Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest Open for 2012 Entries Through Jan. 31, 2012 (Wisconsin Technology Council)

Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest Open for 2012 Entries Through Jan. 31, 2012

The ninth annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is accepting entries online for the 2012 competition until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.  The contest is designed to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into business plans, to prepare them to launch a company, to get feedback from mentors and to interact with investors and other professionals. Finalists will share in more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. 

Link to Full Article: http://wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/newsroom/?ID=1453

Blogger's Note: We'd love to talk to any of the finalists about setting them up with some start up space here in Sun Prairie.

Thrive Identifies Target Clusters for Growth Opportunities (Madison.com)

Thrive Identifies Target Clusters for Growth Opportunities

Legacy targets are transitioning sectors with historical influence and "next generation" potential:
Advanced Manufacturing; and Agriculture and Food Systems.

Leading targets are mature sectors with strong opportunities for growth: Health Care; and Life Sciences.

Emerging targets are sectors with the potential to create further economic opportunities: Design and Technology (technology and software; design and communications; direct-to-consumer and specialty retail).

In addition, Travel and Experience was identified as an opportunity area, rather than a formal target.

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/thrive-identifies-target-clusters-for-growth-opportunities/article_d8704d40-2a94-11e1-877c-001871e3ce6c.html

Blogger's Note: See how these compare with the target sectors the City identified in its 2008 Strategic Business Development Plan: http://www.cityofsunprairie.com/admin/images/3df9393303.pdf

Wired Wisconsin Highlights Black Friday Apps (Wired Wisconsin)

Wired Wisconsin Highlights Black Friday Apps

Link to Video and Article: http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/blackfridayapps/

Blogger's Note: Anyone else remember the days of the 4" thick Sears catalog? Wow.

Local Ingredients Come to Life at New Salvatore's Tomato Pies (Sun Prairie Star)

Pat DePula, owner of Salvatore’s Tomato Pies, stands in front of the restaurant’s new home on Sun Prairie’s main strip. (Photo by Tim Neuenschwander)

Local Ingredients Come to Life at New Salvatore's Tomato Pies

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=8812

Blogger's Note: Have to give this one a personal thumbs up.  Anyone looking to bet on a successful business start up, this one should be a good pick. Sal's just had their beer & wine license approved too! They also do a great job of using Facebook to promote their business.  Check it out!

Costco Proposes Store in Sun Prairie (Madison.com)

Costco Proposes Store in Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_085174b6-059d-11e1-aa33-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

Blogger's Note: Thanks to Barry Adams at the Wisconsin State Journal for noticing we've got a lot going on out here in Sun Prairie.

Racer X Report: Sun Prairie Cross Redux (Bike Federation of Wisconsin)

Sun Prairie Cup, Sheehan Park, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin - Oct. 23rd

Used with permission; Photo (c) 2011 by Clint Thayer / Focal Flame Photography. All rights reserved.

Below is a bit delayed coverage of last week’s race in Sun Prairie by Mike Heenan, who races for and works at Crank Daddy’s Bicycle Works.  The great photos (both above and in the linked Bike Federation of Wisconsin blog post) are generously provided by award-winning photographer Clint Thayer of Focal Flame Photography.

Link to Mike Heenan's blog post about the Sun Prairie Cup Cyclocross Race on Oct. 23rd: http://www.bfw.org/2011/10/28/racer-x-report-sun-prairie-cross-redux/ 

Link to Clint Thayer's photo gallery of the Sun Prairie Cup:

http://www.focalflamestore.com/CycloCross/2011-Sun-Prairie-Cup

Link to Focal Flame's photo galleries of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Planet Bike Cup in Sun Prairie:

Saturday's Races: http://www.focalflamestore.com/CycloCross/2011-USGP-PBC-Saturday

Sunday's Races: http://www.focalflamestore.com/CycloCross/2011-USGP-PBC-Sunday

Click here for more information on Focal Flame Photography.

Blogger's Note: Thanks to Mike Heenan for a great write up on the race, and thanks to Robin and Clint at Focal Flame for allowing use of the photos.   They do a great job covering these events in Sun Prairie and all over Madison.  Hopefully, we have more of these events coming to Sun Prairie in the future!

