Hensen Marks 45 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie Star)

Hensen Marks 45 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7541

Blogger's Note: Alice is a great mentor to a lot of people (including me) and she is a tremendous resource to the City of Sun Prairie. Congratulations Alice!

Hospital Building Blitz in High Gear (Madison.com)

Hospital Building Blitz in High Gear

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/news/local/health_med_fit/article_658639c0-82d8-11e0-bbe4-001cc4c002e0.html

Blogger's Note: We're confident that SSM Healthcare is going to move forward on their hospital facility in Sun Prairie as soon as they are able to do so. I'm also hopeful that Meriter will still do a project on the property that they own on Thompson Drive. This is a great indicator of how far the East side continues to evolve as a place to live and work.

Mayoral Priorities Outlined (Sun Prairie Star)

Mayoral Priorities Outlined (Submitted to the Star by Mayor John Murray)

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=7550

Excerpt from the Article:

"A focused economic development strategy. Sun Prairie is competing against other cities and regions for job growth and retention. I have proposed beefing up our Community Development Authority into a more robust marketing and economic development entity. By working with the Chamber, the Business Improvement District and other business and civic groups, we can retain and grow our local jobs and increase tax base."

Blogger's Note: Obviously excited to have the Mayor list this as a priority. Mayor Murray was the public sector co-chair for the Ad Hoc Committee that developed our current Strategic Business Development Plan in 2008-2009. This plan identified preliminary target sectors in two groups:

Immediate Sectors

• Finance and Insurance
• Information Technology
• Light Manufacturing
• Warehousing & Distribution
• Food & Beverage Processing

Emerging Sectors

• Healthcare
• Biotechnology
• Agricultural Technology
• Renewable Energy
• Continuing Education
• Hospitality & Tourism

My guess is we're going to start with that document and try to focus it even further. Marketing and retaining these sectors will probably be up for discussion with the Council at their upcoming Strategic Planning discussion, as well as what sort of resources the City may need to allocate to this effort. Sounds like a good move to me.

Sun City Cyclery & Skate Shop Marks 20 Years in Business (Sun Prairie Star)

Sun City Cyclery & Skate Shop Marks 20 Years in Business (Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7535

Anne Pingry Joins Bank of Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie Star/Press Release)

Anne Pingry Joins Bank of Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7527&TM=57540.84

Click here for more infomation on the Bank of Sun Prairie.

WPPI Energy to Purchase Power From Point Beach Nuclear Plant (Press Release)

WPPI Energy to Purchase Power From Point Beach Nuclear Plant

Link to Full Press Release: http://www.wppienergy.org/newsarchive?ID=226

Click here for more information on WPPI Energy.

Click here for a fact sheet on Next Era's Point Beach Nuclear Plant.

Sun Prairie's Bonnie Dixon Elected 2012 President of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin (WiscNews.com)

Bonnie Dixon, branch manager in Sun Prairie for Stark Company Realtors, has been elected 2012 president for the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin.

She has served as a director since last year and is in the post of treasurer. Before becoming branch manager in Sun Prairie, Dixon held the same position in Stark Company's Baraboo office and covered Sauk and Columbia counties, including the Portage area.

She has worked in the real estate industry for more than 14 years.

Source Link: http://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/article_f863ccc8-835d-11e0-93eb-001cc4c002e0.html

Click here for more information on Bonnie and Stark Company Realtors in Sun Prairie.

Click here for more information on the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin.

Verizon Bringing 4G to Sun Prairie Beginning June 16 (Sun Prairie Star)

Verizon Bringing 4G to Sun Prairie Beginning June 16

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7498

Executive Q&A: Stechschulte's Job is to Sing the Praises of Sun Prairie (Madison.com)

Executive Q&A: Stechschulte's Job is to Sing the Praises of Sun Prairie (Story and Photo by Jane Burns)

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_41e09218-8477-11e0-894d-001cc4c03286.html

Blogger's Note: Thanks to Jane Burns and the Wisconsin State Journal for stopping by to learn more about what we have going on in Sun Prairie.

Pan-O-Gold Launches Ross 360 Degrees DSD for Its Manufacturing Operations (Sys-Con Media)

Pan-O-Gold Launches Ross 360 Degrees DSD for Its Manufacturing Operations

Link to Full Article: http://www.sys-con.com/node/1837016

Blogger's Note: Pan-O-Gold also goes by the name of Village Hearth, and their facility here in the Sun Prairie Business Park was one of the facilities to have this software installed.

