— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Patrick Geoghegan, executive vice president of industry relations for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
He discusses the effects of supply chain disruptions on the state’s dairy industry, which relies heavily on exports.
“One day out of every week of dairy production is exported to other parts of the world, so any slowdown on the supply chain has a dramatic impact on the dairy industry in Wisconsin,” he said. “Exports are vital to our current operations and I think they will become increasingly important.”
Geoghegan also touches on consumer purchasing trends, and gives his perspective on how the state can leverage its strong reputation for cheese and dairy production on the global stage.
“We’re relatively new at this. We’re neophytes, really, on the export game,” he said. “And so the sky’s the limit in terms of what we can do.”
Because European cheesemakers have been making the same types of cheeses for hundreds of years, Geoghegan explains that “any variation … is somewhat frowned upon.” That creates an opportunity for Wisconsin to step in with new, innovative products, he said.
“So there’s a lack of innovation coming out of Europe, and consumers are interested in new products. They want to try different things,” he said. “And boy, the Wisconsin cheesemakers have done a tremendous job.”
Listen to the podcast here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2022/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-patrick-geoghegan-dairy-farmers-of-wisconsin/
See the full list of WisBusiness.com podcasts: https://www.wisbusiness.com/category/podcast/
— In the latest episode of “WisBusiness.com: The Show,” Lamarr Banks, community manager for the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Urban Hub, shares how to get involved with the co-working space.
The Show also previews an upcoming Wisconsin Technology Council golf tournament being held this weekend at Lake Arrowhead Pines Golf Course in Nekoosa.
In the Tech Metrics section, Tech Council President Tom Still talks about state workers compensation insurance rates falling nearly 8.5 percent effective in October, which is expected to save employers in Wisconsin about $146 million. He also addressed progress in Congress on legislation to support the U.S. semiconductor industry.
Watch the show here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2022/wisbusiness-the-show-with-lamarr-banks-of-the-urban-hub-in-green-bay/
— The U.S. House voted 243-187 to pass a $280 billion bill to boost American semiconductor production and foster scientific innovation. Wisconsin research institutions also would benefit.
Wisconsin House members voted along party lines, with Dems for and Republicans against. Overall, just 24 Republicans voted to pass the legislation and send it to President Biden’s desk.
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, called it “a huge win for Wisconsin workers, manufacturers, and our economy.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Allouez, who has been warning of threats to the United States from China, voted against the bill. He said in a press release the measure should have been more focused on increasing America’s competitiveness against China.
“Instead, the science division of the bill diverges widely from the Endless Frontier Act, and rather than making targeted investments in strategically vital technology areas, spreads federal dollars across special interest constituencies largely divorced from our existential competition with the CCP,” he said. “At the same time, the bill fails to include bipartisan and bicameral provisions, such as the American Security Drone Act, that are directly tied to the CCP threat.”
The CHIPS Act would provide $52 billion in subsidies for domestic production and research. The legislation aims to improve U.S. production and supply chain resilience while decreasing the country’s reliance on semiconductors made in countries such as China and Taiwan.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, voted for the bill in the Senate yesterday, while U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, voted against the measure, which he called “corporate welfare for the semiconductor industry.”
Baldwin has said the bill will benefit the state’s university systems and research universities. If signed into law, it would support the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center on UW-Madison’s campus with up to $6 million per year in funding. That funding comes from $30 million per year for Bioenergy Research Centers.
See Kind’s release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/u-s-rep-kind-votes-for-chips-and-science-act-to-lower-costs-for-wisconsin-families-and-boost-american-competitiveness/
See Gallagher’s release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/u-s-rep-gallagher-statement-on-chips-and-science-act/
See the roll call: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022404?Page=2
— Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is calling on policymakers to “embrace domestic energy independence” and other changes following GDP declining 0.9 percent in the second quarter.
That’s after GDP dropped 1.6 percent in the first quarter. WMC, the state’s largest business group, says these figures indicate the United States has entered a recession.
But experts differ on whether or not that’s the case, with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell saying the country is not in a recession as certain areas of the economy are showing strength, such as in the labor market. In a press conference yesterday, he noted 2.7 million people were hired in the first half of the year.
“It doesn’t make sense that the economy would be in recession with this kind of thing happening,” he said.
But WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer argues the flagging GDP numbers are “a direct result of misguided spending and energy policies.”
“While regrettable, the recession presents federal policymakers with an opportunity to reverse course and embrace domestic energy independence and other policies that will lead our country back to economic growth,” he said in a release.