Photo of the Day: West Prairie Dental Breaks Ground (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Photo (From left to right): Steve Klessig from Keller Builders, Mayor John Murray, Dr. Mark Olsen, Dr. Tanner McKenna, and Bob Poch from Keller Builders.

Blogger's Note: This will be a great addition to the health care related service and cluster locating near STH 19 and Grand Ave. (CTH C).

Dane County Releases Report on Path to Regional Local Foods Hub (WisBusiness.com)

Dane County Releases Report on Path to Regional Local Foods Hub

Link to Full Press Release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=249885 

Blogger's Note: This project could benefit the entire Madison region, and could be a great way to add value to the agricultural and food economy.  Maybe a good reuse of the Wisconsin Cheeseman building?

Nash Repeats, Wellens Takes Day Two at the USGP Planet Bike Cup (Podium Insight)

Elite winners at day two of the Exergy USGP Planet Bike Cup: Katerina Nash (left) repeated her day one performance in the rain, and Bert Wellens (right) managed the muck better than the rest.  Photo credit: Lyne Lamoureux.  See more of Lyne's coverage of the USGP on twitter at @podiuminsight, on Facebook or http://podiuminsight.com/.

Cyclocrossers love mud.  (Obviously.)

Watch for more links detailed coverage after today's racing.

Thanks to the USGP for a great event again.  Looking forward to having you back in 2012!

Is Your Business Ready for the 100 Day Challenge? (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Project 365 Announces the 100 Day Challenge

There are only 100 days remaining on Project 365.  To commemorate this milestone, I am issuing the following challenge to area businesses:

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, includes the following...

• Issuing at least one press release worthy of being posted on this blog for each of the months of October, November, and December. (Extra credit for any story that makes the Star or other media outlet.)
• Utilizing Facebook and/or Twitter to post at least one of each of the following: 1) a promotional story of a specific marketing effort you are undertaking, 2) at least one customer thank you or other recognition, and 3) a response to a customer service issue. (Extra credit if you aren't on either of these media and you start an account on one or both.  Also extra credit if there are links to or feeds from your social media accounts on your website.)
• Claiming and updating your Google Places page (free)
• Creating and emailing a brief written description of your social media strategy for 2012.  Doesn't have to be long, but it should address the big four questions--What is your message? Who is your audience? What media will best deliver that message to your audience?  And lastly, how do you measure if it was effective?  (Extra credit if you can explain how social media efforts are to be coordinated with the rest of your marketing strategies.)

Think you're up for it?  Want to try it but you're not sure if you can do it or not?  Maybe you would just like to ask some questions about social media? Contact Neil Stechschulte at 608-825-0894 or nstechschulte[at]cityofsunprairie.com with any questions.

Watch for special events during the rest of 2011 to help interested businesses meet these goals.

I ask companies and businesses that would like to participate in the 100 day challenge to sign up by e-mailing me at the address above by Friday September 30th.

Successful businesses completing all four tasks will be featured on the blog for all of 2012, and will receive a special recognition from the City of Sun Prairie, and will be invited to participate in a photo shoot and press release in January 2012. An overall winner will be selected in January as Project 365's Business of the Year.  (I might even throw in donuts for a day at your place of work if you really knock this out of the park.)

Good luck!

Downtown Sun Prairie Art Fest - Sat. Sept. 10th (Sun Prairie Tourism Commission)

The Downtown Sun Prairie Art Fest is Saturday Sept. 10th from 10:00 am - 4:00 p.m. on the 100 & 200 Blocks on E. Main Street. Over 30 artists will set up on Main Street to sell their creations in the shadows of Downtown Sun Prairie's historic buildings. In addition to the fine art presented for purchase there will be a variety of entertainment throughout the day, food and beverages offered by local restaurants and a special area where kids can create their own art! The Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum will feature a special exhibit during the Art Fest.

QBE Dropping General Casualty Name (Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee)

QBE Dropping General Casualty Name

Link to Full Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2011/08/18/qbe-dropping-general-casualty-name.html

Blogger's Note: While this signifies the end of an era for our local economy, we look forward to continued investment by QBE into their Sun Prairie facilities.

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.

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!

