(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 15 Dec. 2009

TUE WisBusiness News Summary
15 December 2009
Exclusively for WisBusiness Subscribers


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From WisBusiness.com …

— Not many students go to class 100 feet or more in the air, but those enrolled in the Lakeshore Technical College Wind Energy Associate Degree program do just that.

Practical experience in installing, maintaining and even rescuing people is gained on a wind turbine that was installed on the Cleveland, Wisconsin, campus in 2004. Students also do internships with a variety of commercial wind turbine companies around the country.

More turbines are in the pipeline for LTC, which, as of August 2008, was one of eight schools training people in wind energy technology in the country.

The LTC program is four semesters and a summer internship long. It currently has almost 40 students and the class for fall 2010 has a waiting list. “It has really mushroomed in the last 18 months or so,” said Doug Lindsey, dean of trade and industry, agriculture, and apprenticeship. “When we first started working in the area in 2003, we could not find a market.

Read more about Lakeshore Tech in a new GreenBiz column: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion/2009/12/greenbiz-lakeshore-tech-leader-in-wind.html

— Forty Wisconsin businesses have been nominated for the 22nd Annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards for outstanding achievements in manufacturing, the sponsors announced today.

Winners will be announced at a black-tie awards dinner and program on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

See the list of nominees: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=179659

— Environmental Systems Inc. has released an independently researched study to help executives responsible for financial and operational performance sort through sustainability information, understand trends and visualize what is possible.

ESI, a commercial and industrial building systems integrator, commissioned independent researchers to compile “Bottom-Line Sustainability for Business.”

Visit http://www.ThinkESI.com to download the study

Read more about the study: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=179665

TOP STORIES
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Sensient opens new plants in China, Costa Rica: Sensient Technologies Corp. has opened two new facilities in China and another in Costa Rica, the company announced Monday.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily18.html

Amcore sells loans to improve its finances: Rockford-based Amcore Bank announced Monday it has sold $135 million in loans as part of its efforts to strengthen its finances and avoid being sold or merged with another bank. Terms of the loan sale were not disclosed.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_4f80b9ac-e900-11de-b6dc-001cc4c002e0.html

Stimulus funds to help NewPage save energy: Wisconsin Rapids’ largest employer will use $495,500 in recently allocated federal stimulus money to improve its energy efficiency, thereby saving money and supporting local jobs, officials said.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20091215/CWS03/312150092/-1/WDH03/

Renew Energy’s Ethanol Plant Sold to Valero: The Jefferson-based Renew Energy LLC has finally found a buyer for its ethanol plant. On Monday, Valero Energy Corp., based in San Antonio, Texas, announced it is purchasing three ethanol manufacturing facilities around the country, including Renew. The sale was announced after Valero bid $72 million for the operation in a bankruptcy court auction.
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1492&yr=2009

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VISIT BIZOPINION FOR BUSINESS-RELATED COMMENTARY

See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler:
http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion

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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Alta Resources buys Beantree of Appleton
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20091215/APC03/912150451

– Keeping it real: Firm’s virtual conference technology personalizes meetings, events
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/story16.html?b=1260766800^2581421

– Milwaukee companies ready for green push
http://www.jsonline.com/business/79274202.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Valley firms up for Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20091215/APC03/912150456

– Genmar Yacht president confident in future
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091215/GPG03/912150573

– Feds uphold protest of $3B Oshkosh contract
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily8.html

LABOR (back to top)
– State computers delay benefits
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091215/GPG03/912150576

– AirTran pilots to picket at Mitchell
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily16.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Stevens Point: Real estate offices merge
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20091215/CWS03/312150099/-1/WDH03/

– Milwaukee: East side condo project wins approval
http://www.jsonline.com/business/79274217.html

– Ruvin’s option on Park East parcel expires
http://www.jsonline.com/business/79274207.html

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Roadrunner subsidiary acquires Bullet Freight Systems
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily11.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– Insty-Prints operator June Schuelke meets challenges head-on
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20091215/APC03/912150446

REGULATION (back to top)
– State yet to adopt federal Roth laws
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091215/GPG03/912150574

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Froedtert, MCW open fourth urgent care clinic
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily17.html

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– President of M&I’s Arizona region to retire
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily15.html

– Potawatomi Bingo Casino names CFO
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/12/14/daily10.html

– Krejci named Strattec president, COO
http://www.jsonline.com/business/79235817.html

PRESS RELEASES (back to top)
· AG Van Hollen: Wolf Paving agrees to pay penalties for air pollution control violations
· American Society for Quality: Payment problems, malpractice suits top concerns of quality pros
· Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Gassman opens Center for Nursing Excellence
· DHS: H1N1 vaccine available to general public
· Environmental Systems Inc.: New study: “Bottom-Line Sustainability for Business” out today
· Homeowners Concept Realtors: Celebrates 25 years of service and value to customers
· U.S. Sens. Kohl, Feingold: Statement on the GAO decision regarding Oshkosh Corporation
· UW-Madison: New structure could produce efficient semiconductor laser sources
· UW-Madison: Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on track for December 2010 opening
· Wausau Window and Wall Systems: Seeking LEED Gold, 901 K St.’s new, D.C. office building attracts attention, while conserving resources
· WMC: Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year nominees announced

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

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