Swallow Solutions,Madison, will receive a loan up to $135,000, and Zurex PharmAgra, Madison, will receive a loan up to $250,000.

The Technology Development Loan is for Wisconsin companies to facilitate research and development and commercialization of innovative technology products.

The WEDC said the loan program is an important tool to help new companies get their innovative ideas successfully off the ground.

About Swallow Solutions
The company develops medical devices for the treatment of dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. The company is in the process of completing clinical trial of the Madison Oral Strengthening Therapeutic (MOST) device.

About Zurex PharmAgra
The company has developed the proprietary antimicrobial solutions for use in agricultural applications. The company has identified a need in the dairy industry for antimicrobial applications to prevent mastitis in dairy cows.

The QNBV status makes investors in the company eligible for a 25 percent tax credit on the amount they invest in the business. The WEDC said the QNBV program and new incentives for investment in these companies will accelerate their potential for growth and job creation in Wisconsin.

About SnowShoe Foods
The company is creating Smartphone apps that provide loyalty programs and coupons for grocery stores and consumers. The idea was developed from a Climate Leadership Challenge, a UW-Madison student innovation competition, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint for grocery stores and chains.

About One Event Technologies
The company is developing and commercializing a new, proprietary fire detection and monitoring system that can detect hazards more quickly and give emergency response personnel the information needed to save more lives, perform their jobs more safely, and reduce property damage.

About Enhancement Medical
The company focuses on aesthetic medical market. The company plans to commercialize a range of facial filler products in the U.S. and international markets.

About Invenra
The company is focused on developing peptide therapeutics utilizing its proprietary peptide library synthesis and screening platform. The company is working to develop promising therapeutic compounds.

About Caseus Energy
The company has pioneered a proprietary technology that converts sugar in residual streams such as whey component into high value renewable products such as fuel – grade ethanol and protein feed for livestock and human consumption. The company is in the process of launching its initial pilot manufacturing facility in Greenwood. 
 
About Pinpoint Software
The company is a software application development firm that has developed Date Check Pro, expiration date management software that allows for the tracking of inventory and expiration dates for grocers.

About NCD Technologies
The company is commercializing Nano-Cystalline Diamond coating technology. The company will initially target the microtools market, which includes optical component, semiconductors, imaging and video equipment, and industrial medical software.

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“Today we are taking another important step toward making our state an easier place to start up, expand, or relocate a small business,” said Governor Walker.  “Giving small business owners a seat at the table when discussing state regulations will help get buy-in for rules and regulations from employers, assist state agencies in promulgating rules that are realistic, and ultimately grow jobs in Wisconsin.”

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, Wisconsin small businesses spend eighty percent more per worker than large employers to comply with government regulations.  91 percent of small businesses said it was impossible to know about, comply with, and understand all of government’s regulations.  Regulations are cited as one of the top three concerns for small business growth.

The Winners – Best of Downtown Madison – As Voted on by the WEDC Team
CLICK HERE FOR A GOOGLE MAP OF ALL THE DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS 

Best Place for Coffee
Ancora
Barriques Coffee Trader
Starbucks

Best Place for a Sandwich
Bluphies Downtown Deli
Fromagination
Cosi

Best Place for a Burger
The Old Fashioned
Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
Five Guys

Best Place for Breakfast
Bluephies Downtown Deli
Panera Bread
Eintein Bros. Bagels

Best Place for Pizza
Ian’s Pizza
Gino’s
Paisan’s

Best Place for International Fare
Parthenon Gyros
Qdoba
Casa de Lara

Best Place for Dessert
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
Cold Stone Creamery
Cranberry Creek

Milwaukee Water Council – China join hands on climate challenges
The Milwaukee Water Council signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to share water research and technologies with China. The MOU was signed with Yonker Environment Protection Institute during a business delegation in Washington, DC, led by visiting Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping. Yonker EPI develops and commercializes advanced environmental technologies in China. (2/20)

Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program
The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) Program now accepts after-tax Roth 457 contributions in addition to the pre-tax Traditional 457 contributions. To learn more about the WDC programs, visit their website or click on the links below.

• Traditional 457 Program Highlights
• Roth 457 Flier
• Roth 457 Brochure
• WDC Enrollment Form

Employees can enroll and change their deferral amounts at any time. Please fill out the enrollment form and submit it to WDC. For timely deductions, submit a copy of your enrollment form or send an email (listing your per pay period contribution amount and the designation to either Traditional pre-tax or Roth after-tax) to Amber (608-264-7836 or amber.kelsey@wedc.org).

Governor announces Director of Office of Business Development
Governor Scott Walker announced today (Feb. 16) the appointment of Tim Sullivan to serve as Director of the Office of Business Development (OBD)

Mr. Sullivan and the OBD will work with the Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to address the issue of aligning the capability of the available workforce with the available jobs. He will also identify and cultivate business prospects for expansion and relocations toWisconsin. Tim will coordinate with Paul Jadin on the workforce issues and also business development opportunities.

“Governor Walker is addressing one of the biggest challenges to economic development – the capability and availability of our workforce. Tim’s background will also have the benefit of adding to the administration someone with private sector experience to augment the efforts of the Governor, Lt. Governor and WEDC in promoting additional opportunities for business expansion,” Paul Jadin said.

