(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 9 Feb. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— Gov. Jim Doyle announced that a new biomass boiler will be installed at the Charter Street Heating Plant in Madison.

“We must move away from our dependence on coal,” Doyle said. “This new project will help build the biomass market in Wisconsin, keep the money we spend on energy in the local economy and create green jobs in the area.”

The new biomass boiler will be capable of burning up to 100 percent biomass, everything from wood chips to switchgrass pellets, and will eventually be able to burn about 250,000 tons of biomass per year.

See reaction to the announcement: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82

— The largest annual gathering of Wisconsin bankers, the WBA Bank Executives Conference, will be held today through Wednesday at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

Featured speakers include:
* Matthew R. Feldman, president/CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, presenting information on supporting Wisconsin banks in volatile markets.
* Brian Wesbury, chief economist, First Trust Advisors, LP, talking about inflation, deleveraging and recession in the current economy.
* Lorrie Keating Heinemann, secretary, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, offering an update from a regulator’s viewpoint.
* Tucker Carlson, senior political correspondent, MSNBC, providing insights on the first 100 days of the new national political landscape.

See details: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=147394

— The Greater Milwaukee Committee is holding its annual membership meeting today at the University Club and key discussion topics will include transit and water.

Badger Meter CEO Rich Meeusen will provide a full update on the progress of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council. Following will be Chancellor Carlos Santiago of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who will offer the latest information on the developing UWM School of Freshwater Sciences.

See details: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=148126

— The catalogs produced by the Belleville-based Duluth Trading Co. tend stand out from the other glossy sales brochures that arrive by mail, thanks in large part to the quirky cover art produced by long-time illustrator Rick Kollath.

“People get a log of catalogs in the mail and you only have a few seconds to make your sell, engage them and get them to look inside,” said Kollath, whose illustrations range from the iconic to nostalgic.

“If I’ve been able to do that with a little tongue-in-cheek humor and make people chuckle with a clever cover, well that’s good,” said Kollath, who grew up with a penchant for crayons and coloring, but never went to art school.

See more from Kollath in a new WisBusiness interview: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=148229

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REGISTER BY WED. FOR EARLY DISCOUNT: FOCUS ON MIDWEST ENERGY CONFERENCE II

Feb. 23, 2009 at Monona Terrace in Madison

Conference includes: U.S. Rep. Baldwin; Obama environmental adviser Learner; Gary Mar, Alberta’s official representative to the United States; and David K. Owens, executive vice president of business operations at the Edison Electric Institute. For more information, see a recent press release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=147100

Sponsors for this event include Xcel Energy, American Transmission Company, Virchow, Krause & Company, the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, Alliant Energy and Dominion. The government of Canada is an event partner.

The event is open to the public. Individual tickets cost $50 if purchased by WEDNESDAY Feb. 11; tickets after that cost $75 each. Tables are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $600. Student discounts also will be available. The ticket price includes food.

For more information or to register, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or greer@wispolitics.com.

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THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS

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Press Releases
Better Environmental Solutions: Farmers, conservationists praise Governor’s Charter Plant decision
· CREWE: Applauds Charter Street biomass decision
· Dane Co. Exec. Falk: Charter Street plant to burn biomass
· Dane County Exec. Falk: Showcases Dane County Regional Airport’s new green building and energy initiatives
· DATCP, DNR: Officials warn against manure spreading; conditions create extreme risk of runoff
· Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Sec. Nilsestuen’s statement on Charter St. biomass project
· Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Sprouts recalled; sample tests positive for salmonella
· Dept. of Justice: United Meadows Dairy, LLC of Brown County ordered to pay $46,000 for violations of state water pollution control laws
· Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Gassman awards certificates, urges more workers to enter rigorous manufacturing training program, pathway to advancement
· Gov. Doyle: Announces Charter Street to burn biomass
· Gov. Doyle: Launches Madison’s clean energy future
· K-Sun Corporation: K-Sun LABELShop® BEE3® named among top products in 2008 by Wire & Cable Technology International magazine
· Lt. Gov. Lawton: Calls on Wisconsin’s economic development experts to anchor stimulus package in job creation statewide
· Milwaukee County Board: Approves plan to embrace regional transit
· Milwaukee Press Club: Newsmaker luncheon to focus on “Social Media 101”
· Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner reassures Circuit City customers their warranties will be covered
· Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: January 2009 administrative actions
· Plum Creek: Applauds Gov. Doyle’s biomass announcement
· Transit NOW: Nationally recognized speaker Scott Bernstein details the benefits of transit expansion in southeastern Wisconsin
· UW-Madison: Russell Athletic relationship will end
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: Biodiesel Basics #21: New cold weather biodiesel process developed
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: WBIA sees new opportunities with Charter Street biomass boiler
· Wisconsin Corn Growers Association: Applauds biomass project
· Wisconsin Insurance Alliance: Percentage of uninsured drivers in Wisconsin is expected to rise as unemployment increases, says new study
· Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association: Presents annual industry awards