Putting Facebook to Work (Frontier Communications)

Putting Facebook to Work - Using Facebook to Build Your Business

A complimentary Webinar taking place on Wednesday, June 8 at 10 a.m. CDT.

Link to full event information and registration: http://frontiercentral.net/social/facebook/index.html

Eastside Elementary Classes Visit Day One Pizza (Sun Prairie Star)

Eastside Elementary Classes Visit Day One Pizza

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=129&ArticleID=7467

Harris Moran Seed Company Announces New Strategic Additions to Their Research & Breeding Departments (FreshPlaza.com)

Harris Moran Seed Company Announces New Strategic Additions to Their Research & Breeding Departments

Link to Full Article: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=80651

Excerpt from the article: Dr. Pat Mosely joins Harris Moran as the Director of Large Seed Breeding, based in Sun Prairie, WI. Dr. Mosely holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding & Cytogenetics, with an emphasis on field corn, from Iowa State University, and a Masters degree in Plant Breeding, with an emphasis on sweet corn, from the University of Wisconsin. His career began as a Sweet Corn Breeder for Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. He was promoted to Director of Research and most recently, held the position of President for the Sweet Corn Division of Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. Dr. Mosely, is one of the most recognized leaders in the sweet corn industry. He will help accelerate the leadership position of the Harris Moran brand in the global sweet corn and green bean markets.

Click here for more information on Harris Moran Seed Company.

Blogger's Note: Another great example of the strong agricultural economy in our own backyard. Welcome to Sun Prairie, Dr. Mosely.

Congratulations to the Graduates of the Sun Prairie Leadership Class XIV (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Congratulations to the graduates of the 14th Sun Prairie Leadership Class:

Elry Armaza, UW Credit Union
Andrew Hirvela, Sun Prairie Utilities
Denise Kerr, Stark Company Realtors
Patrick Malinowski, Summit Credit Union
Eric Ristau, Eustice, Laffey, Sebranek & Auby
Jonathan Rouse, Sun Prairie Area School District
Jamie Stueber, Bank of Sun Prairie
Brian Teasdale, Sun Prairie Police Department
Julie Wiedmeyer, Sunshine Supper

These current and future leaders of their community spent the third Wednesday of the month from August 2010 to May 2011 learning more about their community, and how they can impact change in Sun Prairie. Their topics of study included:

Leading Change September 15, 2010 (at Wisconsin Distributors)
Develop leadership and team-building skills, identify leadership styles and qualities. Breakfast sponsored by Beans 'n Cream Coffeehouse. Lunch sponsored by Cardinal's Nest.

Volunteerism October 20, 2010 (at Colonial Club)
Discussion of volunteerism focusing on local nonprofit organizations, how to get involved, where help is needed, benefits of volunteering to you and your community. Breakfast sponsored by What's Brew'n. Lunch sponsored by Colonial Club.

Communications & Media November 17, 2010 (at Sun Prairie Utilities, Sun Prairie Public Library and Sun Prairie Cable Access)
Work with the media, learn about technology, effective personal communication, cable access TV, advertising and public relations tips. Breakfast sponsored by Sun Prairie Utilities. Lunch sponsored by Cannery Grill.

Community Health & Wellness January 19, 2011 (at St. Mary's Emergency Center and Prairie Athletic Club)
Personal and community health and wellness issues, alternative medicine. Breakfast sponsored by Sun Prairie Kwik Trip. Lunch sponsored by St. Mary's Foundation and Prairie Athletic Club.

Education February 16, 2011 (at Royal Oaks Elementary, SPHS, and CHUMS)
Key issues in today’s education environment such as diversity of population and revenue caps, discussions with students. Lunch provided by the high school.

Business & Industry March 16, 2011 (at Stark Company Realtors, Hallman Lindsay, Pan-O-Gold)
Tours of local businesses and industries, community economic development goals and strategies, small business issues. Lunch at Buck & Honey's.

Government April 20, 2011
Overview of city services and departments, planning issues and emergency services.

