WisBusiness TUE News Summary

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TUE News Summary

9 Jul. 2013

Exclusively for WisBusiness Subscribers


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From WisBusiness.com …

— Two northern Wisconsin Democrats are calling on mining company Gogebic Taconite to remove what they described as “heavily armed masked commando security forces” at the site of a planned mine in the Penokee Hills.

Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, and Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, sent the letter to G-Tac President Bill Williams, writing the “images are horrifying and the action by the company to hire this high security Arizona firm is appalling.”

Tensions have been high at the site of the proposed mine over the past month with allegations protesters slashed tires on mining equipment and did other damage.

Read the letter:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/130708JauchBewley.pdf

— In a new BizOpinion column, Tom Still writes that recent studies and news reports show innovation is helping to reshape some of Wisconsin’s largest business sectors.

“That’s vital to the state’s long-term recovery, not only from the Great Recession that began in 2008, but a much longer slide in manufacturing employment that began more than 13 years ago,” Still writes.

Read the column for a few examples:
http://bizopinion.wisbusiness.com/2013/07/tom-still-innovation-takes-place-in-all.html

TOP STORIES
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Listeria illness, death tied to Wisconsin-made Crave Brothers cheese: One person has died, a pregnant woman has miscarried and three others have been hospitalized after eating contaminated soft cheese from an award-winning Wisconsin cheese operation, officials said Monday. … The recalled cheeses were distributed nationwide through dozens of retail and food-service outlets as well as by mail order.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/crave-brothers-cheese-recall-extends-to-four-states-b9949775z1-214602261.html

Related:
– Source of listeria contamination still uncertain
http://www.channel3000.com/news/Source-of-listeria-contamination-still-uncertain/-/1648/20895428/-/nybhmw/-/index.html

Wisconsin lawmakers ask Gogebic Taconite to remove armed guards: Two Wisconsin lawmakers have asked the president of Gogebic Taconite to remove armed security guards from the company’s proposed mining site in Ashland and Iron counties. … Bob Seitz, Gogebic Taconite spokesman, told the News Tribune that the company began employing private security guards after teams of mining opponents “dressed in black and wearing masks violently attacked our drill site” in June. State Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, and Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, on Monday sent a letter to Gogebic Taconite President Bill Williams, calling on him to immediately remove “the heavily armed masked commando security unit recently hired to protect the company’s property in the Penokee Hills.”
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/271919/

Related:
– ‘Bulletproof’ Arizona security team raises hackles at Gogebic mine site
http://host.madison.com/24cb77d0-9444-5ba8-948c-acad96f5e315.html

– Gogebic Taconite asked to remove armed guards from mine site
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130709/GPG0101/307090196

– Mining company might restrict public access: In the midst of outrage over photos of armed guards patrolling the controversial mining site, the company says it may move to end public access to the area.
http://host.madison.com/1dba1db4-e83e-11e2-bd85-001a4bcf887a.html

– Armed security posted at GTAC sites
http://www.wrn.com/2013/07/armed-security-posted-at-gtac-sites/

– Pictures show armed guards at G-Tac mining site
http://www.channel3000.com/news/pictures-show-armed-guards-at-gtac-mining-site/-/1648/20891166/-/htx0twz/-/index.html

– Mining company draws fire for hiring armed guards
http://www.jsonline.com/news/mining-company-draws-fire-for-hiring-armed-guards-b9950461z1-214688091.html

Home Savings Bank files for an initial public stock offering: The Madison bank has filed a proposal with federal regulators to create a holding company, Home Bancorp Wisconsin, and sell up to about 12.5 million shares of stock at a tentative price of $10 a share, raising as much as $12.5 million. Net proceeds would be up to $11.4 million.
http://host.madison.com/62e3a1f8-f655-55fe-940b-2dd1b6397722.html

UW separating from WiscNet: A nonprofit group which provides Internet services to school districts, libraries and other public-sector entities expects to maintain a viable business model, despite the loss of its largest customer, the University of Wisconsin System.
http://www.wrn.com/2013/07/uw-separating-from-wiscnet/

Related:
– WiscNet leaders vow to forge on without UW System contract
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wiscnet-leaders-vow-to-forge-on-without-uw-system-contract-b9950274z1-214667241.html

