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This Weeks Articles...

1. Judge Doyle Square hotel could see design changes
2. WEDC optimistic about Foxconn deal
3. Evers calls for unemployment system overhaul, $200 million investment in broadband
4. New Beer Ex­pe­rience Coming to Old World Wisconsin
5. A 140-unit affordable apartment development could be coming to a large vacant downtown site owned by Marquette
6. Wisconsin DOT Allocates $131.4 Million for Local Governments
7. Shaky grounds: Slowed by COVID, Madison coffee shops look for new revenue streams
8. Federal Eviction Moratorium Extended to January 31
9. Prioritize populations for COVID-19 vaccinations
10. Work-Share program requirement waived, max. funding allowed
11. Affordable apartments in Milwaukee`s Riverwest, Harbor District contend for tax credits
12. The Biggest Donors to Wisconsin Political Parties in 2020
13. WEDC must also support businesses that are thriving amid pandemic, says CEO Hughes
14. Worried about paying mortgage? What struggling homeowners need to know
15. Residential development with senior housing advances in Bristol

New 2021 Sponsor Opportunities

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I apologize for the lateness of Wisconsin Development but I was up until 3 in the morning watching our government at "work". I was once proud to refer to myself as a politician being a former School Board member, Mayor and Councilman, but now I question the title. In fact I hope that I will be remembered as a public servant not a politician.

I believe that government works best when it works together, this does not mean we have to agree, but it does mean we have to respect one another, listen to one another and to the best of our ability compromise in the interest of the people we serve. If we cannot work together we saw a clear example of what will happen -- and unfortunately if we do not change it will happen again. As an elected official I often disagreed with those on the other side of the aisle but I always respected both them personally and their opinions. It is respect that our Republic was founded on. Our founding fathers often disagreed even argued vehemently but in the end they compromised to create the nation, policy, and documents that have served us well well for some 240 years.

Yesterday I was embarrassed and thought, am I also guilty? I often suggest change in the way we approach development, business, housing, and our environment is this same as what others are doing. I sincerely hope not -- I respect everyone in the industries I cover and I respect every official trying to regulate them in the interest of the people. I try never to blame others but rather encourage the changes and discussion of ideas I feel can help.

As always I am honored that you take a few minutes to look at WDN and thank you for your time. I do remember days when Wisconsin led by example and I want us again to lead so let my first bit of advocacy for the new year be for a State that can lead a Nation by showing the respect every professional, public servant, and citizen is entitled to.

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Test of new database, new location
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Notes: Notes

he evolving Judge Doyle Square project could see design changes as a developer seeks alterations to the proposed hotel slated for a prime parcel downtown.

The complex $175 million public-private development, which includes parking, commercial space, apartments and a hotel on the two blocks now occupied by the Madison Municipal Building and nearly demolished Government East parking garage, has been in the works for years and seen several iterations.  

Beitler Real Estate Services has proposed building the hotel and a second-phase structure that would include housing on the block where the Government East garage sits...
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$1,675,000 in block-style grants to be given to nine regional economic development organizations and three diverse chambers of commerce across Wisconsin

MADISON, WI. JAN. 6, 2021 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is renewing its commitment to community partners in economic development by allocating $1,675,000 for nine regional groups and three diverse chambers of commerce as Key Strategic Partners (KSPs) for the next year...

WEDC relies on REDOs to help carry out its statewide economic development mission, vision and core strategies. The regional groups and amount of funding received are as follows:

•     Prosperity Southwest: $75,000
•     Centergy: $75,000
•     Grow North: $75,000
•     Visions Northwest: $75,000
•     New North: $100,000
•     7 Rivers Alliance: $75,000
•     Momentum West: $75,000
•     Milwaukee 7: $125,000
•     Madison Regional Economic Partnership: $100,000

Each REDO recognizes it has the potential to play a significant role in furthering the economic development goals of the state...

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Ken Notes: First I love this and THANK YOU! I will again pitch an old idea, why not split the cost of every county and major city having a full time ED professional. As employees of WEDC these professionals would be better able to work with the agency, less likely to be eliminated by their counties in times of revenue shortfalls, could participate in state health care and retirement plans, and would exponentially improve communications at the local level. Just a thought... thanks again...

