FRI AM News: WisBusiness: the Podcast with Kelly Tourdot, ABC of Wisconsin; WisBusiness: the Show with Craig Thompson, incoming vice chancellor for university relations at UW-Madison

September 6, 2024

— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Kelly Tourdot, incoming president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

ABC of Wisconsin last month announced Tourdot would take over as the group’s leader Sept. 20 after working there for nearly three decades. The statewide trade association is focused on the commercial and industrial market in Wisconsin, with more than 1,000 member businesses.

“Our organization serves any need that they have,” she said. “We have a large apprenticeship program that obviously serves their workforce development needs, but there’s a variety of other services that we provide to our members during the course of a day in the life of our contractors.”

Tourdot discusses her goals for growing a safety program that visits construction sites in Wisconsin, as well as continuing to develop the group’s apprenticeship program and support participants.

“We have high standards for all of our 12 trades,” she said. “We want to produce the best craftsperson out of our apprenticeship program, and so we need to kind of shore up and make sure we focus on the apprentices.”

Her previous roles with the organization include apprenticeship director and vice-president and executive director of the ABC Apprenticeship and Training Trust. She says seeing apprentices succeed is one of her “career joys,” emphasizing the role of family-owned businesses in helping graduates advance their careers.

“Many times, those apprentices go on to be the company owners,” Tourdot said.

As one example, she pointed to board chair Jess Cannizzaro, a former plumbing apprentice who now runs Milestone Plumbing in Milwaukee.

The interview also highlights some of ABC of Wisconsin’s top policy priorities ahead of the next Legislative session.

“It’s really going to be removing those regulations that are impeding their ability to actually win the project … We’re against anything that would not allow our contractors to actually bid on a project,” she said. “So we’re happy within a level playing field, we’re willing to compete for work.”

Listen to the podcast and see the full list of WisBusiness.com podcasts.

— The latest edition of “WisBusiness.com: the Show” features Craig Thompson, Wisconsin’s secretary of transportation for six years and the incoming vice chancellor for university relations at UW-Madison.

Thompson discusses the university’s role as the flagship campus for the Universities of Wisconsin as well as challenges on the horizon.

“There’s so many metrics and so many ways that UW-Madison is doing fantastic right now, in terms of freshmen enrollment, in terms of time to graduate … there’s so many great things,” he said. “But … there’s a lot of important funding issues that are going to be coming up with the Legislature.”

He also shares insights from his time working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle, adding; “I think I enjoy a good relationship with the vast, vast majority.”

The show also previews upcoming events being hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council.

Watch the show here and see more episodes.

— President Joe Biden, in western Wisconsin to tout a $7.3 billion investment in clean energy for rural America, opened with a call for new gun control measures following a deadly shooting at a Georgia school.

A 14-year-old has been charged with four counts of felony murder after the shooting left two students and two teachers dead while injuring nine others.

During his stop in Westby, Biden acknowledged it’s not popular to talk about gun control measures in rural areas like the one he was visiting yesterday. Still, he said “we need more than thoughts and prayers.”

Biden ticked off a series of measures, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring safe storage of firearms in people’s homes, enacting universal background checks and ending immunity for gun manufacturers.

See more from Biden’s remarks at WisPolitics.

— Xcel Energy is proposing a new high-voltage transmission line in Wisconsin with two potential routes before the state Public Service Commission.

The Minneapolis-based utility company yesterday announced plans for the line, noting it would bring more renewable energy to customers in the state. Under the company’s proposed plans, the Western Wisconsin Transmission Connection would run from Blair, Wis., to existing infrastructure near Eau Claire while linking other lines to the north and east.

Karl Hoesly, president of Xcel Energy Wisconsin, says the project represents a “key step” in the company’s plan for reliably delivering affordable carbon-free electricity.

“Delivering low-cost renewable energy to customers, while also providing unmatched reliability and keeping bills affordable is how Xcel Energy will lead the clean energy transition,” Hoesly said in a statement.

Xcel Energy says this and other projects under development in Minnesota and Wisconsin could deliver more than 2,500 megawatts of renewable energy to customers in the two states, which is enough to power more than 1.3 million homes per year. The company estimates building the newly proposed project would take about 350 construction workers.

See the release.

— Wisconsin banks were in a “healthy position” through the second quarter of this year, according to the Wisconsin Bankers Association.

The trade association yesterday highlighted federal figures showing lending at banks in the state “held steady or increased” over the year for commercial, residential, and farm loan categories.

“Despite economic and geopolitical concerns, banks remain well capitalized and continue to meet the needs of their communities, as evidenced by steady or increased lending across sectors and a steady deposit base,” WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels said in a statement.

Residential real estate loans rose 15.2% over the quarter and 11.55% over the year, the release shows. WBA note homes were selling quickly in the spring as borrowers have “become accustomed” to current home prices and interest rates.

At the same time, commercial lending rose 0.75% over the quarter and dipped 0.33% over the year as business owners have been waiting for potential interest rate cuts by federal regulators as well as economic ripple effects of the November elections, the release shows.

“As indicators point toward a likely interest rate cut by the Fed in September, borrowing costs could ease and provide additional opportunities for banks to support their customers’ growth and financial goals,” Oswald Poels said.

Meanwhile, farm loans were up 20.59% over the quarter and 2.44% over the year, with farmers starting planting season, buying equipment and investing in their operations.

See the release.

— WEDC is offering grants up to $250,000 for groups developing programs to support small businesses in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. yesterday announced it’s taking applications through Oct. 18 for the Small Business Development Grant pilot program, with grants starting at $50,000. It has a budget of $2 million for fiscal year 2025.

Recipients including regional economic development groups, municipalities, tribal governments and counties will pass all of the awarded funds to small businesses, the release shows. The agency will announce award recipients in no more than 40 communities early next year.

See more in the release.

Top headlines from the Health Care Report…

— UW Health announced it has acquired a Beaver Dam clinic called Community Pediatrics.

And ThedaCare has appointed Jenny Derks to lead two critical access hospitals in New London and Waupaca.

For more of the most relevant health care news, reports on groundbreaking research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.com.

Sign up here.

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TOPICS

CONSTRUCTION

– Brady Street hotel eyes demolition permit

– Brady Street hotel project moving forward

– Groth Design Group founder Mike Groth sells firm to management team

EDUCATION

– Northland College back for fall semester — though with fewer offerings and students

– Voters in Glendale-River Hills to decide on $9 million operational referendum for schools

ENVIRONMENT