Counsel Report
Staff Report

AGENDA

9 a.m.    Call to Order

               Introductions – Jason Culotta

Review of the Joint Finance Committee’s Action on the 2013-15 Budget

• Freight Rail Preservation funding
• Harbor Assistance funding
• Preview of Highway funding discussion
• Federal Highway Bill Begins to Take Shape
• Status of Hwy 41 Overweight Exemption
• Wisconsin Freight Rail Service: Competition and Policy – Recent and Upcoming Activity
  • Canadian National & WC Group joint projects
  • Counsel’s Report
  • WMC Staff Report
  • Adjourn

PEWAUKEE – As Wisconsin’s economy continues to improve, six companies have received the prestigious Business Friend of the Environment Award for leadership in pollution prevention, environmental innovation and environmental stewardship, WMC announced Wednesday.

“Wisconsin is fortunate to have so many companies that are committed to environmental stewardship and going above and beyond what’s required by various regulations,” said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO. “The Business Friend of the Environment winners are the unquestioned leaders in our state for environmental protection and innovation.”

The 2013 Business Friend of the Environment Awards are presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business association.

Pollution Prevention
Frito-Lay, Inc., Beloit (small/medium)
3M Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien (large)

Environmental Innovation
American Transmission Co., Madison (small/medium)
Grede LLC, Reedsburg (large)

Environmental Stewardship
Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, Menomonie (small/medium)
Del Monte Foods, Plover (large)

Click here to view the complete company profiles.

An independent panel of judges representing industry, the Department of Natural Resources, conservation groups, and academia select the Business Friend of the Environment winners. Awards were presented at a luncheon at the Country Springs Conference Center in Pewaukee.

WMC is the state’s largest business association, representing 3,500 employers who provide jobs to nearly 500,000 Wisconsin residents.

Related Material:
2013 Business Friend of the Environment Winner Profiles

For Further Information Contact:
Eric Bott, (608) 258-3400

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Madison – Applications are currently being accepted for high school students to attend the 2013 Wisconsin Business World program, a WMC initiative. Business World is a summer camp designed to teach high school students how real businesses operate and to introduce the next generation of business leaders to the opportunities available here in Wisconsin.

The first session of Business World 2013 will be June 16-19 at Edgewood College in Madison; the second session will be June 23-26 at St. Norbert College in De Pere. Each session will also feature an advanced track for returning Business World students.

“I highly recommend all Wisconsin parents encourage their high school teens to attend Business World this summer. Gaining real-world business experience and developing an understanding of the free enterprise system will serve attendees well as they continue to explore which career path is best suited for them,” said WMC President/CEO, Kurt R. Bauer. “Investing in tomorrow’s leaders is key to keeping Wisconsin a competitive, successful state in which to conduct business and a desirable state to call home.”

Business World is a unique opportunity for high school students to participate in a program that demonstrates the value of business and economics education. It brings high school students and business volunteers together on a college campus to learn about the challenges facing our economy, and is an opportunity that will enable today’s students to prepare for their future in our increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Business World was founded more than 30 years ago by Wisconsin’s business leaders who realized that the future success of Wisconsin business relies on the education of the state’s students today. Those business leaders recognized the need to teach the upcoming generation about the importance of the free enterprise system, and the program has since educated more than 14,000 students.

Throughout their four days, the students join a team of 10-12 who function as an imaginary “company” for the program. With the task of turning their company into a financial success, each group works harmoniously to create a unique product, develop marketing strategies, design a commercial, and compete in an online business simulation. In essence, each student will make all of the decisions demanded of real life company executives. The students will also have the opportunity to interact with guest speakers and tour local companies to complete the hands-on experience.

The WMC Foundation has produced the annual Business World program since its inception in 1982. This unique program is sponsored, developed, and delivered by the business community of Wisconsin and uses local business people to teach Wisconsin high school students about the free enterprise system and real-world economics. It is a unique and challenging program designed to put high school students face-to-face with today’s business challenges. All current high school students are encouraged to apply.

Space is limited. To access the Business World application online and to learn more about Business World, visit www.wibusinessworld.org, or call (888) 276-7953.

For Futher Information Contact:
Steve Benzschawel, (608) 661-6904
Katy Pettersen, (608) 661-6916

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]]> http://www.wmc.org/news/press-releases/wmc-presents-this-years-wisconsin-business-world/feed/ 0 http://www.wmc.org/news/twelve-companies-nominated-for-environment-awards/ http://www.wmc.org/news/twelve-companies-nominated-for-environment-awards/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 13:14:09 +0000 lsupensky http://www.wmc.org/?p=37041 Employers Provide Leadership on Environmental Stewardship

MADISON — Twelve Wisconsin companies have been nominated for the prestigious Business Friend of the Environment Awards, honoring leadership in pollution prevention, environmental innovation, and stewardship.

The 2013 Business Friend of the Environment Awards are presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business association.

“These 12 companies are among the premiere protectors of the environment in the entire state of Wisconsin,” said Eric Bott, WMC director of environmental and energy policy. “In Wisconsin, businesses lead the way to protect our natural resources – going above and beyond regulations. Conservation protects the environment, and it makes good business sense.”

Six awards, based on company size, will be presented to businesses for their commitment and improvements in the areas of pollution prevention, innovative technology, and environmental stewardship.

Winners will be honored during the 24th Annual Environmental Policy and Awards Conference on May 15, at the Country Springs Conference Center in Pewaukee, featuring an in-depth discussion of the leading environmental regulatory issues facing Wisconsin businesses:

• How will new federal air standards impact Wisconsin businesses from a cost and compliance standpoint? What is DNR’s strategy for implementing these regulations?
• Hear from the Director of the DNR’s Division of Air, Waste, Remediation and Redevelopment (AWaRe). What are the big issues facing businesses under AWaRe’s purview this year?
• What are the current trends in environmental litigation?
• What does DNR’s rule on phosphorus emissions mean for businesses and local governments?
• What can we expect to see in environmental policy changes at the state level this session?
• Hear from past winners of the BFOE award about best practices, what it takes to go beyond compliance, and why that can be a benefit to business.

Winners are selected by an independent judging panel with representatives from industry, the Department of Natural Resources, and the University of Wisconsin.

2013 Business Friend of the Environment Nominees
3M Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien
American Transmission Co., Madison
Ayres Associates, Madison
Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Wauwatosa
Del Monte Foods – Plover, Plover
Frito-Lay, Inc., Beloit
Grede LLC, Reedsburg
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Menomonee Falls
J.F. Ahern Co., Fond du Lac
SC Johnson, Racine
Spilfyter by NPS Corp., Green Bay
Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, Menomonie

Click here for more information, or to register for the WMC Environmental Policy and Awards Conference.

Related Material:
WMC Environmental Policy and Awards Conference

For Further Information Contact:
Eric Bott or Scott Manley, (608) 258-3400

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In an effort to assist those people, Oshkosh Corporation is planning to hold a Job Fair on Thursday, June 6 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Oshkosh Corporation hopes to have a number of local, regional and state-wide employers that are looking to fill current job openings that are available with their respective companies.

Any employer interested in participating in the Job Fair should contact:

Arthur Rhodes, Human Resources
Oshkosh Defense
920.235.9151 x26484
arhodes@defense.oshkoshcorp.com

WMC president/CEO Kurt R. Bauer said the audit will help WEDC focus on its job creating mission.

Bauer said:

“The WEDC is to be commended for proactively addressing many of the recommendations contained in the audit. The WEDC is vital to job creation in our state and the audit helps provide guidance towards making the agency a vital part of our economic development strategy.”

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