Volume 2 - Issue 3 - Circulation 3,500 Week of 1.15.09 to 1.22.09

MADISON - 1/22/2009 - The University of Wisconsin College of Engineering and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have launched a biotech process-improvement program, working with NeoClone in Madison, Catalent in Middleton and Invitrogen in Milwaukee. While biotech companies are highly successful at science side of their business, many lack the experience and skill set required to design an effective process that will take their discoveries from the lab to the marketplac

Ken Notes: The UW will play a significant role in Wisconsin's economic future and I for one am a huge fan!

Madison - 1/22/2009 - The "For Sale" signs haven't yet gone up, but General Electric could soon be seeking a buyer for an $11 million building in the Old Sauk Trails Business Park in Middleton. Unveiled with much fanfare in 1999, the 167,000-square-foot building at 726 Heartland Trail has been the home of Lunar Corp., one of the area's first "high-tech" success stories. The company makes machines that measure bone mineral density....

Ken Notes: This is a great space. In fact, recent moves, downsizing, and closures have placed many great properties on the market. Lets hope this attracts Midwest firms looking for great space for reasonable rates...

Madison - 1/21/2009 - TomoTherapy, the Madison-based radiation therapy company, is partnering with Hitachi Medical Corp. to market and sell TomoTherapy's Hi-Art cancer treatment system in Japan. The distribution agreement was announced by TomoTherapy officials on Tuesday. "This agreement represents a significant opportunity for us to reach new customers and help advance the quality of cancer care across Japan...

Ken Notes: Now we need Tomo to play the role of ambassador and let Hitachi know that Madison is a great place for a regional office...

Wisconsin - January 21, 2009 - "Public Enemies" used vintage cars from local collectors when shooting scenes around the Capitol Square last spring. Every year for the past decade, the biggest customer at the Columbus Antique Mall has been Famous Dave's barbecue. The franchise regularly bought up bric-a-brac to decorate the restaurants' walls. Until last year, that is, when the biggest spender was Universal Studios...

Ken Notes: The money is short term but can have lasting benefits and the tax loss is money that would have not been in the state anyway. Michigan rebates even more and gets even more films..

Madison - January 16, 2009- The owners and operators of the Badger Bus depot are proposing a major redevelopment of their property at the corner of West Washington Avenue and Bedford Street. Plans call for razing the existing bus depot and constructing three new buildings to include 84 luxury apartments, 12,500 square feet of retail space and parking for 110 vehicles both above and below ground...

Madison - January 20, 2009 - When renovations are completed at the Pick 'n Save store on the city's Southwest Side, there will be more checkout lanes, larger deli and meat counters and an expanded frozen foods section. The 55,000-square-foot store in the Maple Grove Shopping Center also will get a new name but one familiar to area shoppers.Milwaukee-based Roundy's is converting the store at 6655 McKee Road to a Copps Food Center. The move, expected to be completed in late April or early May...

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Ken Notes: Please feel free to add friends or associates to our mailing list. Our list is strictly confidential. Period.

Sun Prairie - JAN 21, 2009 - The construction of a Woodman's Food Market in Sun Prairie will be delayed after the Janesville company announced Wednesday that it wants to first build its second Milwaukee-area store. Clint Woodman, vice president of the 12-store discount food chain, said he envisions a 225,000-square-foot Woodman's at the corner of highways C and 151 within the next five years, possibly by late 2011 or 2012, instead of by next year....

USA - Tue Jan 20 - I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition...

Ken Notes: Leadership is often found in the ability to articulate the obvious, I am willing to work with him on this...

MILWAUKEE - January 15, 2009 - Even the brewing industry is starting to go flat in the worldwide economic slump. SABMiller PLC, the London-based brewer of Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft and Peroni Nastro Azzurro lagers, said today its beer shipments fell unexpectedly in the third quarter as consumers pulled back on their demand. Carlsberg A/S, the Copenhagen-based maker of Carslberg beer, said it was cutting 274 jobs to save on costs due to a future "where we face more uncertainties and risks," the company said in a statement...

Ken Notes: Now this is serious. Lets remember to drink locally made craft brews and do our part to revive the economy.

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

Madison - 1/21/2009 - Oconomowoc-based Paragon Development Systems Inc. announced that it has acquired Sheboygan-based Provident Technologies Inc. Terms were not disclosed. Both companies have offices in Madison. Paragon provides technology products, services and solutions to medium and large size organizations in four primary markets: health care, government/higher-education, corporate, and professional services. The firm also has offices in Appleton, Brookfield, Wausau, Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Columbus, Ohio....