For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82


TOP STORIES
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Court delays paid sick leave mandate: A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge has issued a temporary injunction that will stall implementation of a city of Milwaukee ordinance that will require employers to provide paid sick leave to workers. The ruling by Judge Thomas Cooper gives a temporary win to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), the city’s largest business group, which has filed suit challenging the paid-sick-leave mandate as invalid. Similar ordinances, however, are already in effect in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., despite opposition by business groups.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/daily80.html

Court approves debtor-in-possession financing for Spectrum: The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio awarded interim court approval for Spectrum Brands’ request to receive $235 million in debtor-in-possession financing as the company seeks to restructure its debt as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The court has scheduled a hearing for final court approval for the debtor-in-possession financing and other motions on March 4.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/daily85.html

Nearly 200 more jobs being cut in Wisconsin: A Brodhead company will cut almost 100 jobs while two other firms are cutting almost 60. The state Department of Workforce Development said Friday it received notification from the three firms.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090207/OSH03/90206161/1167

Big-name state companies caught cold in January : Taken as a group, the poorest performers in the Wisconsin Ticker last month seem to scream one word: recession.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39289632.html

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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
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Sonic Foundry cuts losses by more than half
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/437052

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Fertility clinics see increase in egg donor applicants
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/09/story6.html?b=1234155600^1774400

– Madison biotech veteran Sneider named Nerites CFO
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/daily82.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Deflation: When low prices buy high anxiety
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/437381

– NML grants $4.5M for education
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/09/story4.html?b=1234155600^1774303

– Forward Wisconsin will no longer market the state for business
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39227152.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Madison attorney chosen as businesswoman of year
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/437153

– You lost your job … now what?
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39174142.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– SBA-backed loans in less demand in Wisconsin but easier to obtain
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39147217.html

INVESTING (back to top)
– Confessions of a Money Manager: Put energy and TIPS in your recovery plan
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/437156

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Wisconsin farmers getting 30% less for milk
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090208/GPG03/902080798/1247

– Cross Country: Sun Prairie family makes major manure digester investment
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/436896

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Airlines plan Madison schedule changes
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/437115

– AirTran aims to take off with new marketing
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39240782.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– New restaurant adds to downtown Omro businesses
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090208/OSH03/90207052/1167

– MC Sports opening in Harbor Town
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090209/MAN0101/902090472/1984

– Talbots will close 20 U.S. stores
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/daily87.html

– Brookfield Square is beating the odds
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39240802.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Waukesha man’s claims of subprime lending deception spark IRS investigation
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39246487.html

TOURISM (back to top)
– Great expectations: Great Wolf says it will be poised for big growth when economy improves
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/437161

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Alliant reports drop in revenue and earnings
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/437051

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Who’s news: ThedaCare names medical director
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090208/APC03/902080570/1028

– Rai, 36, embraces challenges to lead Prevea
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090208/GPG03/902080793/1247

– Patients pay when doctors switch health systems
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39292942.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Kimberly-based Capital Credit Union marks 75 years
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090208/APC03/902080579/1028

– The rise and (almost) fall of America’s banks
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/437118

– Associated looks to maintain aggressive approach
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/437122

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Grebe to be new chairman of GMC
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/02/02/daily88.html

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Tom Saler: Stimulus can help, but may not cure
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39289622.html

– John Torinus: Stimulus should improve our rank in federal funding
http://www.jsonline.com/business/39240347.html

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

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