— In April, unemployment rates decreased in 64 of 72 Wisconsin counties, increased in six, and remained the same in two. Dane County recorded the lowest rate at 5.6 percent, followed by Eau Claire at 6.5 percent and La Crosse at 6.6 percent. The highest rates were recorded in Rusk County at 14.6 percent, Iron County at 14 percent, and Menomonee County at 13.1 percent. See the DWD release: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2009/unemployment/0409_local_lmi.pdf — Lending by Wisconsin’s depository bank and thrift institutions grew in the first quarter of 2009, according to consolidated numbers released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Overall, mortgage refinancing and a stabilizing financial sector helped improve bank earnings in Wisconsin and nationally compared to the previous quarter. Total loans and leases for FDIC-insured Wisconsin banks grew 2 percent, year-to-year. Nationally, total lending declined 2.1 percent over the same period. Wisconsin’s loan-to-deposit ratio dropped from 108 percent in the 4th quarter of 2008 to 107 percent in the 1st quarter of 2009, but is still well ahead of the national ratio of 84 percent, down from 85 percent in the previous quarter. This means the average bank in Wisconsin is lending $1.07 for every dollar received on deposit. See more in a press release from the Wisconsin Bankers Association: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=159895 — The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership today announced matching grants targeted at small and midsize manufacturers can be obtained through a program offered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. The Next Generation Manufacturing program provides grants in the range of $5,000 to $6,500 to pay up to 50 percent of project costs for services delivered by WMEP. The remaining project costs will be paid by the company. See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=159910 — A team from UW-Madison has made it to the finals in a food product development competition sponsored by Disney and the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association. The team’s creation, Mickioli, will vie against those of teams from five other universities for a grand prize of $2,500. The goal of the competition is to create a Disney-themed, nutritious fruit or beverage that can be marketed toward kids. Mickioli is a waffle sandwich snack shaped like the head of Mickey Mouse. The waffles used to make the sandwich aren’t of the average frozen-food variety — they are made from quinoa, a nutrient-packed, gluten-free grain. Mickioli also gets a health kick from its layers of strawberry and yogurt filling. See the press release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=159837 ************************* WISBUSINESS.COM / WISPOLITICS.COM FORUM JUNE 10 Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin’s Transportation Future WEDNESDAY, June 10, 7:15 AM at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Hear major decision-makers debate the future of passenger rail, highway expansion, the port of Milwaukee and Mitchell Field in light of stressed state and local budgets and commuters’ continuing search for the best way to get to work. Confirmed panelists include Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine and a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee; and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale and a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee. Initial sponsors for the event include UW-Milwaukee and HNTB. Organizers include MMAC, Discovery World, WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com, and UW-Milwaukee. The event is open to the public, and the price is $30 per person. But WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com subscribers, the UW-Milwaukee community, and members of MMAC and Discovery World will be able to attend for $20 per person. The price includes the breakfast buffet but not parking. Call Debra Jordan (414) 287-4127 or e-mail djordan@mmac.org to register. Online registration is also available: http://mmac.org/display/router.asp?docid=488&event=1227&startDate=06/10/09 Additional sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 or webmaster@wisbusiness.com ************************* TOP STORIES Eastbay reportedly to close Green Bay call center: Employees at Footlocker.com/Eastbay’s call center in Allouez near Green Bay say they have been told the operation — which has about 200 employees — will close by July 31. Alliant cutting more than 150 jobs: Alliant Energy is eliminating more than 150 jobs and mothballing four of the nine generators at its Rock River power plant as part of an ongoing cost-cutting effort. Paper industry pushes for incentive extension: An extension of a federal tax credit for papermakers could help keep local residents employed.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
BIOTECH (back to top)
ECONOMY (back to top) – Area unemployment rate follows downward trend – Milwaukee unemployment rate at 8.9%
– Dane County cuts funding for 25 projects
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – GM-UAW deal offers hope for Janesville reopening
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Marquette law school to run foreclosure mediation program – UWM interested in leasing buildings Columbia St. Mary’s will sell
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top) – Wisconsin Chrysler dealers file objection in court
REGULATION (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Wisconsin banks see rise in lending, profits – First Manitowoc completes TARP repayment
MANAGEMENT (back to top) PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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