Economic Development

With yet another major credit agency threatening to downgrade America's credit rating if Washington fails to resolve the nation's fiscal crisis by year's end, it's becoming clearer and clearer that Congress and the President need to act immediately.

Tailored Label Products Inc. of Menomonee Falls has acquired the label products division of Norcross, Ga.-based Stratix Corp.

Nashotah-based Dickten Masch Plastics (DMP), a thermoplastics and thermoset manufacturer with metal stamping and assembly capabilities, has acquired Nyloncraft Inc., a technical plastics manufacturer based in Mishawaka, Ind.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter has announced the recipients of its 2012 National Philanthropy Day Awards.

Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. Inc. announced that the company's recruiting is up 13 percent, putting the company on pace to recruit more than 5,000 financial representatives in 2012.

BMO Harris Bank has announced it is donating $750,000 over three years to United Way of Greater Milwaukee to promote healthy birth outcomes and reduce the city's infant mortality rate.

First Business Bank-Milwaukee, part of First Business Financial Services Inc., has hired Bob Bell as vice president.

Brown Deer-based Bank Mutual is offering specials on its new money loans for small businesses in order to meet customers' changing business needs.

The U.S. economy added 96,000 jobs in August, fewer than the 125,000 gain forecast by economists and well below the 200,000 needed to keep pace with the population growth, according to the latest report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Department Stores today announced the company will expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging station initiative with 36 new stations across 18 additional Kohl's locations by the end of fall 2012.