– Officials say WiscNet Internet service can survive
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/viewart/20130708/SHE0101/307080354

************************************************************
VISIT BIZOPINION FOR BUSINESS-RELATED COMMENTARY

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

************************************************************

ECONOMY (back to top)
– BizTimes Mid-Year Economic Forecast: The ‘joyless recovery’
http://www.biztimes.com/article/20130708/ENEWSLETTERS02/130709898/-1/daily_enews/BizTimes-Mid-Year-Economic-Forecast:-The-%E2%80%98joyless-recovery%E2%80%99

– Consumer borrowing surges in May: Americans increased their borrowing in May at the fastest pace in a year. Borrowing in the category that includes credit cards reached its highest point since the fall of 2010.
http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/20130709/APC03/307090187

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– GE CEO Immelt to address UW regents: General Electric Co. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt will be speaking to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents at its Friday meeting.
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/viewart/20130708/SHE0101/307080359

– Bemis Co. reports earnings July 25: Bemis Co. Inc., a maker of flexible packaging, will release its second quarter earnings results on July 25 before the market opens. Company executives will discuss the results during a conference call at 9 a.m. that day.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130708/APC03/307080384

– Johnson Controls, Cree partner on N.C. lighting project
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/07/08/johnson-controls-cree-partner-on-nc.html

– Koss reaches settlement with Grant Thornton: Milwaukee-based Koss Corp. has settled the claims against its former auditor, Grant Thornton LLP, in the lawsuit pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Law Division.
http://www.biztimes.com/article/20130708/ENEWSLETTERS02/130709897/-1/daily_enews/Koss-reaches-settlement-with-Grant-Thornton

LABOR (back to top)
– Legal immigrants could soar if bill passes, experts say: Immigration legislation would remake America’s workforce, from tech companies to restaurant kitchens and rural fields.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/legal-immigrants-could-soar-if-bill-passes-experts-say-b9950268z1-214684231.html

– Desperate for labor, farmers join call for immigration reform
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130708/GPG0101/307080344

– UW chemistry building evacuated: University of Wisconsin Madison officials evacuated the chemistry building on campus after reports of a leaking liquid nitrogen tank Monday night.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/uw-chemistry-building-evacuated/-/1648/20891858/-/ji6cb8z/-/index.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Tall Guy and a Grill storefront debuts July 13 in Tosa: The catering and carryout company Tall Guy and a Grill opens Saturday at 7227 W. North Ave. in Wauwatosa.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/214591841.html

– Appleton sign company’s roof collapses
http://dailyreporter.com/2013/07/08/appleton-sign-companys-roof-collapses/

INVESTING (back to top)
– Sonic Foundry, Waterstone Financial lead Wisconsin stocks in June: An improving construction landscape and breathers after stock-price run-ups helped sort out Wisconsin’s public companies in June.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/sonic-foundry-waterstone-financial-lead-wisconsin-stocks-in-june-b9946651z1-214685321.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Milwaukee aldermen studying new foreclosure plan for tenants: With the number of city-owned, tax-foreclosed properties continuing to climb, Milwaukee aldermen have begun studying a plan that would give tenants living in those homes a chance to buy them.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/214643701.html

– Neighbors speak out against Monroe Street building project in Madison
http://www.channel3000.com/news/neighbors-spoke-out-against-monroe-street-building-project/-/1648/20892556/-/148vd1u/-/index.html

– Monroe Street redevelopment OK’d over neighbor protest
http://host.madison.com/e9477050-27fd-57cf-b6ff-473a9879cc6f.html

– Downtown La Crosse Transit Center gets commercial tenant: Nearly three years after opening, downtown La Crosse’s transit center has a commercial tenant and may be close to signing another.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/downtown-transit-center-gets-commercial-tenant/article_172320ce-e84b-11e2-a1ae-0019bb2963f4.html

– Sheboygan to get ‘facelift,’ company says: Sheboygan is about to get a facelift, courtesy of Benjamin Moore Paints. The community cast enough online votes in the paint company’s “Main Street Matters” contest to win the community a Benjamin Moore-sponsored paint job on certain sections of downtown.
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20130708/SHE0101/307080269?nclick_check=1

– Milwaukee: Small downtown office to be demolished due to structural problems
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/real_estate/2013/07/small-downtown-office-to-be-demolished.html

– Home price gains bring sellers off the sidelines
http://dailyreporter.com/2013/07/08/home-price-gains-bring-sellers-off-the-sidelines/

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Farm Technology Days Kicks-Off in Barron County
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=799

– Crops Thriving in the Hot, Dry Weather
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=800

– Climate Corp. Approved to Provide Federal Crop Insurance
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=801

– July 15 is the Deadline to File Annual Acreage Reports
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=802

– Wisconsin Holstein to Hold State Show Next Week
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=803

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– C5-6, UW-Stevens Point get grant for biofuel initiative: Researchers at C5-6 Technologies and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are developing next-generation biofuels.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/c5-6-uw-stevens-point-get-grant-for-biofuel-initiative-b9949866z1-214684751.html

– Leaf-cutter ants may reveal secrets to creating biofuels
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/214559411.html

– Briggs & Stratton develops additive to offset ethanol’s effects on small engines
http://www.jsonline.com/business/214705101.html

– New names for regional airports give sense of place
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130708/APC0101/307080378

RETAIL (back to top)
– If Alterra builds it, they will come: With another Alterra cafe not all that far away, at 92nd and North in Wauwatosa, you might wonder if the hometown caffeine kings are pushing it by opening one on 68th and Wells.
http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/bobbytanzilo/alterra68thstreet.html

– Board postpones decision on land use, Walmart: An initial decision from the Caledonia Village Board on what to do with the area of land encompassing a proposed Walmart location has again been put on hold.
http://journaltimes.com/news/local/board-postpones-decision-on-land-use-walmart/article_8db054cc-e83d-11e2-b261-001a4bcf887a.html

– Wausau: New Polito’s, Jimmy John’s locations in south metro area back on track
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20130708/WDH0101/307080326

REGULATION (back to top)
– Settlement could cost funeral homes up to $15 million: Wisconsin funeral homes will likely absorb up to $15 million in costs of prepaid funerals under a settlement approved Monday.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/settlement-could-cost-funeral-homes-up-to-15-million-b9949846z1-214615101.html

– Lawmakers vow to take on aid fraud in Wisconsin: State lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration Monday at gaps in regulation of Wisconsin’s public assistance programs and pledged to do more to combat fraud.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/214699011.html

– Judge blocks new Wisconsin abortion law: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday evening to block enforcement of a new Wisconsin law that bans doctors who lack admitting privileges at nearby hospitals from performing abortions.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/viewart/20130708/GPG0101/307080348

– Admitting privileges provision a successful pro-life tool: Though a federal judge blocked the implementation of the law in Wisconsin for now, it’s been an effective strategy for shutting down abortion clinics in other states.
http://host.madison.com/51e88346-e82f-11e2-8d13-0019bb2963f4.html

– Judge temporarily blocks enforcement of new abortion law
http://host.madison.com/66ee80c3-896f-57ba-904f-c3f9ac7d3b6c.html

– ATF settles with landlord after flawed sting: The ATF has settled a claim from the landlord of the building where the agency ran a troubled undercover sting in Milwaukee last year.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/214623121.html

– New permit under consideration for 716-acre sand mine: Trempealeau County’s largest frac sand mine wants to build and operate a rail development and dewatering facility.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/new-permit-under-consideration-for–acre-sand-mine/article_8205c4f4-e851-11e2-a22f-0019bb2963f4.html

TOURISM (back to top)
– Milwaukee to host National Governors Association conference: The National Governors Association announced Monday its summer conference will be held at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/milwaukee-to-host-national-governors-association-conference-b9949981z1-214631211.html

– Public input sought on future of Janesville Performing Arts Center
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/morning_roundup/2013/07/public-input-sought-on-future-of.html

– Milwaukee’s newest outdoor amphitheater soaks in the skyline: Kadish Park is home to Milwaukee’s newest outdoor performance venue, overlooking the Milwaukee River and the city’s downtown.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/milwaukees-newest-outdoor-venue-soaks-in-the-skyline-b9949984z1-214676131.html

– Monks to create sand artwork near Spring Green: A group of Tibetan monks are visiting Wisconsin during the Himalayan Festival in the Spring Green area.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/monks-to-create-sand-artwork-near-spring-green-b9950586z1-214721511.html

– Riverfest back on track; attendance soared with perfect weather
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/riverfest-back-on-track-attendance-soared-with-perfect-weather/article_86895dec-e84c-11e2-aebe-0019bb2963f4.html

– MVC buys 400 acres near Boscobel: The Mississippi Valley Conservancy has purchased a wilderness tract about half the size of Hixon Forest near Boscobel for conservation and outdoor recreation.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/mvc-buys-acres-near-boscobel/article_9583bc80-e850-11e2-a162-0019bb2963f4.html

– Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame golf tournament at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, July 8 (PHOTO GALLERY)
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20130708/SHE0101/130708039

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Water industry pushes purple pipes: The pipes are used in water-scarce parts of the world to carry a grade of semi-treated water unfit for drinking but fine for other uses, and they could bolster a plan to turn 18 blighted acres in Milwaukee into a gleaming water-industry hub.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/water-industry-pushes-purple-pipes-for-proposed-business-park-b9941568z1-214557541.html

– We Energies: Scam being taken ‘to a different level’: Officials from We Energies say the power company is seeing an increasing number of reports of scammers trying to bilk money from their customers by claiming that customers owe money to the utility and threaten to cut off electrical service unless they pay immediately.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/morning_roundup/2013/07/we-energies-scam-being-taken-to-a.html

– Big disconnect: Phone companies abandoning landlines: The lines have been supplanted by cellphones and Internet-based phone service offered by way of cable television and fiber optic wiring.
http://host.madison.com/business/6c96b10c-fd54-572a-a9a5-b12106911c7c.html

– Xcel: Demand not to blame for brief Onalaska brownout
http://lacrossetribune.com/0042b930-e852-11e2-88a0-0019bb2963f4.html

– Sawyer Creek dredging, contamination cleanup will stretch into fall: The cleanup of petroleum-contaminated sediment dredged from Sawyer Creek will cost the city of Oshkosh $487,000 and will not be finished until the end of October.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20130709/OSH0101/307090120

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– GrandCare Systems receives low interest loan for system to monitor elderly: GrandCare Systems LLC, which developed an Internet-based system that helps monitor an elderly person in his or her home, has received a $200,000 low-interest loan from Economic Development Washington County.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/214667221.html

– TPG Capital expected to close on Assisted Living Concepts purchase shortly
http://www.jsonline.com/business/tpg-capital-expected-to-close-on-assisted-living-concepts-purchase-shortly-b9949858z1-214616481.html

– White House taps Gundersen CEO as ‘Champion of Change’: Dr. Jeff Thompson, CEO of the Gundersen Health System, is one of 11 people who will be honored as “Champions of Change” Tuesday at the White House.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/white-house-taps-gundersen-ceo-as-champion-of-change/article_498911ba-e812-11e2-94e0-0019bb2963f4.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Regulators want stricter rule for big banks: Regulators want to require eight of the largest U.S. banks to meet a stricter measure of health to reduce the threat they pose to the financial system.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20130708/GPG03/307080368

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Manitowoc Co. names Robert Hund president of food service division: The Manitowoc Co. named Robert Hund president of the company’s food service business Monday.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/214609091.html

– Hund will be new president of Manitowoc Company division
http://www.biztimes.com/article/20130708/ENEWSLETTERS02/130709896/-1/daily_enews/Hund-will-be-new-president-of-Manitowoc-Company-division

PRESS RELEASES (back to top)
July 8
* ABR Employment Services: Shannon Murphy-Porter hired as branch manager at ABR La Crosse branch
* Ducommun Incorporated: Recognized by John Deere as partner-level supplier
* Idle Free Systems: Hires Steven Hecimovich as Vice President of Operations
* Madison International Speedway: Triple crown challenge returns to MIS for round two
* Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce: Third Quarter Business Outlook Survey
* Quarles & Brady LLP: Names Jeff Peelen National Practice Group Chair for Public Finance
* Quarter Steak & Lube: Celebrates National Chicken Wing Day by encouraging food shelf donations
* UW System: GE chief executive to address UW Regents
* UW-Madison: Reading the fine print: Can conservation easements allow adaptive management?
* Wisconsin Innovation Network, Wisconsin Technology Council: Cracking international markets is topic at July 18 WIN-Milwaukee meeting

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

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