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FutureWisconsin, PropertyDrive, Cirex and this newsletter would like to invite you on a road trip. We are taking a head count to see if there is interest in visiting Pabst Farms, The Historic Third Ward, and Bayshore Town Center this summer and talking to the developers, planners and officials responsible for the projects. We are inviting area developers and community officials to join us on a day trip. Please respond to RoadTrip@FutureWisconsin.com if you may be interested in participating. Also feel free to pass this along to others who may be interested... Ken Notes: There may be beer for the ride home...
Overture Wins Prestigious Excellence Award Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - The $210-million Overture Center of Madison, which opened in September 2004, has been named one of the 10 outstanding urban developments in North America and received the Urban Land Institute's Award for Excellence. "We're very, very proud," said Overture President and CEO Tom Carto. "I think this award reinforces what we already know. Overture has had and will have a very positive impact on downtown Madison and the region that will be felt for generations to come. "We're being recognized for the vision and leadership that brought Overture into being," Carto added. "It serves to give us more evidence for the fact that Overture is well worth its cost and is returning back to the community many times over what the investment was to begin with. That award solidifies our reason for being."... Ken Notes: It is a great venue, our congratulations... Rafael Carbonell selected as Regional Sustainable Development Fellow 5/14/2008 - Madison, WI--Rafael Carbonell, Executive Vice President of Thrive, the economic development enterprise for the Madison, Wisconsin Region, has been selected as a Fellow in the Ford Foundation Regional Sustainable Development Program, administered by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Fellows, who represent diverse communities and personal backgrounds, were chosen from a pool of distinguished and talented candidates of almost double the number of applications for the available openings. "We are pleased that Rafael will participate in the Fellowship," says ACCE President Mick Fleming. "Professionals like Rafael are in a unique position to convene, lead, and facilitate regional approaches to economic development and entrepreneurship, as they are the connectors between the business community, public sector, and ordinary citizens. ACCE has selected a total of 50 business-civic leaders to participate... Ken Notes: Congrats Rafe, well deserved... Creating A Special Place For Children Monday, May 12, 2008 - Officials with the Madison Children's Museum explore their future home like children tackling a play project. They unleash their imagination and fire up their creativity. Wending their way through a warren of small offices, they envision a spacious community concourse with a friendly cafe and parking for strollers. Standing atop a steep stairway, they see young adventurers clambering across a suspension bridge into the early childhood area with its treehouse and huts. Huddled under lowered ceilings in the 79-year-old building on Capitol Square, they dream of two-story windows that will flood the entrance with natural light as families pour in the front door from Capitol Square... Ken Notes: Yet another jewel in the crown that is Greater Madison... New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive.com All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Small property transactions in Madison This searchable database includes property transfers under $300,000 that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price... State, Industry Work To Keep Grads In Wisconsin Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Lindsay Midtbo, a UW-Madison senior, is looking for a job - but not in Wisconsin. "I was born here, I've been here forever," Midtbo, a Milwaukee native, said. "I want something new and different." Midtbo, an economics major who graduates this month, is hoping for a job in Chicago. The city offers more financial services jobs and a change of pace, she said. Midtbo isn't alone in wanting to leave the state. Each year, about half of UW-Madison's recent graduates leave Wisconsin for Illinois, Minnesota and other states. That exodus costs Wisconsin more than $1.5 billion annually... Ken Notes: My editorial on the subject, written over a year ago, appears HERE...
