Photo of the Day: Starbucks Coffee Ribbon Cutting in Sun Prairie's Westside Neighborhood (City of Sun Prairie)

Sun Prairie Alderwoman Andrea Gage joined Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce President Sue Olson and Chamber Ambassador Mike Urben at the official ribbon cutting of the new Starbucks Coffee shop at the corner of Prairie Lakes Drive and Grand Avenue in Sun Prairie's Westside Neighborhood.

Blogger's Note: Westside Neighborhood employers in the region can rejoice, as their employees can now get their coffee faster with this new drive thru.  QBE employees, stop in and say hello!

Sun Prairie Utilities Conducting Survey on Potential Fiber to the Home Project

Sun Prairie Utilities is conducting a survey of its customers to help evaluate the need and demand for broadband services over a fiber optic network.  Sun Prairie residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to take a few minutes to complete this survey to help shape the direction that is set for this potential investment in our community.  Sun Prairie Utilities customers will be receiving a invitation to participate in their next three bills directing them to the online address of the survey.  Customers that have provided an email address to Sun Prairie Utilities will also receive an email with a link to the survey page.

To learn more, and to take the survey go to: http://www.sunprairiefiber.com/

Questions?  Please contact the Sun Prairie Utilities office at (608) 837-5500.

City Approves Expansion of TID #9 (City of Sun Prairie)

On August 20th, the City of Sun Prairie City Council approved a project plan amendment that included a boundary expansion for Tax Increment Finance District #9 in Sun Prairie's Westside Neighborhood.   On August 28th, the Joint Review Board also approved the amdended District.  This mixed-use district was estblished in 2007 to help with land acquisition and infrastructure costs associated with the establishment of the St. Mary's Emergency Center.  The City retains three lots for sale in the original TIF District, but has not been able to come to an agreement with any prospective buyers to date.   The amended proejct plan allows the City to potentially participate in the attraction of significant users to the new area through direct incentives and to cover costs of additional new infrastructure.  It also injects a new revenue stream into the District to allow for the payment of current debt owned on the improvements already done with the former District boundary. This is critical, as the District has been decreasing in value since its creation. 

City Director of Economic Development Neil Stechschulte said "We are confident that this expansion of TID #9 positions the City to attract some special and unique businesses to our Westside Neighborhood Area.  We look forward to working with the developer to get some major projects approved and in the ground as soon as we can."

The District still needs to be certified by the Wisconsin Department to Revenue.  Additional questions can be sent to Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-1107 or nstechschulte@cityofsunprairie.com.

Paul Jadin Talks Regional Cooperation (Sun Prairie Star)

(Photo by Jake Kurtz)

Previously known as Thrive, the Madison Region Economic Partnership (or MadREP) today works to foster a strong economic climate for Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk counties.

Read the full article at: http://www.hngnews.com/sun_prairie_star/news/regional/article_be48ad3e-1563-11e3-a826-0019bb30f31a.html

Blogger's Note: There is a lot of work to be done, but under Paul's leadership there is a new focus on getting real projects done and a strong desire for real results in terms of new jobs and new investment. 

Thermal Spray Technologies Teams Up With UW to Improve Jet Engines (Sun Prairie Star)

Collaborating with researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), Thermal Spray Technologies (TST) has played a key role in the development of innovative thermal spray coatings to improve heat protection and fuel efficiency in the next generation of jet turbine engines.

The team’s experimental results were published in the August issue of the Journal of Thermal Spray Technologies (JTST) in an article titled “Application of Plasma Spraying as a Precursor in the Synthesis of Oxidation Resistant Coatings.”

Turbine blades in aircraft engines are subjected to extremely high temperatures. Thermal spray coatings are used to combat these high temperatures and to protect the underlying turbine blade.

 

Read the full article: http://www.hngnews.com/sun_prairie_star/news/business/article_6c5259f2-1564-11e3-b8fe-0019bb30f31a.html

 

Blogger's Note: TST and UW have a great history of working together, and are a great example of how much economic potential there is in commercializing research out of UW.  On Wisconsin!

SSM Health Care, Dean Health Systems Finalize Merger (Sun Prairie Star)

SSM Health Care, one of the nation’s largest Catholic health systems, and Dean Health Systems, a large multi-specialty physician group and health plan, have finalized a deal to merge Dean and its subsidiaries, including Dean Health Plan, into SSM Health Care. The merger became effective on Sept. 1 after all necessary regulatory approvals were received.

Read the full article at: http://www.hngnews.com/sun_prairie_star/news/business/article_d9e119dc-14aa-11e3-986e-0019bb30f31a.html

Blogger's Note: Now that this merger is complete, the City hopes to re-engage SSM Heath Care about the future development of the planned health care campus around the St. Mary's Emergency Center in Sun Prairie.

Zimbrick Inc. Acquires Chevrolet Dealership in Sun Prairie (Madison.com)

Madison-based Zimbrick Automotive Group Inc. announced it has purchased Stark Chevrolet in Sun Prairie for an undisclosed sum.  Now to be known as Zimbrick Chevrolet, the dealership at 1877 W. Main St. will offer new and used vehicle sales of all makes and models, as well as a complete body shop that was part of the acquisition.  Zimbrick Automotive will retain all 55 employees of the dealership, Zimbrick CEO Tom Zimbrick said, and the new general manager will be Steve Bell, a 22-year veteran of Zimbrick.

Read the full article: http://host.madison.com/business/zimbrick-inc-acquires-chevrolet-dealership-in-sun-prairie/article_f8f4bc04-c489-5c2f-a7c8-5714c019e5d9.html#ixzz2eDP2QyBj

Blogger's Note: Special thanks to Stark Automotive for all their years of doing business in Sun Prairie, and for their support of the community in countless ways.  We look forward to continuing that relationship with Zimbrick.