Doyle pledges $240 million in support for the Milwaukee Initiative

Wisconsin’s capital budget now includes a provision for $240 million in total bonding over the next six years for the Milwaukee Initiative, an effort to move forward on building projects at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in the areas of engineering and science, freshwater science and health.

“Our universities have always been the engines that drive Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle says. “This initiative will support UWM’s efforts to grow the economy in southeast Wisconsin. Even in tough times we must continue to invest in education and research so that we can get through this in a way that will make us stronger in the years ahead.”

The Milwaukee Initiative is designed to provide flexibility to UWM as it moves forward on several existing projects that have support of business, civic and governmental leaders in southeast Wisconsin.
Specific projects that UWM has under development include:

• Great Lakes Research Facility and “Neeskay” Research Vessel – Significant renovations are needed at the existing facility, which would likely include an addition for scientists and research associated with the new School of Freshwater Science. The university also hopes to purchase a new research vessel to replace the “Neeskay,” currently the only academic research vessel on the Great Lakes.

• School of Freshwater Science – UWM is looking to build a new School of Freshwater Science. The facility would have classroom space for students in the school. Space in this facility, proposed to be located along Lake Michigan near Discovery World, could also host the M7 Water Council and provide meeting and exhibition space to showcase services and products related to water technologies.

• College of Engineering – UWM is looking to build a new college of engineering facility which would provide research space for faculty and senior scientists focusing on biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing.

• School of Public Health – UWM is looking to locate a facility for the School of Public Health in downtown Milwaukee. The school would feature PhD programs in a number of specialties.

• Integrated Research Building – UWM would construct on its main campus a research and classroom facility.

The Governor’s capital budget proposal has been under consideration by the Building Commission and its subcommittees. The commission’s recommendations will then be forwarded to the Joint Committee on Finance as an amendment to the 2009-11 budget.

MOVERS

>> Donsia Strong Hill is an inductee to the first class of the College of Applied Science and Technology Hall of Fame at Illinois State University. She currently is a shareholder in the Business Practice Group at Godfrey & Kahn in Milwaukee.

>> Paul Lohmiller has joined the Milwaukee office of Graef as the business development area leader for civil, environmental and transportation services.

>> Brian R. Smigelski is a new partner in the Litigation, Construction and Labor and Employment Relations Groups of DeWitt Ross & Stevens’s Brookfield office.

>> Penny York is the new director of marketing and sales and Carol Hoffmann is the new director of communications for Compirion Healthcare Soulutions LLC in Elm Grove.

>> The Business Health Care Group of Milwaukee has announced John Wuich, CEBS, as its director of membership development.

>> Peter Zellmer, has been promoted to general manager at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan.

>> Stephen Bablitch has joined Aurora Health Care, serving as senior vice president, overseeing government affairs, legal services and compliance. He also will serve as secretary of the non-profit organization.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

BELOIT: Corporate Contractors Inc. has been awarded with a 2008 Projects of Distinction award from the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin for work on Vision Beloit, the renovation of the 1928 Wisconsin Power and Light’s office building. The facility is the home of the Beloit Chamber of Commerce, Visit Beloit, the Downtown Beloit Association and the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation.

MILWAUKEE: For the second time, Children’s Hospital and Health System has received the Magnet Recognition Program for excellence in nursing services award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. With the award, Children’s Hospital will retain Magnet status for four more years. Magnet hospitals patients have lower mortality rates and shorter lengths of stay than at other facilities. Magnet facilities also tend to have more stable workforces as they have the ability to attract and retain highly skilled nurses.

WALES: Harris Marketing Group, a business specializing in marketing and public relations, received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Development Center-Chicago, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business enterprise National Council.