Home sales, prices continue to fall 5/13/2008 - Even though the weather is warming, the tepid local housing market is showing little sign of heating up. But prices have fallen, giving hope that more buyers will be coming out of the woodwork this spring. Sales in Dane County during the first three months of 2008 were down 27 percent from the same period a year ago, with the median sales price falling three percent as well. The Wisconsin Realtors Association on Tuesday reported 906 sales in Dane County during the first quarter of 2008 compared to 1,244 sales... Real Estate Conference to examine challenges, opportunities in today's housing markets 5/13/2008 - MADISON - The Wisconsin School of Business Graaskamp Center for Real Estate will host the conference "Challenges and Opportunities in Today's Housing Markets" on Friday, June 6, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at the Fluno Center for Executive Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jim Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will serve as the event's featured keynote speaker, marking the new CEO's first major public address since taking office in April. The conference, held annually, will focus public attention on national industry... Forum “The Wisconsin Economy in a Time of Uncertainty" MADISON - Scott Lockard, U.S. Bank, Madison market president, James R. Imhoff, Jr., chairman/CEO. First Weber Group, Inc., and Bill Duddleston, director of the Center for Economic Education at Edgewood College will highlight "The Wisconsin Economy in a Time of Uncertainty" forum on June 3 at 7:45 a.m. The WisBusiness.com-WisPolitics.com breakfast event at the Madison Club in downtown Madison will feature discussion of the impact of the nation's economy on Wisconsin. With the looming presidential election and recent economic turmoil, find out how you should be safeguarding your financial security. The event is exclusively sponsored by AARP. Additions to the panel and other participants will be announced in coming days. The event is open to the public. General public tickets cost $10, but tickets area only $5 for AARP members... Ken Notes: I knew my AARP card would com in handy! 5/8/2008 - Earlier this year a substantial crowd of citizens attended a public hearing at City Hall to tell Middleton's elected officials they were concerned about a large urban retailer being planned as part of the Tribeca Village development. One city council member says he heard their trepidation and has responded with an ordinance currently before the planning commission. District 8 alderman Steve Leo wants to prohibit the large retailer from devoting more than 10 percent of its floor space to selling groceries - something he says would keep one-stop supercenters like Wal-Mart at bay...
OPINION: Stop Lawmakers' Sneaky Tax Shift An Expanded Property Tax Exemption For Low Income Housing May Have Merit. But It Should Receive A Fuller Evaluation Of Its Impact On Local Governments. Not so fast. That's what Wisconsin property taxpayers should say to the state Legislature before final passage of the budget repair plan. The proposal contains a "stealth" provision that has nothing to do with fixing a budget shortfall but could shift onto homeowners property taxes now paid by low-income housing projects. The provision, which exempts certain low-income housing from the property tax... Ken Notes: As an alderman and former mayor, I have to agree here. These homes often place a disproportional burden on city services and the investments are used as tax loopholes already. We often negotiated payment in lieu of taxes for low income this seems to be a far better option than a legislated free ride... Wal-mart Project On Hold - Supercenter Delayed For 'years' Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - Years of public debate, negotiations and meetings may have cost Stoughton Wal-Mart fans a Supercenter, at least for now. The Arkansas-based retailer announced Monday that it will delay by several years a proposed Supercenter at highways B and 51 on the city's north side. Company officials stressed that the proposed 155,000-square-foot store was only being delayed for "several years" and that it was not being dropped. "Given the current status of our plans for a Supercenter... Ken Notes: Let me define “years” here as the split second the numbers work out... American Girl to open store near Boston 5/14/2008 - MIDDLETON -- Ten years after launching its first experience-based retail concept store in Chicago, American Girl announced that it plans to open its sixth American Girl Store late this year in suburban Boston. The Middleton division of Mattel Inc. announced it will open its newest store at Natick Collection, New England's largest lifestyle mall, in November. "Given our unparalleled success in experiential retailing over the past decade, we are eager to bring our next American Girl store... Historic Utica Store set to close 5/13/2008 - After 136 years of serving southeastern Dane County, the Utica Store is closing its doors on June 1. Maybe. Barney Lambert