(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 22 Jan. 2008

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WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com: “COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE” EVENT
SET FOR FEB. 11


Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr.,
and former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair James Hoecker
will highlight a “Coping with Climate Change” conference on Monday,
Feb. 11.

 The half-day conference at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in
Madison will bring together energy experts with Wisconsin, Midwest and
Washington, D.C. perspectives to discuss the ins and outs of how energy
providers, energy distributors and energy regulators are coping with
the prospect of broad and rapid climate change.

See conference details:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=115203

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From WisBusiness …

— After a rough stretch for foreign stock markets, the Federal Reserve
today cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a point before the
markets opened.

See the Fed’s press release:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20080122b.htm

Despite the move, the Dow Jones average opened by dropping nearly 450
points before rebounding slightly.

See details:

http://www.channel3000.com/money/15108146/detail.html


— The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities meets today at 10
a.m. to consider a bill repealing the limits on construction of nuclear
power plants.

See the committee agenda:
http://committeeschedule.legis.state.wi.us/files/HearingNotices/08-01-22-1000-2007AENE-9254.html


— The drive from the northern Chicago suburb of Waukegan to the
Kenosha County town of Pleasant Prairie takes only about 15 minutes.
But
in between the two communities is the Illinois/Wisconsin border.

Which makes the plans to relocate the Uline company headquarters to the
Badger State, build a million-square foot distribution center, a
200,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and add 1,000 jobs by 2010 a
major coup for Wisconsin. 

And why state and local officials agreed to pony up $6 million in
grants and credits to lure the shipping products company north.

In an interview with WisBusiness.com, Dick Uihlein, the great-grandson
of the Schlitz Brewery’s founder, said he is looking forward to moving
the company to Wisconsin, where both he and his wife, Liz, have deep
roots.

Read more and listen to the interview:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=115977


— Wisconsin health care start-up companies attracted $56.2 million in
2007 to fund a dozen enterprises, more than double the $25.2 million
raised in 2006 to finance seven firms, according to the Midwest Health
Care Venture Investment Report released by BioEnterprise.

Overall, Midwest health care start-ups attracted a record $1.2 billion
in new investments in 2007, the report said.  The total represents a 55
percent increase over 2006, a sharp rise that both outpaces national
venture industry growth and even surpasses the 25 percent increase that
occurred in the previous year.

“The rise of Midwest health care ventures has accelerated in an almost
exponential manner,” said Baiju R. Shah, President of BioEnterprise.
“The pipeline of high-quality ventures continues to both mature and
gain greater national venture interest.  Of note, the average private
financing in the Midwest increased to nearly $9 million, indicating
that companies are both more developed and attracting broader investor
syndicates.”

See release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=116112


— Buell Motorcycle Co., an East Troy-based subsidiary of
Harley-Davidson Inc., has unveiled the 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT, a
versatile new motorcycle.
The Buell Ulysses XB12XT is the second
model in the Buell Ulysses family of adventure sportbike motorcycles.


— Last-minute registrations are being accepted to attend the 2008
Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast to be presented by Small
Business Times on Thursday at the Italian Community Center in downtown
Milwaukee.

The annual event is held to provide business owners and managers with
an outlook about the challenges and opportunities that await them in
the year ahead.

See story:
http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/1/21/#ceos-to-headline-economic-trends-breakfast-on-thursday

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Press Releases
Appleton to Explore Sale of BemroseBooth
Baird Private Equity Announces Record Year in 2007 for Fundraising, New
and Follow-on Investments, and Exits
Briggs & Stratton Corporation Clarifies 2nd Quarter Fiscal 2008
Earnings Report Announcement
Briggs & Stratton Corporation Reports Results for the Second
Quarter of Fiscal 2008
Citizens Community Bancorp Announces Quarterly Dividend
Family Owned Forensic Engineering Firm Expands Territory
Governor Doyle Announces Additional Energy Assistance Funds
Governor Doyle Pins Wisconsin National Guard General
Johnson Controls Reports First Quarter Earnings Up 39%; Confirms
Full-Year 2008 Outlook for Double-Digit Earnings Increase
Regional and State Employment and Unemployment: December 2007
Ruth Hudspeth & Bill Reynolds Join Leading National Lender Fairway
Independent Mortgage
Strattec Security Corporation Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Results
Tower Tech Systems, Inc. Retains Leading Industry Tower Management
Consultant
Wisconsin Energy Raises Quarterly Dividend

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

TOP STORIES

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Foreclosure
sales in Milwaukee County rising fast, data shows:
There are
already 1,000 foreclosure sales scheduled for the first nine weeks of
the year in Milwaukee County, on track to easily outpace last year’s
2,800 scheduled sales, records show. Local officials now say they’re
worried the rising number of so-called sheriff’s sales could become
overwhelming. Last year’s 2,800 scheduled sales was a 60 percent
increase from the previous year. Eileen Carlson, a civilian employee of
the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office who helps supervise the weekly
sales of foreclosed property, said there were fewer than 800 for the
entire year when she started in 1998. But not anymore. “We’ve already
issued 1,000 docket numbers for 2008,” she said. “We’re already booking
sales into March.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analyzed data on
Milwaukee County properties sold by the Sheriff’s Office between Dec.
1, 2006, and Dec. 7, 2007 and found that nearly every suburb and
neighborhood had foreclosures. But 87 percent of homes that had a
sheriff’s sale were in the city of Milwaukee.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/01/22/wi/8w.txt

