America’s Best Cities For Young Professionals (Forbes)

America’s Best Cities For Young Professionals

Midwestern cities eclipsed many glitzier coastal competitors for top spots on our list. In addition to Des Moines [ranked #1], Madison, Wis., ranks third; billionaire Warren’s Buffett’s hometown of Omaha, Neb., is No. 5; and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., is No. 10. All three tout low unemployment rates and a large college-educated demographic. The cost of living in each of these areas is around or below the national average, ensuring their young residents’ relatively high salaries go even farther. Healthy job growth is projected in all of these heartland hubs as well.

Link to Full Article: http://blogs.forbes.com/morganbrennan/2011/07/12/americas-best-cities-for-young-professionals/

Link to Madison Metro Area Profile: http://www.forbes.com/places/wi/madison/

Blogger's Note: Sun Prairie is included in these figures, and probably helps Madison's overall score quite a bit. The point is that these are the folks we want attract to Sun Prairie, and have them invest and work in our community. According to Forbes, we should be able to do more of just that.

Annual Chamber Business Expo Set for November 3rd (Sun Prairie Star)

Business Expo Set for November 3

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=8038

Blogger's Note: It's only 3 months away...

151- Main Street Project Update - Week of Aug. 1st (City of Sun Prairie Engineering Department)

The following activities are scheduled for the week of August 1st:

The contractor anticipates paving underneath the overpass this weekend.

Depending upon weather, the opening of the northbound on ramp open maybe delayed. (Originally scheduled for opening on Aug. 5th)

Crosswalks and bike lanes in the area of the ramps is likely to remain closed for another week or so, as the contractor finishes up curbing in these areas.

Overall, the Nov. 4 target completion date is still the goal.

Drivers should watch for minor shifts in traffic control in the area of the ramps while they are completed.

Persons traveling this route are advised that construction is likely to be occurring on Saturdays for the next several weeks.

People are also strongly encouraged to slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment at all times in the construction zone.

The next business meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 9 a.m.

Key Contact Information:

City of Sun Prairie Project Office:(608) 215-1167
WisDOT Project Office: 608) 834-1207
Contractor Office (R.G. Huston):608) 255-9223
Project Office Address: 1632 W. Main St. (Access from Hart Rd.)
E-mail: mainstreet@cityofsunprairie.com

What's New at the Farmers Market (Sun Prairie Star)

What's New at the Market?

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7997

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

Blogger's Note: The Star is running this in its online version only this week -- let us know what you think by e-mailing managing editor Chris Mertes at spedit@hometownnewsgroup.com and tell him if you want it every week online for the rest of the market season!

Sun Prairie Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Amstadt Launches New Website (PRUrgent.com)

Madison Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Amstadt Launches New Website

Link to Full Press Release: http://www.prurgent.com/2011-07-26/pressrelease185440.htm

Click here for more information on Dr. James Amstadt & Associates Dentistry.

Blogger's Note: Yes...Dr. Jim is actually in Sun Prairie.

Lifelong Dream Comes True at Bella Donna Salon (Sun Prairie Star)

Lynz Lopez, owner of Bella Donna Salon, poses in front some hair products she sells at her new business, which opened July 7th. (Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Lifelong Dream Comes True at Bella Donna Salon

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7977&TM=85857.84

Click here for additional information on Bella Donna Salon.

Blogger's Note: Perhaps a sign that the economy is not as bad as some people say. Nice to see a new business rise from the unfortunate closing of another.

Two Veteran Mortgage Specialists Bring 50 Years Of Experience To Sun Prairie Summit Credit Union Locations (CUInsight.com)

Two Veteran Mortgage Specialists Bring 50 Years Of Experience To Sun Prairie Summit Credit Union Locations

Link to Full Article: Click here.

Marcus Earnings up 15% on Theater Division's Growth (JSOnline.com)

Marcus Earnings up 15% on Theater Division's Growth

Link to Full Article: http://www.jsonline.com/business/125949628.html

Blogger's Note: This, plus Marcus Corporation's investment in digital technology at other theaters, can only be a positive influence as to when Marcus' Sun Prairie project will get underway.

