WED WisBusiness News Summary
5 May 2010
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From WisBusiness.com …
— Gov. Jim Doyle announced that the long-awaited $375 million Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will open for the first time in December on the west side of the UW-Madison campus.
Doyle made the announcement during an appearance at the BIO 2010 Conference in Chicago.
“The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will bring together the brightest researchers in nanotechnology, biotechnology, engineering and information technology in a public-private partnership to embark on cutting-edge research and create good-paying jobs,” the governor said in a statement.
Doyle also announced that Madison’s Monona Terrace will host the 2011 Small Business Innovation Research National Conference, set for April 11-13 of next year. Doyle said the conference is projected to draw 850 attendees.
In addition, the governor announced the foundation of a state Clean Energy Generation, Transmission and Storage Systems Consortium. The initiative seeks to join business and government partners with both public and private higher education institutions throughout Wisconsin.
See more BIO 2010 coverage:
http://bio.wisbusiness.com
— Commerce Secretary Aaron Olver has reached out to Harley-Davidson to offer the state’s help to the motorcycle manufacturer as it looks to cut $54 million in expenses.
Commerce spokesman Tony Hozeny says the current state budget provided “powerful and flexible new tools, from enterprise zones to consolidated tax credits” to help businesses.
“The company would be eligible for any of these tax credits, plus many of our financing programs,” Hozeny said in an e-mail. “We can’t speculate at this time which programs would be most useful, but when and if the company identifies specific needs, we will determine the best match among our many assistance programs.”
Rebekah Sweeney, spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, said R&D tax credits approved in the budget could specifically benefit Harley-Davidson.
TOP STORIES
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Area businesses brace as oil slicks approach New Orleans: Companies in the region that rely on river shipping are keeping an eye on New Orleans as a damaged oil rig leaks an estimated 210,000 gallons a day into the Gulf of Mexico not far from the mouth of the Mississippi. Barge traffic through the Port of New Orleans largely has been unaffected so far by the spill, but any restrictions or closures at the river’s gateway could affect shipping for a number of businesses in the upper Mississippi River valley.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_0053534a-57fe-11df-873c-001cc4c002e0.html
Related:
– Consumers Could See Increase In Seafood Prices
http://www.channel3000.com/money/23455436/detail.html
Great Wolf’s losses widen: Madison-based Great Wolf Resorts Inc. reported Tuesday that its loss for the first quarter widened compared to last year’s financial results. Great Wolf, which operates water park resorts, said it lost $8.1 million, or 26 cents a share, for the period ending March 31, compared to $5.6 million, or 18 cents a share, from the year-earlier period.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/92757859.html
Related:
– Sale of Sheboygan’s Blue Harbor remains a possibility
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20100505/OSH03/305050092/1987
Federal Mogul to add 160 jobs in Manitowoc; Piston ring plant’s planned 2011 closure is blow to Schofield, boost to Lakeshore: The decision by Federal Mogul Powertrain Systems to close a plant in Schofield by March 2011 will result in 160 jobs being added to the company’s piston ring facility in Manitowoc, a spokesman for the Southfield, Mich.-based manufacturer, said Tuesday. More than 200 employees will lose their jobs at the Federal Mogul plant near Wausau, said Jim Burke, corporate communications director.
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100505/MAN0101/5050518/1358
Related:
– Federal Mogul workers could find a silver lining
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100505/CWS03/305050114/-1/WDH03/
Higher rates help boost Alliant utilities: Alliant Energy Corp. of Madison reported Tuesday that its utility operations benefited from rate increases, weather and lower capacity costs in the first quarter of 2010.
