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MON News Summary

8 Jul. 2013

Exclusively for WisBusiness Subscribers


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From WisBusiness.com …

— Scott Jansen, head of the Department of Workforce Development’s new Office of Skills Development, said the state hopes to have administrative rules in place by the end of September for the new Fast Forward program, with the grant process open by early fall.

He said the state has already received 20 to 25 inquiries about Fast Forward, which includes $15 million for special worker training grants.

Jansen discussed the state’s efforts to bridge the skills gap on Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” produced in conjunction with WisPolitics.com.

He said the state isn’t looking to necessarily target individual employers, but businesses that have a common need with training that doesn’t exist now through tech colleges or other means.

“What we’re really preaching to people is that we want things to become pilot sources of training programs that are rather new and innovative that can be replicable, scalable and portable,” he said.

Jansen noted Wisconsin’s job force is expected to turn over 1 million jobs in the next decade. Of that, 680,000 of those jobs are now held by those who will retire while the rest are new skills needed for an evolving workforce.

— BizTimes Milwaukee executive editor Steve Jagler explained why his magazine is calling the uptick in the economy the “joyless recovery.”

Jagler said there’s a lot to celebrate about the economy, but he believes people are hesitant to celebrate them. He compared it to the impact the Great Depression had on his grandparents’ generation, making them frugal. He said this generation will never take prosperity for granted.

“We’re hesitant to celebrate because we saw how quickly we lost everything,” he said.

See more from the show:
http://www.wisn.com/politics/upfront

TOP STORIES
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Could former Trek executive Mary Burke unseat Scott Walker?: … Democrats have contended for months that they see Gov. Scott Walker as vulnerable, but they have not offered a candidate to run against him. But last month, a poll was conducted testing the viability of Mary Burke, a former state commerce secretary and former Trek Bicycle Corp. executive. … Democrats said they liked Burke’s background in business and economic development — as well as the personal funds she could bring to the race — while Republicans pointed to her ties to former Gov. Jim Doyle and other issues as matters they could exploit.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/democrats-testing-the-waters-for-scott-walker-challengers-b9948722z1-214488951.html

Gov. Scott Walker signs unemployment benefit changes: Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that would increase the maximum weekly unemployment insurance payout but install new limits on who can collect the benefits. The bill increases the highest weekly benefit by $7 to $370. It also makes it easier for the state to recover overpayments made to the unemployed by allowing audits of beneficiaries, repeals a program that allows claimants to receive an additional 26 weeks of benefits if they’re enrolled in vocational training and bars inmates in work-release programs from collecting unemployment.
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130705/APC010401/307050374

Related:
– Governor’s veto would protect certain business certificates
http://dailyreporter.com/2013/07/05/veto-would-protect-certain-business-certificates/

Chinese researcher reaches deal in Medical College of Wisconsin drug theft: A researcher accused of stealing a possible cancer-fighting compound from the Medical College of Wisconsin has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors. … Online court records say Zhao agreed this week to plead guilty to accessing a computer without authorization. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130705/APC0101/307050344

Anchor BanCorp defaults on loan after Fed denies extension: In a decision that surprised Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc. officials, the Federal Reserve System decided this week not to sign off on an extension of a sizable loan that Anchor owes to a group led by U.S. Bank. … With the loan in default, lenders could call for immediate repayment, but as of Friday Anchor had not received notice from any lenders that they would take actions in response to the default, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/anchor-bancorp-defaults-on-loan-after.html

Related:
– Regulators refuse to extend loan for AnchorBank’s parent company
http://host.madison.com/business/regulators-refuse-to-extend-loan-for-anchorbank-s-parent-company/article_d8d225fc-18b7-53b4-a61e-ab56a775ff7e.html

– Regulators deny loan extension to Anchor BanCorp
http://www.jsonline.com/business/regulators-deny-loan-extension-to-anchor-bancorp-b9948593z1-214405161.html

Landlords, self-employed get state aid on honor system: … a Journal Sentinel investigation found the cases — and others like them — reveal a gap in regulation that affects every public assistance program in the state. The problem is fairly simple: Local and state regulators fail to verify actual income when applicants report that they make no money or are self-employed. … “We have no way to check that this is what they made the year before they applied,” said one public assistance fraud investigator in southeastern Wisconsin who requested anonymity because she is not authorized to speak about the issue. “Basically we’re supposed to accept what they tell us.”
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/landlords-self-employed-get-state-aid-on-honor-system-b9929264z1-214508041.html

