Elite Embroidery and Screen Printing Now Open Downtown (Sun Prairie Star)

Elite Embroidery and Screen Printing, which opened Feb. 2 on East Main Street in Downtown Sun Prairie, specializes in putting just about any logo a customer wants on a variety of apparel.

Click here for the full story in the Sun Prairie Star Online.

Click here to go to Elite Embroidery and Screen Printing's website.

Sun Prairie BID looking forward to 2010 (Sun Prairie Star)

Members of Sun Prairie’s Business Improvement District (BID), which encompasses businesses and property owners in the city’s downtown area, have a lot to look forward to in 2010 according to BID Board President John Weishar and Sun Prairie Economic Development Coordinator Neil Stechschulte.Weishar and Stechschulte predicted an eventful 2010 for downtown businesses during the BID’s annual meeting held at Herreman’s Supper Club on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Click here to read the full article at the Sun Prairie Star online.

Fire Facilities Inc.: Expands Sales Force (Press Release)

For More Information Contact:

Linda Begley-Korth Fire Facilities Inc.

800-929-3726

SUN PRAIRIE, Wisconsin – Fire Facilities Inc. is pleased to announce an addition to its sales department. This new sales position will assist Fire Facilities in its continued growth in the live fire training industry. Matt Doyle has joined Fire Facilities as sales representative servicing the east coast. In this capacity, Matt will oversee all aspects of direct selling, which includes facilitating the sales process from conception to completion and beyond. Doyle assists with coordinating the design and construction of Fire Facilities’ training towers. In addition, he handles all post-sale issues such as safety measures to follow while training with live fire.

Matt brings many years of experience in both the metal building and Fire Service Industries. Matt was a member of two different volunteer Fire Departments in Michigan, including service as an Assistant Chief. In addition, Matt served in the Michigan Army National Guard as a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Specialist.

Fire Facilities welcomes Matt to his new position.

Fire Facilities Inc. (FFI), an employee-owned company, manufactures a full-line of pre-engineered steel fire training towers. From mobile units to high-rise towers, Fire Facilities training models are available in any configuration. Each tower contains at least one live burn room to allow for repeat fires at high temperatures. Burn rooms are lined with the Westec™ Insulation System. FFI designs and manufactures training structures to the specific needs of each fire department. Fire Facilities is devoted to providing superior products and uncompromised service throughout the entire customer experience. This commitment, along with experience in engineering, designing, and manufacturing, has given the company a leading edge in the fire training industry.

For more information about Fire Facilities and its products, please contact Fire Facilities at 800-929-3726; 314 Wilburn Rd, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, 53590; or visit the company Website at http://www.firefacilites.com/.

Feb. 25, 2010 is "Innovation and Economic Development Day" at the Capitol (UWEX)

THURSDAY, February 25, 2010
Innovation & Economic Development Day
UW Colleges and UW-Extension: Planting Knowledge; Growing Jobs

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Exhibits on First Floor Rotunda, State Capitol

Exhibits showcase the UW Colleges’ & UW-Extension’s shared vision of innovative, educational programs that create jobs, promote statewide economic development, and foster vibrant communities.

Everyone Is Welcome!

Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog Predicts EARLY SPRING!

Jimmy X arrived at the Prognostication Site in a stretch limosine, escorted by a Sun Prairie fire truck. A fireman shoveled a fresh path for Jimmy and his caregiver, Jerry to meet the mayor. It was a snowy morning in Sun Prairie, and Jimmy did NOT see his shadow! The crowd cheered as the mayor interpreted Jimmy's message, proclaiming an EARLY SPRING!

Check out Groundhog Central for more updates.

Click here for coverage from NBC 15 (video inlcuded).

Our View: Super Jimmy - Attend Jimmy’s Big Day and the Warm-up Ceremonies, Too (Sun Prairie Star)

[An Editorial from the Star...]

Although the theme for this year’s Groundhog Day festivities is “Super Jimmy,” the famous furry forecaster will have to be some kind of superanimal to keep up with the Groundhog Day festivities occurring throughout Sun Prairie during the next few days.

Those activities begin on Saturday, Jan. 30 when St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert Drive, will host the annual Groundhog Day Community Celebration, which begins with a breakfast from 8-11 a.m., followed by entertainment and vendor booths.

A birthday party for Human Groundhogs (those born on Feb. 2) takes place at 8:30 a.m.

The 36th annual Groundhog Ball takes place Jan. 30 from 7-11 p.m. at The Round Table, 1611 N. Bristol St. featuring The John Roehl Eight Piece Band; tickets cost $7 each but individuals younger than 21 will not be admitted. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sun Prairie Little League.

February 2: The Main Event
The eyes of the world focus on downtown Sun Prairie’s Cannery Square on Tuesday, Feb. 2, when the famous forecaster Jimmy the Groundhog arrives at Cannery Square via limousine escorted by a Sun Prairie Volunteer Fire Department engine.

Mayor Joe Chase, as legend has it, is the only person who can understand groundhogese and will relay Jimmy’s forecast of either an early spring or six more weeks of winter at 7:12 a.m. to the crowd assembled in Cannery Square Plaza.

The Sun Prairie Business Improvement District (BID) is co-sponsoring a Groundhog Day Breakfast Buffet at Market Street Diner -- at 110 Market St. -- on Feb. 2 from 6-9 a.m.

Whew! That’s a lot -- but we’re sure Jimmy is up to it.

Are you?

Click here for more coverage by the Sun Prairie Star.

Click here for the direct Groundhog Day updates from Groundhog Central.

Click here coverage by the Capital Times.

QBE in the News (Various Sources)

QBE's CEO O’Halloran Named To Insurance Hall Of Fame (National Underwriter Property and Casualty News)

The International Insurance Society (IIS) announced that Frank O’Halloran, chief executive officer of Sidney-based QBE Insurance Group, is the 2010 Insurance Hall of Fame winner. IIS noted that Mr. O’Halloran was directly responsible for over 125 acquisitions by the QBE Group over the last 20 years with the takeover of the Elders' insurance business in Australia the latest acquisition in QBE’s growth strategy.

“QBE's growth under Frank O'Halloran's leadership is nothing short of remarkable, both in terms of returns and global expansion,” said a statement from Michael J. Morrissey, IIS president and CEO. “I congratulate him on receiving the highest award in insurance, an honor he truly deserves.”

QBE has been a high-profit performer and now ranks in the 25 largest insurers in the world with operations in 45 countries driving three-quarters of its revenue from outside Australia, IIS said. The firm has weathered the recession by diversification of products, geographical exposure and conservative investments, and market capitalization has soared over $22.5 billion.

The Insurance Hall of Fame was created in 1957 and is administered by the IIS, which was founded in 1965 as a nonprofit corporation. IIS describes itself as the largest multinational organization of its kind with almost 900 corporate and individual members from more than 90 countries.

Click here for the original article at Property-Casualty.com.

QBE Regional Names US Commercial Lines Leader (Insuranceday.com)

QBE Regional Insurance, a unit of QBE the Americas, has named Andy Doll to lead its commercial lines operations. Doll previously served as vice president and chief actuary of commercial insurance for Fireman’s Fund, and before that spent 11 years at General Casualty/Winterthur Insurance Group in several roles, including assistant vice president of commercial lines and chief actuary. His new title is commercial lines senior vice president.

Click here for the full article at Insuranceday.com.

[Blogger's Note: Yet more signs for continued success and growth for QBE here in the States. Congratulations to both Mr. Halloran and Mr. Doll, and thanks for helping grow QBE here in Sun Prairie.]