(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 8 July 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— The stock of Marshall & Ilsley Corp., the parent company of M&I Bank, tumbled to a new 52-week low of $12.50 Monday.

This was the first day of trading after the company announced on Thursday it expects to report a second quarter net loss of $1.50 to $1.60 per share as it absorbs up to $900 million in losses in the deteriorating housing market.

The company’s 52-week high is $48.37. It has been extremely vulnerable to the housing meltdown because it decided to expand in Arizona and Florida, two markets that have been hardest hit by the bursting of the housing bubble.

M&I will report 2008 second quarter financial results on July 16.

The corporation has said it expects to return to profitability in the third quarter of 2008.

See story:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=130416

— Kohl’s Department Stores has announced its 2008 back-to-school marketing campaign designed to appeal to a cross-generational group of shoppers.

The campaign will be “Inspired by the Artists…worn by you.”

The campaign will feature strong-performing juniors’ and young men’s denim brands connected with relevant musical artists, including: Lenny Kravitz and Levi’s; Avril Lavigne designing Abbey Dawn; Hayden Panettiere and Candie’s; Plain White T’s and Urban Pipeline; The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Tony Hawk; and Vanessa Carlton and So.

See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/7/7/#kohls-unveils-back-to-school-campaign


— Tom Still, head of the Wisconsin Technology Council, boosts ethanol in an appearance on the statewide TV show “UpFront with Mike Gousha.”


Still calls corn-based ethanol “a bit of a transitional fuel” but says ethanol from papermaking and timbering could make the alternative energy future bright for Wisconsin. “We’ve got a lot of it in Wisconsin,” Still says.

Find video and audio: http://www.wisn.com/upfront/16802507/detail.html

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Press Releases
Caroling, Tree Trimming, and Cookie Decorating in July?
Governor Doyle Announces Industrial Revenue Bond Allocation in Milwaukee
Governor Doyle Announces Packers’ Chemical Relocating in Wisconsin
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Hires Scientific Programs Manager
Local governments receive share of fuel tax, registration fees
PDQ Purchases Building for Headquarters

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


TOP STORIES
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New North hopes lower sales tax spurs sales: A consortium of counties in northeastern Wisconsin are hoping low sales taxes will help spur sales to tourists from Illinois. The group — called New North — is targeting tourists from Chicago. That city’s sales tax rate jumped up to 10.25 percent this month. The economic development group, which represents 18 counties, wants to remind Illinois residents who vacation in Wisconsin that there are lower sales tax rates here. New North spokesman Josh Morby says a campaign aimed at tourists is on the way. He says the campaign could include broadcast and print ads as families gear up for back-to-school shopping.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080707/APC03/80707079/1028

USDA releases some Wisconsin CRP land for grazing: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced Monday that he is releasing Conservation Reserve Program acres for livestock grazing in counties recently designated as Presidential Disaster Areas because of flooding. Some of those acres include land in Wisconsin, which will allow grazing only in counties designated as primary and contiguous disaster areas and only because of flooding. “We have a crisis situation in the Midwest and other parts of the country that calls for drastic action,” said Schafer. “Major flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries came at one of the worst times for agriculture. Flood waters inundated thousands of acres that cannot be salvaged for production this growing season, and it happened at a time of record crop, food and fuel prices.”
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=820&yr=2008

Packers’ Chemical moving plant to Grant County: Packers’ Chemical Inc., a chemical blending manufacturing company, is moving its factory from Missouri to Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday. Packers’ Chemical will receive $65,000 in Community Development Zone tax credits to construct and equip a new facility in Kieler, in Grant County. The company is committing to the creation of 27 new jobs under the $3.4 million project. “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of our economy, and it’s important we continue to invest in projects that will keep our manufacturing base strong and growing,” Doyle said in a press release.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily5.html?surround=lfn

Oshkosh Corp. does well in competition: Oshkosh Corp. has passed an important threshold in its running to supply the latest in blast-resistant vehicles to the U.S. military. The company announced that the joint light tactical vehicles it is jointly developing with Northrop Grumman Corp. have successfully undergone armor testing. The Department of Defense is expected to decide soon which industry competitors will continue into the 27-month technology development phase for the $40 billion program. One big advantage is the team’s incorporation of a diesel-electric drive system into the design, as it eliminates the need for a transmission and conventional drivetrain, which allows for creation of improved blast protection for the crew.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC03/807080512/1028