Graduation May 18, 2011 (Buck & Honey's)

Ives Marks 10 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie Star)

Ives Marks 10 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7445&TM=77599.41

Cyclocross Star Bart Wellens to Begin 'cross Season in the USA (CyclingNews.com)

Wellens to begin 'cross season in the USA? (Photo by Elmar Krings c/o CyclingNews.com)

Link to Full Article: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wellens-to-begin-cross-season-in-the-usa

Click here for more information on the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross.

Blogger's Note: The U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Greenware Planet Bike Cup comes back to Sun Prairie on September 24-25th at the Angell Park Speedway grounds, and it continues to bring in top riders from all over the world. Looking forward to having everybody back for another great weekend of 'cross!

Retail Savvy Shines at Carpe Diem (Sun Prairie Star)

Retail Savvy Shines at Carpe Diem

Mindy Wambach, Owner of Carpe Diem Handbags & Accessories Boutique (Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7443

Click here to visit Carpe Diem on Facebook.

UW Office of Corporate Relations is Topic of May 24 Sun Prairie Chamber Luncheon - Managing Director Charles Hoslet Presenting (Sun Prairie Star)

Office of Corporate Relations is Topic of May 24 Sun Prairie Chamber Luncheon

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestaronline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7444

Click here for more information on the UW Office of Corporate Relations.

UPDATE: Hoslet outlines services available at UW's Office of Corporate Relations

Link to Full Article: >http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7583&TM=76898.04

Diesel Truck Driver Training School Helping to Fill the Truck Driver Shortage in the United States (PRNewswire.com)

Diesel Truck Driver Training School Helping to Fill the Truck Driver Shortage in the United States

Link to Full Article: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/diesel-truck-driver-training-school-helping-to-fill-the-truck-driver-shortage-in-the-united-states-121788333.html

Click here for more information on the Diesel Truck Driver Training School.

Sun Prairie High School Economics Team Places 9th In Stock Market Simulation (Channel3000.com)

Economics Team Places 9th In Stock Market Simulation

Link to full article: http://sunprairie.channel3000.com/news/people/economics-team-places-9th-stock-market-simulation/52245

Blogger's Note: Any of these students are welcome to help out in the City's Office of Economic Development any time they want!

Update: 2011 Opening Weekend at Angell Park Cancelled Due to Weather (Angell Park Speedway)

This weekend's races have been canceled due to inclement Weather. Angell Park is working with BADGER and USAC for a rain date to be announced in the future. Our next event will be May 29th Memorial Day with the BADGER Midgets and USAC D-1 Midgets, Along with the BADGER Micro Series.

Click here for more information on Angell Park Speedway.

Blogger's Note: To the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association and the United States Auto Club Midget Racing, welcome back to Angell Park and Sun Prairie! Looking forward to another season of racing at Angell Park.

Wisconsin Food Gift Co. Engaged UW Nicholas Center for Financial Advice (UW School of Business Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance)

Wisconsin Food Gift Company was experiencing financial distress due to the economic downturn, a poorly timed expansion combined with declining sales, high fixed costs and leverage. However, the company has attractive gross margins and significant production capacity with which to rebuild its operations. Therefore, the turnaround management team decided to pursue key acquisitions in order to exploit the capacity of its main facility and restore profitability.

Wisconsin Food Gift Company engaged a Nicholas Center team to identify these key acquisition targets in the cheese, chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, nuts, and spices industries. After touring the facility and, of course, trying samples of different cheese and chocolate products, the team set out to understand the main drivers that put the company in financial distress and what needed to be done in order to improve the state of the company. Based upon this information and in-depth market analysis, the team determined a set of criteria and put together a list of ideal target acquisitions.

While the team worked with Wisconsin Food Gift Company, the financial condition changed significantly, and they filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have started the liquidation process. The team’s work will be passed along to the main buyer of the company. The learning experience for the project was immense, as the team got to see what happens first hand with a company that’s in financial distress. From understanding key relationships with suppliers, customers, creditors, and government to different strategies companies can choose, to the bankruptcy and liquidation processes. Being able to observe a company in good times is a learning experience, however, working with a company in financial distress and understanding what went wrong and attempting to fix it was an invaluable experience.

Click here for more information on the Nicholas Center at the University of Wisconsin School of Business.

Blogger's Note: Thanks to the team that worked on this project. We hope the information you provided will help land a new user in the building vacated by the Wisconsin Cheeseman.

