From WisBusiness.com …
— A new state report says the Wisconsin housing market is expected to handle the current turmoil better than the rest of the country.
The analysis from the state Department of Revenue — done before yesterday’s Dow Jones plunge — shows Wisconsin home prices rose one percent in the second quarter versus a year ago, while national home prices dropped nearly two percent.
When it comes to foreclosures, Wisconsin’s also outperforming the nation. The state analysis says while Wisconsin has a higher rate of sub-prime mortgages in foreclosure than the nation, the state has fewer such loans overall.
But the state housing market hasn’t reached bottom yet. That’s because Wisconsin home-building permits continue to fall, and foreclosures continue to rise. According to the state report, Wisconsin home-building permits are expected to hit bottom in the next few months and then start to recover in late 2009.
— Madison-based Stratatech Corp. announced that it has successfully completed a clinical trial of its StrataGraft living human skin substitute.
See the press release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=137494
— Columnist Gregg Hoffmann says some proposed wind power developments in Minnesota could benefit western Wisconsin and also should spark leaders in that region to consider more such projects.
Illinois wind developers are pitching a $220 million plan to generate 100 megawatts of electricity in Winona County across the Mississippi River by building up to 67 wind turbines on two ridge tops along Interstate 90.
The proposal, hailed by Winona County leaders as a potential sparkplug for wind development in the area, is part of a larger wind-turbine plan to generate 200 megawatts in Winona and Olmsted counties by as early as 2011.
Read the column for more on the region’s wind-power potential: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=202
— Like all industries these days, health care is drowning in data. However, unlike most industries, health care has been slow to embrace the processes, technology, and organizational structures needed to turn this vast amount of data into meaningful and timely information to support their internal departments, their patients, and their clinical partners. What is often called Business Intelligence does not exist in much of the health care world.
In his new column, Tom Burzinzki examines the situation and the potential for improvements in health care Business Intelligence: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=203
***********************************************
NEXT WISBUSINESS.COM LUNCHEON SET FOR OCT. 6
Dave Stark of Stark Company Realtors on the State of Housing Industry
The next WisBusiness.com Luncheon at the Madison Club, organized by the Madison Club, Madison Magazine, and WisBusiness.com, is slated for Monday Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m.. The guest is Dave Stark of Stark Company Realtors in Madison. http://www.starkhomes.com/aboutstark.html
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.
See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=137157
***********************************************
NEXT CHECKPOINT SURVEY QUESTIONS DUE OCT. 2
Take advantage of an exclusive discount program for WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com Subscribers.
If you are a WisPolitics or WisBusiness subscriber, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount if you purchase two or more questions in the next monthly Checkpoint survey, a production of Wood Communications Group of Madison. That means the first question costs $900, and subsequent questions are $810 each.
The monthly “Checkpoint” survey of public opinion is a 500-person statewide random digit dial poll. The next survey is set to go into the field on Oct. 7.
Individual questions are due by Oct. 2. Contact Kennan Wood at Wood Communications Group. Call 608-259-0757 or e-mail kwood@wcgpr.com
****************************************
THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Madison Gas & Electric
- University Research Park
- Wisconsin Technology Council
****************************************
QUICK LINKS
Use these links to jump directly to a news summary topic
Technology | Biotech | Economy | Manufacturing | Labor | Small Business | Investing | Real Estate | Agribusiness | Transportation | Retail | Regulation | Tourism | Utilities | Health Care | Financial Services | Management | Business Columns |
Press Releases
· Alion-McNally Center for Production Technologies: Announces new flex circuit harness
· Gov. Doyle: Announces grants for agriculture innovation and business development
· Gov. Doyle: Applauds Stratatech for clinical trial success
· PSC: To hold public hearings on Alliant Energy’s proposed power plant
· Stratatech: Successfully completes clinical trial of StrataGraft® skin substitute
· UW System: Review of University of Wisconsin System policies and procedures for chancellor searches
· UW-Madison: Student-run show to premiere on Big Ten Network
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: New research shows higher energy efficiency for ethanol
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
*************
Economy bailout fails in House; Wisconsin delegation votes 5-3 for the measure: In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties and the Bush administration struggling to pick up the pieces. The Dow Jones industrials plunged nearly 800 points, the most points ever for a single day.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/307018
Six Madison area firms may share $16 million in defense bill: Six Madison area companies will share $16 million in federal funds for defense projects. The money is in an appropriations bill that’s received approval of Congress and awaits President Bush’s signature.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/307029
Journal purchases Waupaca Publishing: Journal Communications Inc., publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, will buy the assets of Waupaca Publishing Co. for about $7 million.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC03/809300493/1028
Firm’s military contracts grow: Oshkosh Corp. was awarded multiple contracts valued at $28 million from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command for aftermarket support of tactical vehicles, the company announced Monday. The firm said Oshkosh will deliver 200 reducible-height armor kits, more than 200 fuel fire protection kits and more than 160 vehicle engines to support maintenance and repair of the vehicles in Middle East combat zones.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC03/809300483/1028
Citigroup to buy Wachovia banking operations: In the latest byproduct of the widening global financial crisis, Citigroup Inc. will acquire the banking operations of Wachovia Corp. in a deal facilitated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080929/GPG03/80929036/1978
************************************************************
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
************************************************************
TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– IDL Solutions wins government business
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/29/daily6.html
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Skin-substitute project advances
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/307033
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Attanasio: Playoff appearance good for business
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/29/daily2.html
– Madison panel says public doesn’t see situation is dire
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800509
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– PPG acquires coatings business in China
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/29/daily7.html
– Middleton Doll aims to go private
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800511
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– UWGB Small Business Development Center offering workshop
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/GPG03/809300580/1247
INVESTING (back to top)
– Plexus to release earnings Oct. 28
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC03/809300472/1028
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Appleton: Time Warner ready to move
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC03/809300487/1028
– New London: Green home fair set for Saturday
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC03/809300485/1028
– MU faces lawsuit by real estate group
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800501
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– New Denmark: Unique area cows enjoy international attention
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/GPG03/809300588/1247
– Weather helps fall harvest in Wisconsin
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/307101
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Midwest Connect’s new jets come with needed cash
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800528
RETAIL (back to top)
– Kohl’s opens 1,000th store(s)
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800518
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Xcel to use wood chips for electricity at plant in northern Wisconsin
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800496
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Bond Health Center gets new name
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/GPG03/809300583/1247
– Cardinal Health to spin off businesses
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/307037
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Local money managers weigh in on Wall Street’s anxiety
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800593
– Anthem to discontinue two Medicare alternative insurance plans
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800495
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Larry Avila column: Now as good a time as any to be fiscally wise
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/APC0701/809300476/1436/APC03
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
(c)2008 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including electronic mail.