Bauer is calling for the Biden administration to: stop “stifling investment” in the oil and gas industry by “vilifying” domestic fossil fuels; cease opposition to oil and gas pipelines; abandon efforts to stop or limit domestic fracking; establish an “aggressive plan” to bring new workers into the energy extraction industry; and make a number of other policy changes.
See more of WMC’s policy recommendations: https://www.wmc.org/press-releases/wmc-calls-on-policymakers-to-embrace-domestic-energy-independence-to-combat-economic-recession/
— Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca and eight former department secretaries discussed the importance of technology during a recent summit in Madison.
The secretaries, representing seven different administrations going back to the late 1970s, highlighted a number of developments and accomplishments at the DOR, a release from the agency shows. Some of these included launching a website, adding electronic filing and personal computers for staff, as well as the creation of its Research and Policy Division.
According to the release, the secretaries stressed “the need to remain focused on utilizing technology and data” and investing in staff development and training. Their summit was held to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the department’s Income, Sales and Excise Tax Division and the 50th anniversary of its Audit and Compliance Bureau.
Attendees included Barca, Rick Chandler, Roger Ervin, Michael Morgan, Mark Bugher, Karen Case, Mike Ley, Dennis Conta and Cate Zeuske, who joined virtually.
See more from the summit:
— The Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment has announced $2 million in grant funding is available to community groups for health-related projects.
Any state-based nonprofit, IRS tax-exempt or governmental organizations can apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding for efforts to improve the health and well-being of state residents.
Applicants must do so jointly with an eligible Medical College of Wisconsin partner, the release shows. The endowment was established by the MCW with funding from Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin.
AHW Director Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld says addressing the state’s health challenges requires “local insight, ingenuity and action.”
“Community-based organizations throughout Wisconsin are in the best position to identify opportunities for improving the health of their populations and to form the necessary partnerships and programs to make meaningful public health improvements,” Ehrenfeld said in the release.
The AHW Seed Grant funding period opens Monday and closes Sept. 12.
See more details: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ahw-invites-applications-for-health-improvement-project-funding-301595427.html
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# Rising supply, labor costs adds $74 million to Kenosha County solar and battery project
# More Wisconsin kids are behind on vaccines. The ‘why’ is complicated
# Harley-Davidson cites shutdown for revenue drop, but earnings improve
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Clark County farm tech brings in over 46,000
# BANKING
– Northwestern Mutual employees take over downtown
# CONSTRUCTION
– Downtown Couture apartment tower construction is getting more visible
– Dane County providing $1M for next section of North Mendota Trail
# EDUCATION
– Madison School Board makes 3% wage increase official
# FOXCONN REPORTS
– Mount Pleasant taxpayers have spent $167 million on Foxconn project consultants
# HEALTH CARE
– La Crosse area behavioral health providers receive $350,000 in grants
– Epic researchers find Paxlovid cuts COVID death rate by factor of 10
# LABOR
– UAW boosts strike pay for workers amid spate of walkouts
# LEGAL
– Taxpayers to cover attorney fees in Wisconsin election review open records case
# REAL ESTATE
– EQT Exeter spends $290 million on properties in LakeView Corporate Park
– Marcus real estate investment fund acquires fourth shopping center
– Project that helped launch Milwaukee’s Harbor District has been sold
# RETAIL
– West Bend retail strip sells for $3.66 million
# SMALL BUSINESS
– A fly shop emerges in downtown Waunakee from online retailer
– The Bartolotta Restaurants acquires full ownership of Harbor House
– A De Pere native is opening a new bakery is Ashwaubenon
# SPORTS
– Bucks aim to drive revenue, boost fan experience with new CRM platform
– See latest work on new Deer District hotel to host NBA, MLB teams
– Developers, local officials celebrate ‘topping off’ of Trade Hotel
– Wisconsin unveils plan to award athletes with up to $25,000 as a graduation bonus
# TECHNOLOGY
– Potawatomi’s Data Holdings subsidiary acquires Stack41
# TRANSPORTATION
– JetBlue agrees to $3.8B acquisition of Spirit after Frontier fallout
– Built in Sturgeon Bay, first freighter built on the Great Lakes in 39 years takes maiden voyage
# UTILITIES
– Activists push back on We Energies’ plans to delay coal plant retirement
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Northwestern Mutual: Leads industry in Forbes’ ranking of “Top Financial Security Professionals”
Data Holdings: Expands capabilities through acquisition of Stack41
