Economic Development

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard told the Wisconsin Bankers Association that he believes the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by around 3.2 percent in 2013 and 2014, a more bullish estimation than some economists are forecasting.

Milwaukee investment banking firm Cleary Gull Inc. received an award for Corporate and Strategic Acquisition of the Year (between $250 million and $500 million) from The M&A Advisor at the organization’s annual banquet last month.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) is seeking Wisconsin companies to participate in a trade mission to South Africa March 6-15.

Wisconsin ranks 42nd out of the 50 states in private-sector job creation, according to the latest available government jobs data.

The Wisconsin Bankers Association will host its 2013 Economic Forecast Luncheon on Thursday, January 10, from noon to 2 p.m. at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

Menomonee Falls-based Bradley Corp. announced it has purchased the assets of Keltech Inc. of Delton, Mich., and will operate the company as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) has acquired Jenkins & Vojtisek SC, a certified public accounting firm based in Racine.

Mason Wells, a Milwaukee-based middle-market buyout firm, announced that effective immediately, Thomas Smith will assume the role of executive managing director, succeeding John Byrnes, who has held the position since the inception of the company in 1998.

U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs in December, as the national unemployment rate remained at 7.8 percent, the Labor Department announced.

Spring Bank announced that it will move from its current location at 16655 W. Wisconsin Ave., Brookfield, to a larger location at 16620 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield.