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Wisconsin Development News (click here to read online)
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 Ken Harwood
Advocating for Wisconsin
Ken [at] KenHarwood.com
608.334.2174
If images are not showing please click Online above or title. ...more
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Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams
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 Wisconsin Public Television tells the story of civil rights leader Vel Phillips. Discover how Vel Phillips achieved an impressive list of "firsts" as part of her legacy, including the first African American judge in Wisconsin and the first woman, and African American, in the nation elected to executive office in state government.... Sign the petition to add a statue to the state capitol here... ...more
Ken Notes:One of the best hours I have spent in some time. Watch this video and then come back and sign the petition!
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Restore or replace? Community reckons with what’s next for Capitol’s fallen statues
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 After demonstrators against racial injustice toppled the “Forward” and Col. Hans Christian Heg statues last Tuesday at Capitol Square, community members have grappled with whether the art should be restored or replaced entirely. Some
say the fallen statues are a sore sight, but others see them as a
symbol of change in the community. As protests against racial injustice
continue throughout the city, the empty spaces that once held the
statues are a stark reminder of rising tensions and conflict within
Madison...
Ken Notes: While I strongly support Michael`s efforts above, first we must we must restore the damage done because we can not suggest that destruction is the way to elicit change. I believe this is Mr. Johnson`s intent as well. This is a great article by the way!
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The Gialamas Company
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“Founded in 1976 by George and Candy Gialamas, The Gialamas Company specializes in Class A Commercial Real Estate. Old Sauk Trails Park, is one of the most prestigious business parks in Wisconsin; containing numerous office buildings supplemented by restaurants, hotels, financial institutions, a childcare facility and a walking/jogging trail system.... ...more...A sponsor of Wisconsin Development News
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Gov. Evers Announces $1.5 Million in Grants
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 MADISON —? Gov. Tony Evers
today announced $1.5 million in grants to local, state and tribal
governments, regional planning commissions, universities and nonprofit
organizations through the Department of Administration’s (DOA) Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. In
its forty-second year, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program aims to
protect and improve the Great Lakes resources across Wisconsin’s
coastal communities. The thirty-nine grants awarded this year will be
used by grantees to assist with projects totaling over $3.4 million.
“Wisconsin’s Great Lakes are some of our most important economic,
cultural and natural resources,” said Gov. Evers. “From safe drinking
water to tourism and recreation to commerce and transportation, we know
that protecting the health of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior is a key
to our state’s ability to thrive and support future generations.”.. ...moreKen Notes:I have an idea for Governor Evers that would allow him to play to his strengths. Governor Evers is an educator and should be an advocate for education so here are a few new ideas not yet on the table and he is welcome to steal any or all of them. Regarding Black Lives Matter -
Ask every public safety officer and administrator, directly or indirectly receiving state funds, to take 100 hours of specific continuing education over the next five year with the first 20 hours being required in the first 3 months.
- Ask ever elected official in the state to watch a video educational presentation on community policing, and inclusionary practices.
- Work with local businesses, the federal government, and all educational institutions to offer every black student in our secondary system an opportunity for an apprenticeship program, or tuition free tech school or college. (note: I would also offer EVERY student an interest free tuition loan as long as they remain in the State).
On Covid 19 - Ask every public post secondary institution to offer a series of free classes on what is available to small businesses to deal with the recovering economy.
- Use some of the state and federal funds to pay the interest and defer repayment of business and homeowner loans. (i.e. at 2.5% interest 2,500 dollars would allow a 50,000 dollar loan to be deferred for two years, and then repaid at $350 per month.)
- Finally ask the best and brightest in the UW and Tech systems to provide free online business courses for small business and entrepreneurial startups.
I would start with Joe Shumow from Reinhart Law teaching anything on real estate he is brilliant!!!
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Oscar Mayer development proposal approved by Plan Commission
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 Monday night, the Dane County Plan Commission approved the Oscar Mayer Special Area Plan, a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan, that include changes to the development planned for Madison`s north side. As part of the plan, 14.1 acres will be reserved for wetlands and open space. The supplement approves space for new housing up to 2,780 units, including 395 units of high-density affordable housing to be built on the Hartmeyer Natural Area, 30 acres of wetlands located behind the Oscar Mayer factory. The proposed project will connect the north and east side, and the area would become a public transit and bicycle hub, as well as create a walkable commercial district and mixed-use area and major employment corridor... ...more
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Dairyland Power Cooperative
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 We will power our communities and empower cooperative members to improve the quality of their lives.
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Impact of COVID-19 on the Seniors Housing Industry:Preliminary Results from a Study of Consumers
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 - Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on propensity to move to independent living and assisted living, although the largest decrease in the proportion of those very likely to move to independent living among all respondent groups was only 6 percentage points. In fact, COVID-19 slightly increased the proportion of assisted living lead prospects who were very likely to move. The results suggest that the most serious or hottest prospects are still planning to move, but those who were less likely to move to begin with are delaying or tablingth e decision.
- Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, prospects were more likely to take action with respect to their potential move to a retirement community. Pre-COVID, a greater proportion of prospects were looking at information, visiting communities, talking with counselors, and contacting communities online. Currently, greater proportions of prospects are in the “thinking” stage or are in a holding pattern.
- Among those households who have considered moving to a retirement community within the past year, the majority of both prospectsand adult children.....
...more
Ken Notes:The report at the link is very beneficial to anyone in this sector.
We need to rethink senior housing. The boomers do not want to end up in the "homes" like our parents and grandparents. We need lifestyle opportunities with healthcare nearby, as well as dining, theatre, music, and other amenities for the living not the...
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Meijer the latest entry into Sun Prairie`s west side retail district
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 SUN PRAIRIE — One of Dane County’s major regional shopping destinations is getting a significant addition. Meijer, a Michigan-based company that operates stores that sell a combination of general merchandise and groceries, has announced plans for a 200,000-square-foot store along with a convenience store to be built along Highway 151 on Sun Prairie’s west side... ...more
Ken Notes: I love Meijer... and of course Sun gets it because Sun get everything. I may need to buy a condo over there just to go shopping!
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SCS Engineers
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SCS - At the forefront of sustainable environmental solutions for over 40 years and ...A sponsor of Wisconsin Development News
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Full recovery from pandemic will take more than 2 years in Wisconsin, WEDC says
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 According to a new report released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., wage and salary income across Wisconsin and the nation will fall by 9% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which will be detrimental to the state`s economic activity. By 2021, however, wages in the state will grow 7%, more than double the percentage growth for wages in Wisconsin in 2019 of 3.2%, as the state`s economy rebounds from the economic fallout caused by businesses shutting down due to the virus.... ...more
Ken Notes: Or longer, the key will be to prevent the winner/loser scenarios that were so prevalent during the last several economic downturns. We bailed out banks while the foreclosed on millions of homes. We gave money to industries who in turn fired millions of employees. Investors quickly sold off stocks and bought back at the bottom to make exponential profits while our 401K`s stayed in the market for the "long haul" they came back but other made millions...
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Resources for Covid 19
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A site developed for Milwaukee but helpful for everyone StayHomeMKE.comIf you or someone you know needs assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare or other essential services, follow this link or call 211 to speak to someone who can help. 211wisconsin.communityos.org/
211 connects you with thousands of nonprofit and government services in your area. If you want personal assistance call the three-digit number 211 or 877-947-2211. A friendly voice to talk with you 24/7/365. The COVID-19 Information and Resources page deals with information and help specific to Covid-19.
Ken Notes: Please be very careful when someone offers assistance for a fee. Deal ONLY with advisors you know and trust.
I will keep this page updated and at the top of WisconsinDevelopment.com until the crisis passes.
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WEDC Secretary Says COVID-19 Report Prioritizes Broadband, Retraining Workers And Innovation
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 Report Details How State Spent $13.7B In Federal And State AidA report from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. that
was released on Monday points to teaching those dealing with
unemployment new skills; entrepreneurship; and broadband access as key
ways to mitigate the impact COVID-19 has had on the state`s economy.
The report, which was requested by the state Legislature, details the
ways in which Wisconsin has spent $13.7 billion in federal and state
aid during the first few months of the pandemic to avoid business closures and job losses.
"This is a really complex problem that we`re facing as a state and as a nation," WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said on WPR`s "The Morning Show."
"This is not a tornado touching down in a small town in the middle of
Wisconsin. This is something that has impacted every business, every
community and every person in the whole state. Solutions moving forward
need to take that into consideration."...