and Jackie Sperle, who have operated this friendly store selling the essentials of life, are closing a 30-year chapter of their lives as owners, operators, counselors, advisers, sympathizers and providers to a unique community of farmers and rural residents. The little store at the corner of County W and County B, about halfway between Stoughton and Cambridge, has been for sale for three years. There have been lots of lookers but so far no buyers... Monday, May 12, 2008 - The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation wants Madison to significantly cut a $600,000 bond closing fee on a $150 million campus project, saying it is a nonprofit entity doing a project in the public interest. The city's Community Development Authority now must decide whether to charge the full fee and use it for city revitalization efforts or cut the fee and reduce costs for WARF's much-anticipated Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. "We'll give it serious consideration," CDA chairman Stuart Levitan said... No action yet on ordinance for large retail The city hasn't yet decided whether to even consider an ordinance that would establish stricter standards for large-scale retail stores. At its May 6 meeting, the Plan Commission heard opinions about the proposed ordinance, which is based on one used in Madison. Blake George, a real estate broker from Cottage Grove, said the ordinance appeared to be largely concerned with structured parking. While he didn't oppose the intent of the ordinance, George said it should be applied appropriately City Ready To Take Over Condo Project Friday, May 9, 2008 - Madison is threatening to take over a condo project in a fragile South Side neighborhood because the developer isn't making payments on a $2 million loan. The city's Community Development Authority on Thursday asked staff to demand a tardy $27,000 payment and use all legal remedies available. The developers, Lake Point Madison LLC, also face more than $500,000 in notice of lien claims and lien claims from contractors, and the CDA expects it will have to take over the mostly complete, 50-unit project on the 1800 block of Lake Point Drive. "Lock and load," CDA chairman Stuart Levitan said... Ken Notes: “lock and load”? I would have tried what can we do to help... Note exactly economic development, but this is a good list of the events in the area this summer for those who want to plan ahead. Consider it a Public Service Announcement. I especially like Middleton's Big Event. And they did forget the Harley Anniversary HERE ...
Need a Speaker Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...
May 11, 2008 - Zilber gives $50 million. Philanthropist hopes to revive low-income areas in city, encourage others to give. Milwaukee philanthropist Joseph Zilber will announce Monday that he is committing $50 million over the next 10 years to improve life in low-income neighborhoods in the... Kalahari Resort Continues to Expand Under-One-Roof WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis., May 12 /PRNewswire/ - Kalahari Resort, located in Wisconsin Dells, WI which is known for its concentration of 18 indoor waterparks, today announced that, in addition to being home to one of America's largest indoor waterparks, the resort will unveil yet another amazing gift of indoor family fun this holiday season. In December, Kalahari Resort will open an 110,000-square-foot entertainment complex featuring an unprecedented array of indoor features and activities including a six-story Ferris wheel, laser tag, a ropes course, zip line, go carts and much more... Ken Note: The “Dells” may have a development opportunity for you please check out the new www.FutureWisconsinDells.com development website! Gov to lead trade mission to India 5/14/2008 - Gov. Jim Doyle will lead a trade mission to India in November, the governor announced at the annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee, where he presented the Governor's Export Achievement Awards. Wisconsin's exports to India have grown by 29 percent in the last year. "This trade mission to India is an outstanding opportunity for Wisconsin companies to meet the customers and business leaders that will help them build their sales in these important markets," Doyle said. "It's a good thing if a Wisconsin company finds a strong partner in a rapidly growing country like India and creates jobs in Wisconsin through exports."