Koss Corp. settles with auditor in Sachdeva embezzlement case: Koss Corp. received $8.5 million on Wednesday as part of a settlement with former auditor Grant Thornton LLP, which the Milwaukee headphone company claimed was negligent in failing to detect the $34 million embezzlement by former Koss executive Sujata Sachdeva.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/koss-gets-85m-in-settlement-with.html

Related:
– Koss settles claims against former auditor Grant Thornton
http://www.jsonline.com/business/koss-settles-claims-against-former-auditor-grant-thornton-b9948373z1-214372071.html

Eau Claire: Confluence Project’s new cash mix catches Walker’s eye: With its funding mix revised in May to include more private sector financing, the Confluence Project now meets a criteria of what Gov. Scott Walker seeks in state building projects. While neither endorsing nor opposing the proposed multimillion dollar community performing arts center, apartment complex and commercial development pitched for downtown Eau Claire, the governor reiterated his interest in the project in a recent visit to the city.
http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_3be8cd8e-e6c3-11e2-94f8-001a4bcf887a.html

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VISIT BIZOPINION FOR BUSINESS-RELATED COMMENTARY

See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors:
http://bizopinion.wisbusiness.com/

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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Help-for-hire start-ups are getting customer clicks
http://www.jsonline.com/business/help-for-hire-start-ups-are-getting-customer-clicks-b9947464z1-214546731.html

– Garmin puts Lake Winnebago on the GPS map
http://www.jsonline.com/business/garmin-puts-lake-winnebago-on-the-gps-map-b9945879z1-214498091.html

– Research grant to help spur production of jet fuel from plants
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/uw-stevens-point-gets-a-boost-from.html

– Why are there so few women in academia working on information technology?
http://www.isthmus.com/isthmus/article.php?article=40311

– Senate panels to discuss broadband network
http://www.channel3000.com/news/senate-panels-to-discuss-broadband-network/-/1648/20872568/-/qxsbgg/-/index.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– U.S. economy adds 195K jobs; unemployment stays at 7.6 percent
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/viewart/20130705/OSH03/307050391

– Overcoming generational poverty
http://gazettextra.com/news/2013/jul/07/overcoming-generational-poverty/

– New consuming philosophy: Reuse, remake, refrain
http://www.jsonline.com/business/new-consuming-philosophy-reuse-remake-refrain-b9946821z1-214549181.html

– Defense Department furloughs begin
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/viewart/20130705/SHE0101/307050444

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Paper industry learning to adapt with the times
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130707/APC03/307070160

– Some state manufacturers turn to nontraditional shifts
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130705/GPG03/307050308

– Water industry pushes ‘purple pipes’ for proposed business park
http://www.jsonline.com/business/water-industry-pushes-purple-pipes-for-proposed-business-park-b9941568z1-214557541.html

– Erik Buell Racing fighting history, competition in scale-up efforts
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2013/07/erik-buell-racing-fighting-history.html

– Milwaukee pocketed $1.6M by recycling in 2012
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2013/07/milwaukee-pocketed-16m-by-recycling.html

– Some apparel firms return production to U.S.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG03/307060193

– Tri-County recycling plant will accommodate more plastics by 2014
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG0101/307060322

– Green Bay: Quality Packaging moves into Advance
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130705/GPG03/307050376

LABOR (back to top)
– Temporary jobs becoming a permanent fixture in US
http://www.wiscnews.com/business/article_085fe760-a812-5ecc-9a3b-5705c9242cc8.html

– Summer internship program offers experience, education for youths
http://www.jsonline.com/business/summer-internship-program-offers-experience-education-for-youths-b9945346z1-214499101.html

– Ousted bus union officials allegedly tried to pad anti-Scott Walker hours
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/214542541.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Proposed bar restrictions in downtown Madison could strip resale value of businesses
http://www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=40348

– Janesville barber Burr Rote approaches half-century of business
http://gazettextra.com/news/2013/jul/07/janesville-barber-burr-rote-approaches-half-centur/

– Avalon renovation to get under way
http://www.jsonline.com/business/avalon-renovation-to-get-under-way-b9945374z1-214498531.html

– Lambrecht’s pizza is Plymouth institution
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130706/APC0101/307060337

