WED AM News: Marquette researcher getting federal funds for pipeline corrosion research; NW Mutual kicks off $500M construction project

— Marquette University researcher Qindan Huang is getting nearly $740,000 in federal funding to explore a method for protecting critical infrastructure from corrosion. 

Huang is an associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering in the Milwaukee university’s Opus College of Engineering. She will use the U.S. Department of Transportation grant to evaluate a “cathodic protection” method used to shield pipeline metals from deterioration. 

To protect the steel used in these pipelines from corrosion, another metal is used that breaks down instead of the steel. It provides electrons that are lost in the corrosive process known as oxidization, according to the university’s release. 

Corrosion is “a time-dependent threat” that causes many of the pipeline incidents that occur across the country, Huang notes. While external pipeline coating is seen as the “first line of defense,” that material can fail over time, she said in the release. 

“Cathodic protection is the second line of defense and has become a widely accepted approach in the pipeline industry,” she said. “However, managing cathodic protection systems is challenging due to uncontrollable environmental factors and possible current interferences.” 

Alongside other researchers on her team, Huang will use pipeline survey and inspection data to evaluate the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems, focusing on factors such as likelihood of failure, associated costs and more. 

Goals of the research effort include modeling corrosion growth, studying the impact of stray current on this process, assessing variables that influence cathodic protection effectiveness, providing decision-making tools for monitoring and augmenting protective systems and more.

“Dr. Huang and her collaborators are tackling an important challenge for the longevity of our infrastructure and the safety of our environment,” Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering, said in a statement. 

Funding for the project comes from the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. 

See more on the research: https://www.marquette.edu/news-center/2023/engineering-professor-receives-us-department-of-transportation-grant-to-evaluate-metal-corrosion-prevention-method.php 

— Northwestern Mutual has begun the $500 million renovation of its downtown Milwaukee office building. 

The financial services company yesterday held a kickoff event with local leaders and business partners to celebrate the start of the project, according to a release. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johson in a statement praised the company’s “commitment to investing in its employees” and the city. 

“Our community is a great place to live and work and this investment will visually enhance our city’s skyline, while adding value to the city for generations to come by bringing talent and furthering economic impact,” he said. 

Northwestern Mutual earlier this year announced about 2,000 employees would move from its Franklin campus to the updated building over the next three to five years, and yesterday’s announcement noted the North Office Building could be occupied as early as 2027. 

Rhode Island-based Gilbane Building Company and CG Schmidt of Milwaukee will handle general contracting and construction management for the project, the release shows. 

See photos from yesterday’s event in headlines below, and see more project details here: https://news.northwesternmutual.com/2023-10-03-Northwestern-Mutual-kicks-off-construction-phase-of-downtown-north-office-building-modernization-project 

— Froedtert Health is taking full ownership of health insurance provider Network Health, the Milwaukee health system announced. 

Ascension Wisconsin and Froedtert Health each currently have a 50% stake in the insurer, which provides commercial and Medicare health insurance plans to customers in 23 Wisconsin counties, according to a release. 

Both health systems have signed an agreement allowing Froedtert Health to purchase Ascension Wisconsin’s interest in the business. The closing date for the acquisition is yet to be determined. 

Froedtert notes existing customers of Network Health won’t have their coverage disrupted, and Ascension will be extending its provider agreement after the acquisition so it stays in-network for these members. 

“As a proven health insurance plan that consistently receives top ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we’re confident this investment will complement our robust population health strategy, allowing us to care for more people at the right place and at the right time,” said Cathy Jacobson, president and CEO of Froedtert. 

The move comes after leaders of Froedtert and Appleton-based ThedaCare recently approved an agreement to merge into a combined health system by 2024. 

See more on that planned merger here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/hospitals-merging-amid-industry-challenges/ 

See yesterday’s release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/froedtert-health-to-acquire-sole-ownership-of-network-health/ 

<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i> 

— State officials have announced $1.1 million in grants aimed at reducing drug and alcohol use among students in Wisconsin. 

<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> 

Sign up here: http://forms.gle/o8FtqTLviGJPja8C9

— New North Inc. is seeking applicants for a series of local startup pitch competitions being organized by the northeastern Wisconsin economic development group. 

The competitions are open to adult residents of the region or those who have launched a business there, according to the release. Their companies must not have generated more than $300,000 in annual revenue, or have raised the same amount of capital. 

The first- and second-place winners of each of the six local contests will get $1,000 and $500, respectively, along with other prizes. They will have the chance to take part in the NEW Launch Alliance Regional Pitch event, being held Nov. 30 at TitletownTech in Green Bay. 

Local events will take place Nov. 13-21. 

See more details here: https://www.startupwi.org/new-north 

#TOP STORIES#

# Investment down in Wisconsin startups this year; state struggles to keep momentum of record-breaking 2021

https://www.wpr.org/investment-wisconsin-startups-down-struggles-keep-momentum

# SysLogic CEO helps co-found new Madison-based cybersecurity consultancy

# Douglas County town rallies to preserve world’s heaviest ball of twine

https://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/be-wisconsin/2023/10/03/wisconsin-town-rallies-to-preserve-worlds-heaviest-ball-of-twine-james-frank-kotera-highland/70983342007/

#TOPICS#

# AGRIBUSINESS 

– Wisconsin animal and meat industry coalition conference

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=889&yr=2023 

– New report highlights need for Wisconsin ag workforce

http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=890&yr=2023 

# CONSTRUCTION 

– Top bidders: The biggest recent winning bids around the state

– Northwestern Mutual breaks ground on ‘skyline-defining’ upgrade of HQ

# EDUCATION 

– Building blocks: University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh Clow Social Science Center renovation

– UW-Milwaukee to cover full tuition for low-income students in 2024-25

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2023/10/03/uw-milwaukee-launches-tuition-promise-program-for-low-income-students/71042620007/

# FOOD AND BEVERAGE

– Italian restaurant Tavolino has closed ‘until further notice’

https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/10/03/milwaukee-restaurant-tavolino-has-closed-until-further-notice/71042600007/

# HEALTH CARE 

– Froedtert Health to acquire Ascension’s stake in Network Health

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/10/03/froedtert-health-to-own-100-of-network-health.html

– Froedtert Health to acquire sole ownership of Network Health

# MEDIA 

– Madison East High senior finds ‘Thrills’ making comic books

https://captimes.com/entertainment/madison-east-high-senior-finds-thrills-making-comic-books/article_5cbe8325-1150-5b9e-9181-85eb07f0b468.html

# REAL ESTATE 

– ‘A new chapter’ — See Northwestern Mutual kick off $500M downtown expansion: Slideshow

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/10/03/northwestern-mutual-launches-500m-project-photos.html

# SPORTS 

– Damian Lillard in Milwaukee for Bucks media day: ‘This feels similar’ to Portland

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/10/02/damian-lillard-become-part-of-community-media-day.html

– John Gordon, designer of original Green Bay Packers ‘G’ logo, dies at age 83

https://www.postcrescent.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2023/10/03/designer-of-original-green-bay-packers-g-logo-dies-at-age-83/71044035007/

# TECHNOLOGY

– Milwaukee-based startup Appion Solutions providing software to help automate apprenticeship programs

# TOURISM 

– Milwaukee ranked among country’s best cities by Conde Nast Traveler readers

https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/2023/10/03/milwaukee-ranked-among-best-cities-by-conde-nast-traveler-readers/71044601007/

– Milwaukee tops New Orleans, NYC in Condé Nast Traveler survey of top places to visit

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/10/03/conde-nast-traveler-readers-choice.html

# PRESS RELEASES

<i>See these and other press releases: 

https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>

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