Prairie Right Management Opens in The Cornerstone Office Building (Sun Prairie Star)

Prairie Right Management Opens in The Cornerstone Office Building

Operations manager Todd Christian (left), CEO Katrina Keller and president Bill Krueger pose in the lobby of the new office for Prairie Right Management inside the Cornerstone Building. The company currently handles hotel property management for nine hotels in Wisconsin and Minnesota (photo by Tim Neuenschwander).

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7401

Blogger's Note: Maybe this company could help recruit a couple more hotels to the Sun Prairie area?

Sun Prairie Utilities Highlights Efficiency Programs for Sun Prairie Businesses (Sun Prairie Utilities Local Circuit Newsletter - Spring 2011)

RFP for Energy Efficiency Funds Available for Large Power Customers

Funds continue to be available under our power supplier’s RFP for Energy Efficiency program for large power customers.The program encourages investments in energy saving projects by larger commercial and industrial customers in member communities. Customers are invited to submit competitive proposals for cost-effective, energy saving upgrades to equipment and systems within their current facilities. Up to $250,000 of incentive funding is available for each bid cycle.The current round of bidding ends on July 29, 2011, with awards granted in August. Bids for a subsequent round of funding are due Nov. 18, 2011.

To date, WPPI Energy has funded 24 project proposals, issuing more than $1,268,821 in RFP for Energy Efficiency grants, resulting in demand reductions of 2,043 kilowatts and energy consumption decreases of 13.1 million kilowatt-hours. For more information, visit www.wppienergy.org/rfp.

Explore Your Educational Opportunities

Many energy education and training opportunities are available to commercial and industrial utility customers. To find upcoming events, conferences, and technical workshops, visit
www.focusonenergy.com/training and www.ecw.org/university.

Sun Prairie Utilities has scholarships available for qualified training. Contact Energy Services Representative Tamara Sondgeroth at (608) 837-5500 for more information.

Overcome Initial Cost Barriers

Has your business delayed the replacement or improvement of inefficient equipment and building components because of concerns about the initial purchase costs? Our Shared Savings Program is designed to help you overcome these initial cost barriers. We can provide up-front capital to advance energy cost reduction measures.

Under the program, qualifying businesses or organizations may be eligible for up to $50,000 for a low annual fee. This option allows your business to repay funding through installments on your monthly bill. Often, payments are less than the energy cost savings, resulting in positive cash flow. Call Sun Prairie Utilities at (608) 837-5500 today to learn more.

Click here for additional articles on reducing energy usage in the office, tips on operating security lighting and more in the Spring 2011 edition of Local Circuit.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Releases First Quarter Production - 2011 Off to a Great Start for This Nationwide Lender (PRNewswire.com)

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Releases First Quarter Production - 2011 Off to a Great Start for This Nationwide Lender

Link to Full Article: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fairway-independent-mortgage-corporation-releases-first-quarter-production---2011-off-to-a-great-start-for-this-nationwide-lender-120967974.html

Click here for more information on Fairway Independent Mortgage.

New Main Street Retail Space Available (PropertyDrive.com)

Prairie Commons (1251 W. Main St.) has apprx. 12,000 SF available for lease. Located directly on newly redeveloped Main St. in Sun Prairie; this site offers great visibility, new construction, agressive lease rates, and end-cap space is available. Lease rates begin at $16.00 NNN and please contact Peter Siepe for additional information:

Peter Siepe
Central Place Real Estate, Inc.
ph: 608-662-1664
fx: 608-836-5547
mobile: 608-772-0224
psiepe@centralplacere.com

Click here for full brochure on PropertyDrive.com.

Summit Credit Union: Free Home Buyers Seminar Offered to Community (WisBusiness.com)

Near-record low interest rates and a favorable buyer's market are making it a great time to buy or refinance a home. Yet many folks continue to be leery about making this kind of financial move in light of the changing economy. To help people make a decision whether or not buying a home is right for them, as well as how refinancing may save them money in the long run, Summit Credit Union is holding a free seminar on Thurs., May 12, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Summit Credit Union Sun Prairie Branch, located at 1333 W. Main St., in Sun Prairie. The seminar is open to the public.

Please register by visiting:

http://summitcreditunion.com/summit.php?page=43

or by calling (608) 243-5000 or (800) 236-5560.

About Summit Credit Union

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $1.5 billion in assets and has more than 118,000 members with a total of 24 locations throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. For more information, visit http://www.summitcreditunion.com/ or call (608) 243-5000 or (800) 236-5560.