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary Missy Hughes said she’s optimistic about a new deal with Foxconn, but dodged on the details.

WEDC asked to work with Foxconn on a new agreement that aligns with the company’s plans for development in southeastern Wisconsin. WEDC ruled Foxconn was not eligible for $3 billion in tax credits this year after the company scrapped a plan to build a massive fabrication factory.

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Ken Notes:If we can keep them here, they do have to potential of building something interesting in the State.

Gov. Tony Evers, delivering Wisconsin’s first virtual State of the State, announced tonight he will call the Legislature into special session to take up legislation to modernize the unemployment system after a backlog of claims plagued his administration for much of the past year.

Evers also declared 2021 the “Year of Broadband Access,” promising to include another $200 million to help provide access to high-speed Internet to more corners of the state.

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Ken Notes:One more time, when we invest in broadband we are often only paying for what providers have to install anyway. We need to tie rural systems to urban access. Until we do this we are throwing good money after bad. Imagine if our electric utilities were allowed to serve only two thirds of the grid???

 North Port, Fla., ranks as the top U-Haul® growth city in America for 2020, according to Company data analyzing U.S. migration trends during one of the more turbulent moving seasons in modern history.

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Ken Notes: not too bad!

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - It was the first weekend in almost 27 years that Deb Archer wasn’t selling the city.

Archer started at Destination Madison (then the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau) in February of 1994 after moving to Madison from Kansas City.

“It’s an amazing way to get to know a community, because you have to dive in head first,” recalls Archer of the start of her career here....

A great Facebook Video Here

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Ken Notes: Deb will always be selling Madison, she just won`t be getting paid for it anymore. She has been a great advocate and cheerleader for a community she made stronger and better everyday....

A heralded tourism official in Tennessee has been named the next leader of Destination Madison.

Ellie Westman Chin was announced Tuesday by Destination Madison’s board of directors as the tourism organization’s president and CEO.

Westman Chin, 55, replaces Deb Archer, who retired at the end of 2020, and enters a market that like most others has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic with the loss of sporting events, business travel, and conferences and conventions. Lakes, bike paths, restaurants and the arts are among the Madison-area amenities that attracted Westman Chin and her husband to the city, and the opportunity to lead Destination Madison, one of the Midwest’s premiere tourism organizations, was professionally attractive...
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Ken Notes: Deb tell her to subscribe!!!

WAUKESHA, Wis.— A long-awaited, historic brewing experience is in its first construction phase at Old World Wisconsin.

This multi-million dollar project finally broke ground after several decades of planning.

Building designers say that the project is developing according to their plans. Right now, they`re starting to construct a brand new building. 

Director of Old World Wisconsin, Dan Freas, says this new beer education experience is one of the first attempts to showcase the history and culture of beer, and brewing, in the Badger State. 

Alongside the Milwaukee-based Museum of Beer and Brewing, Old World Wisconsin envisions bringing historical beer aesthetics to visitors, by using 19th-century brewing techniques.

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Ken Notes: I am strongly considering becoming a history buff... On the serious side, Wisconsin needs to promote it`s entire craft brewing, Wine, and spirits industry from both a marketing and tourism perspective. I hate to see Colorado outdoing us -- but they are.

A 140-unit affordable apartment development is planned for a large vacant downtown site owned by Marquette University.

Known as Michigan Street Commons, it would be built on around 7 acres bordered mainly by North Lovell, North 10th, West Michigan and West Clybourn streets.

Meanwhile, a historic downtown building that already features affordable apartments could be getting more than 30 additional units.

Kenosha-based Bear Development LLC is seeking affordable housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to help finance Michigan Street Commons...

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SCS Engineers	Kraus-Anderson
The Gialamas Company	JSD Professional Services

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GREEN BAY - Local efforts to relocate the coal piles to the mouth of the Fox River and out of central Green Bay received a major gift from the state Monday as more related news is expected Tuesday.

Brown County will get a $500,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to help buy a 40-acre portion of the former Pulliam power plant site from Wisconsin Public Service Corp., Gov. Tony Evers said. The grant would partly fund a key step toward moving the coal piles out of a highly visible area of Green Bay: finding a new home for them.