... Ken Notes: sure but will he have beer... Construction trimmed on 2 hotel projects May 15, 2008 - Construction trimmed on 2 hotel projects. Developers hope Park East building can start this year. Two hotel-anchored projects proposed for Milwaukee's Park East area have made changes that their developers hope will boost the chances of beginning construction this year... Spa springs forward in Fountains site May 15, 2008 - Spa springs forward in Fountains site. Azana fits city's hopes for development. A new Azana Salon & Spa will soon become part of the sprawling but still formative Fountains of Franklin retail development... Downtown Wal-Mart proposal defeated May 15, 2008 - Downtown Wal-Mart proposal defeated. Mayor casts vote that pans Cudahy Station plans. A Wal-Mart will not be constructed at the former Iceport site at the southeast corner of Nicholson and Layton avenues... Developers vie for Associated bank job May 15, 2008 - Developers vie for Associated bank job. 3 sites being considered for headquarters. The disclosure that Associated Banc-Corp is looking at a new headquarters for its downtown Milwaukee offices has local developers maneuvering to land the project, which would be among the largest new office... City embraces a redeveloping trend May 15, 2008 - City embraces a redeveloping trend. Greenfield markets itself with new effort. Big-name hotels, restaurants and shops could come to Greenfield if a new marketing endeavor proves successful... Former Lohmann's property options unveiled May 15, 2008 - Former Lohmann's property options unveiled. The man who helped bring the flavor and flair of the Twisted Fork to Milwaukee's East Side has several ideas for the redevelopment of what was once Lohmann's Steak House... Dunkin' Donuts goes forward with $85,000 in TIF assistance May 15, 2008 - Dunkin' Donuts goes forward with $85,000 in TIF assistance. Franchise joins The Shops at Drexel development. A Dunkin' Donuts franchise will be built at the corner of Drexel Boulevard and South Chicago Avenue with $85,000 in city assistance... Ken Notes: 85K for Donuts. Let me guess Homer Simpson led the charge... Public will have say on Wal-Mart Supercenter plan May 15, 2008 - Public will have say on Wal-Mart Supercenter plan. Commission want more style on building's rear façade. Though the Muskego Plan Commission liked the plans presented for a Wal-Mart Supercenter on May 6, no action was taken pending a public hearing on the proposal and some tweaking of the design by the... Cambridge Major to build plant May 14, 2008 - Cambridge Major to build plant. Pharmaceutical factory to be completed by '09. Cambridge Major Laboratories will announce today a major expansion that gives it the ability to make active pharmaceutical ingredients on a large scale... May 14, 2008 - Land gets a new lease on life. The Menomonee Valley, once the gritty backbone of Milwaukee's heavy industries, is being rejuvenated with new initiatives and growth. The Menomonee Valley is still dotted by landmarks - rows of railroad tracks, brick smokestacks and old-line companies... Mandel Group named to finish condo project May 13, 2008 - Mandel Group named to finish condo project. Original builder at downtown site in receivership. Mandel Group Inc. has been appointed to complete the First Place on the River condominium development, which went into receivership in January, the firm announced Monday... Marcus plans theater complex in Park East May 13, 2008 - Marcus plans theater complex in Park East. Office buildings likely would house Associated Banc-Corp. Marcus Corp. plans to develop a multi-screen theater and entertainment center in Milwaukee's Park East area, part of a project that would include several large office buildings and provide a major... May 09, 2008 - Grafton OKs mall funds. $4.48 million helps raze shopping area. The Grafton Community Development Authority has approved giving the owner of Manchester Mall $4.48 million to help raze the shopping center and build a new mixed-use complex, Village Administrator Darrell Hofland... Marquette to break ground on Law School building May 14, 2008 - Marquette University will host a groundbreaking ceremony on May 22 to celebrate the start of construction for a new Law School building. It is targeted for completion by fall 2010. The 200,000-square-foot, four-story building will be constructed on a vacant site northwest of North 11th Street and Clybourn Avenue. The building will include two courtrooms, classrooms, faculty office suites, library space with a two-story reading room, a conference center and a café. Two levels of underground parking, with 170 spaces, will be located beneath the building... Ruvin drops condos from Aloft project May 14, 2008 - Milwaukee-based Ruvin Development has eliminated the condominiums that were going to be part of the Aloft hotel development northeast of Juneau Avenue and Old World Third Street in downtown Milwaukee. The project was to have nine condominiums, called The Residences Above, priced between $540,000 and $1.28 million. Seven of the nine condos were priced above $1 million... Mandel takes over First Place development May 14, 2008 - Milwaukee-based Mandel Group Inc. announced that it has been appointed developer in charge of completing the First Place on the River condominium development. First Place is the 152-unit development at 106 W. Seeboth St. situated at the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers, immediately south of the Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee. The project is in receivership and the original developer, KeyBridge Development Group, is no longer involved. Construction of the building is nearly complete and occupancies began in November of 2007...
