(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 17 Mar. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— By some measures, all banks in Wisconsin struggled last year as the recession took hold of the economy. But community banks in the Badger State finished the year 2008 with an increase of more than 30 percent in net loans and leases.

The leader of the group representing smaller banks — the Community Bankers of Wisconsin — calls that number very positive considering net income at the banks declined 27 percent from 2007. Still, that’s far less of a drop than experienced by big banks in Wisconsin.

Daryll Lund, president and CEO of the Community Bankers of Wisconsin, says in a new interview that community banks have done better than their larger cousins because they tend to be more conservative and because they know their customers.

Read more from the interview: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=152383

— Gov. Jim Doyle has announced a $240 million investment in UW-Milwaukee as part of his capital budget that would allow the school to move forward on building projects for science and engineering, freshwater science and public health.

The money comes in addition to more than $100 million the school has raised from private donors for the initiatives.

“This is important for long-term economic health,” Doyle said Monday. “UWM has several worthy projects. This funding will help them do that.”

Doyle made his announcement at the Great Lakes Water Institute, which could see significant renovations if the funding is approved by the Legislature.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=152345

— The University of Wisconsin System recently released its complete Fall 2008 enrollment data, showing a record number of students pursuing degrees at the 26 campuses.

In the academic year beginning in September 2008, UW System’s enrollment reached 175,056 – an increase of 1,663 from the previous year, and an all-time record for the System. This is equal to 149,494 full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments – also a record – based on the number of course credits carried by students.

See details: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2009/r090316.htm

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Press Releases
· Community Advocates Public Policy Institute: U.S. job shortage hit 8.4 million during final months of 2008
· Dane Co. Exec. Falk: County expands marketing opportunities for growers, producers
· Focus on Energy: Grace Lutheran School reduces heating costs by 29 percent
· Gov. Doyle: Announces $240 million for UW-Milwaukee building projects
· Gov. Doyle: Announces new logo and theme line for state brand
· St. Mary Central High School: Establishes the Edward and Rosella Rippl Scholarship
· St. Norbert College: To be a part of Midwest Conference virtual job fair March 30-April 30
· UW System: Enrollment tops 175,000
· UW-Madison: Journalism classes combine to cover the economic crisis
· UWM: Iverson White casting new film
· Wisconsin Clean Diesel: Local officials thank Congress for funding diesel emissions reduction technologies
· Wisconsin Innovation Network: ‘All aboard!’ Could renewed high-speed rail prospects put I-Q Corridor Express on track?
· WMC: Radio ads urge listeners to oppose tax increases

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


TOP STORIES
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Feds set new guidelines for Guaranty Bank: Brown Deer-based Guaranty Bank is being run under strict guidelines set by the federal Office of Thrift Supervision after the federal agency said the bank “has engaged in unsafe and unsound banking practices.”
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily15.html

Creditors try to force Darrow Automotive into bankruptcy: Four creditors have filed an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in Milwaukee against Russ Darrow III’s Darrow Automotive Group Inc.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily18.html

Doyle including $240M in budget for UWM: Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday his capital budget will include $240 million in bonding over the next six years to allow the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Engineering College, School of Fresh Water Sciences and School of Public Health to move forward.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily14.html

Bergstrom closing four Saturn dealerships: Bergstrom will close its Saturn stores in Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, La Crosse and Wausau, the company said in a statement. Bergstrom will continue to operate its Saturn of Grand Chute store combined with its new adjacent brands of Buick, Pontiac, and GMC Truck.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=blogs04&plckController=Blog

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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)
– Technology council meets Thursday
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090317/APC03/903170471/1028?GID=tQaDBbJ/e95oHt0qCTnZNUESW3FUJlmWLycuE5DAtnU%3D

– Electric car fans wait for future
http://www.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/41341817.html

BIOTECH (back to top)
– New Web site focuses on local biotech industry
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/443143

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Bad economy spurs rise in business scams
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090317/APC03/903170458/1028

– Going shopping: A few firms find price is right for acquisitions
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/focus1.html?b=1237176000^1794255

LABOR (back to top)
– U.S. Highway 41 project could bring up to 80 jobs
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090317/OSH0101/903170347/1987

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Ray’s Tires never questioned holding Shewmake’s position
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090317/GPG03/903170392/1247?GID=tQaDBbJ/e95oHt0qCTnZNUESW3FUJlmWLycuE5DAtnU%3D

– MU adds certificate in entrepreneurship
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily19.html

INVESTING (back to top)
– Charter reports wider loss to end 2008
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/443145

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– City Council to vote on extension for Alexander Co.; slow condo sales may mean repaying TIF
http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/latest/443241

– Condo development’s receiver wants sales rescinded
http://www.jsonline.com/business/41349797.html

– Real estate agent guilty in kickback scheme involving state office building
http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/41314037.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Immigrants add new flavors to Wisconsin’s cheesemaking legacy
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/41352337.html

RETAIL (back to top)
– Dollar Tree takes root on Military Avenue
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090317/GPG03/903170397/1247?GID=tQaDBbJ/e95oHt0qCTnZNUESW3FUJlmWLycuE5DAtnU%3D

TOURISM (back to top)
– New Wisconsin slogan draws legal scrutiny
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090317/GPG03/903170394/1247?GID=tQaDBbJ/e95oHt0qCTnZNUESW3FUJlmWLycuE5DAtnU%3D

– Criticize like you mean it
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/41330452.html

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– GE and Qatar Foundation form health care pact
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily17.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Central States says it won’t pay wages
http://www.jsonline.com/business/41350052.html

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Carroll to retire from Bon-Ton
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/16/daily16.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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