Thank You To Everybody Who Helped Make the Taste of Sun Prairie a Success Again This Year! (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Some quick thanks to Rebecca Kettleson from the Dream Park, Bill Taft and all the gang from the Sun Prairie Lions Club, all the members of the BID who helped out today, all the vendors and restaurants, the bands, the entertainment, and all the others who took the time to set up a tent. I also want to thank Larry Herman and the Public Works Department, Dennis Allen and Building Inspection, Rem Brandt and Linda Anderson and the Police Department, and Diane-Herrmann Brown and the City Clerk's Office for all their help making sure we got this event off like it was supposed to go. Lastly, thanks to Travis for his work with the electrical system and plumbing out in Cannery Square. AND...the square looked pretty good when we all cleared out of there. This is a great event, and as soon as I cool down and rehydrate--I'm going to start looking toward the next one.

Blogger's Note: I think John would have been proud.

Royle Printing Adds Goss Press (Sun Prairie Star)

Royle Adds Goss Press

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestaronline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7989&TM=69814.88

Click here for more information on Royle Printing.

Blogger's Note: Royle continues to be one of Sun Prairie's faster growing companies. Congratulations on their new press and likely expansion.

Coldwell Banker Releases Home Listing Report (Coldwell Banker)

The June 2011 Home Listing Report provides the average home listing price for four-bedroom, two full bathroom properties on www.coldwellbanker.com listed between September 2010 and March 2011 from more than 2,300 select North American markets.

The average home price of $221,464 in Sun Prairie ranked 22nd highest out of 54 communities compared across Wisconsin. The highest average home price was in Cedarburg, WI at $357,087, while the lowest was in Berlin, WI at $85,391 .

Average Home Values by Community in Wisconsin: http://hlr.coldwellbanker.com/us2011/Wisconsin.html

Profile data on Sun Prairie: http://www.coldwellbanker.com/real_estate/home_search/WI/SUN%20PRAIRIE

Continental Mapping President Appointed to SBA Regulatory Fairness Board (Continental Mapping)

Continental Mapping is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dave Hart, President of Continental Mapping, to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Region X Regulatory Fairness Board by SBA Administrator Karen Mills. Serving as a Portland, Oregon business owner, Mr. Hart and other board members will help in the planning of regulatory fairness hearings and outreach events nationwide, where small business owners may express their concerns about federal regulations that may be burdensome to their business. Board members report to National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Ester Vassar.

As a small business owner for the last 11 years, Mr. Hart has grown his company from a two person operation to a well-established small business employing 30 individuals across four office locations. He understands the importance small businesses have in the success of their local economies and how important it is to make sure these businesses have a voice when it comes to federal regulations. “David understands how to grow a business, create jobs, and be a strong advocate for other local small business owners,” Vassar said. Under his appointment, Mr. Hart will provide an important service by working to support small businesses as they strive to operate in an environment where federal regulations are effective and not excessive.

Continental Mapping is headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Click here for more information on Continental Mapping Inc.

Sun Prairie Sale Days This Weekend (Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce)

Sun Prairie Sale Days July 22nd and 23rd with a Flea Market July 23rd at the Prairie Square Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart) from 9am-3pm. One of our SHOP LOCAL programs, local businesses offer specials and discounts this weekend. Click here for a list of participating businesses and more info. Also this weekend is Taste of Sun Prairie, click here for more info. Sun Prairie Sale Days is an annual event and Chamber Members can participate at no cost.

John Weishar (1949-2011)

Link to John's Obituary:
http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?ArticleID=7937&SectionID=8&SubSectionID=8

Blogger's Note: John was at his best when he was helping others enjoy Sun Prairie. His work to grow and expand Sun Prairie's Downtown made it better every year. The Business Improvement District will never quite be the same.

Sample Local Businesses at Taste of Sun Prairie on Saturday, July 23 (Sun Prairie Star)

Sample Local Businesses at Taste of Sun Prairie on Saturday, July 23

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=129&ArticleID=7895

Blogger's Note: For John.

