— Chipmaker NVIDIA has selected Milwaukee as a test market for a pilot program encouraging people to upgrade their older computers instead of purchasing new ones. The program will be available at Milwaukee PC’s 22 locations. See details: — Gov. Jim Doyle is praising news that the idled Janesville GM plant is one of three domestic facilities under consideration to build a new, smaller vehicle. “We are still alive,” Doyle said Monday at a press conference at Ballweg GM in Middleton. Doyle, who said he heard the news from GM execs this weekend, said the development means there’s still “hope and opportunity to compete for jobs to manufacture cars in Janesville.” Doyle also said that the Kenosha Chrysler engine plant, which was also slated to close, won’t be sold as part of the liquidation of assets due to that bankruptcy and will be offered to potential buyer Fiat as a possible site for manufacturing. See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=160384 — The UW System reports the system’s colleges and universities are producing more graduates with fewer credits under the new Growth Agenda for Wisconsin. The report, titled “Investing in Wisconsin’s Future,” will be presented to the UW Board of Regents at its meeting Thursday in Madison. According to the report, the UW met half of the 20 goals presented in the Growth Agenda for the 2008-2009 academic year. The UW schools conferred 32,475 degrees — up from 32,057 in 2006-2007 — and met its 65 percent threshold for students graduating within six years of enrolling. The report also showed graduates departing with an average of 133 credits — 12 less than in 1994. UW leaders have also made a point of maximizing the schools’ economic contribution to the state, with the system meeting goals for increasing research funding and overall contributions to state earnings. Some of the goals the System is falling short on include increasing revenues from all sources by 5 percent a year and reducing energy usage by 10 percent. “The information about economic impact makes the point that in a severe recession, the UW is one of few ‘sure bets’ to revitalize the economy and set it on a positive course for the long-term,” said UW System President Kevin Reilly in a statement. See the report: http://www.uwsa.edu/opar/accountability/invest09/sys_acct_09.pdf — Wausau Paper filed notice with the state that it will close its Appleton location by December 31, resulting in the permanent layoff of 86 employees. The first round of layoffs, expected to commence on July 31, will affect 14 workers. The remaining 72 workers will be laid off on or before December 31. See the state filing: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/090601wausaupaper.pdf — A De Pere firm has reached a settlement with the state Department of Justice over air pollution permit violations. The C.A. Lawton Co. will pay the state forfeitures and costs totaling $325,000 over a five-year period, according to state DOJ. The agency filed a complaint alleging the company’s De Pere foundry failed to conduct required emissions testing, meet required minimum stack heights, control emissions and submit required reports in a timely manner. DOJ said in statement the company has obtained amended air permits and come “into substantial compliance” with their requirements since the case was filed. *See the DOJ release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=160270 *See the amended complaint: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/amended-complaint.pdf *See the C.A. Lawton statement: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=160300 — Chipmaker NVIDIA has selected Milwaukee as a test market for a pilot program encouraging people to upgrade their older computers instead of purchasing new ones. The program will be available at Milwaukee PC’s 22 locations. See details: ************************* WISBUSINESS.COM / WISPOLITICS.COM FORUM JUNE 10 — Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin’s Transportation Future — WEDNESDAY, June 10, 7:15 AM at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Hear major decision-makers debate the future of passenger rail, highway expansion, the port of Milwaukee and Mitchell Field in light of stressed state and local budgets and commuters’ continuing search for the best way to get to work. Confirmed panelists include Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine and a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee; and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale and a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee. Initial sponsors for the event include UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin Urban & Rural Transit Association and HNTB. The event is open to the public, and the price is $30 per person. But WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com subscribers, the UW-Milwaukee community, and members of MMAC and Discovery World will be able to attend for $20 per person. The price includes the breakfast buffet but not parking. Call Debra Jordan (414) 287-4127 or e-mail djordan@mmac.org to register. Online registration is also available: http://mmac.org/display/router.asp?docid=488&event=1227&startDate=06/10/09 Additional sponsorships are available as well. For sponsorship information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or webmaster@wisbusiness.com ************************* TOP STORIES McCain Foods cutting 126 employees: McCain Foods told employees Monday that about half of its hourly and salaried workers at its Fort Atkinson plant will lose their jobs over the next three months. Some details of state employee furloughs released: All Wisconsin state employees will be subject to 16 days of forced time off, whether they are totally funded with federal money or are part time only. Wisconsin Power and Light Co. purchases natural gas plant: Wisconsin Power and Light Co. has acquired a natural gas-fired electric plant in the town of Neenah.
************************************************************ 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)
ECONOMY (back to top) – Area dealers confident in future despite GM bankruptcy – Dealer: Local impact of GM bankruptcy likely minimal – Hopeful signs for economy emerge in latest data – Clifton Gunderson selects Wauwatosa as new headquarters
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Manufacturing sector shows encouraging signs – Brunswick to cover boat payments if buyer loses job – Oak Creek-based Nordco sold to Canadian investor
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – SBA offers car dealers help
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – State foreclosures down for second month in a row
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top) – Live Nation to ax fees Wednesday – First Milwaukee County Super Walmart opens June 3 – Ex-Kohl’s supermarket sold for Asian grocery
REGULATION (back to top) – Legislation would allow distilleries to give samples, make sales
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Dominion gives $1M to free clinics in 14 states
PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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