Ken Notes: Please thank our sponsors. Interested in sponsorship call (608) 334-2174.
MMadison area hasn’t been completely insulated from economic woes, the real estate crisis and other not-so-pleasant things, we continue to thrive. Picking up on that thread, in this issue of BusinessWatch we lead with an article about the Beltline, which is experiencing a welcome facelift in several areas as developers use infill and redevelopment to their advantage... Ken Notes: Article begins on page 6. It is amazing that a simple highway can attract development away from the core of a city to the perimeter and create hundreds of millions of dollars of economic development. But Greater Madison is among the norm here. What is unique is that the communities connected by our Beltline have maintained an identity and established quality development standards of their own. These collective communities have the potential to create something special... Ken Notes: Send your comments or objections to ken@FutureWisconsin.com ...
New Marcus Theatres would open as Eastgate closes Marcus Theatres' proposed 16-screen cinema in "The Crossing" at U.S. 151 and Nelson Road on Madison's east side would coincide with the closing of Eastgate sometime in late 2008 or early 2009... Ken Notes: Lots of info between the lines in this article. Watch for big things on the east side and elsewhere. Marcus is brilliant when it comes to market awareness and they seem to like Madison. Hmmmmm... P.S. The also build big hotels double Hmmmmm... Big box ordinance reviewed May 6 and May 13 5/5/2008 - Fitchburg - A proposed ordinance setting new standards for big box retail stores is slated for review at the May 6 Plan Commission meeting and the May 13 City Council Meeting. Supporters of the new ordinance, which was introduced by Alds. Jay Allen and Steve Arnold, encourage residents to attend both meetings. The Plan Commission, which meets at 7 p.m., will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. The Council will discuss the ordinance. There will be another public hearing on the ordinance due to a problem with giving the required public notice. Allen has posted an extensive review... Two Events for Realtors and Investors Commercial investment course offered in Madison the week of June 16, 2008. CI 101 offers practitioners of all specializations valuable tools and techniques needed to evaluate real estate investments. You will learn how to analyze income-producing properties, apply current tax laws to real estate investment decisions, perform cash flow analysis and calculate rates of returns. RASCW bus trip to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Colorado Rockies on Thursday July 10, 2008. The cost of the event id $30.00 per ticket, which includes... Ken Notes: Please forward newsletter or links to those who may be interested. Fitchburg - Supporters of a library in Fitchburg will be asking taxpayers to approve $10 million in bonds in a referendum this November. They plan to raise $4 million in donations. Phil Sveum, treasurer of the city's Library Board, announced the figures at a Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce luncheon on April 24... Marshall Erdman parent posts improved results Cogdell Spencer Inc., which acquired Madison-based Marshall Erdman & Associates Inc. earlier this year, reported that it cut its net loss and increased its funds from operations in the first quarter. City OKs 40-unit Bassett apartment complex 5/07/2008 - With some concern that it is too large, McGrath & Associates got the go-ahead from the Madison City Council Tuesday night for its four-story, 40-unit rental project at the corner of West Wilson and South Bassett streets. The firm expects to break ground this summer on its $8 million Lake Park Apartments in the Bassett neighborhood overlooking Lake Monona, hoping it will be ready for occupancy early next summer... Great Wolf tops analysts' expectations; CEO to step down MMadison-based Great Wolf Resorts on Tuesday reported that its first quarter earnings handily topped analysts' expectations, while CEO John Emery will be resigning. The indoor waterpark resort company said in a news release that Emery is leaving the company "to pursue an opportunity in the private equity sector which will allow him to spend the majority of his time at his home in Virginia after more than four years of weekly commuting" between Virginia and Madison...