Ken Notes:We talk broadband but we ignore the elephant in the room. If we leveraged the right to have 5G in our cities with a commitment to rural 5G we would not have a Broadband problem just a few year from now. Instead we are letting the providers dictate the terms. And to make matter worse they profit from our investment in older rural technologies.
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DWD Secretary discusses unemployment claims, initiative to help workers in hard-hit industries
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 GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) -The push is on to get Wisconsinites back to work, even though the way businesses operate and the kind of industries that thrive are changing. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has released a report highlighting the need for new training for many people still out of work, and the Secretary of Workforce Development is telling us what’s being done to help them. Despite the challenges of busy signals and being booted off websites, DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman wants people to continue trying to file for unemployment assistance. With new call centers, he tells Action 2 News went from handling 2,000 calls a day to 12,000 on Tuesday, and is also trying to improve its antiquated online capabilities... ...more
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Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
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Established in 2001, KA’s Wisconsin team upholds our commitment of more than 40 years of construction service in Wisconsin. Combined with the resources of the total KA enterprise, we are capable of undertaking work of virtually any size, scope, or location, whether locally, regionally, or nationally.
Welcome 2020 WDN sponsor Kraus-Anderson Construction Company. Please check out the link to view the amazing projects they have developed from idea to completion.
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Here`s what you need to know about Wisconsin unemployment backlogs, claims and denials
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 Wisconsinites have filed thousands of unemployment claims since the beginning of the coronavirus. But with all of the unemployment news, it`s easy to miss out on what you need to know, like the number of claims that have been filed, how many have been paid out and the latest on the extra $600 in federal assistance. Here`s what you need to know.
How many unemployment claims have been made? Since the start of the pandemic, which the state lists as March 15, more than 3.76 million weekly claims have been received by the department and nearly 3.2 million of those have already been paid out, according to the Department of Workforce Development`s latest data, which runs through June 27. The number of claims paid out includes those that have gone through adjudication already. ...more
Ken Notes:Again it is easy to be mad at DWD, but it was not easy to be DWD. If you are one who is pointing fingers remember that three of them are pointing back at you...
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Couture developer says he’s secured enough equity for project
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 Developer Rick Barrett says he has secured the remaining needed
equity for The Couture, the long-planned 44-story luxury residential
tower near the lakefront in downtown Milwaukee, and has resubmitted the
project for a loan guarantee through the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development. The $122 million project is planned southwest of Michigan Street and
Lincoln Memorial Drive. Barrett, founder and chief executive of
Milwaukee-based Barrett Lo Visionary Development, first unveiled plans
for The Couture in 2012. But vertical construction still has not
commenced, and Barrett has been working to secure enough equity to
resubmit an application for the HUD guarantee. Barrett Lo’s previous loan application expired in July 2019... ...more
Ken Notes: I am surprised he can build this for 122 million...
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Artis Real Estate Investment Trust
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 Madison Office Lifestyle Portfolio is a portfolio of 16, Class A amenity-rich office properties ranging from 14,000 square feet to over 300,000 square feet in size, and is home to over 130 tenants.
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GE Healthcare to lay off over 100 employees in Wauwatosa
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 GE Healthcare’s Wauwatosa campus will lose 123 employees, including many high-level professionals, as the company transfers part of its United States commercial team to the corporate headquarters in Chicago and other regional offices. The company said the last day of work for the employees at 9900 W. Innovation Drive will be on Aug. 31, according to a notice GE Healthcare filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The company said in January the Wauwatosa location would be impacted by the transfers. ...more
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Mayor says economic fallout of COVID-19 threatens Madison Public Market
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 The economic fallout from COVID-19 is creating uncertainties for the timing and even development of the long-planned, $13.2 million Madison Public Market on the East Side, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. But the nonprofit Madison Public Market Foundation, which would run the market in a city-owned building, is imploring policymakers to stay the course, saying adjustments can be made and the market is just what the city needs in coming years to support a diverse mix of entrepreneurs and boost a recovery... ...more
Ken Notes:Like the finally successful Garver Mill, we need a group to drive this from the private sector and then get the cities support. The city is very good at a lot of things but profitable economic development is not their strongest suit. Golf (3.3 million), PAC (2 Million), Menona Terrace (14 million)...