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily24.html?ana=from_rss
Related:
– Alliant Energy posts lower net income
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_aca3a64e-579b-11df-bc7d-001cc4c002e0.html
– Profit dips for Wisconsin Energy
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92755814.html
Anheuser-Busch to be NFL beer sponsor in $1B deal: Anheuser-Busch’s flagship brand Bud Light will be the official beer sponsor of the National Football League, edging out rival MillerCoors, which said Tuesday it wouldn’t renew its deal.
http://wiscnews.com/business/article_45c32bdc-194f-55f3-aa40-54486266f7b4.html
Related:
– Anheuser-Busch replaces Coors as NFL’s beer sponsor
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily30.html?ana=from_rss
Cash cows no longer; Dairy farmers getting milked in tough economy: After hitting record highs in early 2008, milk prices crashed during the recession, and many farmers posted huge losses and piled on debt to avoid losing the farm. While the situation has been tempered this year as milk prices have slowly crept up, the troubles linger, as prices still haven’t reached levels where most farmers can even turn a profit. And the consequences of a prolonged slump continue to grow.
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100505/SHE0101/100504176/1062
Doyle: New UW Research Center To Open In December: Gov. Jim Doyle said two cutting-edge research centers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will open in December. Doyle announced at a biotechnology conference in Chicago on Tuesday the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will open its doors just before he leaves office in January.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/23451571/detail.html
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VISIT BIZOPINION FOR BUSINESS-RELATED COMMENTARY
See commentary from around the state and columns from
WisBusiness contributors:
http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Madison to host national research conference
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_aa80c228-57c5-11df-8a07-001cc4c002e0.html
– Madison will host national business conference
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily33.html?ana=from_rss
– AT&T agrees to settle lawsuit over slow Internet speeds
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92829969.html
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Biotech industry provides almost 25,000 jobs in state, report says
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_e61e227a-57b7-11df-aa6c-001cc4c002e0.html
– What are biotech’s challenges, chances?
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2010/05/what_are_biotechs_challenges_opportunities.html
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Retail data: Consumers ‘took a breather’ in April
http://wiscnews.com/business/article_2bf92b09-124f-5ef1-bc82-c40e1ec9f177.html
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Douglas Dynamics lowers IPO price
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92769919.html
LABOR (back to top)
– Bill pitches prison for willful workplace violations
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/bill-pitches-prison-for-willful-workplace-violations/
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Milwaukee loses a local record shop legend
http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/geoffworman.html
INVESTING (back to top)
– Stock futures fall, point to lower opening
http://wiscnews.com/business/article_95d204a2-a066-50a1-83ff-2b905c53ec5a.html
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Oshkosh: Plan Commission urges prompt purchase of Quarry Park properties
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20100505/OSH0101/5050421/1987
– Wauwatosa approves UW-Milwaukee campus plan
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/wauwatosa-approves-uw-milwaukee-campus-plan/
– Madison: Common Council Votes In Favor Of New Library
http://www.channel3000.com/news/23454980/detail.html
– Waterstone Mortgage opens S.C. office
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
– Home sales see slight rise
http://leadertelegram.com/business/from_the_wire/article_f03bfc68-7c3b-5031-826c-fbd77afea920.html
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Wisconsin could benefit as USDA buys surplus cranberries
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100505/SHE0101/100505014/1062
– Workshops for Reducing Pesticides on Apples, Cherries & Grapes
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=526
– State Cheese Production Lower in March, Up Nationally
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=523
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Airlines required to check no-fly list more often
http://host.madison.com/news/article_ecb2ccd4-0862-5873-b8cf-a18cc343c7ac.html
– Green Bay: Military Avenue roadwork slow-going as wet soil conditions pose problems for $12M project
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100505/GPG0101/5050637/1207
– Reconstruction of College Avenue bridge in Appleton earns awards from American Concrete Pavement Association, Wisconsin Builder/Daily Reporter
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100505/APC0101/5050543/1004
– Gas prices heading up
http://www.wrn.com/2010/05/gas-prices-heading-up/
– Operation Air Brake underway today
http://www.wrn.com/2010/05/operation-air-brake-underway-today/
– Debt collector gets 1st crack at overdue Milwaukee train station taxes
