http://www.mge.com/ecodev/business/htd.htm
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/06/08/daily82.html
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=161905
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=162142
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=162143
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20090624/CWS03/306240037/-1/WDH03/
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/456136
http://www.jsonline.com/business/49048151.html
RISING
Tech companies
UWM
Milwaukee Brewers marketing: As the Milwaukee Brewers have won on the field, they also have become big winners in the marketing field. The Turnkey Team Brand Index recently rated the Brewers 26th among 122 professional sports teams in branding. That was up from 37th a year ago. The club was ranked eighth among the 30 MLB teams. Since 2005, retail sales at Miller Park have nearly tripled. The Brewers were the top in-stadium seller of name and number tee shirts for 2007 and ‘08. Sales for Brewers items on MLB.com have climbed 30 percent — some of which may have to do with a re-energized fan base that is finally seeing a winning team again. Other accolades in the last two years include a second place rating in Sports Illustrated’s “Fan Ballpark Ranking” for Miller Park and a 13th place of 122 pro franchises in ESPN The Magazine’s “Ultimate Franchise Rankings.”
MIXED
Refinancing?
Auto manufacturing: The official announcement is expected Friday, but sources say GM is picking a Michigan plant for its new small car line, dashing hopes that Janesville could be the site for that line and more than 1,200 associated jobs. The decision leaves the plant with an murky future; observers say it would be near the top of the list if GM ever needs more capacity, but it could be years before that happens. Meanwhile, Chrysler’s Kenosha engine plant is set to restart production this summer to help supply seven assembly plants across the country. One union official likened the opening to a “three-week job interview” that will help Chrysler’s leadership decide whether to keep the plant open for the long term.
FALLING
Midwest Airlines: Less than a week after reporting a quarterly loss of more than $25 million, the iconic Wisconsin airline is set to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Republic Airways in a $31 million deal. Republic says it plans to keep the brand and the trademark chocolate cookies, plus adding back some routes that Midwest had abandoned in a cost-cutting move. This deal, combined with competition from Southwest and AirTran, leaves travel analysts convinced that consumers will benefit from low prices as airlines vie for business out of Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport.
Wyeth