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Developer to start final phase of $36 million-plus riverfront project in Monona
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 Despite market uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a developer is moving forward with the final piece of the $36 million-plus Yahara Commons project along the Yahara River which when completed will be the biggest in the city of Monona in two decades. The Galway Cos. has secured final approvals and will begin construction next month on a five-story building with 145 apartments, rooftop pool and terrace, and two levels of underground parking with 283 spaces that will be shared with the city to serve a 0.6-acre park that’s part of the city’s contribution to the overall, three-phase redevelopment. ...more
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Miron Construction
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 Miron’s comprehensive range of construction services are designed to meet the unique and diversified needs of our clients. Contact Us. ...more...A sponsor of Wisconsin Development News
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Milwaukee leaders say mentorship, inclusivity, location will grow workforce diversity; PPP extended to August 8
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 Milwaukee leaders in diversifying employment said mentorship, inclusivity and location will grow the pipeline of diverse, talented employees in the region. Dr. Vicki Martin, president of the Milwaukee Area Technical College, told a Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce webinar that internal training and shepherding individuals to assume greater roles within an organization is key to recruiting and retaining diverse talent in the workforce. “Support and mentoring… is just absolutely critical as we move forward,” she said. “But I think really looking at hiring and our systems of hiring and retention and what do those look like and making sure that we have anti-racist systems in place.”... ...more
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1 in 5 Milwaukee Retailers Are Selling Tobacco to Youth
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 MILWAUKEE– One in five tobacco retailers in the City of Milwaukee sold tobacco or nicotine products to underage youth during 2019 compliance checks, according to newly released data from Wisconsin Wins. The 21% rate of sale in Milwaukee was a decrease from the previous year (25%), although the ten-year trend is up from 11% in 2009. Youth access rate in Milwaukee peaked in 2015 at 27%. Wisconsin Wins Access Rate Trend. During the Wisconsin Wins compliance checks, minors attempt to purchase tobacco or nicotine products, including cheap, flavored cigarillos, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or single cigarettes. If they are successful, a Milwaukee police officer working with the minors writes a ticket on the spot or retailers can choose to sign up for the MARTS program (Milwaukee Achieving Responsible Tobacco Sales) to avoid citation. ...more
Ken Notes: This is easy to stop. Create a team of one undercover officer and one youth interested in law enforcement. Preform a recorded sting operation then bring all the guilty owners in and remind them the ability to sell tobacco is a privilege not a right. Your MARTS program is on the right track here. Just make the offending owners appear in person.
Forgive the first ticket after appearance 2nd violation costs money third revokes license. Ask the press to report on your efforts and I promise the problem will be solved in weeks.
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228 Briggs & Stratton Jobs Impacted By Production Move To NY
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 WAUWATOSA,
WI – More than 200 local jobs at the Briggs & Stratton production
facility in Wauwatosa will be eliminated after the company announced
recently it will move some of its production to New York. The
Milwaukee-based company has alerted the Wisconsin Department of
Workforce Development that 228 jobs will be lost at the facility that
production of lawn tractors, riding mowers, snow throwers and power
washers will be moved out of the Burleigh plant and to the new location
at the end of August. The company announced that the operation will
completely wind down by the end of the year...
Ken Notes: I do not know what NY offered but Briggs & Stratton is a Wisconsin icon. This hurts and who wants a small engine built in NY...
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Engineered Construction Inc. / General Contractors
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GENERAL CONTRACTING
Residential - Commercial - Retail - Controlled Environments
FIRE / WATER / STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION
DESIGN / BUILD & REMODELING
“Located in the Madison region for over 30 years, Engineered Construction is an industry leader in commercial construction and the restoration of commercial and residential fire and water damage.” See comments from our clients here. ...more...A sponsor of Wisconsin Development News
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Wisconsin Technology Council: State’s early stage firms raised record dollars in 2019; total deals increased slightly
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The latest edition of “The Wisconsin Portfolio” shows more than $450 million was raised by the state’s early stage companies in 2019, a record for any single year in Wisconsin. The report by the Wisconsin Technology Council and its Tech Council Investor Networks showed 123 early stage deals – up from 121 in 2018 – with average and mean deal sizes growing significantly. ...more
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MadREP News
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 Stay up to date by reading our MadREP Report, a bi-monthly newsletter that features regional economic development news, events and opportunities.