For more information, contact:

Cheryl Van Tessier, Finesse Public Relations LLC
(608) 467-4408
ctessier@finessepr.net

Amy Crowe, Summit Credit Union
(608) 243-5000X2834
amy.crowe@summitcreditunion.com

Thrive Announces New Website (Thrive)

With a completely re-imagined design and navigation, our new website was built with you in mind. We've included robust business tools, success stories of local companies, useful data and demographics, and much more.

Stay tuned for the launch of our fully searchable and integrated online Capital Connections Inventory. It's coming soon!

We invite you to take a look around. And as we continue to improve and build upon this site, we welcome any feedback you might have. Thanks for visiting thrivehere.org!

Sun Prairie's Benson Cheruiyot Wins 2011 Crazylegs Classic (Madison.com)

Crazylegs Classic: Kenyan Transplant Benson Cheruiyot Cruises to Overall Title (Photo by Andy Manis)

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/sports/running/article_f4719198-7388-11e0-ab53-001cc4c002e0.html

Blogger's Note: Congratulations to both Benson Cheruiyot and Moses Waweru for an outstanding race last Saturday. We're proud that you chose Sun Prairie as your home here in America. And of course...how can you NOT love the Sassy Cow Creamery t-shirt?

Cinco De Meow Reason To Celebrate At DCHS (Channel3000.com)

Cinco De Meow Reason To Celebrate At Dane County Humane Society

Link to full article: http://sunprairie.channel3000.com/news/community-spirit/cinco-de-meow-reason-celebrate-dchs/52098

Click here for more information on Mounds Pet Food Warehouse.

Blogger's Note: Mounds Pet Food Warehouse in Sun Prairie is a great supporter and partner with the Dane County Humane Society. Watch for information coming up about Dog Fest at Angell Park in Downtown Sun Prairie on June 12th!

Market Street Diner and Atlantis Taverna Team Up to Help Gus (Food Fight Inc.)

Buy a Cookie for Gus at Market Street Diner & Bakery and support a great cause. Cookies are being sold to benefit diner regular Johnny who's service dog is being treated for Lymphoma.

Click here for more information on Market Street Diner.

Click here for more information on Atlantis Taverna.

Sun Prairie Cited in U.S. Jobs Growth Article (Madison.com)

Biz Beat: Milwaukee 2nd in U.S. for job growth; Madison 76th

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/business/biz_beat/article_1e6c7f02-7295-11e0-a845-001cc4c03286.html

Blogger's Note: Thanks to Noel Radomski for acknowledging Sun Prairie's efforts at promoting positive growth and quality of life here. And congratulations to the Milwaukee region for a great review. Just another reason why Sun Prairie needs to increase its ties to some of the companies and developers from the biggest city in Wisconsin.

Sun Prairie Farmers Market Kicks Off This Weekend--Just in Time for Mother's Day! (Sun Prairie Business Improvement District)

The Sun Prairie Farmers Market starts a new season this Saturday, May 7.

Shoppers can expect to find a wide variety of plants including flowers for your flowerbeds and vegetable, herb, and fruit plants for your gardens and outdoor living spaces.

Seasonal vegetables will include lettuce, spinach, green onions and radishes, all picked fresh for market.

Of course there will be some tasty bakery, breads and sweet treats from our expert bakery vendors.

A wide assortment of meats will be available from numerous farmers.

All the meat products at the market have amazing flavor due to the breed selection, the way they are raised and the extra care that is taken during processing.

Other goods include jams, jellies, maple syrup, honey, sorghum syrup, embroidered towels, handmade soap, dog treats, garden art and lots more.

There are definitely many items that would make lovely mothers day gifts and kids are invited to come to the market and decorate a flower pot and plant a marigold for Mom absolutely free!

Although it is early in the season there is a surprising abundance available from the local farmers and artisans. Come on out this Saturday May 7th and start the market off right.

Click here for more information on the Sun Prairie Farmers Market.

Click here for more information on Downtown Sun Prairie.

Blogger's Note: Remember this is the 25th Anniversary of the Sun Prairie Farmers Market this year! Come on down!

Wicklund, Euclide to Serve on Behalf of WPPI Energy (Sun Prairie Star)

Wicklund, Euclide to Serve on Behalf of WPPI Energy

Link to full article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7343&TM=78181.41