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/debt-collector-gets-1st-crack-at-overdue-milwaukee-train-station-taxes/
– Milwaukee losing bang for streetcar bucks
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/milwaukee-losing-bang-for-streetcar-bucks/
– Mitchell sets a single-month record for passenger traffic
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92779694.html
RETAIL (back to top)
– Dave & Buster’s to be sold for $570M
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily29.html?ana=from_rss
– MillerCoors reports small boost in net income
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/92757709.html
– Weyco announces premium Florsheim Ltd. line
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92800789.html
REGULATION (back to top)
– Milwaukee council OKs liquor license reform
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/92781459.html
– Tentative Senate deal on future big bank failures
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20100505/OSH0101/100504185/1987
TOURISM (back to top)
– Wisconsin DNR proposes new camping fees
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100505/SHE0101/100505018/1062
– White Gull Inn in Fish Creek a finalist in Good Morning America breakfast battle
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100505/GPG0101/5050639/1207
– Recreational plan for Renard Isle vexes Green Bay City Council
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100505/GPG0101/5050644/1207
– Sturtevant SportsPlex opening Saturday
http://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_1593973a-5842-11df-a4c4-001cc4c03286.html
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Port Washington company moving headquarters, adding jobs
http://www.jsonline.com/business/92828989.html
– Schools, companies tap renewable energy
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/schools-companies-tap-renewable-energy/
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– County executive orders audit of H1N1 funds use
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20100505/SPJ0101/5050573/1983
– New medical records system could save time and money for Madison-area patients
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/article_bc3b5924-57d4-11df-8f60-001cc4c002e0.html
– Cash finally in hand, work begins on new Edgerton Hospital
http://gazettextra.com/news/2010/may/04/cash-finally-hand-work-begins-new-edgerton-hospita/
– Assisted Living Concepts posts profit
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily25.html?ana=from_rss
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Thrivent Financial for Lutherans/Kiplinger Survey of Family Finance finds confidence in economic recovery lags
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100505/APC0101/5050542/1004
– Amcore Financial gets default notice from JP Morgan Chase
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_2cdb6fa4-579c-11df-abf1-001cc4c002e0.html
– Anchor BanCorp gets credit extension
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily26.html?ana=from_rss
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Bernie Patterson recommended to become new UWSP chancellor
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/article/20100505/SPJ0101/5050681/1983
– Former Buchner office manager faces $10,000 bond
http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/05/04/former-buchner-office-manager-faces-10000-bond/
– Banking exec joins Orion Energy board
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/rc/30414/www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/05/03/daily27.html?ana=from_rss
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Column: Home-based businesses need business insurance
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100505/CWS03/305050115/-1/WDH03/Column-Home-based-businesses-need-business-insurance
PRESS RELEASES (back to top)
· Adams Outdoor Advertising: Named OBIE Finalist
· Bradley Foundation: Seventh annual Bradley Prize awardees announced
· Clean Wisconsin: EPA proposes rules regulating coal ash
· DCI Cheese Company: Introduces Party Express trays
· DCI Cheese Company: Introduces Salemville Smokehaus Blue cheese
· Dept. of Commerce: Doing Business Globally seminar May 13 in Eau Claire
· Dept. of Commerce: Global Perspectives seminar May 12 at Lakeshore Technical College
· Dept. of Commerce: International trade breakfast May 14 in Madison
· DeWitt Ross & Stevens: Gardner joins DeWitt Ross & Stevens law firm
· Gov. Doyle: Announces December opening of Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
· Gov. Doyle: Announces next steps in clean energy partnership with Manitoba
· Gov. Doyle: At BIO 2010, Governor Doyle announces Wisconsin to host national conference
· Gov. Doyle: Establishes clean energy consortium
· Madison Children’s Museum: Dust off your clubs for MCM’s second annual Spring Scramble
· Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: April 2010 administrative actions
· Orion Energy Systems: Names Thomas Schueller to board of directors
· The Boldt Company: Honored for safety record
· UW System: Patterson recommended as UW‐Stevens Point chancellor
· UW-Whitewater: Warhawks compete for cash prizes in business plan contest
· Wisconsin Energy: Posts first quarter earnings; reaffirms earnings guidance for 2010
· WMC: Urges veto of bill restricting workplace education about union organizing
· Workers’ Compensation Centennial Commission: Doyle, Thompson named honorary commissioners
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
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