— As the state Department of Transportation plans for its next two decades of projects, a key facet of the process will be taking a close look at the way freight moves around Wisconsin. That’s one of the highlights of Connections 2030, the state’s long-range, multi-modal plan that officials say defines the Department of Transportation’s vision for the next twenty years. The plan also looks at high-speed rail in the state and identifies airports with runways that can be upgraded to 5,000-foot lengths, which business leaders say are necessary to attract factories and corporate headquarters to the state. See more on the 2030 plan in a new WisBusiness interview: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=172520 — Issues ranging from health care for farmers to local food initiatives consumed the first of three rural issues forums being held across the state by the Center for Rural Affairs. The group has emphasized the health care issue in recent meetings across the region. Several people at the Monday forum said health care costs were a problem for area farmers and often necessitated that somebody in farm families hold down a job outside the farm to get benefits. The challenge of retaining, and attracting young people to farming also was emphasized at the forum. Jack Knight, an organic inspector based in Iowa, said Minnesota and Iowa have model programs for beginning farmers. “There are programs that are out there and working,” Knight said. See more on the forum soon at http://www.wisbusiness.com — Two Wisconsin companies have made the top 20 on Newsweek’s list of the 500 “greenest” large corporations.in the country. Greendale-based Johnson Controls checked in at number 11, getting praise for its commitment to reduce energy usage by as much as 50 percent. And Kohl’s Department Stores was at No. 18 on the list, with Newsweek saying it has the largest solar power program of any retailer globally. See the list: http://greenrankings.newsweek.com/top500/ — And in another magazine ranking, ten Wisconsin residents have made the most recent Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. Eau Claire’s John Menard, owner of the Menard’s chain of home improvement stores, was the highest on the list at number 44. His net worth was listed at five billion dollars. Others on the list included the plumbing industry’s Herbert Kohler, trucking company head Donald Schneider and four members of the family behind SC Johnson. See the list: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/54/rich-list-09_The-400-Richest-Americans-Wisconsin_7Rank.html TOP STORIES Enrollment in Wis. health insurance plan suspended : Demand for a new state insurance program offering coverage for poor, uninsured adults is so strong that enrollment will be frozen at the end of the week and new applicants will go on a waiting list. UW-Madison’s patenting arm settles suit with Intel : The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s patenting arm has settled its infringement lawsuit against computer chip maker Intel Corp. involving technology used in a popular computer processor. Many state offices to close Monday: The Wisconsin Office of State Employee Relations announced that several state offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, as part of the state’s government-wide furlough program.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
BIOTECH (back to top) – Vaccine developers merge, raise $15 million
ECONOMY (back to top) – Milwaukee has high IQ on list of smartest cities
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Oshkosh Corp. delivers all-terrain vehicles to Afghanistan
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Building with ‘pre-owned’ windows and doors
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top) – WFBF: Retail Food Prices Drop For Fourth Straight Quarter – Businesses see big returns on Favre’s Vikings switch
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Poll: State cautious about health reform
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – Eau Claire bank ‘removes’ CEO – Foley lawyer Barner to help restructure U.S. Patent office
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