151 Main Street Project Update for the Week of July 18th (City of Sun Prairie Engineering Department)

Project Status: On Schedule

The following activities are scheduled for the week of July 18th:

Grading operations are scheduled to be completed on the north side of Main Street this coming week.

Conduit crossings for street lighting and traffic signals will be installed.

Concrete for the westbound driving lanes will be poured this coming week.

No changes in traffic control is anticipated at this time.

The northbound on-ramp and the southbound off-ramp will be closed to traffic through the first week in August. The northbound off ramp from 151 to Main Street and the southbound on ramp from Main Street to 151 will remain open to traffic. Southbound traffic on 151 wanting to get to Main Street will be detoured to use either the STH 19/Windsor St. exit or the CTH C/Reiner Rd. exit. Similarly, Main Street traffic needing to access 151 North will be detoured to the STH 19/Windsor St. exit. Detour signage will be posted before the ramps are closed. In addtion, portable message boards are up and active, and will be updated regularly.

Persons travelling this route are advised that construction is likely to be occurring on Saturdays for the next several weeks. People are also strongly encouraged to slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment at all times in the construction zone.

The next business meeting is scheduled for July 28th at 9:00 a.m.

Key Contact Information

City of Sun Prairie Project Office: (608) 215-1167
WisDOT Project Office: (608) 834-1207
Contractor Office (R.G. Huston): (608) 255-9223
Project Office Address: 1632 W. Main St. (Access from Hart Rd.)
E-mail: mainstreet@cityofsunprairie.com

Photos from the Woodman's Groundbreaking This Morning (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Click here to view more photos from this morning's groundbreaking ceremony.

Blogger's Note: Watch for more updates on this event...

UPDATE: Click here for the full article in the Star.

Buck & Honey's to Open New Patio Area This Weekend (The Star)

Workers add the finishing touches to Buck & Honey's new outdoor seating area
(Photo by Chris Mertes)

New Patio Opens This Weekend

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7924

Blogger's Note: Congratulations to Buck & Honey's on this latest expansion. Obviously, they are doing something right up there.

Sponsorship and Volunteer Opportunities Available at Sun Prairie's 2011 Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce)

Corn Fest preparations are in full swing. This year, the Sweet Corn Festival is August 18-21, 2011, and will once again be located at Angell Park near Downtown Sun Prairie. Contact that Chamber offices at 837-4547 or spchamber@frontier.com to learn more about...

• Corn Festival Event sponsorships
• Corn Festival Parade sponsorships
• Corn Fest Parade entries
• Volunteer opportunities

You can also get more information on the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival at:

http://www.sunprairiechamber.com/Sweet-Corn-Festival.68.0.html

Blogger's Note: Come be a part of a Sun Prairie tradition like no other.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation gets USDA Home Ownership Award (Sun Prairie Star)

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation gets USDA Home Ownership Award

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7876&TM=76847.18

Blogger's Note: I'll say it again...Finance & Insurance. Target Sector.

Ozone Seen as a Big Cost-Saver (JSOnline.com)

Zach Statz puts milking towels into an EcoWash laundry system at his family’s Sun Prairie farm. The farm has 2,600 head of cattle, and each cow is cleaned with a fresh towel. Stoughton-based The Ozone Company is luring big businesses with huge laundry operations. (Photo by The Ozone Co.)

Ozone Seen as a Big Cost-Saver

Link to Full Article: http://www.jsonline.com/business/125302663.html

Blogger's Note: Sun Prairie's Statz Brothers farm continues to be one of the most innovative places in Wisconsin. Bonus that their latest innovation is from a product and process from another company just down the road in Stoughton, WI. It was a big enough deal to make the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Kurtz Honored for Financial Sales, Service (Sun Prairie Star)

Kurtz Honored for Financial Sales, Service

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7863

Blogger's Note: Finance & Insurance is one of our top target sectors.

Et Cetera: Still Think Nobody Reads Project 365? (Sun Prairie Star Editorial)

Et Cetera: Still Think Nobody Reads Project 365?

