(WisBusiness) WED News Summary — 27 May 2009

WED WisBusiness News Summary
27 May 2009
Exclusively for WisBusiness Subscribers



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From WisBusiness.com …

— In the midst of a tough recession, Wisconsin’s technical colleges are on a roll.

And state economic development experts say that’s good news for the future of Wisconsin – not to mention the tens of thousands of students who will benefit from a bigger paycheck after graduation.

The president of the Wisconsin Technical College System, Dan Clancy, says as unemployment increases, more individuals turn to tech colleges education and training. The enrollment growth has been particularly notable in areas of Wisconsin hard hit by layoffs. Blackhawk Technical College, serving the Janesville area, and Mid-State, serving Wisconsin Rapids, have seen double-digit increases over the past year. For the system as a whole, 2008-09 enrollment is up four percent over the prior academic year. It’s up 25 percent over the past decade.

See more on the state’s tech college system in a new BizOpinion column from Jennifer Sereno: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion/2009/05/tech-colleges-ready-to-help-in-economic.html

— North Carolina-based Stock Building Supply filed notice with the state that it will close a facility in Delavan in July, resulting in the permanent layoff of approximately 66 employees.

See the layoff notice: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/090526stock.pdf

— In the midst of a tough recession, Wisconsin’s technical colleges are on a roll.  

See the state filing: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/large/090526alliant.pdf

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WISBUSINESS.COM / WISPOLITICS.COM FORUM JUNE 10

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin’s Transportation Future

WEDNESDAY, June 10, 7:15 AM at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Hear major decision-makers debate the future of passenger rail, highway expansion, the port of Milwaukee and Mitchell Field in light of stressed state and local budgets and commuters’ continuing search for the best way to get to work.

Confirmed panelists include Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine and a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee; and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale and a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Initial sponsors for the event include UW-Milwaukee and HNTB. Organizers include MMAC, Discovery World, WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com, and UW-Milwaukee.

The event is open to the public, and the price is $30 per person. But WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com subscribers, the UW-Milwaukee community, and members of MMAC and Discovery World will be able to attend for $20 per person. The price includes the breakfast buffet but not parking.

Call Debra Jordan (414) 287-4127 or e-mail djordan@mmac.org to register.

Online registration is also available: http://mmac.org/display/router.asp?docid=488&event=1227&startDate=06/10/09

Additional sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or webmaster@wisbusiness.com

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TOP STORIES
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Alliant Energy to cut workers at Beloit power plant: Alliant Energy plans to reduce the work force at its Wisconsin Power and Light Co. subsidiary’s Rock River Generating Station in Beloit.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily22.html

Stock Building Supply to cut 66 workers: Stock Building Supply LLC plans to permanently close its facility at 1827 Hobbs Drive in Delavan by July, which will result in the loss of 66 jobs.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily23.html

Madison checks in at No. 7 for stable employment, career opportunities : Madison is the nation’s seventh-best city when it comes to stable employment, new career opportunities and presence of the “creative class,” according to a new ranking by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, a money management magazine.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/452579

Cigarette tax increase could be windfall for Wisconsin’s tribes : If a proposed increase in the cigarette tax passes, Wisconsin’s American Indian tribes stand to receive $81.5 million in refunds over the next two years — triple what the tribes got several years ago.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/452605

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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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ECONOMY (back to top)
– Most economists see recession’s end in ’09
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090527/GPG03/305270076

– From granola bars to networking, firms trying new ways
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/story9.html?b=1243224000^1833547

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Harley sales skid after Sportster promotion ends
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46139167.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Milwaukee Area Technical College faculty union gives up raise
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/452659

– Mercer: 25% of firms don’t pay severance
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily17.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Dalton named world judge for E&Y entrepreneur awards
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily15.html

– Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce to select Small Business of the Year
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46139067.html

INVESTING (back to top)
– ThedaCare to begin $90M bond sale
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily14.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Kohl, Feingold Say Dairy Export Program to Help Producers
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=635&yr=2009

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– State to open next round of bids for stimulus-funded road projects
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily20.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– New Shopko CEO Paul Jones has faith in recent changes
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090527/GPG03/905270623

– Toppers mushrooms in area
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46139177.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Madison Avenue, Johnny O’s avoid losing their licenses
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/452619

– Wealth Management assets to remain frozen
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46139077.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Land sale advances to final vote; Panel approves deal with wind-energy manufacturer
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20090527/CWS03/305270039/-1/WDH03/

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Kaukauna facility prepares to provide assisted living
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090527/APC03/905270485

– Lifelike robot used for rehabilitation at Sacred Heart
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BK4MUL6JK49

– More hospital systems want doctors to agree not to compete
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/story10.html?b=1243224000^1833555

– Aurora Health Care cuts corporate affairs executive’s job
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily21.html

– State reactivates West Nile virus hotline
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/05/25/daily16.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Baird adds two financial adviser teams
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090527/GPG03/905270625

– City insurance deal provides lower rate
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BK4U2V61K4I

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Cerebal Palsy Inc. names Barbiaux new director
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090527/GPG03/905270624

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Tannette Johnson Elie: Greater Milwaukee Committee leader employs social media
http://www.jsonline.com/business/46139172.html

PRESS RELEASES (back to top)
· ActionCOACH of Elm Grove: Announces ActionCLUB #17 graduation class
· AG Van Hollen: State settles environmental case against Humphrey Transport & Towing
· FinditCityWide.com: New online directory service to go global competing with US Directory CitySearch.com and AT&T’s YellowPages.com
· Gov. Doyle: Announces bid opening for ARRA road, bridge projects in Wisconsin
· Make A Difference-Wisconsin: Leading investment professionals share ideas and perspectives in a unique forum to benefit financial literacy for youth
· Operating Engineers, Local 139: Labor organizations support prevailing wage compromise
· St. Croix EDC: Elects officers and new directors
· Sun Prairie Economic Development Council: Hosts ‘Wind Power Happy Hour’
· UW-Madison: Composting project takes a bite out of campus food waste
· UWM: Hosts corporate multistate tax conference
· UWM: ‘JavaFX, Zembly, Ruby, and SOA’ to be topic at UWM workshop
· Wisconsin Farmers Union: Wisconsin senators show continued dedication to agriculture
· Wisconsin Railroad Committee: Provision on joint and several liability in the budget bill affects both freight and passenger rail
· Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: The Company Store in La Crosse locks out workers on Memorial Day weekend as punishment for standing up for themselves
· Wisconsin Technology Council: Wisconsin entrepreneur Toni Sikes to receive Ken Hendricks Memorial ‘Seize the Day’ award

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

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