Regional News & Highlights. Thrive's work in its three target sectors (agriculture, biotechnology and healthcare) is underpinned by enabling technologies our region is particularly strong in: information technology (IT) and nanotechnology. This was abundantly clear this past month as both Microsoft and Google opened locations in Madison... 5/06/2008 - Spectrum Brands Inc., which has its Rayovac and Remington units based in Madison, on Tuesday reported a smaller fiscal second-quarter loss. Spectrum reported a net loss of $111.7 million, or $2.19 per share, for the three months ended March 30, compared with a loss of $237.5 million, or $4.77 per share, a year earlier. Net sales rose 2 percent to $647.1 million... OPINION: TIF is a wise investment MAY 5, 2008 - If given the chance to invest $550,000 and make $400,000 a year for 20 years, then $160,000 for every year thereafter, would you jump at the chance? That was exactly the situation in 1998 when the city of Madison invested $550,000 in the form of a tax incremental financing (TIF) loan to help develop the Union Transfer condominium project in Downtown Madison... Ken Notes: ya think... 5/07/2008 - SUN PRAIRIE -- Talk about a cash crop. Well-connected real estate developers who just sold land for a new Target store here also scored nearly $100,000 in breaks on their 2007 property taxes -- in part because of a few rows of winter wheat. Prairie Development Ltd. claimed it qualified for a lower tax rate under a state law designed to help farmers because a portion of its holdings were planted in wheat. Sun Prairie's city assessor disagreed and so did the city's tax assessment review panel. Not happy with that outcome... Ken Notes: On the flip side this also allows the land to be held for best use. We need to work together here not point fingers - and changing the law will allow lawyers to find more loopholes. Have I mentioned comprehensive planning is a good thing... Hotel at Regent, Monroe streets gets OK 55/06/2008 - The fifth time was the charm for Madison architect Bob Sieger in his efforts to redevelop the corner of Regent and Monroe streets. The Madison Plan Commission late Monday night approved a demolition permit to allow Sieger to raze his existing retail and office building across from Camp Randall Stadium. That clears the way for him to build a four-story, 48-room boutique hotel at the site. "This has been the most trying experience of my entire professional career," said Sieger, 59, who estimates he's designed more than 3,500 buildings...
New Commercial Listings/A> from PropertyDrive.com All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Small property transactions in Madison This searchable database includes property transfers under $300,000 that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price. Wisconsin's got the job loss blues 55/07/2008 - Nobody needs to remind Gov. Jim Doyle it's more fun being in charge during good times than bad. Doyle had a rough ride the past couple of weeks, what with GM announcing it was eliminating a full shift at its Janesville plant, Harley Davidson cutting 370 jobs and Miller Brewing likely moving its headquarters out of Milwaukee. Talk about nameplate companies dissing the home team. On the auto front, it was only 10 months ago that GM officials visited The Capital Times, touting the automaker's... Ken Notes: Mike tell George they need a regionalist in the ED job who actually likes planned development and supports the Mayors density visions... Sheiffer calls for economic summit in wake of GM news JANESVILLE — Janesville took a hit last week from news that General Motors will slash production in Janesville and eliminate 750 jobs. City Manager Steve Sheiffer believes now is the time for the community to pull together and chart the city’s economic development strategy for the next 20 years. Sheiffer wants to stage a community-wide economic development summit this summer that will pull together a variety of perspectives. “We need to focus on the future and deal with the realities of what’s occurred... Finger pointing: property owners blame Bergamont 5/7/2008 - Developers say they followed village, county stormwater guidelines. More than eight months have passed since flooding swamped several village neighborhoods last August, but additional information about Oregon's stormwater problem keeps floating to the surface. Ruekert/Mielke's study and $80,000 report contained lots of useful information, but some of what the village's engineering consultants reported has been contradicted by longtime residents who have years of personal experience... Plan for former Methodist Church property is revised Oregon - A group of investors and developers is reviving a proposal to build an assisted living facility at the former Methodist Church site on North Main Street. The Church Hill Group LLC has held several meetings with village officials over