– Linwood man gets one last look at his parents’ old grocery store, and a lifetime of memories (with video)
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20130706/WDH01/307070132

– Wayne’s Jerky gets Advance microloan
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130705/GPG03/307050379

– Theater fan trying to revive historic Grand on Wisconsin Ave.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/theater-fan-trying-to-revive-historic-grand-on-wisconsin-ave-b9948446z1-214556411.html

– Local masseuse to open massage school (with video)
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20130707/WDH01/307070347

INVESTING (back to top)
– Generation Growth raises $34M for second private equity fund
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/generation-growth-raises-34m-for.html

– Madison ranks No. 20 on Richard Florida’s list of per capita venture capital activity
http://www.jsonline.com/business/madison-ranks-no-20-on-richard-floridas-list-of-per-capita-venture-capital-activity-b9947368z1-214378541.html

– Don’t rule out investing in companies dealing with bad news
http://www.jsonline.com/business/dont-rule-out-investing-in-companies-dealing-with-bad-news-b9947696z1-214496631.html

– US stock futures rise as earnings season looms
http://host.madison.com/business/us-stock-futures-rise-as-earnings-season-looms/article_c377e4a9-4e33-5d00-b7d0-3d32249a39fa.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Fewer first-timers buying homes
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG03/307060208

– Bill would end local rental registry, inspections
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/bill-would-end-local-rental-registry-inspections/article_2e403e6e-e5f2-11e2-a97a-001a4bcf887a.html

– Stalled Brookfield office project to be revived under new developer
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/real_estate/2013/07/brookfield-office-project-to-be.html

– Foreclosure filings in Rock County drop 55%
http://gazettextra.com/news/2013/jul/05/foreclosure-filings-rock-county-drop-55/

– The top 15: When it comes to high-end housing, the Coulee Region is not created equal
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/the-top-when-it-comes-to-high-end-housing-the/article_a93dc1c2-e6ab-11e2-86c1-001a4bcf887a.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– State farmers in dire straits because of continued poor weather
http://host.madison.com/business/state-farmers-in-dire-straits-because-of-continued-poor-weather/article_d2f4d260-6ff9-55ae-b767-a3b92141747a.html

– Near-record rain ‘devastating’ for farmers after last year’s drought
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/near-record-rain-devastating-for-farmers-after-last-years-drought-b9948240z1-214385221.html

– Cheese Production Numbers Were Up Again in May
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=789

– Resurgence of sandhill cranes becomes headache for farmers
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/resurgence-of-sandhill-cranes-becomes-headache-for-farmers-b9949501z1-214538621.html

– Sandhill cranes a problem for some farmers
http://www.channel3000.com/news/sandhill-cranes-a-problem-for-some-farmers/-/1648/20868842/-/sck5eb/-/index.html

– Farmers worry about fate of immigration bills
http://www.channel3000.com/Farmers-worry-about-fate-of-immigration-bills/-/1656/20873144/-/87lvrj/-/index.html

– Farm Technology Days comes to Barron County
http://www.wrn.com/2013/07/farm-technology-days-comes-to-barron-county/

– Strawberry farms having ‘exceptional’ season (with video)
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20130707/WDH01/307070344

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– River Road closure tough on travel and business
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/river-road-closure-tough-on-travel-and-business/article_128457ea-e710-11e2-b321-001a4bcf887a.html

– Highway 441 expansion promises relief for town of Menasha businesses
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG0101/307060380

– EAA takes FAA to court over AirVenture fees
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130705/APC0101/307050273

– MetJet growth continues as Austin Straubel bounces back
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG03/307060206

– State pays $925K for Nitschke Bridge repairs
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130705/GPG0101/307050403

– Cellphone lots become a key airport feature
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130706/GPG03/307060194

– In no hurry: As faster hybrids and electric cars pass them by, some hang on to their ‘low-speed vehicles’
http://journaltimes.com/news/local/in-no-hurry-as-faster-hybrids-and-electric-cars-pass/article_5b22a7ee-e77f-11e2-bea8-0019bb2963f4.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– Boat sales surging thanks to improved economy
http://www.channel3000.com/news/boat-sales-surging-thanks-to-improved-economy/-/1648/20866702/-/x2vpan/-/index.html

– Spice and Tea Exchange opens in Mequon
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/new-spice-and-tea-exchange-in-mequon.html