"Acquiring this property and addressing the remaining coal piles has long been an obstacle for folks in Brown County. This grant announcement today will help move the county, city, and Port of Green Bay forward," Evers said in a news release. “Relocating the coal piles not only promotes new opportunities for the area to bolster economic activity, but will also improve the quality of life for many."..
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Ken Notes: Imagine if we had used these ultra low rates to call a time out during the pandemic. Everyone could have deferred payment on their mortgages instead of getting stimulus checks. As it now stand we will see foreclosures on many homes and businesses in the not too distant future. We do not learn from our history...

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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently announced $131.4 million in funding has been distributed to communities across the state.

The funding, announced Jan. 11, marks the first quarterly transportation aid payment local government agencies will receive in 2021. Payments support Wisconsin’s 1,922 villages, towns, cities and counties...
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Ken Notes:I served on several Wisconsin Advisory Groups for distribution of road construction funds. We need a State wide transit scoring matrix to prioritize repair and new construction. It now often depends on who can write the best request...

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Ken Notes: If and when the pandemic passes, we will be craving the social interaction we were deprived of for so long. I hope we can revive these shops but fear we can not because we have spent the money that could help already. I will return to my hurricane analogy, rather than board up and wait for the storm to pass we tried to rebuild while the winds still blew...

January 4 (Renewables Now) - Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), a subsidiary of MGE Energy Inc (NASDAQ:MGEE), has submitted an application seeking regulatory approval to realise an 8-MW solar project in Madison, Wisconsin, it announced just before the New Year.

MGE is partnering on the about USD 15.3-million (EUR 12.4m) project with the city of Madison, which will use 5 MW of the output, and the Madison Metropolitan School District, the off-taker of the other 3 MW.

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Ken Notes: I cover this in more detail in WDNGreen.com on Mondays but a few years back MGE asked for my support on some rate changes at the PSC, they promised that they would move rapidly into the renewable market at that time. It is nice to see them following up. If course it does not hurt that it is now profitable to do so....

The Waukesha County Center for Growth announced Tuesday that it has named Judie Taylor its new executive director of economic development.

Taylor was president and chief executive officer for DUECO from 2009 to 2015, when the company was purchased by Terex Corp. Taylor continued to serve the company as vice president of North American sales for Terex. Currently, she holds board positions with Mount Mary University, Waukesha County Community Foundation, ProHealth Care, St. Camilus Retirement Community and is the chair of the Utility Equipment Holding Corp. board....
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Ken Notes: Welcome!

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) - The Wisconsin Rapids Plan Commission unanimously approved a plan for Starbucks to return to 8th Street at its meeting Monday night.

The proposal states a new building will be constructed between KCF/Taco Bell and Checkers. The current buildings will be demolished to make way for the new coffee shop.

The recommendation for approval included the following conditions:

•     Parcels 3411723 and 3411724 shall be combined prior to the development construction.
  
  
•     Applicable right-of-way permits shall be obtained, to be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Works.
  
  
•     An exterior lighting plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the Community Development Department
  
  
•     All applicable building and stormwater permits through the City of Wisconsin Rapids and other jurisdictions, such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, shall be obtained.
  
  
•     The Community development department shall have the authority to approve minor modifications to the plans....

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Ken Notes: Wow I thought Starbucks was just a part of every city charter...

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - Julie Strenn has been appointed President/CEO of Opportunity Development Centers, Inc.

ODC is a private, not-for-profit agency whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals. ODC has physical locations in Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Plover, and Marshfield, and provides services in ten counties.

Julie stated “I could have never predicted 2020. When I joined ODC I knew that it was an amazing organization with dedicated and passionate people, however the challenges of 2020 proved to me that I am in the perfect place, working along side the most talented and caring people. When challenges and diversity struck in 2020 we did what we always do, put others first, assuring that every person had the supports needed to live their best life, saying ‘yes we will help’ to anyone asking, and most importantly we did it together as one team. I am so honored to be able to lead this organization.”...

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FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE & CONSUMER PROTECTION

MADISON – Recent federal legislation extends a September 2020 order from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19. This order, which protects tenants from being evicted based on nonpayment of rent, will now run through January 31, 2021.