the past few months concerning a plan to build a three-story residential care apartment complex on the 2.7-acre site. The group's proposal calls for a three-phase project, with Phase 1 consisting of an approximately 50,000-square-foot building of 50 dwelling units - 35 one-bedroom apartments and 15 two-bedroom units - along with common and dining areas... Rowland sells MacKenzie-Childs to a private equity firm WED., MAY 7, 2008 - Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of the American Girl doll and book company in Middleton — now part of Mattel — has sold an Aurora, N.Y., company she bought out of bankruptcy in 2001. MacKenzie-Childs, which makes decorative tableware and home furnishings, has been sold to Twin Lakes Capital, a private equity firm... Ken Notes: If there is a real life Midas, Pleasant T. Rowland is it. My thanks to all she does for our community and others... And if she needs a news bolg we can talk... WED., MAY 7, 2008 - UW-Madison students imagines fresh produce from the supermarket roof. Imagine a grocery store in Wisconsin that doesn't get its produce from warmer states hundreds of miles away. Instead, fruits and vegetables are grown right on the supermarket's rooftop, making the produce as fresh as possible for consumers. This is the idea behind Sky Vegetables, a business venture being created by UW-Madison senior Keith Agoada and MBA student Troy Vosseller... Ken Notes: Condo developers could adopt this idea to grow “cash” crops as well. Dance school plan gets blessing despite objections 5/7/2008 - At the conclusion of Monday night's Plan Commission meeting, acting chair Steve Ritt observed that it was one of the best-attended meetings he could remember that didn't have anything to do with big box stores or consolidation. A big reason for that was a public hearing for Kehl School of Dance's proposal to put up a 7,200-square-foot building at 123 N. Main St ... Governor Doyle Announces Funding for DNASTAR Expansion 5/7/2008 - MADISON — Governor Jim Doyle today announced that DNASTAR, Inc. will receive $231,500 in Technology Zone tax credits to expand its Madison facility. The project is expected to create 20 new positions. “This is great news for Dane County and the whole state of Wisconsin. DNASTAR products are used by researchers around the globe... Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer Menards is developing homes in residential subdivisions MON., MAY 5, 2008 - MILWAUKEE — Home improvement retailer Menards is creating need for its drills, saws and toilet seats in a way that's unique to its industry. The Eau Claire-based company is developing homes in residential subdivisions. Homes have already been built in Yorkville, Ill., and plans are in the works for Urbana, Ill., and Warsaw, Ind. Menard Inc. is actively looking for new projects around its existing stores... editorial - Airport fixes vital to Madison economy's future The Dane County Regional Airport is the kind of place where we all want to begin and finish trips. In this age of increasingly dysfunctional air travel, the Madison airport is quick, convenient and friendly. But it is more than that. At a time when communities must connect and compete not just regionally and nationally but internationally, our airport is central to the economic stability and growth of Madison and Dane County. That's why we cannot let the airport's impressive redesign or its efficient operations fool us... Middleton's Big Event to feature outdoor concert for 12,000 MMAY 5, 2008 - An outdoor concert with room for 12,000 people tops Middleton's Big Event, a new extravaganza set for June 14 that joins the Madison-area's extensive lineup of summer festivals. Rock band the BoDeans will headline a four-act show, also featuring blues legend Koko Taylor... Ken Notes: and they will have trolleys... Report by Zillow.com says median home value in Dane County dropped 2.1 percent MAY 6, 2008 - The median home value in Dane County dropped 2.1 percent to $216,839 during the past year, according to a report issued Tuesday by Zillow.com, a real estate information Web site. The report, which compared the first quarter of 2008 to the same period last year, analyzes the median value of all homes and not just those that have been sold recently. Dane County's decline was much less than the national decrease of 7.7... Dane County Regional Airport Secures $9.2 Million in Federal Funds 5/2/2008 - Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, has been awarded $9.2 million in Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Funds to acquire equipment, make airfield improvements, and enhance environmental remediation of aircraft de-icing fluids. While nearly $5 million of the total amount were entitlement funds, more than $4.2 million were discretionary funds for which the airport must compete with airports across the country. "This is a worthwhile investment...