U.S. 151-Main Street Interchange Project Update for Week of June 27th (City of Sun Prairie Engineering Department)

The following construction activities are scheduled for the week of June 27th:

- Paving of temporary driveways to Hamilton Place off of Hart Rd and Wal-Mart semi access off O'Keeffe Ave should occur the week of June 27th.

- Installation of temporary signals at the Clarmar Drive / Main Street intersection will also continue this week. This signal will likely be operational during this same week.

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

- The portable message boards will be updated and revised.

- The northbound on-ramp and the southbound off-ramp will not be closed until after July 4th. The other ramps are slated to be open to traffic.

- Temporary pavement will be installed to accommodate lane shifts for future phases of construction.

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

Follow Sun Prairie Resident Trying to Buy a New Car Using Just Social Media (SocialPoser.com)

I’m Buying a 2011 Ford Explorer in Madison, WI. Who Wants my Business?

Link to the Full Blog Post: http://socialposer.com/im-buying-a-2011-ford-explorer-in-madison-wi-who-wants-my-business/

Blogger's Notes: Sun Prairie resident Collin Kromke is in the market for a new car. He already knows what he wants. He also knows how he wants to get it. Collin is using Twitter and Facebook to see what Ford dealers in the Madison area are actually using these social media to serve their customers. If they want the deal, its going to have to be made online using social media to negotiate it. Why? Because Collin takes his social media pretty seriously, as he is the Social Media Administrator and Marketer for American Family Insurance. And I think he just wanted to see what would happen.

He's had mixed but interesting results, including his first contact back being from a Ford dealer in Canada! Follow Collin's online adventures on any of the following media to see how this turns out:

Social Poser (Collin Kromke's blog): http://socialposer.com/
Twitter: @collin_k
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collin.kromke/posts/10150284810717349

Planning Commission Advances Several New Projects (Sun Prairie Star)

Commission Backs Auto Parts Shop

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=7685&TM=69094.7

Blogger's Note: Don't let the headline sell this short. This is a redevelopment of a site that needs some investment. Plus there is new outside deck at El Patron, and a new dental clinic is out by Walgreen's West. Here's to hoping this is just the beginning of some more new projects in 2011.

Thrive Announces Advance Now Strategic Initiative (Thrivehere.org)

Advance Now is a comprehensive, action-oriented regional economic development strategy that will systematically move the Madison Region’s economy forward. The eight-month process will engage public- and private-sector leaders to define a shared vision for sustained economic growth. The project will culminate in a detailed implementation plan that includes tangible performance metrics, capacity assessments, and one-to-five year action plans.

Click here for a full description of the Advance Now initiative.

Parade Of Homes Includes Bristol Neighborhood, Near Sun Prairie (Channel3000.com)

Parade Of Homes Includes Bristol Neighborhood, Near Sun Prairie

Link to Full Article: http://sunprairie.channel3000.com/news/business/parade-homes-includes-bristol-neighborhood-near-sun-prairie/53421

Sun Prairie Utilities Hosts Appreciation Cook-Out for Large Electrical Customers (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Several of Sun Prairie's larger electrical customers braved the high temperatures and got lunch from Sun Prairie Utilities today. Participants included Palmer Johnson Power Systems, Soderholm Foods, Veyance Technologies and the Sun Prairie Area School District. Other attendees included WPPI Energy President Mike Peters, WPPI Energy Senior Vice President of Member & Customer Services Tom Paque, several local members of the Sun Prairie Utilities Commission, and Sun Prairie Utilities staff. This event has become an annual affair under the leadership and direction of Sun Prairie Utilities Director Rick Wicklund and WPPI Energy Services Representative Tamara Sondgeroth. It boils down to good food, good networking, and a good chance to strengthen the relationship between the utility and its customers. Most importantly, its a chance to show a little appreciation to some of the most important customers Sun Prairie Utilities serves.

Click here for more information on Sun Prairie Utilities.

Click here for more information on WPPI Energy.

Blogger's Note: Special thanks to all the Sun Prairie Utilities crew who helped with today's cookout!

Blogger's Note #2: Did I mention that our local electrical rates can be 10-20% less than neighboring investor owned utilities? Call the Sun Prairie Utilities office at (608) 837-5500 if you think I'm kidding!