Federal funds to provide catalyst for private sector jobs in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s Northwest Side Community Development Corp. (NWSCDC) has been awarded $740,402 and the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. (MLKEDC) has been awarded $545,800 in federal urban development grants through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Community Services.
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) contacted HHS in support of both grant proposals.
“Both of these community development corporations are well known leaders in strengthening workforce opportunities in the City of Milwaukee,” Kohl said. “I’m pleased that these grants will help propel their efforts forward to create good jobs and help people develop the skills they’ll need to fill them.”
The NWSCDC funding is expected to bring additional family supporting employment to the city of Milwaukee through its partnership with Helios Solar Works. Helios is a manufacturer founded and headquartered in Milwaukee that makes high-performance solar panels. With the funding, Helios will be able to purchase new equipment, increasing their manufacturing capacity, and add up to 40 new jobs, a majority of which will be filled by low-income individuals.
MLKEDC will use the funding to partner with Fix Development LLC to complete the development of the Milwaukee Fix Building. The new totally sustainable building will house the Clock Shadow Creamery, a new cheese manufacturing plant, a community clinic and retail facilities. The project will provide a total of 23 new jobs, 18 of which will be targeted for low-income residents of the near south side area and bring an otherwise rural activity to an urban area.
Newsmaker Luncheon to feature Pilarz
The Rev. Scott Pilarz, the newly inaugurated president of Marquette University, will be the featured guest at the Milwaukee Press Club’s next Newsmaker Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 14. The public is invited to attend the event. For additional information, click here.
Marquette College of Engineering receives $5 million gift
An alumni couple has donated $5 million to the Marquette University College of Engineering to establish an endowed chair in electrical engineering, Opus Dean of Engineering Robert Bishop announced.
V. Clayton and Beverly Lafferty, who now live in Minneapolis, are 1950 graduates of the university’s College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences, respectively. Clay Lafferty, 85, grew up in Iowa and spent much of his professional career as the head of research and development at United Parcel Service. He holds several patents and created the hub system used to support the company’s package delivery and logistics business. He also developed the prototype for the smart pad used by the company for tracking and delivery confirmation.
Although raised on the East Coast, three of the Lafferty’s six children attended Marquette and a grandchild also graduated from Marquette.
“We’re proud of our Marquette educations,” Beverly. Lafferty said. “When we were able to begin contributing financially, we agreed education was one priority.”
She said the gifts honor their parents who “didn’t have much money but put a great deal of emphasis on education.”
The Micro Sensors Research Laboratory at Marquette’s new Engineering Hall will be named in honor of the Laffertys.
“Clay and Beverly Lafferty are benefactors who understand the full scope of the college’s mission – research, a strong faculty, student support and a facility that encourages innovation and learning,” said Bishop. “Their gifts touch every facet of the college.”
Bishop said a search for the Lafferty Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is already underway, with a focus on “a scholar and educator with an international reputation” and expertise in smart sensor systems.
Walker to host Small Business Summit
Gov. Scott Walker will host Wisconsin’s Small Business Summit to be held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Walker said he will speak about his efforts to improve Wisconsin’s business climate and get our state’s fiscal house in order to help create new jobs and retain existing employers.
“Small businesses are the engine of our state’s economy and continue to drive our economy forward,” Walker said. “As we deal with the effects of the global economic downturn, my administration is committed to listening to our small businesses and entrepreneurs on how we can create a strong partnership between the private sector and state government to promote job creation and stimulate our economy.”
Walker said Small Business Summit will give small business owners tools they need to help their businesses succeed, featuring educational workshops and access to Wisconsin’s business resources and leadership. The event will provide opportunities to connect with key state leaders and industry peers.
"This will be a unique opportunity for small business owners to meet the new leadership team in Governor Walker’s administration involved in job creation at key state agencies in Wisconsin,” said Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch. “The cabinet secretaries who have been actively involved in improving our state’s business climate by streamlining processes, simplifying regulations and improving communications with stakeholders will be actively involved in the day’s events."
Attendees should register on-line at www.wheda.com by Oct. 25. The registration fee is $50, which includes breakfast and lunch.
New Berlin firm to host webinar on concealed carry
New Berlin-based HNi, an insurance brokerage and business advisory firm will host a webinar entitled:Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot: Understanding WI’s Concealed Carry Law on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wisconsin’s concealed carry law will go into effect Nov. 1. The webinar will highlight ways employers should evaluate their policies and procedures in light of the legislation. Speakers will include Renee Kuhs, compliance attorney at HNi and Jennifer Walther, shareholder Mawicke & Goisman, S.C., The seminar will ask employers whether or not they are prepared for implementation, how they will communicate and implement the provisions to its employees and whether policies will impact workers compensation insurance. To register, click here.