Need a Speaker Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...
Governor Doyle Announces Funding 55/7/2008 MADISON— Governor Jim Doyle today announced that BWAY Corporation, Sturtevant, Racine County, will receive $150,000 in Technology Zone tax credits. The project is expected to create 10 new positions. “Wisconsin is home to the best manufacturing companies in the world... Governor Doyle Announces Funding For LoanSifter, Inc 5/7/2008 - MADISON— Governor Jim Doyle today announced that LoanSifter, Inc., Little Chute, Outagamie County, will receive $160,000 in Technology Zone tax credits. The project is expected to create 34 new positions. “From the supercomputer to the outboard motor, Wisconsin has always been committed to innovation. I am pleased to be able to help LoanSifter... Greenfield Sendik's opens May 15 Published May 7, 2008 - The newest Balistreri Sendik's Food Market grocery store will open Thursday, May 15, at 7901 W. Layton Ave. in Greenfield. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Greenfield Mayor Mike Neitzke are expected to attend the store opening celebration at 9:30 a.m. “I think the new Sendik's will be the cornerstone of a renaissance along Layton Avenue and 76th Street," Neitzke said... Ken Notes: Mr. Balistreri Madison would love your store – trust me.../B> Town extends development moratorium on commercial area May 08, 2008 - The Town Board last week extended a development moratorium on a key commercial parcel for six months, but the Plan Commission later recommended that the board waive the moratorium and approve a conceptual plan to build an auto service station in the... Developer acquires homes near Village fire station May 08, 2008 - City had targeted properties for station move, expansion. While city of Wauwatosa officials have grappled the last few years with how to rebuild Fire Station No. 1 in the Village area, one developer has quietly acquired properties surrounding the station's... Downtown Wal-Mart proposal defeated May 08, 2008 - Mayor casts vote that pans Cudahy Station plans. A Wal-Mart will not be constructed at the former Iceport site at the southeast corner of Nicholson and Layton avenues... McAleer proposes downtown building freeze Delafield plan updated May 08, 2008 - Newly elected Mayor Ed McAleer said the city should impose a three- to four-month moratorium on new development in the downtown business district to give city officials time to update the business district's land-use plan.. Newly elected Mayor Ed McAleer... May 08, 2008 - Building would be built into bluff. Concordia University Wisconsin would like to use its lakefront as a setting for a Center for Environmental Stewardship... Plans to redevelop buildings dropped May 08, 2008 - Economic conditions lead to withdrawal of hotel, condo projects. Tightening conditions in the commercial credit market have led developers to drop plans for two major projects - one in downtown Milwaukee and one on the city's east side... New facility blocked by Cudahy commission May 07, 2008 - The Milwaukee Wave's plan to establish a soccer training academy suffered a setback Monday when the Cudahy Plan Commission rejected a motion to approve the proposed 26-acre Cudahy Station development... UW-Madison: Gravitational pull May 07, 2008 - Two names that any up-and-coming market in the country would be happy to welcome. And now Madison can do so, thanks to the nation's second-biggest research university... Firm seeks loan for relocation May 06, 2008 - Mequon's Dominion moving to Third Ward. A Mequon firm that provides billing services for medical practices is seeking a $500,000 loan from a city-affiliated business lending agency to help finance its relocation to Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward... May 03, 2008 - Linens to close shop downtown. Struggling retailer will shut down 120 stores across country. Four years after it opened, the Linens 'n Things store at the Shops of Grand Avenue is shutting down, one of three in Wisconsin that will close as part of the retail chain's bankruptcy reorganization... New apartment building planned for east side May 03, 2008 - New apartment building planned for east side. A former nursing home on Milwaukee's east side will be demolished and replaced with a four-story apartment building, a local development firm said Friday...
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