Softening economy takes toll on Port
of Green Bay:
Tonnage falls for cement, salt and other raw
materials… The Port of Green Bay saw a decrease in the overall
tonnage received during the 2007 shipping season, due in large part to
a decline in foreign cargo. It was the first decline in the total
amount of coal, cement, salt and other raw materials received at the
port in four years. The port brought in more than 2.3 million metric
tons of cargo between March 26 and Jan. 4, a 9 percent decrease from
2006. Foreign imports dipped from about 495,000 metric tons in 2006 to
250,000 metric tons last year, according to port manager Dean Haen. “We
had a slight increase in domestic tonnage, but our foreign imports —
due to situations beyond our control — just didn’t come through like
they have in years past,” he said. “The value of the Euro and Canadian
dollar are soaring, and the U.S. dollar is sinking; so bringing those
things in just didn’t make economic sense.”
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/GPG03/801220503/1247/GPGbusiness


Investment in health care startups
doubles in 2007:
Wisconsin health care start-up firms received
$56.2 million in venture investment in 2007, more than twice the
investment from a year ago, according to a report released Monday. A
$12 million investment in Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately
held pharmaceutical development company in Madison, represented the
bulk of the state investment in the fourth quarter of 2007, according
to the report. The quarterly report, by Cleveland-based BioEnterprise,
examines venture capital investment in health care fields in 12 states,
including Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota.
Overall, venture firms invested $1.2 billion in 2007, a 55 percent
increase compared with the year before. The total investments in 12
Wisconsin firms in 2007 were up 123 percent compared with the $25.2
million investment in seven firms in 2006.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/01/21/daily5.html?surround=lfn

WPS
to build Rhinelander operations center:
State of Wisconsin
regulators have approved construction of a new operations center for
Green Bay utility Wisconsin Public Service Corp. The new operations
center will be built in Rhinelander on 20 acres along the state Highway
17 bypass on Navajo Street. The utility purchased the property in
December 2007. WPS will consolidate two other operation sites in
Rhinelander into the new facility, which is expected to open in spring
2009. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a
construction plan that uses environment-friendly Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) construction techniques. LEED building
guidelines encompass sustainable site development, water savings,
energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental
quality.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/01/21/daily2.html?surround=lfn

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TECHNOLOGY ( back to top)

– New lighting technology can save energy, cut pollution

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/GPG03/801210543/1247/GPGbusiness

– Microwave seen as tool to extract oil 
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/index.php?ntid=268557&ntpid=1

BIOTECH ( back to top)

– UW scientist gains a step on Ebola
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/268488&ntpid=1

– Semex USA & Ultimate Genetics Form Marketing Alliance
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=92&yr=2008

– Grant Proposals Sought for Soybean Crushing Facility

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=89&yr=2008

ECONOMY ( back to top)

– Tax shortfall threatens services

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=709620

– Nerites receives NIH grant
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/01/21/daily3.html?surround=lfn

– Kimberly-Clark plans 2007 earnings call
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC03/801220574/1888/APCbusiness

MANUFACTURING ( back to top)

– Macho or sleek… Harley-Davidson unveils two new contrasting
Softail, Buell models to dealers
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=709612

LABOR ( back to top)

– Rights under federal laws eroded, legislator says

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/268475

– Reiherzer cements his place in union’s history
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047650&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20047650%26snippet%3Df

SMALL BUSINESS ( back to
top
)

– Preparing for business disasters
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC03/801220567/1028/APCbusiness

INVESTING ( back to top)

– Fed cuts interest rate 3/4 of a point

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FED_INTEREST_RATES?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

– World markets plunge
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/268468

– BusinessWeek: The Downside of Market-Proof Annuities
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068073113348.htm?chan=magazine+channel_personal+business&chan=top+news_top+news+index_investing

REAL ESTATE ( back
to top
)


– Council to consider Allied plan
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/268551

– Neenah panel OKs purchase of Glatfelter property

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC0101/801220604/1003/APCnews

– Waukesha developer planning
residential project
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/Jan_08/01192008_04.asp

AGRIBUSINESS (
back to top)


– WFU to Hold Annual State Convention in Eau Claire
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=88&yr=2008

– Winter farmers markets growing
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC0101/801220581/1003/APCnews

– Still stung: Beekeepers share angst in industry
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/Jan_08/01222008_03.asp

TRANSPORTATION ( back to
top
)


– Merger issues: Name, location
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/index.php?ntid=268556&ntpid=1

RETAIL ( back to top)

– Woodman’s plan up for review
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/268477

– Bellevue asks for views on proposed Wal-Mart

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/GPG0101/801220522/1207/GPGnews

REGULATION ( back to top)

– Proposal limits tax reviews
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=709582

– County seeks input on proposed zoning
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/268554

TOURISM ( back to top)

– Bruce Springsteen to headline Harley’s 105th anniversary

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/01/21/daily4.html?surround=lfn

– Evansville’s Eager to draw more tourists
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047649&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20047649%26snippet%3Df

UTILITIES ( back to top)

– Transmission project sparks coalition outcry
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047653&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20047653%26snippet%3Df

HEALTH CARE ( back to
top
)

– Hospitals, doctors set pace
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=708850

– Health fair will focus on jobs
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC03/801220580/1888/APCbusiness

– Wal-Mart plans health care update
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=709619

FINANCIAL SERVICES ( back
to top
)


– State venture capital rises
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=709614

MANAGEMENT ( back to top)

– Jadin elected to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce board
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/GPG03/801220505/1247/GPGbusiness

BUSINESS COLUMNS ( back
to top
)


– Tom Saler: Banks’ woes may result in big recession

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=708852

– Larry Avila: Government wants to give tax rebates — works for me
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/APC0701/801220575/1888/APCbusiness

Todd Kreuser: It’s time to take yearly X-ray of
your financial health

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/GPG07/801220511/1247/GPGbusiness

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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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