“Wisconsin renters should know that they are not automatically entitled to protections under the CDC order,” said Lara Sutherlin, Administrator of DATCP’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. “We encourage Wisconsin tenants who are struggling to make rent payments to seek this important relief by submitting their request in writing to their landlord.”..
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Honorable Tony Evers, Governor
Delivered by email
State Capitol, 115 E
Madison, WI 53702

Dear Governor Evers:

I am writing to ask for your re-consideration of those in the grocery industry as you prioritize populations for COVID-19 vaccinations.

When the Wisconsin`s Safer at Home order went into effect back in March 2020, you emphasized the imminent threat of COVID 19, the pandemic to all our Wisconsin citizens…

“Wisconsin, this is serious, the crisis is urgent. It’s not safe to go out, it’s not safe to have others over — it’s just not safe. And it might not be safe for a while yet”

Honestly, we were all scared, but at that point all of us, Essential Businesses and Critical Infrastructure Workers, had a job to do, and that was to take care of our community and ourselves as we went to war against this unseen enemy.

I am proud of our Essential and Critical Infrastructure Workers across our state, that put their own person lives on the line along with those that they love, as we pressed on to service this community during a raging pandemic.

Please allow this group who serve such a vital need in our community access to the COVID19 vaccine as early as possible and do not move them to group 1C.

Sincerely,

Tim Metcalfe
President
Metcalfe’s Market
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Ken Notes: This makes sense, having a safe supply chain for food and essentials has helped keep us safe. I also want to express my support for the Tommy Thompson plan to use the UW System as a way to vaccinate as many residents as we can...

Broihahn Management & Consulting	Miron Construction	Engineered Construction
		Findorff
Artis REIT

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Notes:

Mandel Group is proposing the development of a 114-unit apartment building.

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Climate impact, parking issues and affordability were raised Wednesday by Madison west side residents during a neighborhood meeting about Madison Yards, a large, mixed-use development proposed for the site of the old Hill Farms State Office Building property.

Wednesday night’s virtual meeting drew a vocal crowd with questions for Ald. Arvina Martin, whose district includes the property, and members of Summit Smith Development, which is working on the project.

Madison Yards is a seven-block development that encompasses the area south of University Avenue, north of Sheboygan Avenue, between Segoe Road to the east and the American Red Cross property to the west. ..
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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A requirement was waived Monday that will allow the Work-Share Program to be extended, guaranteeing the Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD) and Wisconsin employers will receive the maximum amount of federal funding.

DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek signed the waiver Monday that Work-Share plans operate no longer than six months for any work unit in a five-year period..

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Developments with more than 1,000 new apartments are among this year’s competitors for the much-sought after state and federal affordable housing tax credits.

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Wisconsin Dells city officials amended an agreement to reflect changes in plans for additional condominiums on Pioneer Drive from a project approved almost two decades ago.

According to the meeting minutes on the city’s website, the common council unanimously approved the site plan application submitted by ARI Property Management Group to reconfigure the four two-family units that have yet to be built. Changes were also made to the original development agreement with Kilbourn Prairie Homeowner’s Association to reflect the site plan’s changes and clarify the legal description of the plat. The item was approved at the council’s Dec. 21 meeting...
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The city of Green Lake is getting closer to borrowing about $3 million to support the Heidel House redevelopment.

During Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the Green Lake Common Council received a presentation from PMA Securities LLC Public Finance Director and the city’s financial advisor, Brian Della, regarding the investment.

Della, who appeared via Zoom, explained that the city entered into a developer’s agreement with Green Lake Hotel Group LLC in September.

As part of the agreement, he noted Green Lake Hotel Group is guaranteeing the city a certain amount of “tax increment revenue” each year in return of the city’s investment of roughly $3 million or 60% of the project costs...

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Ken Notes: Guaranteed revenue or "value" it the key to success...

Wisconsin is seeing a rapid conversion to solar energy as a growing number of utilities set goals to go carbon neutral by 2050. The investment comes despite challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

New solar installations nationwide are expected to increase 43 percent from 2019 to a record 19 gigawatts of capacity installed in 2020, according to projections from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Solar also accounted for 43 percent of all new electricity generating capacity added this year.

