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NEW CONSTRUCTION BUILDS INTEREST IN BROWN COUNTY HOME EXPO
More people are looking to build new homes this year, and the construction business is viewing that as a good sign of an economic recovery. "We're starting to see more people thinking about building," said Mark LeMense, chairman of the Brown County Home Builders Association's Home Expo, which ran from Thursday to Sunday at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. More than 4,000 people were expected to attend the expo, a slight increase over last year's turnout
DEVELOPERS EXPECT STRONG YEAR ALONG HIGHWAY 41
Oshkosh development officials expect a strong year of retail development along U.S. Highway 41 will help Oshkosh continue its recent run of region-leading commercial growth. Olive Garden, TJ Maxx and US Cellular have garnered early attention on South Koeller Street as they progress toward early spring openings, while Kwik Trip has plans a new convenience store on Ninth Avenue just east of Koeller Street early this year. Quietly, Oshkosh has become a regional leader in commercial property value growth over the last five years. The $77.9 million in commercial property value Oshkosh added in 2008 was tops of any Highway 41 community in northeast Wisconsin in the last five years, according to state figures.
The Plan Commission Wednesday unanimously approved preliminary plans for another building with space for seven stores at The Shoppes at Fox River on the city's southwest side. Opus Development Corp., which developed the first phase of the 55-acre project beginning in 2008, sold that portion - including anchors Target and Pick 'n Save - last year to a Michigan-based firm. It kept 18 vacant acres for additional phases and has been negotiating with what the firm calls "junior anchors" and smaller shops and will initially build out four of the seven shops.
Little progress has been made in the last year to remove a big hurdle for creating a commercial and residential development at the former Mammoth Springs Cannery Co. site in Sussex, according to an article at Living Lake Country.com by reporter Kelly Smith.
The Muskego Common Council by a 4-3 vote on Tuesday night approved the $3.55 million purchase of two Little Muskego Lake parcels for a park. Aldermen Noah Fiedler, Neome Schaumberg, Tracy Snead and Keith Werner voted to buy the land, while Aldermen Neil Borgman, Kert Harenda and Dan Soltysiak opposed the purchase. Before the vote, a measure calling for a referendum to be held to allow voters to decide on the purchase failed. The 4.6 acres the city is acquiring is along Janesville Road near Pioneer Drive.
DEAL WITH CATEPILLAR MEANS JOBS FOR SUPERIOR
An alliance between Caterpillar Inc. and a Superior company will mean hundreds of new jobs for the area in the long term. Exodus Machines said it will manufacture and supply material-handling machines for sale through Caterpillar's distribution network. Exodus employs 55 people as welders, machinists, engineers and in other jobs. Exodus president Bruce Bacon said the company expects to add more than 300 jobs in Superior over the next six to eight years.
KOHLS AND NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL PONDER SITES
But as 2012 begins, one commercial real estate development project overshadows the entire market and is being watched closely by industry insiders. Kohls Corp. is seriously considering plans to build a massive, new corporate headquarters of about 1 million square feet of space. The Menomonee Falls-based company is considering another site in that community and the Park East corridor in downtown Milwaukee for its new headquarters.
$4 MILLION SPECTRUM DEAL HAD A STEALTH COMPONENT
Spectrum Brands began its successful quest for a $4 million award from the state without revealing its identity or that it was already based in Wisconsin, public records show. Initial overtures were made by Harry J. Joseph, an Atlanta-based real estate consultant. Joseph did not disclose which company he represented when he asked the state in January 2011 "what incentives might be available to our client should they decide to consolidate in Wisconsin."
TRUSTING THE LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT OUR HERITAGE
When I was first formulating the Stewardship Fund, our states landmark land conservation program, I rejected the idea that private conservation organizations should be eligible to receive public funds intended to purchase park lands and wildlife habitat. I was concerned that land purchases by private organizations might serve private instead of public purposes.
STATE FARM PROFITS HIT RECORD IN 2011
Here's some good economic news on the eve of Gov. Walker's State of the State Address: Wisconsin agriculture reported a record $2.4 billion in net income in 2011, up about 17 percent from 2010. Higher corn and soybean prices along with a rebound in milk prices were the reasons for the increase.
WALKER UNVEILS EDUCATION REFORM LEGISLATION
Gov. Scott Walker unveiled Thursday an education reform package that would rate schools, link teacher evaluations to student test scores and require all kindergartners to take a state-funded reading test starting next school year. | 
