Datasyst expands lab space
Datasyst Engineering & Testing Services, a 15-year-old family-owned business in Delafield, has acquired an additional 10,000 square feet of laboratory space adjacent to its facility at 33511 Hwy. 18.
The additional space will allow the company to move forward on business expansion plans. The first phase involves expansion of environmental testing capabilities that include the simulation of temperature, humidity and corrosive environments for mechanical and electrical components. Additional chambers are being installed that will accommodate test units up to 80 feet by 17 feet.
Connex Logistics is established
Connex Logistics has been formed by the owners of two existing area companies to serve commercial shippers with third-party logistics support.
The company was formed by Mark Kurziak, owner of Grafton Transit, and Tom Haering, owner of Bridge Logistics. Grafton Transit is a common carrier established in 1989, serving the US except Alaska and Hawaii. Bridge Logistics, of Cedarburg, provides warehousing services.
Charlie Schloemer is handling operations for the new company, which is at W60 N171 Cardinal Ave., Cedarburg, and on the Web at www.connexlogistics.com.
"With the downturn in the economy, many companies have cut back and no longer have the expertise to handle certain parts of their shipping operations," Schloemer said. "But they still need to get the goods to their customers on time and at the lowest cost. We use our experience to make it happen for them."
State awards training grants for planning
Several area entrepreneurs have been awarded $637 grants to attend UW-Small Business Development Center courses to help them develop business plans.
The following summarizes the successful proposals:
George F. Englehardt, Union Grove, to evaluate the feasibility of starting a roofing and siding maintenance and repair business;
Rachel E. Falaschi, Racine, to evaluate the feasibility of starting a rough framing construction company;
Harley L. Fellion, Racine, to evaluate the feasibility of marketing bioshelters for pets;
Jennifer L. Johnson, Cedarburg. to evaluate the feasibility of opening a women’s clothing store;
Joseph T. Klein, Milwaukee, to evaluate the feasibility of starting an alternative telecom infrastructure in urban areas;
Amy L. Kurtz, Franklin, to evaluate the feasibility of expanding a travel agency;
Vincent P. Lambrechts, Kenosha, to evaluate the feasibility of making and selling egg rolls;
John I. Parker, Racine, to evaluate the feasibility of starting a siding-and-windows installation business;
Beverly L. Pilarzyk, Milwaukee, to evaluate the feasibility of opening a yarn shop;
Harry Ticknor Sr., Racine, to evaluate the feasibility of starting an Internet coupon business.
Swimtastic now offering franchises
Swimtastic Swim School of Waukesha has developed Swimtastic Complete Franchise Mix, offering proprietary curriculum and software, plus ongoing
training and support, said Sue Wainscott, Swimtastic’s founder and president.
Swimtastic has facilities in Waukesha and the Fox Cities, offering year-round lessons to students of all ages. The company has taught more than 25,000 children since its founding.
The company will discuss its franchise opportunities during meetings Aug. 8 and 22, 6-8 p.m., at the Waukesha site at 900 Tesch Court.
Stone Creek Coffee opens seventh location
Stone Creek Coffee has opened its seventh location in the Milwaukee market, at 2266 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee. The Milwaukee-based company has cafes in the Shops of Grand Avenue, at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, and in Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay and Oconomowoc.
Milwaukee gets brownfields clean-ups funds
The City of Milwaukee will receive $1.8 million in Environmental Protection Agency funds to clean up contaminated brownfields around the city. Among the planned uses of the funds is the clean-up of the long-vacant Milwaukee Road depot site in the western part of the Menomonee Valley. The city will receive $250,000 in cleanup funds to be used as part of a $1 million allocation for the area on both sides of the 35th Street viaduct.
A 100-acre industrial park is planned for the property, which the city is acquiring.
Another $200,000 will be used to clean up a 40-acre former railroad site in the Menomonee Valley between the Mitchell Park Domes and Miller Park.
The grants also include $250,000 toward a $10.7 million, three-story mixed-used building on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Hadley Street. The development will include 18 units of subsidized housing.
The city will receive $400,000 to test gas stations and tax-delinquent lands in the city for contamination.
State updates county profiles on Web site
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce has updated the economic profiles of each of the state’s 72 counties on its Web site, www.commerce.state.wi.us.
"These profiles are a valuable economic tool," said Cory Nettles, department secretary.
The profiles incorporate the latest available federal and state data on demographics, income, quality of life and other measures.
New farmers market opens
A new farmers market has been started in Milwaukee, a joint venture of the Milwaukee Alliance and the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee. The market is at the northeast corner of Mitchell Street and Muskego Avenue. The market is hosting 15 area growers, grocers and bakers. It is open Thursdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of October, and is accepting WIC and senior nutrition program vouchers. Live music and special events are also planned.
Meanwhile, South Shore Farmers’ Market has returned to Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood for the fifth season. The market will be open through Oct. 18, extending an extra week from the traditional 13-week season due to increased popularity and demand. The market will be in operation from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday. Organizers of the market have expanded the "special event" hour of each week’s market to include two hours of special events and live music. From 9 to 10 a.m., there will be presentations on community information, discussions with visual artists, storytellers and more. From 10 to 11 a.m., local entertainers will fill the lakefront air with music.
Web site aims to link former Marines, jobs
The United States Marine Corps has established a new transition program called "Marine For Life."
The Marine For Life program annually helps some 27,000 Marines nationwide who have recently received an honorable discharge transition back into civilian life.
Wisconsin’s share stands at approximately 400 such Marines. Details are can be found at www.marineforlife.com.
The program combines the efficiency of the Internet with the personal input of two local Wisconsin Reserve Marines called "Hometown Links."
Aug. 8, 2003, Small Business Times, Milwaukee