...more
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Marcus Corp. to lay off 410 workers at Wisconsin hotels
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 Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp. plans to lay off 410 workers at six Wisconsin hotels, plus an additional 15 employees, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hamstring the restaurant and hospitality industries. The company will lay off workers at three downtown Milwaukee hotels, two resorts in Lake Geneva and a hotel in Madison, according to a flurry of WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices that Marcus Corp. filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development... ...more
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Birkie Plans to Buy Telemark Property, Attract New Development
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 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation plans to demolish existing lodge and work with private developer for new opportunitiesCABLE, Wis. – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is hoping the
Telemark Resort property will become a prime destination again.
The iconic Birkebeiner ski race starts at Telemark every February.
Now, the race foundation wants to buy the resort property, and could
close on it as early as September.
It will cost the Birkie about $2 million to buy the land and demolish
the existing Telemark Lodge which opened in the 1970s, went through
multiple bankruptcies, and closed permanently in 2013.
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and the Town of Cable have
applied for a $500,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation to demolish most or all of the lodge so a new development
can be built on the site...
Ken Notes: I would coop the existing property if it is structurally sound for just a few dollars a month to cover maintenance and any renovations needed. Imagine 200 skiing advocates for the entire property. If your are spending 2 million to tear it down what difference does it make to keep it up and generate a little income and a lot of public support.
We continue to price ourselves out of the very market that built much of Wisconsin, middle class tourists form the cities looking for an escape...
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Economic Development Resources
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WEDC Plans For The Post-Pandemic Economy
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 7:00am
Yesterday,
the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation released a report on how
the state’s industries and workers have been affected by the
coronavirus pandemic — and imagines a new way forward. We talk with
Secretary Missy Hughes, the head of WEDC, about the report.
Ken Notes: Well worth listening to...
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Findorff - Character Community Craftsmanship
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Findorff, builders of Wisconsin`s finest projects...and ...A sponsor of Wisconsin Development News
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Credit transfer planning now easier for Wisconsin college students
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 The University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System are making it easier for students to plan credit transfers in Wisconsin by launching a new online credit transfer tool called Transferology. Over the last year, the UW System coordinated the launch of Transferology to make transfer easier and more efficient in Wisconsin by replacing its current transfer information system with the new online credit transfer tool. UW System led a team from the UW System campuses and the technical colleges to convert all course data from their databases into Transferology and launch the new online tool. The project also included the College of Menominee Nation and the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College. ...more
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JSD Professional Services
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JSD provides complete services in Planning & Development, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources, Landscape Architecture, Construction Services, Surveying & Mapping, and Environmental Services. Offices in Madison - Milwaukee - Kenosha - Fox Valley & Wausau.
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Questions about race as Wisconsin struggles to deliver jobless aid during pandemic — 6/30/20
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 A roundup of top news and information about Wisconsin’s response to the coronavirusToday we highlight our latest examination of Wisconsin’s overwhelmed unemployment insurance system, which has left thousands of people without income during the economically devastating pandemic.
Bram Sable-Smith, a WPR fellow embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom, reports on national research showing that jobless Black and Latino workers have historically proved less likely than white workers to receive unemployment aid. Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development says it does not have race, gender, age or income reports available.
Some experts say Wisconsin — home to some of the country’s most severe racial disparities in education, public health, housing and criminal justice — should track whether its workforce agency equitably distributes unemployment during the economic crisis...
...more
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Subscribe to you Local paper!
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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...
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Land and Space / Tom Daykin
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 Note: I changed the link here to Toms Twitter account. JS limits the number of articles I can read so I look at TD`s Twitter feed every week. I`ll Still include JS articles but after ten you need to subscribe.
I also updated the picture because, well Tom is getting old and development is taking it`s toll!!!
Milwaukee
- 1/1/2020 Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about
commercial real estate and development, including stores, hotels,
offices, condos, apartments and industrial buildings... ...more
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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The Wisconsin Development Network
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WDN Notes...
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Ken Notes: "Ken Notes" may be reprinted in context without permission. Attribution should be Ken Harwood, Editor Wisconsin Development News or Ken Harwood Advocate for Wisconsin.
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