From WisBusiness.com …
— Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday praised a proposed rule to cut mercury emissions from utilities by 90 percent because of the flexibility built into the proposed rule.
Doyle said the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing April 7 on the proposal, which would require power plants to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015. It would also give utilities until 2021 to meet the mercury reduction if they cut sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 2015.
Doyle said it’s time for the state to take action. “We can no longer sit back and wait for the federal government,” Doyle said.
*Listen to the news conference:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/080318_Doyle_pc.mp3
*See the release:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/080318Doylemercury.pdf
— Mike Mayoras, the new chief executive officer of Town of Brookfield-based RedPrairie Corp., is bringing a different attitude to leading the high tech company than former CEO John Jazwiec.
For one thing, unlike Jazwiec, he is not threatening to the move the company out of state.
“We enjoy our Wisconsin home,” Mayoras told Small Business Times.
In a sign of the company’s renewed commitment to Wisconsin, RedPrairie recently initiated a scholarship program with UW-Milwaukee. The company is providing two scholarships valued at $5,000 each per year. Mayoras says it is imperative that a company establish itself within the community that it does business.
See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/3/18/#new-redprairie-ceo-says-company-will-remain-in-wisconsin
*****************************************
NEED TO DO A QUICK POLL ON AN ISSUE?
But you can’t afford an entire survey?
Take advantage of an exclusive discount program for WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com Subscribers.
If you are a WisPolitics or WisBusiness subscriber, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount if you purchase two or more questions in the next monthly Checkpoint survey, a production of Wood Communications Group of Madison. That means the first question costs $900, and subsequent questions are $810 each.
The monthly “Checkpoint” survey of public opinion is a statewide random digit dial poll. The next survey will be going into the field later this month.
Individual questions are due by TUESDAY, MARCH 25. Contact Kennan Wood at Wood Communications Group. Call 608-259-0757 or e-mail kwood@wcgpr.com
*****************************************
****************************************
FEATURED SPONSOR
THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Madison Gas & Electric
- University Research Park
- Wisconsin Bankers Association
- Wisconsin Technology Council
****************************************
QUICK LINKS
Use these links to jump directly to a news summary topic
Technology | Biotech | Economy | Manufacturing | Labor | Small Business | Investing | Real Estate | Agribusiness | Transportation | Retail | Regulation | Tourism | Utilities | Health Care | Financial Services | Management | Business Columns |
Press Releases
Contemporary Crowne Plaza Milwaukee-Wauwatosa Opens in Milwaukee County Research Park
Gov. Doyle: Advances environmental protections, calls for passage of rule that would reduce mercury and other emissions
Harley-Davidson, Inc. to Report 1st Quarter Earnings Thursday, April 17, 2008
Lands’ End Announces ‘Teachers Light The Way’ Contest
Nation’s First Littoral Combat Ship Powers Up
Next Generation of Students Playing Major Role in Informing Voters
Technology to Predict Strain Gets a Perfect Model: Michelangelo’s ‘David’
UW-Madison Team ‘Zaps’ Competition with Electric Snowmobile
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek Adds Attorney Pace to Public Finance Practice
Wisconsin Dells Resort Gets the Green Light
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
*************
Doyle endorses reduction in mercury emissions: Gov. Jim Doyle and a coalition of industry and environmental leaders endorsed a proposal Tuesday that would require coal-fired power plants generating 150 megawatts or more to reduce their mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015. “Mercury is a real threat not only to our rivers and lakes but also to the health of our citizens,” Doyle said. Studies have shown mercury can hamper language development, vision and motor functions of children, and might raise the risk of heart attack for adults. The mercury-reduction rule, proposed by the state Department of Natural Resources, would offer an alternative that would let utilities instead lower several pollutants.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277628
GM extends Janesville layoffs: Ongoing supplier strike forces cuts… General Motors’ Janesville Assembly Plant will continue to operate with only one shift next week because of the ongoing strike against supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. The automaker said Tuesday that second-shift workers, who are laid off this week, will return next week, and that first-shift workers would be laid off next week. Each shift employs about 1,000 workers at the Janesville plant, where large sport utility vehicles are assembled. The plant makes Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes, and GMC Yukons and Yukon XLs. The United Auto Workers is on strike for a fourth week against American Axle, resulting in disruptions in delivery of axles and other parts to GM plants.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729730
Growth with trade pacts eyed: Speakers at Appleton summit stress economic value… Pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea stand to carry a profound influence on how America does business globally, a U.S. Department of Commerce leader told an Appleton audience Tuesday. Israel Hernandez, Washington, D.C.-based assistant secretary for trade promotion and director general of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, said Congress hopefully will take up the pacts after returning from Easter break. “Korea would be the most significant agreement since NAFTA,” he said after speaking before about 300 guests at the sixth annual Northeastern Wisconsin Global Trade Conference at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/APC03/803190547/1888/APCbusiness
Presto’s defense sales grow: Deal could generate over $550 million… National Presto Industries Inc. expects its contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to generate more than $550 million in sales over the five-year life of the agreement. The Eau Claire-based manufacturer said Monday that awards of work made up to this week have totaled $454 million. The disclosure was made in Presto’s annual report for 2007 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The contract was awarded to Presto’s AMTEC Corp. in April 2005 for the Army’s five-year 40mm-systems program. Presto acquired AMTEC, in Janesville, in 2001. Defense sales helped boost Presto’s net sales to $420.7 million for 2007, up from $304.7 million in 2006.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729732