– Easy access to healthy food hampered in Racine
http://journaltimes.com/news/local/easy-access-to-healthy-food-hampered-in-racine/article_b0e1f454-e613-11e2-80b9-0019bb2963f4.html

– Oshkosh: Plenty of opportunity for new Central City retail
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20130707/OSH03/307070100

– Illnesses prompt wide Whole Foods cheese recall
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130705/GPG0101/307050390

– Sweet taste of victory: Kringle now official state pastry
http://journaltimes.com/news/local/sweet-taste-of-victory-kringle-now-official-state-pastry/article_26ad6090-e6bb-11e2-8a75-001a4bcf887a.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Landlords, self-employed get state aid on honor system
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/landlords-self-employed-get-state-aid-on-honor-system-b9929264z1-214508041.html

– Buchanan restaurant owner to appeal liquor license revocation
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130705/APC03/307050372

– Wisconsin smoking ban turns three
http://www.wrn.com/2013/07/wisconsin-smoking-ban-turns-three/

TOURISM (back to top)
– No ticket required: The Big Gig by boat
http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfestbyboat.html

– How the “Million Dollar Midway” saved Summerfest
http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/summerfestmidwaybegel.html

– Packers’ Jordy Nelson goes long for Wisconsin tourism
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/packers-nelson-goes-long-for-wisconsin.html

– DNR reminds hunters to purchase fall licenses
http://www.channel3000.com/news/dnr-reminds-hunters-to-purchase-fall-licenses/-/1648/20867046/-/8wc7v1/-/index.html

– Packers exec wants to retire Favre’s number by 2016
http://www.channel3000.com/packers-exec-wants-to-retire-favres-number-by-2016/-/1656/20862356/-/v1bjs4/-/index.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– $1.2 million proposed for metro sewer, runoff improvements
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/12-million-proposed-for-metro-sewer-runoff-improvements-b9947664z1-214545441.html

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Economists warn surge in health care jobs may signal trouble
http://www.jsonline.com/business/health-care-outpaced-economy-in-job-growth-index-shows-b9945429z1-213851181.html

– Special Report: Senior living options varied, but consumers need to be informed
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20130707/OSH0101/307070072

– Gov. Walker signs abortion bill
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130705/APC010401/307050326

– Planned Parenthood to fight Wisconsin abortion change
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130705/APC010401/307050319

– Green Bay firefighters want arbitrator to rule on hospital follow-up visits
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130705/GPG0101/307050316

– ThedaCare welcomes pathologist
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130707/APC03/307070162

– Discussing BadgerCare Plus changes
http://www.wrn.com/2013/07/discussing-badgercare-plus-changes/

– Health insurers fear young people will opt out
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/viewart/20130705/OSH0101/307050337

– Bethesda Lutheran Communities to close Watertown campus in 2014
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/05/bethesda-lutheran-communities-to-close.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Funeral homes agree to settlement over botched burial trust
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/funeral-homes-agree-to-settlement-over-botched-burial-trust-b9949086z1-214490411.html

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Bugher stepping down from post
http://www.leadertelegram.com/business/local/article_0c5eba92-e5bf-11e2-8ef1-0019bb2963f4.html

– Branovan knew the value of hard work, kindness in all parts of life
http://www.jsonline.com/news/mel-branovan-knew-the-value-of-hard-work-kindness-in-all-parts-of-life-b9948420z1-214502721.html

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Federal Reserve’s power has never been greater
http://www.jsonline.com/business/federal-reserves-power-has-never-been-greater-b9947994z1-214497371.html

– Steve Van Remortel column: Preparation is all about the process
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130706/GPG03/307060195

– Alex Breitinger column: Crude explodes over $102 per barrel
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130705/GPG03/307050370

– Ten steps to win support for inbound marketing
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130708/APC03/307080151

PRESS RELEASES (back to top)
* Sprecher Brewing Company: Hosts disaster relief benefit for Oklahoma, Colorado and Arizona
* Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts: Montgomery Gentry to play THELMA
* TMA+Peritus: Principal Tom Marks chosen as the new president of the American Advertising Federation Madison & Milwaukee Chapter
* UW Health: UW researcher wins grant to study trauma-caused epilepsy
* UW-Stevens Point: WIST, biotech company receive research grant
* Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association: Recipe contest spices up Wisconsin potato salads for July 4th

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

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