— Gov. Jim Doyle called the statewide workplace smoking ban a “great step forward” as he signed it into law Monday. The signing comes less than a week after a compromise version passed both houses of the Legislature. Than ban takes effect July 5, 2010, and includes taverns and restaurants. But it exempts tribal casinos, existing cigar bars and specialty tobacco shops. Businesses would still be able to allow smoking on outside patios. At a signing ceremony at Cempazuchi, a smoke-free restaurant on Milwaukee’s east side, Doyle praised the Legislature for passing the ban, which he said will be good for public health and ultimately for business. — The 2009 BIO International Convention is running this week in Atlanta against the backdrop of the toughest economic times ever witnessed by the still-young biotech industry. Venture capital investments in biotech companies have plummeted since the last BIO convention and Wisconsin biotech and life sciences companies are not immune from those global trends. But the Wisconsin Tech Council’s Tom Still says Wisconsin’s historic strengths and recent commitments should help it remain among those states that may surge ahead once the recession ends. Read more in the BIO Blog: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bio/ Gov. Jim Doyle is heading to the convention today, according to his office. He will return Wednesday night or Thursday morning. — University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and city officials have taken a major step toward the development of a joint technology park that could bring hundreds of new jobs to the community. The city and the Whitewater Community Development Authority have agreed to locate the Whitewater University Technology Park in the southeastern section of the existing city Business Park, house the planned UW-Whitewater Innovation Center on the site and to acquire additional land for the entire project. The project is estimated to cost approximately just over $10 million, according to UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer. A major part of the park is the Innovation Center, budgeted to cost approximately $5 million. The Technology Park Board is applying for a $3.4 million federal Economic Development Administration grant. See details: http://wispolitics.com/index.Iml?Article=158950 — Eight leaders from Wisconsin’s tech and engineering industries, private equity and political sectors have been unanimously approved to serve on the Wisconsin Technology Council Board of Directors. Among the new additions: Charlie Hoslet, managing director of the UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations, and state Sen. Jim Sullivan, D-Wauwatosa. See the complete list of new additions and their bios: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.Iml?Article=159016 TOP STORIES ‘Stress’ tests on M&I reach contradictory results: Two new independent analyses of small- to mid-sized banks reached different conclusions on whether Marshall & Ilsley Corp. might need to raise capital to withstand further deterioration in the economy. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signs statewide smoking ban: Gov. Jim Doyle signed Wisconsin’s smoking ban into law Monday, snuffing out a smoldering argument that for years pitted anti-smoking advocates against bar owners and patrons. Chrysler expands buyout offer for Kenosha workers : Chrysler LLC said Monday that it has expanded its buyout offers for workers at the Kenosha engine plant and five other factories scheduled to shut down by the end of next year.
************************************************************ 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)
BIOTECH (back to top) – Kagen’s New Energy Plan Aims to Boost Local Biofuels Production
ECONOMY (back to top) – State dealerships facing closure considering their next steps
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Benson receives national SBA award
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – UW-Whitewater, city agree on tech park location – Local housing market still in doldrums
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top)
REGULATION (back to top) – Build-A-Bear fined for child labor law violations – Coming Gorham eateries get outdoor dining OK
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – Binder to get $1.65 million in agreement PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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