From WisBusiness.com …
— Madison’s appreciation of its business community has come a long way since the 1970s, when the idea of University of Wisconsin researchers starting their own companies was roundly denounced, a long-time branding advocate says.
Now, stem cell pioneers like James Thomson are lauded not only for their research but for launching start-up firms, Marsha Lindsay, founder of Lindsay, Stone & Briggs, said today at a luncheon sponsored by WisBusiness.com, Madison Magazine and the Madison Club.
But the city has a ways to go promote commerce and attract new business to the region, added Lindsay, who started her company in 1978.
“There is an appreciation now for business that did not exist 25 or 30 years ago,” said Lindsay. In recent months, she has been intimately involved with branding efforts for the state Department of Tourism and the eight-county Madison-area marketing effort known as Thrive.
That understanding that business matters is especially important these days, she said, because the Madison region is no longer immune to recession and because while public jobs in government and at UW-Madison are flat, private sector jobs have grown to be more than half of the economy.
— The committee spearheading the search for candidates to replace UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley will meet this afternoon in closed session to narrow the field of candidates to five.
The final candidates have been whittled from 55 applicants to replace Wiley, who will step down as chancellor in September.
A UW spokesman said the finalists are scheduled to be announced Wednesday. After a series of public forums and interviews, the full Board of Regents will consider the final nominee at its June meeting.
— The Hanley Co., an 80-year-old business in Sun Prairie and community cornerstone, is closing and laying off 40 employees.
A recorded message at the hardware and power sports equipment store said the store is closed and a liquidation sale will begin Thursday.
The slowing economy and a reconstruction of Sun Prairie’s Main Street set for this year both played roles in the store owner’s decison to shut down, according to published reports.
— Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and three Milwaukee aldermen have sent a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, urging the agency to downsize the Interstate 94 widening project and divert some of the funds instead for mass transit in the region.
Barrett and aldermen Willie Hines, Michael Murphy and Robert Bauman sent the letter in response to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) compiled by the Federal Highway Administration and the DOT for the I-94 north/south corridor reconstruction and expansion project.
See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/5/5/#exclusives-in-this-weeks-sbt
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TOP STORIES
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Layoffs expected at GM supplier Lear: Lear Corp. in Janesville is expected to lay off more than 275 people in Janesville because of production cuts at its largest local customer, General Motors. When it takes effect this summer, the move will eliminate more than a third of Lear’s hourly workforce of 670. Lear is a just-in-time supplier of interiors and seating systems to the Janesville GM plant. Lear wages typically run between $15 and $20 per hour, depending upon the job. GM announced last week that it will eliminate second-shift production at the close of business on June 26. After a two-week summer vacation shutdown, GM will resume production of Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons on July 14 with a single shift.
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/may/05/layoffs-expected-gm-supplier-lear/
Sun Prairie’s Hanley Co. closes after 80 years: A business cornerstone of Sun Prairie is closing its doors after 80 years. Hanley Co. Inc. is the latest casualty to the economy, according to company owner Tom Hanley, who told the approximate 40 employees of the closing Friday, according to SunPrairieToday.com. A recorded message at the hardware and power sports equipment store said the store is closed and a liquidation sale will begin Thursday. Hanley Co., 641 W. Main St., opened in 1928. A reconstruction of Main Street scheduled this year also played a role in Hanley’s decision, according to SunPrairieToday.com.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/284816
Crop prices offset by costs: USDA: Farmers can expect 17% increase for fertilizer, feed, machinery, fuel… While farmers are getting more for crops, they’re also paying significantly more for many of the products needed to plant those commodities. From diesel to fertilizer, seed and feed, American farmers paid 17 percent more in production input costs in April than they did at the same time last year, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The largest increase was seen in fertilizer, where the U.S. prices paid index jumped 65 percent from April 2007, according to the report. Muriate of potash doubled from 2006 to $561 per ton, while Urea increased 22 percent to $522 per ton. In Wisconsin and surrounding states, farmers paid an average of $769 per ton for anhydrous ammonia.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC03/805060524/1028
Sitel defends job cuts: We’re not breaking law: Sitel Corp. on Monday said it is not in violation of state law in its elimination of 105 jobs at its call center at 1117 Deming Way. Nashville, Tenn.-based Sitel sent a notification letter to the state dated May 2 stating that the cuts would be effective June 1. Under state law, employers with 50 or more employees must give 60 days notice before a mass layoff or closing. However, the law includes an exception for unforeseen business circumstances, said Jerry Smith of the state Department of Workforce Development. And Sitel spokesman Amit Shankardass said Sitel’s situation met that exception with the sudden loss of a wireless company account.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/284610
Skilled trades most in demand: Manpower survey shows largest needs are in Europe… Skilled manual trades like carpentry, plumbing and welding top the 2008 list of most difficult positions to fill on a global scale, with sales representatives coming in second, the 2008 survey from Manpower said. The trades and sales posts switched places in the third annual survey on the topic from the leader in the employment services industry. Manpower surveyed nearly 43,000 employers across 32 countries and territories to determine the extent to which talent shortages are affecting today’s labor markets. The information is put to a host of uses.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC03/805060513/1028