MGIC moves to raise $675M in capital: MGIC Investment Corp. intends to initiate a common stock offering and a debenture offering totaling about $675 million. The stock offering would be approximately $350 million, plus up to approximately $53 million of additional common shares that are subject to a 30-day option granted to the underwriters of the offering, the Milwaukee-based mortgage insurer announced Tuesday after markets closed. Banc of America Securities will act as book-runner of the offering. MGIC said it will commence a private placement of $325 million of convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2063 via a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. MGIC also expects to grant the initial purchasers an option to purchase an additional $65 million of debentures.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily25.html?surround=lfn
************************************************************
WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
************************************************************
TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Skill of a surgeon, hand of a robot
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/277685
– Study sees Milwaukee’s star rising
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729733
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Agreement settles Sparta ethanol plant controversy
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/z00ethanol19.txt
ECONOMY (back to top)
– $14.7 million financing tool to aid Gehl corporate expansion
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/March_08/03182008_08.asp
– The state’s sweet spot
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729794
– Journal to buy Tucson TV station
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily26.html?surround=lfn
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Grant to aid Valley firms
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/APC03/803190548/1888/APCbusiness
– Investment firm, management buy Delavan’s Swiss-Tech
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily27.html?surround=lfn
LABOR (back to top)
– Spectrum to add jobs in Fennimore
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/277594
– GM announces shift changes
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/mar/19/gm-announces-shift-changes/
– Chemical plant explodes in Spooner
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BG3IR9VBBEF
– Worker wins new hearing
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729786
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Bar’s alcohol license at risk
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/277684
– Classic cars ready for their close-ups
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729764
– Entrepreneur getting paid to shop
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/March_08/03182008_12.asp
INVESTING (back to top)
– Fed makes big rate cut; Wall Street roars back
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277709
– Fed holds back
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729813
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Judge OKs addition to proposed New Berlin hotel
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729734
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– BelGioioso Cheese to Host Grand Opening
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=352&yr=2008
– Wisconsin Farmers Union to Hold More Carbon Credit Meetings
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=353&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Exec picks airport director
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/APC0101/803190583/1003/APCnews
– New combat ship passes tests
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/GPG03/803190656/1247/GPGbusiness
– State audit reveals county highway scam
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048137&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048137%26snippet%3Df
– Delta to eliminate jobs, cut routes as Northwest deal unravels
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily23.html?surround=lfn
RETAIL (back to top)
– Sharper Image store in Middleton is closing
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277617
REGULATION (back to top)
– Budget plans may dig bigger hole for future
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/277682
– Doyle’s plan could cost $94 million ‘down the road,’ report says
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/GPG0101/803190705/1207/GPGnews
– Food co-op must relocate in six months
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BG3JM687BEF
– Council approves billboard changes
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729781
– Kerry to pay fine in EPA settlement
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily24.html?surround=lfn
TOURISM (back to top)
– DNR grants permit for Grand Cambrian Resort
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/277613
– Waukesha to Harley: Hear our roar
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/March_08/03192008_01.asp
– Hollywood meets Columbus
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/277565
– Renard Isle park plan sent back to committee
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/GPG0101/803190710/1207/GPGnews
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Doyle: Cut mercury pollution 90 percent
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/277604
– Calumet County tilts at wind farms
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048140&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048140%26snippet%3Df
– Brookfield council votes to negotiate with Milwaukee to tap Lake Michigan
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729810
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Woleski of Bellin Health gains fellow status
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/GPG03/803190657/1247/GPGbusiness
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Evergreen Credit Union marks half-century of service
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/APC03/803190542/1028/APCbusiness
– Rate drops may not bring relief, some say
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729736
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– New CFO named at Menasha Corp.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/APC03/803190550/1888/APCbusiness
– Politicking in a purple state
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/March_08/03182008_07.asp
– Cardinal Stritch appoints its first lay president
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=729784
– Kohl’s awards $1M gift to Milwaukee Art Museum
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/17/daily20.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Mike Ivey: ‘American way of life’ may not be sustainable
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/277577
Media Partners
—Channel3000
—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek
National Business Roundups ( back to top)
–YAHOO FINANCE: http://finance.yahoo.com/
–CNBC BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.cnbc.com
–ABC BUSINESS NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/
–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html
(c)2008 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including electronic mail.
