–Milwaukee should offer discounted water in order to lure businesses to the city, says Badger Meter President Rich Meeusen. Meeusen, who also heads the Milwaukee 7 Water Council, noted that while the city already uses tax incentives to attract businesses, it is at a competitive disadvantage in what tax breaks it can offer. “We do have a competitive advantage when it comes to water,” Meeusen said on Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha.” He pointed out that the city not only has a large supply of water available, unlike utilities in other Great Lakes cities, Milwaukee’s water works is operating at just 30 percent of capacity. “Let’s use that water to attract employers who come to town to create good-paying jobs by offering them discounted water if they’ll set up those businesses and jobs in certain districts of the city,” Meeusen said. Under Meeusen’s plan, rates would increase to normal for the businesses over time. The city is considering a 28.5 percent rate hike, but that would still keep the city at the seventh lowest rate among the nation’s 50 largest cities, Meeusen said. Milwaukee now has the fourth lowest rate. “Water is a real bargain in the city,” Meeusen said. Though some might scoff at giving businesses a break on water while they pay more, Meeusen said most would rather have a job than a slightly lower water rate. Meesuen said he’s presented the idea to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Gov. Jim Doyle and Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel, who he said have been supportive. — Oshkosh Corp. has received an additional $1.06 billion delivery order from the U.S. Army to deliver 1,700 additional MRAP All Terrain Vehicles by February 2010. The contract also includes aftermarket parts packages to be supplied by April 2010, along with field service support. The delivery order follows an initial $1.05 billion delivery order Oshkosh Defense received for 2,244 M-ATVs on June 30. — The Dow Jones average continues its upward trend, opening this week above 9,170, nearly 80 points higher than last Monday. The WisBusiness index of 70 state stocks is on the rise as well, opening the week at 1,621, nearly 50 points higher than its open last week. The WisBusiness index is up more than 30 percent in the last six months, mirroring the gains seen in national stock indexes. — With summer vacations in full swing, one state tourism company will reveal this week how the economy is affecting its business. The indoor waterpark company Great Wolf Resorts reports its quarterly results Tuesday. Great Wolf owns twelve resorts total, including two in Wisconsin and others as far away as Washington, Texas and Canada. More earnings are due throughout the week, including results from a pair of state energy companies. Alliant Energy and Integrys Energy Group are both due to discuss their earnings on Thursday. See this week’s calendar of earnings releases: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=140042 TOP STORIES
Education Dept. favors $225K award to Wis. vendor : The U.S. Department of Education is asking a judge to uphold a ruling that requires the state of Wisconsin to pay $225,000 to a blind businesswoman. Marshfield DoorSystems to lay off 164 workers: A Marshfield company that sells regular and upscale doors says it plans to lay off 164 workers starting in late September. Oshkosh Corp. lands big contract: Oshkosh Corp. received a $1.06 billion contract from the Pentagon to build an additional 1,700 mine-resistant off-road terrain vehicles to outfit ground forces in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said late Friday. Marinette Marine allocated $4 million: A Marinette County economic official is optimistic about $4 million that has been earmarked for research into hull technology at Marinette Marine Corp. Mercury union seeks details on incentives: Union officials representing Mercury Marine have asked Gov. Jim Doyle to reveal any and all incentives being offered to keep the local marine engine manufacturer in the state. There has been no response from the governor, union officials say.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top) – Defying physics: TLX Technologies follows innovative path
ECONOMY (back to top) – MMAC: Milwaukee economy shows positive signs MANUFACTURING (back to top) – MillerCoors’ 2Q sales volumes slip
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Reaction Varied Over USDA’s Decision to Boost Dairy Prices – Low price of milk challenges farmers – Downturn sours dairying
TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – No bids in $47.5 million train deal – Wisconsinites commute by jet to high-flying careers – Republic completes Midwest acquisition
REGULATION (back to top) – Payday lenders giving lobbyists big paydays to stop interest cap
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top) – Veolia ES Solid Waste adds Kentucky routes
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Company collects hefty fee, fails to deliver lower mortgage rates
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
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