Thursday May 21, 2009
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Cannery Grill
315 E. Linnerud Dr.
Downtown Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Presentation on the Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Directory project with networking to follow. Qualified companies interested in being part of this directory will be able to sign up at this event. No charge for the event for attendees who have RSVP'd, $10 at the door day of event. Contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894 or by email by clicking here if you have any questions, or to RSVP (May 19th deadline) .
Sponsored by Wave Wind LLC, WPPI Energy, Sun Prairie Water and Light, and Palmer Johnson Power Systems, and the Sun Prairie Economic Development Council.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Getting Caught Up for April
I've been a little busy here this month, and I apologize for not posting any updates here recently. We'll get that taken care of here today. Here is a short summary of some of the City of Sun Prairie's economic development activities from the past 30 days or so:
- Performance of Sun Prairie Target Exceeds Expectations. Store Manager Matt Fischer told me that their sales have considerably outpaced projections for their first several weeks. It just proves what we've been telling everybody...Sun Prairie is THE place for retail on this side of Dane County. We look forward to what will be coming next on Sun Prairie's Westside Neighborhood.
- Main Street Construction has officially begun. The City is actively engaging businesses along this corridor to keep them up to speed on construction schedules, street closures and utility relocations. Updates are being provided at weekly business meetings, through direct e-mails to interested businesses and partners, updating the City website every week (http://www.cityofsunprairie.com/), and posting contact information through our local cable access channel. The City is also coordinating alternative route and access signage. This week, representatives from various regional media outlets will be available at 10:00 a.m. this Thursday to answer questions about advertising during construction. Questions regarding the project can be addressed by calling (608) 318-2436 or send an e-mail to mainstreet[at]cityofsunprairie.com. It is anticipated that with this project, along with the desigation of TIF 10 along the central part of this corridor that a new "Midtown" area of Sun Prairie will emerge over the next few years.
- EDC Roundtable Held. The Economic Development Council held its third annual business roundtable with a focus on marketing and branding the community. Attendees provided some great input as to how a branding effort might be undertaken, and the EDC will be considering its role in bringing groups together to help make this happen. Ultimately, a community brand would be the basis for community marketing efforts for a number of sectors. Key challenges that were discussed included defining our relationship with the City of Madison, differentiating ourselves from other communities in the region, and zeroing in on the specifc economic sectors we really wish to bring here. Look for additional updates from the EDC in the coming months. Anyone interested in participating in or learning more about this branding effort should contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894 or by e-mail.
- New High Tech Networking Group Formed. The City of Sun Prairie hosted two meetings of the East Side High Tech Breakfast Network, a group started to help improve networking, marketing and information sharing between technology based companies on the eastern part of Dane County. While originally proposed solely as a marketing event, the group decided that they wanted a detailed presenation on a local company each month, as well as brief presentation or Q&A session on a relevant business topic. This past meeting, Ron Pulvermacher, President of Matrix Product Development provided an overview of his company's products and services, and Amy Young Cumblad from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce provided an overview of the State's activities with the federal Stimulus Package. For more information and meeting dates, check out http://tech-breakfast.blogspot.com/, or contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894.
- Workplace Readiness Summit Held. The Sun Prairie Area School District held a meeting of teachers and business leaders to discuss how to better prepare students for the workforce. Nancy Everson and Alice Murphy are working towards establishing several working committees by business sector, and will be actively seeking business partners to assist. If interested, please contact Nancy Everson, School-to-Work Coordinator at (608)834-6745 or send her an e-mail to nmevers[at]spasd.k12.wi.us.
- "Wind Power Happy Hour" Comes to Sun Prairie. After attending the American Wind Energy Supply Chain conference in Appleton a couple of weeks ago, it was clear that there was a need for companies in our area to get some additional exposure to the growing field of renewable wind energy. We're tentatively planning on the afternoon of May 21st (4:00 to 6:00 p.m.) for a "Wind Power Happy Hour" event, where companies will be able to learn more about the industry and network with other companies with the same interest. Location is TBD. Additional information will be posted once available. Anyone interested in attending, sponsoring, or otherwise participating should contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894 or send an e-mail by clicking here.
- Realtors and Developers Tour of Sun Prairie Scheduled for May. One of the largest issues we face is making sure the development community outside of Sun Prairie knows what we have going on over here. To help that happen, the City is working with the Economic Development Council (EDC) to host a tour of local development projects and opportunities the week after Memorial Day. We will be selecting tour stops over the next week or so, as well as a location for a reception afterwards. Additional information will be posted once available. Anyone interested in more information should contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894 or by e-mail by clicking here.
I'll post additional information on pending events as soon as we have them determined. And I'll try to keep this blog more current this month.
Friday, March 13, 2009
St. Mary's Receives $476,000 in Federal Funds for CT Scanner for Sun Prairie Facility (Press Release)
St. Mary's Hospital today thanked Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) for securing $476,000 in federal funds for the St. Mary's Sun Prairie Emergency Center under construction in Sun Prairie. The funds, requested by Baldwin and Kohl, were included in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act signed into law March 11, 2009, by the President. The funds will be used to help purchase a CT scanner for the new facility which will enable doctors to determine the best course of treatment quickly."This is a great example of our government leaders identifying a need in their districts, advocating for funding in Washington and using those federal funds to directly benefit people in our local communities in a very positive way." said St. Mary's President, Dr. Frank Byrne.
