wisconsin. We expect that the Wisconsin Biotechnology Index will become the standard by which the state of the industry will be measured.”

Read more about the index methodology and results:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=139455

— Organizations based in Wisconsin will receive $220 million in new markets tax credits, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday.

Nationwide, 70 organizations were selected to receive $3.5 billion in tax credits for use in low-income communities. The $220 million Wisconsin allocation includes $50 million to the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC).

See more from Milwaukee’s Small Business Times:

http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/10/20/#state-gets-220-million-in-tax-credits-city-gets-50-million

— Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, will deliver the keynote address at the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative’s Bioenergy Summit on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in Ebling Symposium Hall of the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Drive in Madison.

Krupp’s talk, which is free and open to the public, will cover current energy policy, as well as innovative ways to encourage companies to adopt environmentally conscious businesses practices.

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**NOV. 3: New UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin**

Madison Club

11:45 a.m.

The next WisBusiness.com Luncheon at the Madison Club, organized by the Madison Club, Madison Magazine, and WisBusiness.com, is slated for Monday, Nov. 3 at 11:45 a.m. The guest is new UW-Madison Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin.

To learn more about Chancellor Martin visit: http://www.chancellor.wisc.edu/

The event is open to the public, and the price for lunch is $19. Call the Madison Club to register at (608) 255-4861. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

**NOV. 18: A post-election look at where the state economy is heading**

Discovery World

Milwaukee

7:30-9 a.m.

Featuring: Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel, former Commerce Secretary Cory L. Nettles of Quarles & Brady, Competitive Wisconsin Director and former Commerce Secretary William McCoshen, state Sen. Ted Kanavas, a member of the Senate committee on economic development, and UW-Madison political scientist Ken Goldstein.

Moderated by Mike Gousha of the Marquette Law School and host of “UpFront with Mike Gousha.”

Presented by WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness in cooperation with Competitive Wisconsin, MMAC and Discovery World. Quarles & Brady is an initial sponsor of the event.

See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=139211

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Press Releases
· Dairy Business Association: Dairy industry remains strong in Wisconsin
· Gov. Doyle: Announces grants to increase agricultural exports
· Gov. Doyle: Urges manufacturers to invest in advanced worker training

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


TOP STORIES
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Stimulus option builds steam: Momentum is building for a fresh dose of economic stimulants to boost the country out of the doldrums — perhaps by putting more money in Americans’ pockets. The White House said Monday that President Bush was open to some sort of action after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned the slump could drag on without the extra bracing tonic.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081021/GPG0101/810210604/1207&located=RSS

$55M Appleton condo development bucks sliding economy: After months of delay, work on the $55 million RiverHeath condominium/commercial project starts this week on Appleton’s riverfront. The announcement Monday by developer Mark Geall, a Neenah native and principal in Chicago-based Tanesay Development, comes amid an ailing national housing market and economy.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081021/APC0101/810210485/1004&located=RSS

Johnson Controls buys Gridlogix: Johnson Controls Inc. has bought Gridlogix, a St. Louis enterprise management software company serving organization seeking energy efficiency and conservation in building management. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily9.html

Groups to get $220 million in federal tax credits : Wisconsin organizations will receive a total of $220 million in federal tax credits aimed at stimulating economic growth and creating jobs in low-income areas, the U.S. Treasury said Monday. The single biggest award of New Markets Tax Credits bound for Wisconsin — $100 million — will go to the Wisconsin Community Development Legacy Fund Inc., a partnership between the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Milwaukee’s Legacy Bancorp and Impact Seven Inc. The fund plans to use its new tax credits to spur development in Wisconsin’s most economically distressed areas, with a strong focus on rural communities.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808045

MillerCoors ends Zima production: MillerCoors LLC says goodbye to Zima. The joint venture between SABMiller’s U.S. unit and Molson Coors Brewing Co. told distributors in a letter Monday that production of the malt liquor beverage was discontinued as of Oct. 10.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5guS5SDtsatYeoiqgvvpYmEAm621QD93UCCJ00

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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)
– The Onion launches entertainment Web site
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily6.html

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Obama, McCain on stem cells
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/310435

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Doyle urges work force training investments; comments on economy
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily8.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Kimberly-Clark will release earnings report
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081021/APC03/810210487/1028

– MillerCoors ends Zima production
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081021/GPG03/810210599/1247

– Federal aid available to Wisconsin food companies
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808027

– Schools cooperate for industry
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808019

LABOR (back to top)
– Milwaukee: Job situation still worsening
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808026

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– UW student entrepreneurs turn big sale
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/310413

– Career move improves quality of life
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/smallb1.html?b=1224475200^1718883

INVESTING (back to top)
– Wausau Paper declares dividend
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081021/APC03/810210479/1028

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Company gets boost from high milk prices
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081021/GPG03/810210584/1247

– Markets and weather hurt farm outlook
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808044

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Schneider wins EPA award
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081021/GPG03/810210583/1247

RETAIL (back to top)
– G.T. Spas offers relaxation, exercise options
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20081019/MAN03/810190732/1397

– American Girl posts increase in sales
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/310415

– Report: Circuit City may close 150 stores
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily2.html

– Mervyn’s demise may be Kohl’s gain
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808018

– Brew pub coming to St. Francis
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808025

REGULATION (back to top)
– Oshkosh officials turning to ‘pay-as-you-go’ as new TIF model
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081021/OSH0101/810210427/1128&located=RSS

– FEMA study gives relocation options
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081021/GPG03/810210601/1247

– Stadium Bar’s beer garden subject of upcoming public hearing
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/310444

– Milwaukee gets second New Markets tax credit influx
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily7.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Stormwater utility approved in Menasha
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081021/APC0101/810210470/1004&located=RSS

– Kewaunee Power Station’s license renewal meetings’ focus
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081020/GPG03/810200509/1247

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Proposed $500,000 donation from Ministry Medical Group would expand SPASH fitness center
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20081021/SPJ0101/810210635/1657&located=RSS

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Baird opens Charlotte investment banking office
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/daily3.html

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Stanek a pioneer for women in finance, community
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/10/20/story8.html?b=1224475200^1718784

– Marquette hires research leader
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808028

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Mick Hager column: Don’t overburden small businesses
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081020/GPG0703/810200504/1247/GPG03

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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