WEDC trade ventures go virtual during pandemic

The old governor-led foreign trade mission has been transformed. Now WEDC’s trade ventures connect Wisconsin exporters virtually with potential international buyers, distributors and other partners. “With a virtual trade venture, Wisconsin companies can continue their exporting efforts even as COVID

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Assembly passes cocktail-to-go bill

— The Assembly via voice vote backed allowing bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks in to-go cups to be consumed off the premises. AB 32 also would allow wineries to sell wine in to-go containers for consumption elsewhere. Under

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BioForward CEO discusses state’s workforce shortage

The COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on Wisconsin’s biohealth industry as companies came together to play a key role in fighting the disease. Lisa Johnson is CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, which represents the state’s biohealth cluster of more than 220

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Unemployment rate falls to 3.8 percent in January

Wisconsin in January had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, less than the national average of 6.3 percent but still above pre-pandemic levels. The latest data from the Department of Workforce Development showed the state in January gained 3,700 more

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Wisconsin pharmacies key in COVID-19 vaccination plan

Wisconsin’s not seeing a problem with “pharmacy deserts” harming its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. In fact, pharmacies are a big help. Pharmacy deserts refer to areas with limited or no access to community pharmacy services. The federal government sponsors systems to

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WEDC trade ventures go virtual during pandemic

The old governor-led foreign trade mission has been transformed. Now WEDC’s trade ventures connect Wisconsin exporters virtually with potential international buyers, distributors and other partners. “With a virtual trade venture, Wisconsin companies can continue their exporting efforts even as COVID makes it impossible to meet face-to-face,” said Katy Sinnott, Wisconsin

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February home sales continue record trends in state housing market

Strong February housing sales pushed what are typically the three slowest months of the year into record territory, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association. In its most recent analysis, WRA found February sales jumped 5.5 percent compared to February 2020 — the last month before the recession began.  WRA Board

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DWD to use federal grant to start modernizing UI system

DWD says it will use a $2.4 million federal grant to begin the process of modernizing the unemployment insurance computer system. That includes an upgrade that will allow access to a 24-7 call center. Gov. Tony Evers earlier this year called on the Legislature to approve a special session bill

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Experts want telemedicine use to continue after rise in 2020

A panel of health experts from across Wisconsin said they expect digital telemedicine trends in health care to continue. The group expects telehealth to be integrated into a hybridized virtual and in-person health care system moving forward. Wrapping up the 2021 Wisconsin Technology Summit this week, the experts took part

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Assembly passes cocktail-to-go bill

— The Assembly via voice vote backed allowing bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks in to-go cups to be consumed off the premises. AB 32 also would allow wineries to sell wine in to-go containers for consumption elsewhere. Under the bill, the establishments would have to put the drinks

Read More »

BioForward CEO discusses state’s workforce shortage

The COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on Wisconsin’s biohealth industry as companies came together to play a key role in fighting the disease. Lisa Johnson is CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, which represents the state’s biohealth cluster of more than 220 member organizations. In an interview this week with WisBusiness.com, she

Read More »

Unemployment rate falls to 3.8 percent in January

Wisconsin in January had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, less than the national average of 6.3 percent but still above pre-pandemic levels. The latest data from the Department of Workforce Development showed the state in January gained 3,700 more jobs compared to December, a 0.2 percent change. But, overall,

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Biden administration’s trade approach may benefit Wisconsin’s economy

The Biden administration will open markets and opt for multilateral trade agreements, benefitting Wisconsin’s trade economy, according to a global affairs expert. Jeremi Suri, a global affairs professor at the University of Texas at Austin, discussed the controversial trade relationship between the U.S. and the rest of the world during

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Wisconsin pharmacies key in COVID-19 vaccination plan

Wisconsin’s not seeing a problem with “pharmacy deserts” harming its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. In fact, pharmacies are a big help. Pharmacy deserts refer to areas with limited or no access to community pharmacy services. The federal government sponsors systems to identify and define areas with shortages of health professionals or

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Business leader panel discusses barriers facing Black-owned businesses

Racial disparities in business ownership and entrepreneurship pose unique challenges. But that doesn’t mean Black business owners can’t reach their full potential, speakers told “The Business of Metro MKE,” a virtual series presented by the MMAC centered on issues shaping the region’s health and economy. “Be careful who you listen

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Women in the workforce need support as the pandemic continues

Panelists agree the pandemic is a source of stress and fatigue for many women who have now become stay-at-home mothers and teachers.  Without positive reinforcement from employers, these women are most likely to experience burn-out at work, speakers told “The Shift,” a virtual series presented by Kohler Co. centering on

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Dem leaders back local sales tax options, minimum wage hike

The Legislature’s top Dem leaders in a WisPolitics.com luncheon voiced support for Evers’ budget proposals to raise the minimum wage and allow for expanded local sales taxes. Evers’ budget would allow counties to add an additional half-cent sales tax and municipalities of at least 30,000 people to implement a new

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Culver’s saw a 4 percent increase in sales in 2020

Culver’s saw a 4 percent sales increase in 2020 over 2019 and opened 50 new restaurants nationwide, including three in Wisconsin.  Co-founder and former CEO Craig Culver joined a Wisconsin Alumni Association event this week to share the story of Wisconsin’s iconic drive-thru chain, which fared differently during the pandemic

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State financial institutions request marijuana banking options

Creating a statute to allow Wisconsin banks to take on customers in the marijuana business would provide clarity for the state’s financial institutions.  It’s now unclear if a Wisconsin bank could take on an Illinois marijuana dispensary as a customer, for example, explained Wisconsin Bankers Association COO Mike Semmann and

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Overhauling UI system won’t fix current delay, labor attorney says

Labor and employment attorney Victor Forberger argues that overhauling the UI computer system isn’t going to help the current delay in unemployed people getting their benefits. The foundation of Gov. Tony Evers’ latest special session bill was to revamp the Unemployment Insurance system. Evers had sought $5.3 million to begin

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Baldwin, Gallagher introduce bill to support women in trucking

Dem U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher are introducing legislation in their respective houses to support women in the trucking industry. Currently, women make up 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, yet represent 24 percent of America’s trucking workforce and only about 7 percent of

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Biz leader urges cooperation to help state’s economy weather COVID

Cooperation between people and businesses will lift Wisconsin’s economy out of the pandemic stronger than it was before, says Madison Region Economic Partnership President and CEO Jason Fields. In a Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce virtual event yesterday, Fields said more cooperation between rural and urban businesses will help achieve

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