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=7853&TM=39541.9

Blogger's Note: Thanks to all the folks who have contributed stories or supported this project--especially all the staff at the Star. We're looking forward to the news this second half of 2011 being even better.

Business Challenge: I'm also issuing a challenge all Sun Prairie businesses to generate one press release per month for the rest of 2011. Interested, but not sure where to start? Send me an e-mail at nstechschulte[at]cityofsunprairie.com and I'll help out in any way that I can.

Belsö Design Puts all the Pieces Together at Home (Sun Prairie Star)

Maria Kovach, owner of Belsö Design (Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Belsö Design Puts all the Pieces Together at Home

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7845&TM=36368.7

Click here for more information on Belsö Design.

151 Main Street Project Update - Week of July 11th (City of Sun Prairie Engineering Department)

Pending Work for Week of July 11th (NEW)

The following activities are scheduled for the week of July 11th:

Current traffic routes and controls should remain the same through August 4th.

Installation of new watermain will continue on the north side of Main Street.

Storm sewer installation will also be performed early in this week.

The contractor will also be working on construction of a retaining wall underneath the 151 overpass on the north side of Main St.

Grading for the northern lanes of Main St. and the new ramps north of Main St. will be completed, and crushed aggregate base course will be placed.

The northbound on-ramp and the southbound off-ramp will be closed to traffic starting on July 5th, and are scheduled to remain closed through the first week in August. The northbound off ramp from 151 to Main Street and the southbound on ramp from Main Street to 151 will remain open to traffic. Southbound traffic on 151 wanting to get to Main Street will be detoured to use either the STH 19/Windsor St. exit or the CTH C/Reiner Rd. exit. Similarly, Main Street traffic needing to access 151 North will be detoured to the STH 19/Windsor St. exit. Detour signage will be posted before the ramps are closed. In addtion, portable message boards are up and active, and will be updated regularly.

Persons travelling this route are advised that construction is likely to be occurring on Saturdays for the next several weeks. People are also strongly encouraged to slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment at all times in the construction zone.

Paving of temporary driveways to Hamilton Place off of Hart Rd. and Wal-Mart has been completed.

Temporary signals at the Clarmar Drive / Main Street intersection are operational as are the signals at the ramps east of STH 151. Signals at O'Keeffe have been removed.

Temporary pavement for lane shifts has been completed for this phase of the project.

The next business meeting is scheduled for July 14th at 9:00 a.m.

Key Contact Information

City of Sun Prairie Project Office: (608) 215-1167
WisDOT Project Office: (608) 834-1207
Contractor Office (R.G. Huston): (608) 255-9223
Project Office Address: 1632 W. Main St. (Access from Hart Rd.)
E-mail: mainstreet[at]cityofsunprairie.com

Legends Barbershop & Salon Handles Cross-Cultural Styles (Sun Prairie Star)

(Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Legends Barbershop & Salon Handles Cross-Cultural Styles

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7809&TM=71830.19

Blogger's Note: There is economic opportunity in our increasingly diverse community for new products and services, as well as business ownership. Congratulations to Derrick Washington on the opening of Legends, and thanks for your investment in Sun Prairie.

DWD Secretary Baumbach & WEDC CEO Paul Jadin Visit Madison-Kipp Corporation in Sun Prairie (VIDEO from WisEye.org)

Baumbach and WEDC CEO Paul Jadin Visit Madison-Kipp Corporation

Link to the WisEye.org Video: http://www.wiseye.org/videoplayer/vp.html?sid=6045

Blogger's Note: Thanks to Secretary Baumbach and WEDC CEO Paul Jadin for coming out to Sun Prairie. And a sign of the times that this video is available through WisEye.org the same day as the event.

UPDATE: Click here for the full article in the Sun Prairie Star.