Madison - JAN 21, 2009 - The dark colors and modern design of a new two-story house on Madison's West Side contrast with the pastels and traditional frame design of surrounding homes. An architect and retired engineer are hoping the home they're building at 3730 Ross St. will be the first house in Wisconsin to qualify for the highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. The platinum rating requires at least 93.5 points on a checklist that includes about 45 energy and environmental categories. ...

Ken Notes: Thumbs up Carol Richard, Fred Berg, and Yahara Builders.

WISCONSIN - This is a comprehensive data base of all business professionals in development, planning, government, commercial real estate, architecture, construction, and service providers to business. Any professional may enter his or her own business card for free. FutureWisconsin is Wisconsin's own social networking data base to promote new business in the state...

Ken Notes: Network with professionals doing business in the state...

Madison - JAN 21, 2009 - Passenger traffic rose last month at the Dane County Regional Airport, according to an activity report issued this week. The number of departing airline passengers was up 5.7 percent to 61,681 from December 2007 while the number of arriving passengers was up 1.7 percent to 57,418...

Ken Notes: Just flew in and out this week. We do not know how great a facility we have. This should be a huge selling point for the region...

Madison - 1/22/2009 - Eight people were laid off from Madison's Clear Channel radio stations Tuesday, according to sources close to the matter. Those who lost their jobs include The Mic 92.1's program director, Brian Turany, and producer Sam Roecker... Mike Ferris, FM operations manager for Clear Channel Madison, said at a meeting last week that The Mic 92.1's format is not in danger....

- 1/22/09 - Just for Fun...

Ken Notes: Wisconsin will be represented next year..

Recent commercial property listings from PropertyDrive.

Wisconsin - More than $336 million in federal stimulus money has been allocated to counties, cities, towns and villages in Wisconsin. Of that total, about $124 million has been allocated through the state Department of Transportation for road, bridge and transit projects. And more than $48 million in Housing and Urban Development funds has been allocated...

Ken Notes: Great Resource

Madison Area - January 18, 2009 - The economy is in the tank, the state could lose 65,000 jobs this year and major manufacturers are reducing or eliminating the workload for their employees. But there are job openings, and job seekers with skills are in demand. Marketing specialists, architects, software engineers and health-care workers in dozens of fields are among the most common open positions in southern Wisconsin. At DeGolier Printing in Sun Prairie...

ROCKFORD - 1/20/2009 - Have you been dreaming about a break from the hectic holiday season since the first snow started to fall? Before you flock to the big city for your winter trip, consider this: congested traffic vs. stress-free roadways, expensive parking vs. parking for $5 or less, limiting admission prices vs. tickets so affordable we can try it all. Rockford, Ill. offers the same great family-friendly and cultural experiences you’d find in a big city – without the expense and hassle. Rockford Region deals are even sweeter this winter with the new Rockford City Pass for only $25...

Ken Notes: Madison should look at this type of program. How about a FREE promotion / coupon book for convention attendees or visitors...

Madison - 1/16/2009 - Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Madison has been selected as the cycling hub for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. “Not only is Madison a great place to live, it’s the nation’s premier area for bike riding,” Governor Doyle said. “I am pleased that the Chicago 2016 Committee has chosen Madison to be its cycling hub and can’t wait for people from around the world to discover our beautiful region.” “Chicago 2016 has consistently placed athletes at the center of our Games plan,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “Our constituents emphasized their desire for technical and challenging courses and we believe that the natural terrain found in Madison will exceed their expectations and make for an ideal competitive environment.”...

Ken Notes: I take back a few of the things I have said about Chicago in recent years. I love this idea!!!

The seller of real estate is required to file a Real Estate Transfer Return (RETR) with the County Register of Deeds when recording deeds of property conveyances. State statutes require those returns to be filed electronically beginning July 1, 2009. Below is a link to the electronically filed Real Estate Transfer data as of July 1st 2009 and forward. The data will be updated on a weekly basis...

Ken Notes: This link is a regular feature of WDN...

Cassville - 1/16/2009 - The Alliant Energy Foundation is pleased to announce that it has provided a $10,000 donation to the Village of Cassville to support the purchase of materials and construction of a new park shelter at Riverside Park. ...

National - 1/19/2009 - Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse were rated highest and Charter lowest among telecom providers by readers of Consumer Reports magazine. The February issue of Consumer Reports provided the ratings based on 42,939 respondents with a home Internet account, 42,494 with TV service, and 30,164 with phone service...

Ken Notes: Charter has a great opportunity to restructure and provide the service they should have provided all along yet the continue to miss the mark.