The Emergency Center, set to open in July, is a department of St. Mary's Hospital, Madison. It will be a full service emergency center open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year featuring 10 treatment rooms--including one specifically for children, a lab with the latest equipment to expedite diagnoses, and state-of-the-art radiology equipment. All in all, it will be 13,500 s.f. of prompt and personal emergency care.
"The Emergency Center will bring life-saving treatment and peace of minde to people in and around Sun Prairie who need emergency care," said Congresswoman Baldwin. I'm pleased to bring these federal funds to help construct such an essential medical facility. This type of federal/local partnership is vitally important to our families and communities, especially in such difficult economic times," Baldwin said.
"Sun Prairie is a vibrant community with needs that continue to grow," said Sun Prairie Mayor Joe Chase. "We're pleased to have the St. Mary's Sun Prairie Emergency Center located in our City and thankful our local politicians are willing to make a case in Washington to ensure our health care needs are met."
Monday, March 9, 2009
General Casualty's Parent Company, QBE's Americas Division, Reports Revenue Growth (Madison.com)
QBE’s Americas division, the U.S. parent company of General Casualty in Sun Prairie, reported net income of $236 million in 2008 on gross premium revenue of $3.7 billion, which is up 22 percent from 2007.
QBE spokeswoman Anne M. Smith on Monday credited the company’s "very good year" primarily to growth by acquisitions and disciplined premium pricing to ensure adequate amounts were collected.
General Casualty itself, a big part of QBE’s Regional Insurance business unit within the Americas Division since 2007, also posted positive numbers.
QBE Regional, based locally in Sun Prairie, reported net income of $159.5 million on gross premium revenues of $1.17 billion. General Casualty, which writes policies in Wisconsin and 24 other states, makes up nearly 80 percent of QBE Regional’s total business.
Overall, QBE’s Americas division has 42 offices and 3,200 employees — including 2,800 U.S. workers — in 20 states and five Latin American countries. In Sun Prairie, there are 824 full-time and 18 part-time employees, Smith said.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
WPPI Energy Establishes $10 Million RLF for Energy Saving Projects (Sun Prairie Star, WPPI Energy Press Release)
WPPI Energy has established a $10 million revolving loan fund to make zero-interest loans to help its members lead by example in the areas of energy efficiency, conservation and the use of renewable energy. The WPPI Energy Member Loan Program is designed to help members implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on utility and other municipally owned property, thereby lowering operating costs and meeting members' local energy needs with local renewable resources.
Typical projects will include:
- Building or equipment efficiency upgrades;
- Meeting U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for building projects;
- LED street lights and traffic signals;
- Efficient fleet vehicles; and
- Photovoltaic solar panel systems.
Only projects involving property owned by WPPI Energy member utilities or municipalities may qualify. Eligible projects include those that will reduce local energy costs as well as those that visibly demonstrate developing or cutting-edge energy technologies.
In each member community, WPPI Energy will lend up to $500,000 at zero percent interest for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Each member borrowing under the program will make 120 equal monthly payments over 10 years. WPPI Energy Services representatives will help members identify qualifying projects and assist with the member loan application process.
The zero-interest, revolving loan program is designed to be used in conjunction with WPPI Energy's other incentive programs. WPPI Energy's member utilities have access to a variety of WPPI Energy conservation and efficiency programs and services, including project consulting and grant funding. Projects receiving loan funding also will be eligible for other WPPI Energy programs.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Shoppers Tailgate Before Target Opening in Sun Prairie (NBC15.com, Sun Prairie Star)
Target Stores are bucking the bad economy and opening new locations across the country including bringing nearly 200 jobs to the Madison area. Sun Prairie's newest store is a prototype for the next generation of Target stores. As of 5:30 p.m. today, they're open for business!Taking a cue from Badger Saturdays, a group of Sun Prairie mothers partied in the parking lot in anticipation.
Target had their ribbon cutting on Tuesday March 3rd, and will have its official grand opening on March 8th.
Again...the store is open for shopping so stop by and spend some money!
Read more about these Target Tailgaters at NBC15.com.
UPDATE: Click here for full coverage of the Target store opening in Sun Prairie from the Sun Prairie Star Online.
UPDATE: Click here for coverage from CNN.com on Target's 27 new openings across the U.S.
UPDATE: Click here for the full article at Channel3000.com.
UPDATE: Click here for the full articl at madison.com.
Coakley Brothers Unit Datastore Expands in Sun Prairie (Madison.com, Busines Journal of Milwaukee, Sun Prairie Star Online)
A Milwaukee-based company that stores and protects data has opened a new, 87,000-square foot facility in Sun Prairie while adding 10 new jobs here. Datastore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coakley Bros. Co. of Milwaukee, has opened a newly constructed, 87,000-square-foot records and operations center in Sun Prairie. The facility is located in the Sun Prairie business park off of U.S. 151.The building is specifically designed for housing vital information records and operations. It is located in the Sun Prairie Industrial Park and will allow Datastore to expand its services to the Madison area. The warehouse-like building provides security and fire protection. It allows customers to store boxes of paper records but also provides digital imaging services to convert conventional documents into electronic records. In addition, Datastore provides information destruction and shredding, along with content and document management services.
“As Datastore continues to expand both in regional coverage and in breadth of service offerings, we felt that we could elevate the standards for information services and facilities in the Madison market,” Mike Ball, president of Datastore, said in a press release. "As we continued to expand, we felt we could elevate the standards for information services and facilities in the Madison market."
Founded in Milwaukee in 1973, Datastore serves more than 500 customers in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. It has about 65 total employees.
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