(WisBusiness) FRI News Summary — 13 Mar. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— The head of the new state office coordinating billions in federal stimulus dollars says some of those needing the money may end up disappointed.

“The needs far outweigh the money,” warned Gary Wolter, the MG&E executive who was tapped by Gov. Jim Doyle to lead the Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment. “There’s a big problem with the expectations.”

Green energy applications are swamping the office, for example, he said, and while worthy, many won’t be able to be funded.

Wolter told the monthly WisPolitics.com luncheon at the Madison Club that if you had generated a project list before the final bill passed Congress and was signed by President Obama you should “throw the list away” and quickly get into the formal application process.

The public luncheons are sponsored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association, the Ho Chunk Nation, WHD Government Affairs, Flaherty & Associates, Wal-Mart and Xcel Energy.

See more: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=152031

— A monthly report from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce finds 2009 beginning the same way 2008 ended, with significant declines in many critical economic indicators in the Milwaukee area. Overall, three of 21 January indicators posted year-over-year gains, up from the two positives registered in December.

Bret Mayborne, economic research director for the MMAC, says the figures “(give) pause to any suggestion of a short-term turnaround.”

Three of ten major industry sectors registered January job gains (vs. one year ago), while seven registered declines. The educational & health services sector, up 3.1 percent over year-ago levels, posted the largest percentage increase over year-ago levels. Among sectors registering job declines, a 15 percent loss was posted in the construction, mining & natural resources sector – the largest decrease posted.

See the MMAC release for more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/090311MMACjanTrends.pdf

— The Research Foundation at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee has announced three new Catalyst Grants, totaling $170,000, in advanced automation sponsored by the Rockwell Automation Charitable Corporation. This is the second round of grants in a five-year program supported by Rockwell.

The new grants cover wireless and surface sensor applications as well as a “self-healing” solder for the automation industry.

See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=151997

— U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will join Gov. Jim Doyle in Milwaukee today to weatherize a home following the White House announcement that the state would received $197 million for weatherization and energy efficiency efforts through the recovery act.

See details: http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=151962

— Doyle says he hopes President Obama will take Wisconsin’s SeniorCare program national to replace a federal prescription drug plan he claims is more expensive, less beneficial and harder to understand.

“That’s one thing that I think they could take immediately nationwide, and it would be a great help to a lot of seniors in the country,” Doyle said Thursday.

Along with fellow Dem Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Doyle co-hosted the first White House Regional Health Reform Forum in Dearborn, Mich., and spoke with reporters via teleconference afterward. He also touted Wisconsin’s BadgerCare Plus program as a model the president could look at as he undertakes health care reform.

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