Message from Human Resources
All Current & Future ERA participants, please note the following change in 2013 for MEDICAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT (ERA):

The annual maximum contribution limits for a MEDICAL ERA will be reduced from $7,500 to $2,500 in 2013. If you are considering high cost services that are reimbursable under the medical expense account you may want to receive those services in 2012.

The Employee Reimbursement Account Program, also referred to as a “Flexible Spending Account” is a voluntary pre-tax program for eligible state employees authorized under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code and Wisconsin Statute 40.85. This program is administered by the Fringe Benefit Management Company (FBMC). Participants use tax-free dollars to pay for eligible expenses (Medical and Dependent Care).

IRS Publication 969
Jan 11, 2012
Note: For tax years beginning after 2012 your contribution to your flexible spending arrangement made through a salary reduction is limited to $2,500. Beginning in tax years after 2013 the limit will be subject to a cost-of-living adjustment.

New WEDC Marketing Resources
We are providing marketing resources to help you continue build our new identity. This includes our new transitional logo, Powerpoint template, and a Powerpoint presentation that provides an overview of the new WEDC.

For logos, contact Shauna Breneman, shauna.brenaman@wedc.org. For Powerpoints, contact Tom Thieding, tom.thieding@wedc.org.

Chippewa Falls gets grant to help buy Plaza building
WQOW Eau Claire
The City of Chippewa Falls is being awarded a $506,000 community development block grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  View the story from WQOW TV in Eau Claire. (2/21)

New Marine Center
Monday, Marinette Marine and N.W.T.C. cut the ribbon on their new training facility. It’s designed specifically for the shipping industry, and leaders hope it will fill a shortage at the shipyards. CEO Paul Jadin provides comments on the importance of technical education. Watch the Channel 26-Green Bay segment. (Sorry-not visible on iPad) (2/20)

A welcome message on manufacturing
Wisconsin State Journal
This editorial stemming from President Obama’s visit to Milwaukee last week urges support for manufacturers at home while expanding opportunities abroad. The column sites Paul Jadin and WEDC’s goal of doubling exports by 2016. (2/19)

WEDC proposed new early stage investment program
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In an effort to get an investment capital bill passed before the end of this session, the WEDC has floated a proposal to fund promising young companies with money raised from the sale of unused investment tax credits. (2/16)

Development officials see economic clusters as key to growth
Lee Swindall was one of the participants on the Industry Cluster panel during the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development. Lee said new clusters have the potential to be dominant in the future. The key, he said, is passionate leadership, as well as the right technology. Read more>>>

The City of Arcadia will receive a $286,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to help finance the city’s flood mitigation project. To mitigate the risk of future flooding in the downtown, the city is increasing its storm water management system’s pumping capacity, strengthening a dike along Turton Creek and relocating Meyers Valley Creek.  

The Village of Birchwood will receive a $506,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to help finance the village’s wastewater collection and treatment system. The village is upgrading the present wastewater treatment facility and replacing lift stations 

The City of Chippewa Falls will receive a $506,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to help finance the city’s downtown development program. The city is in the first phase of its downtown rehabilitation project, which includes acquisition, relocation, environmental studies and remediation, demolition, site prep and construction.

The Town of Mercer will receive a $141,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to expand its library. The town is expanding the library to include additional space for housing more computers, a new multi-purpose meeting room, a children’s library room and additional seating space.

The Village of Soldiers Grove will receive a $274,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to renovate its library. The village is renovating the library to address accessibility, update restrooms, build a new entrance and purchase new computers.

The Community Development Block Grant program is a versatile financing tool for general-purpose local units of government in need of funds to undertake needed infrastructure and public building projects.  The program is designed to enhance the vitality of a community by undertaking public investment that contributes to its overall community and economic development.

The WEDC is Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency. 

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“I am pleased to welcome Precision Ice Blast Corporation to Wisconsin,” said Governor Walker.  “We continue to work hard to attract businesses to Wisconsin and create a positive business environment that fosters job creation.”

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is providing Precision Ice Blast up to $400,000 tax credits over three years to support the relocation. Precision Ice Blast is planning to invest more than $1.45 million to construct its production and product training facility.

Precision Iceblast is an independent contracting operation that provides ice blasting services to many industries such as printing, food, paper, tape, automotive, marine, restoration, and manufacturing. It uses CO2 blasting as the modern alternative to chemical cleaning, sandblasting, water blasting, steam cleaning, manual scrubbing, scraping, and hand tooling.

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Precision Ice Blast Corporation. The company will relocate its production and product training facility from Wallace, MI to Marinette, WI. The relocation is expected to add 64 jobs to the community. (2/20)

“Governor Walker is addressing one of the biggest challenges to economic development – the capability and availability of our workforce,” said Paul Jadin, CEO/Secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. “Tim Sullivan will play an important role in integrating the education and workforce training infrastructure with economic development resources.”

“Tim’s background will also have the benefit of adding to the administration someone with private sector experience to augment the efforts of the Governor, Lt. Governor and WEDC in promoting additional opportunities for business expansion,” Jadin said.

Click here to download a PDF of the conference to learn more about the event’s sessions and speakers.