(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 10 Aug. 2009

TOP STORIES
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$3.4 million grant to assist 1,200 laid-off workers: The state of Wisconsin announced Friday that $3.4 million in additional assistance will be made available for more than 1,200 workers who were laid off from their jobs at 11 companies.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily97.html

Milwaukee aiming for big bucks : Milwaukee city officials are scrambling for up to $500 million, as the distribution of federal stimulus money enters a high-stakes second phase pitting cities against one another nationwide.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/52845132.html

‘Cash for Clunkers’ program boosting car sales in area: “For all the cars we’ve sold (under the program), we haven’t actually gotten any money back yet,” said Monica Winkler, senior marketing manager for Zimbrick Motors in Madison. “It’s definitely been good for sales, but we’re being cautious,” she added. “We’re always meeting to try to figure out how much money is left (in the program). That’s the hardest thing to determine.” Most auto dealers locally and across the country resumed sales Thursday night and Friday under the program, newly flush with $2 billion in federal funds.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/461260

CUNA Mutual requests new trial seeking relief from $6.2 million verdict: Madison-based CUNA Mutual Group is requesting a new trial after a federal jury returned a $6.2 million punitive verdict against the company over a dying South Dakota woman’s disability insurance claim.
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/461245

State hotels seek exemption to smoking ban: Managers of some Wisconsin hotels want an exemption to the statewide smoking ban before it takes effect next summer.
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/latest/461154

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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Local Google exec to speak at WIN event Aug. 18
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/461348

– Hudson firm wins $250,000 in tax credits
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily96.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– After general market rally, Modine, Oshkosh are among monthly winners
http://www.jsonline.com/business/52842242.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Super Steel could build trains without jeopardizing contracts
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/52724112.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Some decent jobs news, finally
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BKQOCEEE087

– Schneider looks to hire 200 Chicagoland drivers
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily99.html

INVESTING (back to top)
– Integrys nets $34M in second quarter
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090808/OSH03/308080058

– CIB Marine reports loss
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily101.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Credit disqualifies some for Habitat homes
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090810/GPG0101/908100475/1978

– A developing trend: Biggest residential construction projects are apartment buildings
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/461249

– Legend owners buy Bristlecone Pines
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/10/story4.html?b=1249876800^1901881

– SE Wisconsin property tax rates rise in 2009
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily103.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Cool weather helps crops survive despite drought
http://marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20090808/MNH0101/908080360/1980

– Door County crops bounce back
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090809/GPG03/908090381

– Governors Urge White House To Help Struggling Pork Producers
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=951&yr=2009

– Needing rain, Wisconsin crops are behind
http://www.jsonline.com/business/52842232.html

REGULATION (back to top)
– Hoteliers ask leaders for smoking ban exemption
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090808/GPG0101/908080574/1978

TOURISM (back to top)
– Expanded regular season seen as ‘win-win-win’
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090808/PKR01/90808034/1058

– Great Taste of the Midwest beer fest draws fans from 35 states
http://77square.com/food/story_461322

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Community care use on the rise
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20090809/CWS0101/908090620/1982

– Merge Healthcare buys Confirma for $22M
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily102.html

– UW research center gets $8M in stimulus funds
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily98.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– WaterStone Bank’s 2Q profit rises
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/03/daily100.html