Midwest Airlines flight attendants could see significant pay cuts: They would earn less than counterparts at smaller airlines… Midwest Airlines Inc.’s flight attendants would earn less than their counterparts at the affiliated Midwest Connect regional carrier if the airline enacts proposed wage cuts that it says are needed to help avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Midwest flight attendants, now earning $17,000 to $39,000 annually, would find their pay cut to $13,000 to $25,000, representatives of their union said Monday. The airline is basing its wage cut proposal on the median hourly wages for flight attendants from regional airlines, including Appleton-based Air Wisconsin Airlines Corp., which flies United Express and other commuter services under contract…
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769911

Bialek to lead MSOE School of Business: Steven Bialek has been named chairman of the Rader School of Business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Bialek has served as interim department chair for the past two years, managing a staff of 11 full-time and 35 part-time faculty. He is also an associate professor and teaches in the areas of organizational behavior, leadership and project management. The MSOE Rader School of Business enrolls more than 200 undergraduate students and 125 graduate students in business management and information technology degree programs.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily10.html?surround=lfn

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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)
– DirecTV launches on-demand service
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/294878

– MyChart: Technology allows access to your records online
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul/07/mychart-technology-allows-access-your-records-onli/

BIOTECH (back to top)
– New processing facility in Reedsburg to cash in on organic whey
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/295042

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Ozaukee, Waukesha counties make Forbes list of best places to raise family
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/294970

– Wausau Paper results to be released July 28
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC03/807080514/1028

– Even deceased get stimulus money
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769947

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Komatsu Forest in Shawano carves equipment niche
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC03/807080509/1028

– Derse secures funds for expansion in Milwaukee
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily9.html?surround=lfn

– GM considers more cuts
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/WDH03/807080456/1618

LABOR (back to top)
– News industry woes may lead to layoffs at Isthmus
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/294996

– Oshkosh Corp. subsidiary’s union continues strike
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC03/807080519/1028

– Short commutes appeal to local working moms
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769978

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Coach’s has Southern kick
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/GPG03/807080562/1247

– Elmer’s piano-tuning business going strong
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/MAN0101/807080429/1984

INVESTING (back to top)
– Dow up in early trading
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080707/APC03/80707021/1028

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Garage entrance snags Sequoya Commons plans
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/295088

– City preps for Pabst Farms boom
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048990&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048990%26snippet%3Df

– Grafton trustees balk at buying hotel
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769905

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Groups want Senate hearings on dairy cooperative
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769946

– Number of large animal vets is on the decline in Wisconsin
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul/07/number-large-animal-vets-decline-wisconsin/

– Crop Report: Yield Potential Still High for Corn, Soybeans
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=821&yr=2008

– Lt. Governor to Help Promote WFU Carbon Credit Program
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=822&yr=2008

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– $3.3M project at Outagamie airport paves way for larger aircraft
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC0101/807080517/1979/APCnews

– AirTran fuels record traffic at Mitchell
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily8.html?surround=lfn

RETAIL (back to top)
– American Girl plans Mall of America store:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/294994

– Angelic Brewing Co. closes
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/295043

– Quillin’s to close West Avenue grocery store Wednesday
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/07/08/news/03quillins.txt

– Kohl’s taps Kravitz, Lavigne, others for 2008 back-to-school campaign
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily3.html?surround=lfn

– Ben’s Cycle opens third expansion on Lincoln Ave.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769912

REGULATION (back to top)
– USDA opens conservation land for grazing
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IA_USDA_CONSERVATION_LAND_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

– Madison zoning code in midst of badly needed remake
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/295004

– Council approves non-union residency rules
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/SHE0101/807080495/1973

TOURISM (back to top)
– Alliant Center’s Willow Island about to be concert central
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/295031

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Natural gas customers could face sticker shock
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/GPG03/807080574/1247

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Meriter revamp will shift some services to site off Beltline
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/295095

– National push to reform health care launches Tuesday
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/295020

– Madison chiropractic clinic offers free care for GIs
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/294975

– Samaritan work could top $9 million
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/July_08/07072008_08.asp

– Blue Cross to disclose prices
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769884

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Analysts lower estimates for M&I
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily2.html?surround=lfn

– Fed, SEC team up to help prevent financial risks
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/WDH03/807080458/1618

– Court rules against insurer in Dunn County case
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BH4KOM7KE22

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– PDQ to move headquarters in Middleton
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/294993

– SABMiller closes deal for Ukrainian brewer
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/daily1.html?surround=lfn

– Legato moves into incubator
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/GPG03/807080571/1247

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Larry Avila: Economic bright spots are hard to see, but they’re there
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/APC0701/807080511/1436/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

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