(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 2 Feb. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— TODAY at 11:45 A.M.: WisBusiness.com Luncheon featuring Kevin Conroy of Third Wave Technologies

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.

— EMD Chemicals of Madison announced it would be closing by the end of the year, with the first separations planned for March 31. Approximately 63 workers may be impacted. 

— When state newspaper people gathered at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Green Bay last week, they didn’t have a lot to celebrate.

State newspapers haven’t suffered a blockbuster blow like bankruptcy, but the newspaper industry in Wisconsin has seen drops in circulation, ad revenue and personnel.

The convention Thursday and Friday at the Green Bay Radisson didn’t ignore the troubled times of newspapers. Some sessions were crafted to the reality of the times.

Among the editorial sessions were … “Maintaining 1st Amendment responsibilities during the Perfect Storm” … and “Pixel power on a shoestring.”

Still, some in the business say the troubles, while serious, can sometimes overshadow successes in the industry.

Chris Hardie, the new editor of the La Crosse Tribune, says outsiders would think industry profit margins are healthy. Adds Hardie … “Until we convince them we’re not dying, we’re going to keep fighting this battle.”

See more in a new WisBusiness feature: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=147583

— WisBusiness columnist Jennifer Sereno says the dairy industry’s optimism at a recent state conference shone in sharp contrast to the bleak mood pervading board rooms and the halls of state government.

In her new column, Sereno writes that the industry is a) looking to expand; b) adding jobs; and c) not seeking any bailout money during these challenging economic times.

Read her column for more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=205

— Leaders of the Wisconsin Way initiative and several statewide organizations will host a daylong conference today examining Wisconsin’s long-term needs and opportunities and how those considerations relate to the state’s immediate fiscal crisis.

Organizers say the goal is to encourage policy-makers to identify solutions that address the looming budget gap in a manner that is consistent with policies designed to promote long-term success.

Featured speakers and panelists include: Gov. Jim Doyle, UW System President Kevin Reilly; Todd Berry, president, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance; James Buchen, vice president of government relations, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce; Ulice Payne, Jr., managing member, Addison-Clifton and former CEO, Milwaukee Brewers; John Torinus, president and CEO, Serigraph; and Don Nichols, professor emeritus of public affairs and economics, UW-Madison.

See details: http://wispolitics.com/1006/090130_Wis_Way_conf.pdf

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TOP STORIES
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Wis. cranberry harvest hits record 4.3M barrels: Wisconsin’s cranberry production grew 12 percent and hit a new record last year at 4.3 million barrels. The increase is significant because Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. and other cranberry processors have asked farmers to produce more to meet growing worldwide demand.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090131/OSH03/90131071/1167

Manitowoc Co. trims 2,100 jobs: The Manitowoc Co. is cutting about 2,100 jobs in its crane diviays the cuts will be made in France, Portugal, China, India and Pennsylvania and account for about 22 percent of the division’s workforce.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090131/OSH03/90130136/1167

Economy’s new plunge is worst in quarter-century: Battered by layoffs, debts and dread of worse to come, shoppers clutched ever tighter to their wallets in the final three months of 2008 and thrust the economy into its worst downhill slide in a quarter-century. Americans cut spending on everything from cars to computers, and it’s only getting worse so far in the new year.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090131/GPG03/901310560/1247

Gannett earnings tumble 36 percent:Gannett Co. Inc.’s earnings fell by more than a third last quarter as fewer companies bought advertising in its publications and fewer customers bought them. It reported Friday that earnings in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $158 million, or 69 cents per share, compared with earnings in the fourth quarter 2007 of $245.3 million, or $1.06 per share.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/01/26/daily72.html

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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)
– Verizon upgrades worth $55.4 million
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090201/APC03/902010381/1028

– RIAA backs off on illegal download lawsuits – but not in time for some University of Wisconsin-Madison students
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/435981

– One way to work from home: Virtual assistants
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/435810

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Pharmaceutical start-ups in the area can be boon for economy
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38733337.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– City of Oshkosh remains below state unemployment rate
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090130/OSH03/901300427/1167

– Lost exports drive counties’ jobless rate increase
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BJ2ATTN7I1U

– Cary Francis buys competitor
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/story4.html?b=1233550800^1769694

– Stimulus could energize state
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38733532.html

– Along with job losses, bankruptcies in state rise
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38733637.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Kimberly-Clark cited for use of green power
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090201/APC03/902010380/1028

– Operator of Jefferson ethanol plant files for bankruptcy
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38722007.html

– Baraboo maker of Terrible Towel at 450,000 and counting
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38701867.html

LABOR (back to top)
– County, city scramble to make up pension fund shortfalls
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/38787487.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Owner aims for early-March opening of Tilted Kilt
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090201/OSH03/902010485/1167

INVESTING (back to top)
– Renaissance Learning takes impairment charge
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/435564

– Bemis raises dividend
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/01/26/daily73.html

– Fitch places Harley, HDFS ratings on negative watch
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/01/26/daily74.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Old Pabst keg house reborn as living space
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38734702.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– State apple, cherry production down
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090201/GPG03/902010690/1247

– State Corn Check-Off Budget Exceeds $1 Million in 2008
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=131&yr=2009

– Kohl, Feingold Urge Obama Administration to Help Dairy Industry
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=132&yr=2009

– Economic crisis imperils state dairy farms, group warns
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38730422.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Proposal would cap number of bars in downtown Green Bay
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090202/GPG0101/902020535&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

TOURISM (back to top)
– Outbreak of illness strikes Wilderness guests
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/435799

– Brewers ticket sales a hit
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38733242.html

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Charity, bad debt in the suburbs
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/story2.html?b=1233550800^1769675

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National Business Roundups ( back to top)
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–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html

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