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A loophole in Wisconsin campaign finance law allows individuals to make unlimited donations to political parties, and also allows political parties to make unlimited donations to candidates. If an individual wants to donate directly to a candidate, there are limits based on state and federal law. But not if they give through a party.

Here’s who is taking advantage of that loophole in Wisconsin, according to campaign finance records...

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Ken Notes: WDN does not do politics, but it is good to know who does and a what levels. Wouldn`t it be cool if these people pooled together to buy back our newspapers and other media outlets so we could have a local independent press with real news and opinions on the opinion page rather that in the headlines????? Also why is the Illinois Governor buying Wisconsin Politics???

Stay up to date by reading our MadREP Report, a bi-monthly newsletter that features regional economic development news, events and opportunities.

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“The Wisconsin plant and its production capacity provide a great fit for the growing upper-Midwest extrusion industry. This facility provides the needed flexibility and a welcome puzzle piece to Matalco’s growth strategy,” said Doug Rhinehart, Matalco’s VP of Sales and Marketing.
Matalco

The new Wisconsin Rapids plant will have an annual capacity of 240 million pounds and is initially capable of making 7-16 inch extrusion log and billet, though the facility was designed to also cast rolling ingot to serve the growing aluminum flat-rolled products sectors in the coming years.
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For Wisconsin`s early-stage companies with high-growth potential and entrepreneurs, those resources include more access to capital from Wisconsin investors, WEDC CEO Missy Hughes said.

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Ken Notes:True -- but that support may not need to be in the form of cash. Helping with regulatory hurdles and long term tax stabilization may work here.

Dane County ED
		STATE STRATEGIES FOR GROWING BUSINESSES AND CREATING JOBS	ED TOOLS
			Health Tech Capitol
		APA WI

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AMMO, Inc. (Nasdaq: POWW ) (“AMMO” or the “Company”), a premier American ammunition and munition components manufacturer and technology leader, has entered into a term sheet with the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin to acquire in excess of 35 acres in the Manitowoc Industrial Park (“MIP”) for the purpose of constructing an expanded loaded ammunition and brass casing manufacturing plant.

In conjunction with its Payson, Arizona based ammunition loading operation, the Company currently operates in Wisconsin in an approximate 50,000 sq. ft. leased facility situated in the MIP where its JMC brass manufacturing business, military-grade ammunition development and supporting loading operations reside...
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Ken Notes: If we can`t work things out on the political front at least we will have ammunition... Too Soon... Sorry...

In conversations with business owners over the past year, after stories of hardships upon hardships, many, although certainly not all, have ended with, “But we’re going to be OK.”   ...more

Just like renters, some homeowners also are finding it hard to keep up with their finances during the pandemic.

Here are a few resources that can help.

Who can I call for financial or legal help if I’m worried about paying my mortgage?

• Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee: 414-727-5300
• Mediate Milwaukee: 414-939-8800
• Legal Action of Wisconsin: 855-947-2529
• Social Development Commission: 414-906-2700

Resources for homeowners:...

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Bristol Commons, a single- and multi-family project from Bear Development that would increase senior housing options, received a slate of initial approvals by the Bristol Village Board this week.

The residential development planned south of Highway 50, where 130th Avenue ends, calls for seven single-family lots and 48 multi-family units in six buildings on 10 acres of a larger tract of land. Plans also call for a clubhouse.

“I’ve been a big proponent for senior housing for years, and I’m so glad to see this come about,” Trustee Carolyn Owens said...
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Notes:

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Ken Notes: WDNews relies on the actual journalism provided by your local media outlets. Without these partners we can not bring you the unbiased news, leads and updates you need to thrive in Wisconsin. Support your local media...

Land & Space Development Database

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Ken Notes: Tom Daykin is the source for ED news in MKE. This is a permanent link to articles in his blog which is updated daily...

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"Our goal is to present a positive view of economic development in the State of Wisconsin”, Ken Harwood, Editor and Publisher.

WisconsinDevelopment is a positive look at economic development and commercial projects across the state. In WDNGreen we highlight pro-environmental developments and issues that make economic sense.

We believe in the Wisconsin business community and believe that telling their stories will positively impact both growth and better legislation in the State. We are nonpartisan, pro business, pro positive environmental issues, and most importantly pro WISCONSIN...

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