Harley museum’s debut set: July 12 will be opening day for anticipated major tourist attraction… The Harley-orange concrete is still being poured, but Harley-Davidson Inc. has set the opening date for its motorcycle museum as July 12, the same weekend as Milwaukee’s Bastille Days festival. Museum tickets will go on sale starting May 20 at www.h-dmuseum.com/tickets. Most opening-weekend tickets will be sold in advance online. They’re not available for the week of Aug. 28-31, Harley’s 105th anniversary celebration. Harley hopes the 130,000-square-foot museum at 6th and Canal streets will be one of Milwaukee’s biggest tourism attractions, much like Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Museum.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747208
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– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Bruker posts loss in first quarter
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/284773
– Analyst sees growth for Raven parent
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/284772
BIOTECH (back to top)
– GOP group wants curbs on ethanol production
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747242
– LU molecular biologist awarded Fulbright fellowship
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC0101/805060538/1979/APCnews
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Analysts say food inflation could double this year
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/284844
– Musicnotes sales up 30 percent this year
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/284815
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– GM’s vendors in Janesville start to feel pain
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747154
LABOR (back to top)
– Report: Faculty flight a ‘crisis situation’ at UW-Madison
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/284858
– Kempf, Dutcher seeking UAW Local 95 top spot
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/may/05/kempf-dutcher-seeking-uaw-local-95-top-spot/
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Door County natives make finals in business plan contest
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/GPG03/805060481/1247
– Mueller Gallery moves to Main Street shops in Egg Harbor
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/GPG03/805060483/1247
– Survey: Men twice as likely to start a new business as women
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily6.html?surround=lfn
INVESTING (back to top)
– Stocks end day down
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/APC03/80505101/1028
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer Menards is developing homes in residential subdivisions
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/284841
– Another view sought in Younkers deal
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/GPG0101/805060572/1978/GPGnews
– City reaches agreement to acquire Racine Steel Castings site
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/05/06/local_news/doc481fdc3202cab708184293.txt
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Production costs for Wisconsin farmers have dramatically increased
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/284848
– Spring fieldwork lagging behind
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/GPG03/805060485/1978/GPGnews
– State Cheese Production Rose During March
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=559&yr=2008
– Crop Report: A Whole Lot of Nothing Accomplished So Farm
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=560&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Airlines slow down flights to save on fuel
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/business/front/bizfeature.asp
– Barrett, aldermen oppose I-94 expansion plan
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily8.html?surround=lfn
– High-flying designs
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/284512
– Budget fix fuels more road worries
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048531&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048531%26snippet%3Df
RETAIL (back to top)
– Valley retailers offer promotions to stretch stimulus cash
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/APC03/80505096/1028
– New Stevens Point brew raises a few eyebrows
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747155
– Residents group fights Wal-Mart in Muskego
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747265
– Boston Store signs on Victor Alfaro
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747152
– City may share ownership with South Pier developers
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/SHE0101/805060669/1973
REGULATION (back to top)
– Racine company settles with OSHA in trench death case
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_WORKER_TRAPPED_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
– Kohl seeks more funds for food programs
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC0101/805060536/1979/APCnews
– Report: Create “wheel tax” to bail out transit
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily3.html?surround=lfn
TOURISM (back to top)
– Middleton’s Big Event to feature outdoor concert for 12,000
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/284853
– Holy schnike! Wisconsin Historical Museum remembers Chris Farley with exhibit
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/284839
– Internet called key weapon in luring tourists
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MAN0101/805060500/1984
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Utility cutoffs increase this year
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/WDH0101/805060601/1581/WDHnews
– West Bend could oppose Washington County’s proposed water infiltration rate requirements
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/May_08/05052008_07.asp
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Mercy expansion approved
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/may/06/mercy-expansion-approved/
– Wal-Mart to sell 90-day prescriptions for $10
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily2.html?surround=lfn
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Integrity Mutual elects four board directors
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC03/805060518/1028
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Fox Valley Tech announces new president
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/GPG0101/805060557/1978/GPGnews
– Firm seeks loan for relocation
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747153
– 2008 CEO turnover rate leading 2007’s
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily9.html?surround=lfn
– Journal Communications shrinks board by one seat
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/05/daily4.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Arlen Boardman: Ethanol may not be the viable option we once thought
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/APC0701/805060512/1436/APC03
– Dana Kohlbeck column: Creating a presence online can help refine personal brand
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/APC0701/805050493/1436/APC03
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