WisBusiness

CONTACT: Steven Cramer, cramer@engr.wisc.edu, 608-265-2001 MADISON - Almost since the beginning of recorded history, people have used concrete substances in everything from infrastructure to artwork. In the second century B.C., for example, the Romans combined powdery volcanic ash, lime, stone aggregate and water to form hydraulic concrete, an extremely hard, strong material that revolutionized their architectural designs and literally became...

More Information: Charlie Higley (608) 251-3322 x. 14, Cell: (608) 843-6996 MADISON — Today the Public Service Commission reduced the rate hike for electricity sought by Wisconsin Public Service Corp. In its request filed on April 1, 2010, WPS sought to increase electricity rates by $64.2 million or 6.9 percent. Today’s decision by the PSC reduced the rate request...

Contact: Teresa Weidemann-Smith, (608) 266-9600 MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) seeks public comment on draft rules, issued today, that would revise how renewable resource credits (RRCs) are created and tracked. Electric utilities and electric cooperatives use RRCs to comply with Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. 2009 Wisconsin Act 406 (Act 406) established additional ways for Wisconsin...

Contact: Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606 With Push of a Button, Innovative Facility North of Waunakee Begins Process of Converting Manure into Power - - Instead of Pollution Dane County’s first “Cow Power” facility officially started operating today, as County Executive Kathleen Falk, representatives of Clear Horizons (the private operator), and the...

CONTACT: Christel Henke FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE chenke@hansondodge.com Office: 414-332-2933 MILWAUKEE – (December 16, 2010) – Hanson Dodge Creative (HDC), America’s leading active lifestyle agency and Comet Branding + PR, a leading and fast-growing social media and public relations agency today jointly announce that the two firms will merge effective January 1, 2011. This merger will expand our collective ability to provide world-class services...

Contact: Donna Gilson 608-224-5130 MADISON – An animal rescuer has pleaded no contest to bringing a dog into Wisconsin without proof of veterinary examination and rabies vaccination, after the dog bit a child in the Madison family that adopted it. “Animal rescuers have good intentions, but they may be unaware of our animal import laws in Wisconsin,” said State Veterinarian...

For more information, contact: Ingrid Koch, WisDOT New Freedom Program Manager (608) 266-1379, ingrid.koch@dot.wi.gov Governor Jim Doyle has approved grants totaling $2,526,082 for projects that will enhance local transportation options for citizens with disabilities. The grants will support new public transportation services and alternatives beyond the ADA requirements for individuals with disabilities, and will promote coordination between specialized and public transportation statewide. “I...

Contact: Casey Langan, Director of Public Relations, 608-828-5711 November’s election, the animal welfare debate, a big win for farmers on water quality rules, a great growing season and a number of high-profile leadership changes were the top stories for agriculture in 2010. (This is the annual review of the WFBF president’s selection...

Contacts: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661 Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162 Project to create 125 jobs MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Curt Manufacturing has received $400,000 in tax credits from the Economic Development Tax Credit Program and an $11 million Recovery Zone...

Contact: Donna Gilson 608-224-5130 MADISON – This year, it’s time to abandon some holiday traditions. Like tiger meat, steak tartare, cannibal sandwiches – all raw beef dishes with ethnic appeal – and old-fashioned eggnog like Grandma used to make with raw eggs. These are holiday treats that can turn nasty. “Most people have gotten the message that raw meat can make...

Contact: Charlie Goff - 920-731-5777 APPLETON - NEW Capital Fund announced the sale last month of its ownership stake in Ro-Flo Compressors to a group of local investors. NEW Capital purchased the Ro-Flo product line from GE Oil & Gas Division’s Oshkosh facility in December, 2007. Since the purchase by NEW Capital, Ro-Flo Compressors has nearly doubled its...

Contact: Teresa Weidemann-Smith, (608) 266-9600 MADISON – Today, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) authorized a 2.5 percent decrease in gas rates and a less than 1.0 percent increase in electric rates for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) customers in 2011. The result of the PSC decision reflects a $1.60 monthly rate decrease overall. Average WPSC monthly natural...

Contact: Kathy Epping, 608-333-4406 For interviews with First Business executives, contact Jodie Johnson at 920-734-1800. Sales Revenue, Profits up in 2010 (APPLETON, WI) – December 16, 2010 – Northeast Wisconsin Businesses saw increased sales revenue and improved profits in 2010, according to a report released today by First Business Bank at the invitation-only First Business Economic Forum. The First Business Economic Survey of...

By Brian E. Clark For WisBusiness.com J. Michael Collins is a UW-Madison researcher who is not much interested in coming up with mathematical models to calculate the optimal portfolio choice between bonds and equities for people in their 50s. He’d much rather be out in the field, talking with real people, doing surveys, running focus groups to figure how people manage --...