Treasury Department Debt to the Penny Link
CNN Money Scorecard
Government Recovery Website
Wisconsin State Budget Google News

Create a vibrant, innovative and prosperous entrepreneurial business climate, nurturing, connecting and celebrating entrepreneurs and their companies...

Ken Notes: A valuable resource worth visiting for all businesses in the state. A special thanks for BizStarts for compiling and sharing the resource!...

Madison Area - JAN 21, 2009 - If you're a Wisconsin Power & Light customer, you may soon pay more for electricity. WPL is expected to file an emergency request with state regulators for permission to raise rates. Just last month, the Madison utility company agreed to hold electric rates steady for 2009 and reduce natural-gas rates by $4 million...

Ken Notes: More GM fallout that we did not see coming...

Madison - January 21, 2009 - Seven Wisconsin stores are among the hundreds Circuit City is closing after the retailer failed to overcome consumer constraints and the crippled credit market. The nation's second-biggest consumer electronics company has notified the state Department of Workforce Development the Wisconsin closures will affect 367 employees...

Ken Notes: This computer is a CC purchase. I hope we can back fill the retail spaces.

Middleton - 1/15/2009 - Local officials on Saturday said that city spending of $60 million in Tax Increment Financing District (TID) 3 has to date created more than $500 million in new tax base. The report came as elected officials consider whether to take on new projects within the district or retire its debt by 2014 as originally planned. Members of the city's plan commission, common council and community development authority met jointly to review the history of TID 3, which was created in 1993 and has been widely praised by city representatives for promoting growth and development...

Ken Notes: TIF is a great tool and works best when closed early!

Wisconsin - This section allows you to access any of our current space needs and acquire some brief detail regarding each. You'll notice that in addition to posting our current RFPs and RFIS, we are listing other significant needs for which we are seeking space....

Ken Notes: Brokers should check this often...

Middleton - 1/15/2009 - District 8 alderman Steve Leo's revised "big box" zoning ordinance proposal received favorable comments from Middleton Common Council colleagues at a public hearing last week but also some criticism from residents. After the city's planning commission last spring rejected Leo's initial attempt to halt retail supercenters from locating in Middleton, Leo redrafted it to define large retail development as stores in excess of 75,000 square feet on a single zoning lot...

Ken Notes: Let the PUD process allow discourse and compromise rather than pushing development to the path of least resistance...

Middleton - 1/7/2009 - Middleton's annual State of the City Address, to be given by Mayor Kurt Sonnentag, is tentatively scheduled for Middleton Fire District Station 1, located at 7600 University Avenue, at noon on Jan. 30....

Wisconsin - JAN 21, 2009 - Bankers in Wisconsin don't expect quick improvement in the economy, according to a recent biannual survey of bank chief executives by the Wisconsin Bankers Association. About 90 percent of the 139 bankers responding to the survey said they believe the economy still is weakening and 74 percent rated the state economy as "fair." ...

Fitchburg - 1/21/2009 - The next chapter in Fitchburg's six-year odyssey to construct a library occurs at 5 p.m., Jan. 22, when the Library Board meets to appoint a new member. The board will recommend a member to the mayor. The candidates are Tony McGrath, Nancy Arnold, Carole Ruizde-Chavez, Mary Petersen and Ellsworth Brown. The board will also prepare for a Jan. 28 meeting with the City Council, which will meet with the board in a working session. The meeting is an attempt to resolve the uncertainty following 2008 referendums, when voters approved $10 million to construct a library but turned down a measure that would increase property taxes by nearly $1 million to operate it...

MADISON - January 17, 2009 - A state Web site designed to connect employers with those looking for work has recently been updated to make it more user-friendly. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman says the improvements will make the site more efficient and effective. The Web site is www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com. The improvements allow job seekers to create professional cover letters and complete standard work applications and resumes. The upgrade also adds links to information on careers, wages and employment trends....

Hartland - 1/20/2009 - Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Eso-Technologies, Inc., Hartland, Waukesha County, will receive a $100,000 Technology Venture Fund loan from the Department of Commerce (Commerce). Commerce has also certified the company as a Qualified New Business Venture eligible for early stage and angel investment under Act 255...

KOHLER - January 20, 2009 - Kohler Co. has laid off 188 more employees in the fourth round of job cuts since October. Company spokeswoman Kristine Cristina said on Monday the affected workers were let go Friday and were part of the company's global power group and corporate operations. The layoffs included 112 production employees and 76 administrative workers. Cristina said that the production layoffs are "indefinite" and those workers might eventually be recalled, but the administrative cuts are permanent...

Franklin - January 21, 2009 - M&I seeks foreclosure on 52 Franklin condo units. Marshall & Ilsley Bank has filed a foreclosure action against the developers of a condominium project in Franklin...

