— Wisconsin often has among the highest labor force participation rates in the country for “prime working age” residents, according to a recent UW-Madison report.
The labor force participation rate is typically based on the percentage of workers over age 16 that are either employed or unemployed and actively seeking work, the report shows. But a researcher with the university’s Division of Extension notes this measure can be calculated for “a variety of demographic characteristics.”
For residents between the ages of 25 and 54, Wisconsin is frequently among the top 10 U.S. states for labor force participation on an annual basis, the report found. In 2021, that rate was 88.9 percent for men and 83.1 percent for women in the state — the ninth and fifth highest rates in the country, respectively.
The report also explores county-level prime working age labor force participation. But the author notes margins of error in U.S. Census Bureau data used to calculate these figures at the county level “make geographic comparisons somewhat challenging.” The report aims to avoid this issue by analyzing if a county’s rate has a statistically significant difference from national rates.
“Calculating significant differences (at a 90% confidence level) shows variations in [labor force participation rates] for both men and women within states and across regions,” author Matt Kures wrote.
For prime working age men, 42 counties in the state have labor force participation rates above the national rate of 86.4 percent, while 15 counties have a lower rate and another 15 don’t have a statistically significant difference. The counties with a lower rate include: Bayfield, Burnett, Washburn, Rusk, Chippewa, Forest, Menominee, Jackson, Vernon, Crawford, Juneau, Adams, Waushara, Dodge and Milwaukee.
Meanwhile, 51 counties in the state have participation rates for women that are above the national average, and just two counties have lower rates, the report shows.
See the full report: https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/2023/04/18/unveiling-labor-force-participation-rates-in-wisconsin/
— The head of Stark Company Realtors in Madison says “absolutely no evidence” suggests that home prices will be falling in south central Wisconsin anytime soon.
In a recent newsletter, company President David Stark wrote that available inventory remains too low and a shortage of sellers is keeping that from changing.
Stark notes that finalized home sales in Dane County were down 20 percent in the first quarter of this year, and down 14 percent in Sauk and Columbia counties. And accepted offers were 27 percent lower in Dane County and 19 percent lower in Sauk and Columbia counties.
But he argues these declines “had nothing to do with buyers leaving the market” or with home affordability. Rather, he points to a decline in new listings as the culprit.
“New listings in Dane County are also down 27%, exactly the same percentage that offers are down. This is not a coincidence,” he wrote. “We continue to sell virtually every listing we take, usually within days or a couple weeks, most with multiple offers. The problem is not demand. The problem is too few listings.”
To explain why more sellers aren’t entering the market, Stark points to higher mortgage rates driven by the Federal Reserve raising interest rates as well as homeowners with relatively low rates being reluctant to give those up. He also highlights higher home prices as a factor.
“Whatever you do, if you are a potential seller, do not assume you are selling into a weak market, especially when it comes to price,” he wrote. “It seems safe to say at this point that you won’t get less than you would have a year ago, and you’ll probably get more.”
See the full newsletter here:
— In the latest episode of “WisBusiness.com: The Show,” Brad Bodden of Wisconsin Investment Partners discusses WIP’s investment record and how the angel network views the proposal for a state-levered $75 million Wisconsin fund of funds.
The show also previews upcoming events hosted by the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Watch the show here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-com-the-show-with-brad-bodden-of-wisconsin-investment-partners/
— A Marquette University researcher is getting a $650,000 federal grant for a project aimed at improving cold resistance in rice, which could expand the crop’s planting season.
Michael Schlappi, a professor of biological sciences, is getting funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for his work on cold tolerance genes in commercially grown rice.
By moving the rice planting season earlier in the year, farmers could see higher yields and quality in their crops, according to a release. Schlappi says moving up the planting period by just two weeks would have an impact.
“This shift would allow growers to better utilize the spring rain and avoid the high nighttime temperatures of summer, which decrease grain quality and yield,” he said in the release.
His research team will use gene editing techniques to modify rice plants in hopes of achieving the project’s goals. The scientists hope to produce genetic resources that have “improved ability to grow quickly for use in cultivar development programs to generate plants with desired traits through selective breeding,” per the release.
Heidi Bostic, dean of the university’s Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, says Schlappi’s work could achieve more than improving the quality or volume of rice harvested in the United States.
“There are ecological advantages of less water usage and pesticide application, as well as the opportunity to inspire cold-tolerance research on other crops,” she said in the release.
See more project details: https://www.marquette.edu/news-center/2023/biological-sciences-professor-receives-usda-funding-to-increase-cold-tolerance-in-rice.php
— UW-Green Bay has announced a donation from Schreiber Foods, which will support a university program to advance women leaders
According to a release, the university will rename this program the Schreiber Foods Institute for Women’s Leadership at UW-Green Bay. The donation from the Green Bay-based business will establish an endowment to support the institute’s mission.
“Personal growth and leadership development — especially for women leaders — is extremely important to me, and it’s important to Schreiber,” Schreiber Foods President and CEO Ron Dunford said in the release. “We’re proud to have our name tied to an organization that advances women both personally and professionally.”
A university spokesperson declined to provide details on the amount of the donation.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/university-of-wisconsin-green-bay-schreiber-foods-makes-significant-impact-on-womens-leadership-in-northeast-wisconsin/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report …</b></i>
— St. Croix Hospice has announced a new location in Green Bay, bringing its total number of branches in Wisconsin to 15.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# From carpenters to cleaners: 2024 RNC wants help from local, statewide businesses
# Madison ‘YIMBY’ leader doesn’t like calling others NIMBYs
# Investor group pays $279.5 million for 22 Wisconsin affordable housing complexes
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Farmers in Clark County rally against proposed tax hike
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=440&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Dane County Executive Parisi pledges $1.5 million for Boys and Girls Club youth construction training center
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin families may soon see child care costs rise as funding help declines
# EDUCATION
– Despite funding stabilizing for Wisconsin’s public colleges and universities, enrollment continues to plummet
# ENVIRONMENT
– Rehabilitators report ‘loon fallout’ in northern Wisconsin
– Wisconsin is nearly a third of the way toward Gov. Evers’ goal of planting 75M trees
– Wild turkey comeback is one of state’s greatest wildlife successes https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-smith/2023/04/23/wild-turkey-comeback-is-one-of-wisconsins-greatest-wildlife-successes/70140734007/
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Sweet, spicy Chai House captures flavors of Georgia
# HEALTH CARE
– Building blocks: ProHealth Care clinic in Waterford
– How will Milwaukee County spend $101 million in opioid settlement money?
– Here’s what Supreme Court’s mifepristone ruling means for Wisconsin.
# MEDIA
– Former Sundance Cinemas Madison gets one last picture show
# REAL ESTATE
– Buying a home in Wisconsin has become less affordable for first-time buyers over the last year
– Chr. Hansen plans $40 million North American headquarters expansion in West Allis
– Racine officials back $39.4 million TIF agreement with Regency Mall owner
# RETAIL
– Hendricks Commercial Properties buys $17.3 million Delafield retail center from Wangard Partners
# SPORTS
– What Jimmy Haslam plans to do as new minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks
# TOURISM
– Steve Cahalan: Historic Hotel Fortney ready to open in Viroqua
# TRANSPORTATION
– Informational webinars next week for counties, cities to apply for federal Safer Streets grants
– Mitchell International director offers preview of Milwaukee airport’s future
# COLUMNS
– Victory for farmers as Wisconsin town overturns anti-farming ordinance
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=438&yr=2023
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 </i>
