(WisBusiness) WED News Summary — 29 Apr. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— Even though some former vacationers staying home because of the economic downturn, the total number of visitors to northern Wisconsin resorts should remain the roughly the same or even rise slightly this summer.

That’s the optimistic prediction of Diane Misina, president of North Lakes Hospitality Inc. Her Saint Germain-based company has four resorts, three hotels and several private homes it rents out as vacation properties.

“We are seeing our summer shape up quite well, even a little ahead of what we’ve had in previous years,” said Misina, whose firm is one of the largest of its kind in the region.  Its holdings include the Wild Eagle Lodge near Eagle River and the Black Bear Lodge outside Saint Germain.  Both are in Vilas County.

“With all the challenges in the economy, we are attributing it to people becoming closer and valuing family time more than they have in the past,” she said, noting customers are actively seeking bargains.  

See more from a new interview with Misina later at http://www.wisbusiness.com

— TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has filed notice with the state that it will close its facility in Ettrick on June 25, resulting in the permanent layoff of approximately 70 employees.

— A software program customized for the financial management needs of major sports teams and athletic departments is one of 21 business plans still in the running for the 2009 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

Innovative Sports Strategies was created by Milwaukee resident Brian Cole, who believes major sports teams are losing out on money and time because of the way they manage their financial data. His product aims to eliminate confusion and save time.

“ISS saves time and money for (athletic departments and professional teams) because they will no longer need to spend hundreds of hours each year setting Excel spreadsheet templates, rolling forward prior data, managing numerous versions of spreadsheets and compiling massive amounts of reporting data,” Cole said.

Read more about Cole’s product: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=156891

— Gov. Jim Doyle announced the bids for the first road and bridge projects in Wisconsin funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act came in 7.2 percent lower than expected for a savings of $8.9 million. 

The total engineering estimate for the 26 state and 19 local road and bridge projects let out for bid today was $123.5 million. The low bids submitted totaled $114.6 million. 

The advertised projects and listing of the as read bid results is posted on the Web at http://roadwaystandards.dot.wi.gov/hcci/bid-letting/index.shtm.

— A breakthrough test to rapidly and accurately detect small amounts of the most deadly strains of botulinum toxin has been released by BioSentinel Pharmaceuticals LLC, a Madison-based company.

The company’s new “BoTest”™ offers nearly a 300-fold increase in sensitivity compared to other botulinum neurotoxin protein-based assays on the market. It can detect picomolar level amounts of the toxins within minutes.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=156904

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WisBusiness.com Luncheon featuring Tim Cooley, Madison’s New Economic Development Director

MONDAY, MAY 4 at The Madison Club

The event is open to the public, and the price for lunch is $19. Call the Madison Club to register at (608) 255-4861. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

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