Milwaukee - 1.21.09 - The First Place on the River condo development, which was placed into receivership a year ago, has been re-named The Point on the River. A sales center for the project will open in February as part of a public grand re-opening for the project...

Ken Notes: I like the Mandel Group for this project and believe they can turn it around.

Milwaukee County - 1.21.09 - Milwaukee County has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a 100,000-square-foot Park East corridor site along North Milwaukee Street, North Water Street, North Broadway and East Ogden Avenue. Chicago-based RSC & Associates originally planned to develop the block with housing and commercial space, but the company dropped those plans last summer and is still yet to begin construction on an adjacent Park East lot that it purchased from the county. Milwaukee County is seeking a minimum of $3.2 million for the Park East site for sale in the new RFP. Proposals must be submitted to the county by Feb. 19....

Shorewood - January 22, 2009 - CDA will be working on recommendations. The Shorewood Village Board likely will have final recommendations made by March for the 2010 Capitol Drive reconstruction project...

Cudahy - January 22, 2009 - The Cudahy Community Development Authority this month authorized a $10,000 contract with former Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian to creating a housing authority...

Cudahy - January 22, 2009 - The Cudahy Community Development Authority this month authorized a $10,000 contract with former Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian to creating a housing authority...

Brown Deer - January 22, 2009 - The Brown Deer Plan Commission will consider a revised certified survey map for the proposed 66-unit senior housing complex that would be built on the former Kohl’s Food Store site at Sherman Boulevard and Bradley Road...

Delafield - January 22, 2009 - The city should become more proactive in defining the future commercial development of 25 acres of land adjacent to Highway C and I-94 interchange, according to Alderwoman Michelle DeYoe.. The city should become more proactive in defining the future...

Delafield - January 20, 2009 - Public hearing scheduled for City Hall next week. Despite a plummeting housing market and economic recession, MLG Development of Brookfield is proceeding with plans for a high-end, 180-home development on the city's northwest border, but the plans have stirred a controversy in City Hall.. Despite a...

Germantown - January 22, 2009 - Classification approved with three trustees excused. A desire to keep a promise to residents on the eastern edge of the village has prompted the Germantown Village Board to reconsider an earlier decision to create a new zoning classification...

Pewaukee - January 22, 2009 - The Village Board on Tuesday agreed to begin discussing the possibility of purchasing property for municipal parking downtown.. The Village Board on Tuesday agreed to begin discussing the possibility of purchasing property for municipal parking downtown...

Brookfield - January 22, 2009 - Rezone will allow for greater density. Brookfield could become home to the first Hyatt hotel in the area outside Milwaukee if the city’s Common Council approves the rezoning of a roughly three-acre parcel on the southern section of Executive Drive near...

Cudahy - January 22, 2009 - $6.3 million facility would have 76 units. A public hearing will be held next month to rezone less than two acres to accommodate a proposed three-story, 76-unit facility for seniors near the intersection of College and Packard avenues...

La Crosse - Thursday, January 22, 2009 - The building renderings show a simple roofline following the contour of tall windows facing the Black River — its edges dropping to one story to keep it on a residential scale. Inside are 6,700 square feet of meeting spaces, crafts areas, public computer space and offices. “We're closer than we’ve ever been before,” said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carlyon...

Delafield - January 21, 2009 - RedPrairie Corp. has shifted course, deciding to cancel its plans to move its headquarters to a new building in Delafield. Instead, the company announced Tuesday, it has renewed its lease with Malvern, Pa.-based Liberty Property Trust for its current 96,000 square feet of space at the Crossroads Corporate Center along Interstate 94 in the Town of Delafield...

Greenfield - January 22, 2009 - Asian-themed development proposed for old Kohl’s site. An Asian-themed restaurant and grocery store could be on its way to the former Kohl’s Food Store building at 2750 W. Grange Ave...

Muskego - January 15, 2009 - Neighbors, city officials say plan too dense for rural site. City officials and residents oppose proposed plans for a subdivision on 88 acres of the Harold DeBack farm on Racine Avenue...

Mequon - January 15, 2009 - Harold Timm finds himself between a rock and hard place in his quest to put up a sign outside his insurance agency at 11402 N. Port Washington Road, a multitenant building...

A single source for all economic development news for Greater Madison and beyond. Wisconsin Development News, (WDN) is published weekly by Ken Harwood.

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Ken

Kenneth Harwood
WisconsinDevelopment.com LLC
P.O. Box 930234
Verona, WI 53593-0234
608.334.2174
ken@wisconsindevelopment.com