DWD Secretary Scott Baumbach and WEDC CEO Paul Jadin to Visit Madison-Kipp Corporation's Sun Prairie Facility (Sun Prairie Star)

DWD Secretary to Visit Madison Kipp's Sun Prairie Location

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7813

Chamber Announces Leadership XV Class Participants (Sun Prairie Star)

Chamber Announces Leadership XV Class Participants

The Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce recently announced participants in its Leadership XV class:

Amy Bohling - Bank of Sun Prairie
Becky Burbach - US Postal Service
Angie Franke - Buck & Honey’s
Renee Gabel - Beans ‘n Cream
Kevin Henry - Eustice, Laffey, Sebranek & Auby
Jean Hull - Access Community Health Centers
Aimee Joutras - Celerity Staffing Solutions
Jason Lefeber - City of Sun Prairie Police Department
Clark Luessman - Patrick Marsh Middle School
Sarah Menihan - UW Credit Union
Rose Schulze - Sun Prairie Utilities
Ashley Simon - Anytime Fitness
Mary Ellen Strom - M&I Bank
Shawnn Teske - Frontier Communications
Pastor Steven Vera - Bethlehem Lutheran Church

For more information, e-mail the chamber at spchamber@frontier.com.

Blogger's Note: Appropriate post for the 4th of July...

Candace Petry Marks 15 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie Star)

Petry Marks 15 Years at Bank of Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7797&TM=34267.63

Blogger's Note: Yesterday's post was about an up and coming financial professional. Today we recognize a veteran financial career. Did I mention that finance & insurance is one of our target sectors?

Sun Prairie Resident Joshua Satzer Earns Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) Designation (Sun Prairie Star)

Satzer Earns ChFC Designation

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7795&TM=19813.16

Who is Checking Out Project 365 After 6 Months? (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

We've reached the halfway point for Project 365, and we are thrilled with the results so far. Between Jan. 1, 2011 and Jun. 30, 2011, some notable statistics from Sun Prairie’s Economic Development News Blog (aka Project 365) include:

There have been 228 stories have been posted over 182 days, and we have posted a story every single day (with one exception while blogger.com was down more than 24 hours for maintenance.

There have been...
6,289 Visits
10,465 Pageviews
4,075 Absolute Unique Visitors
1,025 different cities of origin (Top 10 Cities: Madison, Sun Prairie, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, St. Louis, Cottage Grove, Rochester, St. Ann, and Minneapolis.)
78 different countries/territories of origin

Visits by source:
Search Engines 42%
Referring Sites 31%
Direct Traffic: 23%
Other: 4%

Blogger's Note: Sure seems to me that list is telling us where we should be increasing our marketing efforts. Thanks to everyone who has submitted or written a story that ended up being linked to this blog, and a special thanks to everyone who has followed us so far and helped me promote our story. Looking forward to an even better next months!

151 Main Street Interchange Project Update - Week of July 4th

Pending Work for Week of July 4th (NEW)

The following activities are scheduled for the week of July 4th:

Traffic will be shifted to the south side of Main Street starting on Tuesday July 5th.

The northbound on-ramp and the southbound off-ramp will be closed to traffic starting on July 5th, and are scheduled to remain closed through the first week in August. The northbound off ramp from 151 to Main Street and the southbound on ramp from Main Street to 151 will remain open to traffic. Southbound traffic on 151 wanting to get to Main Street will be detoured to use either the STH 19/Windsor St. exit or the CTH C/Reiner Rd. exit. Similarly, Main Street traffic needing to access 151 North will be detoured to the STH 19/Windsor St. exit. Detour signage will be posted before the ramps are closed. In addtion, portable message boards are up and active, and will be updated regularly.

Persons travelling this route are advised that construction is likely to be occurring on Saturdays for the next several weeks.

People are also strongly encouraged to slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment at all times in the construction zone.

Paving of temporary driveways to Hamilton Place off of Hart Rd. and Wal-Mart semi access off O'Keeffe Ave were scheduled to occur the week of June 27th, however weather has delayed these activities until the week of July 4th.

Temporary signals at the Clarmar Drive / Main Street intersection have been erected. This signal will likely become operational during the week of July 4th due to weather delays last week.

Installation of temporary signals at ramps east of STH 151 will continue but will not be made operational at this time.

Temporary pavement continues to be installed to accomodate lane shifts for future phases of construction.

The next business meeting is scheduled for July 14th at 9:00 a.m.