From WisBusiness.com … — Scott Jansen, head of the Department of Workforce Development’s new Office of Skills Development, said the state hopes to have administrative rules in place by the end of September for the new Fast Forward program, with the grant process open by early fall. He said the state has already received 20 to 25 inquiries about Fast Forward, which includes $15 million for special worker training grants. Jansen discussed the state’s efforts to bridge the skills gap on Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” produced in conjunction with WisPolitics.com. He said the state isn’t looking to necessarily target individual employers, but businesses that have a common need with training that doesn’t exist now through tech colleges or other means. “What we’re really preaching to people is that we want things to become pilot sources of training programs that are rather new and innovative that can be replicable, scalable and portable,” he said. Jansen noted Wisconsin’s job force is expected to turn over 1 million jobs in the next decade. Of that, 680,000 of those jobs are now held by those who will retire while the rest are new skills needed for an evolving workforce. — BizTimes Milwaukee executive editor Steve Jagler explained why his magazine is calling the uptick in the economy the “joyless recovery.” Jagler said there’s a lot to celebrate about the economy, but he believes people are hesitant to celebrate them. He compared it to the impact the Great Depression had on his grandparents’ generation, making them frugal. He said this generation will never take prosperity for granted. “We’re hesitant to celebrate because we saw how quickly we lost everything,” he said. See more from the show: TOP STORIES Gov. Scott Walker signs unemployment benefit changes: Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that would increase the maximum weekly unemployment insurance payout but install new limits on who can collect the benefits. The bill increases the highest weekly benefit by $7 to $370. It also makes it easier for the state to recover overpayments made to the unemployed by allowing audits of beneficiaries, repeals a program that allows claimants to receive an additional 26 weeks of benefits if they’re enrolled in vocational training and bars inmates in work-release programs from collecting unemployment. Related: Chinese researcher reaches deal in Medical College of Wisconsin drug theft: A researcher accused of stealing a possible cancer-fighting compound from the Medical College of Wisconsin has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors. … Online court records say Zhao agreed this week to plead guilty to accessing a computer without authorization. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Anchor BanCorp defaults on loan after Fed denies extension: In a decision that surprised Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc. officials, the Federal Reserve System decided this week not to sign off on an extension of a sizable loan that Anchor owes to a group led by U.S. Bank. … With the loan in default, lenders could call for immediate repayment, but as of Friday Anchor had not received notice from any lenders that they would take actions in response to the default, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Related: – Regulators deny loan extension to Anchor BanCorp Landlords, self-employed get state aid on honor system: … a Journal Sentinel investigation found the cases — and others like them — reveal a gap in regulation that affects every public assistance program in the state. The problem is fairly simple: Local and state regulators fail to verify actual income when applicants report that they make no money or are self-employed. … “We have no way to check that this is what they made the year before they applied,” said one public assistance fraud investigator in southeastern Wisconsin who requested anonymity because she is not authorized to speak about the issue. “Basically we’re supposed to accept what they tell us.” Koss Corp. settles with auditor in Sachdeva embezzlement case: Koss Corp. received $8.5 million on Wednesday as part of a settlement with former auditor Grant Thornton LLP, which the Milwaukee headphone company claimed was negligent in failing to detect the $34 million embezzlement by former Koss executive Sujata Sachdeva. Related: Eau Claire: Confluence Project’s new cash mix catches Walker’s eye: With its funding mix revised in May to include more private sector financing, the Confluence Project now meets a criteria of what Gov. Scott Walker seeks in state building projects. While neither endorsing nor opposing the proposed multimillion dollar community performing arts center, apartment complex and commercial development pitched for downtown Eau Claire, the governor reiterated his interest in the project in a recent visit to the city. ************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top) – Garmin puts Lake Winnebago on the GPS map – Research grant to help spur production of jet fuel from plants – Why are there so few women in academia working on information technology? – Senate panels to discuss broadband network ECONOMY (back to top) – Overcoming generational poverty – New consuming philosophy: Reuse, remake, refrain – Defense Department furloughs begin MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Some state manufacturers turn to nontraditional shifts – Water industry pushes ‘purple pipes’ for proposed business park – Erik Buell Racing fighting history, competition in scale-up efforts – Milwaukee pocketed $1.6M by recycling in 2012 – Some apparel firms return production to U.S. – Tri-County recycling plant will accommodate more plastics by 2014 – Green Bay: Quality Packaging moves into Advance LABOR (back to top) – Summer internship program offers experience, education for youths – Ousted bus union officials allegedly tried to pad anti-Scott Walker hours SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Janesville barber Burr Rote approaches half-century of business – Avalon renovation to get under way – Lambrecht’s pizza is Plymouth institution – Linwood man gets one last look at his parents’ old grocery store, and a lifetime of memories (with video) – Wayne’s Jerky gets Advance microloan – Theater fan trying to revive historic Grand on Wisconsin Ave. – Local masseuse to open massage school (with video) INVESTING (back to top) – Madison ranks No. 20 on Richard Florida’s list of per capita venture capital activity – Don’t rule out investing in companies dealing with bad news – US stock futures rise as earnings season looms REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Bill would end local rental registry, inspections – Stalled Brookfield office project to be revived under new developer – Foreclosure filings in Rock County drop 55% – The top 15: When it comes to high-end housing, the Coulee Region is not created equal AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Near-record rain ‘devastating’ for farmers after last year’s drought – Cheese Production Numbers Were Up Again in May – Resurgence of sandhill cranes becomes headache for farmers – Sandhill cranes a problem for some farmers – Farmers worry about fate of immigration bills – Farm Technology Days comes to Barron County – Strawberry farms having ‘exceptional’ season (with video) TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – Highway 441 expansion promises relief for town of Menasha businesses – EAA takes FAA to court over AirVenture fees – MetJet growth continues as Austin Straubel bounces back – State pays $925K for Nitschke Bridge repairs – Cellphone lots become a key airport feature – In no hurry: As faster hybrids and electric cars pass them by, some hang on to their ‘low-speed vehicles’ RETAIL (back to top) – Spice and Tea Exchange opens in Mequon – Easy access to healthy food hampered in Racine – Oshkosh: Plenty of opportunity for new Central City retail – Illnesses prompt wide Whole Foods cheese recall – Sweet taste of victory: Kringle now official state pastry REGULATION (back to top) – Buchanan restaurant owner to appeal liquor license revocation – Wisconsin smoking ban turns three TOURISM (back to top) – How the “Million Dollar Midway” saved Summerfest – Packers’ Jordy Nelson goes long for Wisconsin tourism – DNR reminds hunters to purchase fall licenses – Packers exec wants to retire Favre’s number by 2016 UTILITIES (back to top) HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Special Report: Senior living options varied, but consumers need to be informed – Gov. Walker signs abortion bill – Planned Parenthood to fight Wisconsin abortion change – Green Bay firefighters want arbitrator to rule on hospital follow-up visits – ThedaCare welcomes pathologist – Discussing BadgerCare Plus changes – Health insurers fear young people will opt out – Bethesda Lutheran Communities to close Watertown campus in 2014 FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) MANAGEMENT (back to top) – Branovan knew the value of hard work, kindness in all parts of life BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top) – Steve Van Remortel column: Preparation is all about the process – Alex Breitinger column: Crude explodes over $102 per barrel – Ten steps to win support for inbound marketing PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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