(WisBusiness) FRI News Summary — 26 Sept. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— More than 60 percent of likely Wisconsin voters surveyed this week said they oppose the federal government intervening to protect major financial institutions with taxpayer money.

The WISC-TV poll also found 71 percent opposed using taxpayer money “to protect private companies from financial losses.”

The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted Monday and Tuesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Since it was completed, congressional leaders have announced a deal in principle on the proposed bailout.

Only 32 percent of those survey approved of the government action that had already been announced, and only 15 percent backed using taxpayer money to “protect private companies from financial losses.”

— In an effort to save money and stay ahead of possible sanctions by regulators, the state’s private colleges have begun voluntary environmental health and safety inspections on their campuses.

“Not only does this make good business sense in terms of risk management, but it also shows that we care about the environment and want to be good neighbors,” said Rolf Wegenke, president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=137167

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NEXT WISBUSINESS.COM LUNCHEON SET FOR OCT. 6

Dave Stark of Stark Company Realtors on the State of Housing Industry

The next WisBusiness.com Luncheon at the Madison Club, organized by the Madison Club, Madison Magazine, and WisBusiness.com, is slated for Monday Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m.. The guest is Dave Stark of Stark Company Realtors in Madison. http://www.starkhomes.com/aboutstark.html

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.

See more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=137157

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NEXT CHECKPOINT SURVEY QUESTIONS DUE OCT. 2

Take advantage of an exclusive discount program for WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com Subscribers.

If you are a WisPolitics or WisBusiness subscriber, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount if you purchase two or more questions in the next monthly Checkpoint survey, a production of Wood Communications Group of Madison. That means the first question costs $900, and subsequent questions are $810 each.

The monthly “Checkpoint” survey of public opinion is a 500-person statewide random digit dial poll. The next survey is set to go into the field on Oct. 7.

Individual questions are due by Oct. 2. Contact Kennan Wood at Wood Communications Group. Call 608-259-0757 or e-mail kwood@wcgpr.com

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Press Releases
· BEST Energies: Gov. Jim Doyle announces award to BEST Energies for commercializing innovative biodiesel technology
· Dept. of Workforce Development: Secretary Gassman announces 2009 Safety Calendar Art Contest winners
· Gov. Doyle: Doyle announces $7.3 million in clean energy funding
· Localization World Madison 2008: Showcases globalization education program, brings international conference to U.S. Midwest for first time in its history
· National Federation of Independent Business: U.S. representatives from Wisconsin honored as guardians of small business
· Peak Ridge Capital: Announces launch of agricultural technology private equity fund
· Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: Approves $12.7 million refund for WP&L customers
· Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin: Wisconsin Freight Rail Week is September 29-October 5
· Wisconsin Association of Health Plans: Transparency initiative a cost-management tool for health care customers
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: WBIA members receive state grants
· Wisconsin Credit Union League: Renewed interest in federally insured credit unions is likely as they’re lauded for their safety, role in continuing to provide credit as part of economic recovery
· Wisconsin Hospital Association: Wisconsin hospitals’ community outreach efforts reach millions

For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82


TOP STORIES
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WaMu becomes biggest bank to fail in US history: As the debate over a $700 billion bank bailout rages on in Washington, one of the nation’s largest banks — Washington Mutual Inc. — has collapsed under the weight of its enormous bad bets on the mortgage market. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized WaMu on Thursday, and then sold the thrift’s banking assets to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for $1.9 billion.
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/SHE0101/80926010/1062&located=RSS

Bailout talks unpopular in Wisconsin: Bailout is a dirty word in the Badger State. Just ask Wisconsin lawmakers who’ve gotten hundreds of calls, letters, e-mails and faxes — mostly from angry constituents upset by the Bush administration’s $700 billion proposal to rescue the financial services industry. The feedback is especially striking because it appears to be spontaneous and not the product of an organized campaign, lawmakers and staffers said.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/GPG0101/809260658/1207&located=RSS

Nuclear power a possible option in Wisconsin: Nuclear power increasingly is discussed as a solution to both electric supply and environmental problems in Wisconsin. Evidence of that was apparent during Thursday’s Wisconsin Utility Investors Inc. annual meeting at the Resch Center.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/APC03/809260520/1028

Marinette Marine hit by set of layoffs: Marinette Marine shipbuilders say they’re facing layoffs. Boilermakers Local 696 says it’s been notified that 91 union employees will be laid off effective Monday.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/GPG03/809260637/1247

Spancrete cuts work force: A Manitowoc County company that serves the construction industry cites the meltdown on Wall Street in its plans to lay off about a quarter of its work force.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/GPG03/809260639/1247

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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS

– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com

– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council

– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group

– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times

– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Harley launches YouTube site
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/29/story4.html?b=1222660800^1706776

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Milwaukee: Area GDP increased 3% in 2006
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=799335

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Oshkosh Corp. gets $10.7 million order
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/APC03/809260523/1028

– Kolbe buys custom window maker
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/WDH0101/809260707/1581&located=RSS

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Grand Chute business owner files for bankruptcy
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/APC0101/809260511/1004&located=RSS

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Stevens Point: Business owner buys Clark Place
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/SPJ0101/809260581/1657&located=RSS

– RiverHeath developer praises new condo plans
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/APC0101/809260508/1004&located=RSS

– Oshkosh: Development project announcement to come this morning
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/OSH0101/80925172/1128&located=RSS

– Stadium park draws a crowd
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=799356

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Wisconsin Honey Queen to visit FdL Farmers Market
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/FON0101/809260466/1289&located=RSS

– John Oncken: Wisconsin dairy farming still a dynamic force
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/306518

– DeLong sends genetically unmodified soybeans overseas
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=799334

– State farmer wins ‘genius grant’
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/306512

RETAIL (back to top)
– High gas prices bring more business to bicycle shops
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/SPJ0101/809260609/1657&located=RSS

– The Buzz: Irish pub on tap off College in Appleton
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/APC03/809260522/1028

TOURISM (back to top)
– Report: Alliant Center isn’t maximizing economic potential of city’s tourism, convention industry
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/306562

UTILITIES (back to top)
– ATC’s plan shifts strategy
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=799357

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Distance monitoring helps hospitals with critical care
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080926/WDH0101/809260710/1581&located=RSS

– Madison hospitals part of expanding ‘pay for performance’ trend
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/306506

– County board rejects St. Michael plan for mental health complex
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/22/daily37.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Ernst & Young donates $840,000 to UW business school
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/09/22/daily32.html

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Richard Ryman column: A lot going on in midst of ‘gloom and doom’
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080921/GPG0703/809210706/1247/GPG03

Media Partners
—Channel3000
—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek

National Business Roundups ( back to top)
–YAHOO FINANCE: http://finance.yahoo.com/
–CNBC BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.cnbc.com
–ABC BUSINESS NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/
–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html

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