Economic Development

The number of private sector jobs in Wisconsin fell in June by 11,700 and the state’s unemployment rate climbed to 7.0 percent from 6.8 percent in May, according to the latest seasonally adjusted data released today by the Department of Workforce Development.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reports in its latest “Beige Book” that the economic conditions in the Seventh District, which includes Wisconsin and most of the upper Midwest, continue to improve, although the pace of growth has slowed.

ManpowerGroup and Competitive Wisconsin Inc. (CWI) are partnering to help Wisconsin's business, government and academic leaders address the state's short-term skills gap and its longer-term need to build a sustainable and globally competitive talent pool that empowers workers and meets employers' needs.

Southeastern Wisconsin business executives are more optimistic about the direction of their companies in the second half of the year than they were when the year began, according to the latest BizTimes Business Dashboard Survey.

Appleton Papers Inc. announced is discontinuing its proposal to be acquired by Hicks Acquisition Company II Inc., a special purpose acquisition company operated by billionaire Thomas Hicks.

Waterford-based Runzheimer International, a global leader in Total Employee Mobility solutions, has acquired Canadian GPS technology firm SatLogix Inc., an innovator of vehicle mileage tracking devices and cloud-based mileage management platforms.

Data Dimensions, a Janesville-based producer of business process automation (BPA) solutions, announced it has acquired Data Exchange Center Inc. located in Brown Deer.

Investment managers are becoming less positive on the U.S. economy and corporate earnings due to the expected negative impact of a recession in Europe and slower growth in China, according to a survey conducted in the second quarter by Northern Trust Bank.

Chicago-based Taylor Capital Group Inc. announced that Cole Taylor Bank is expanding its commercial banking business into southeastern Wisconsin through the opening of a new office in Franklin.

Hartland-based Town Bank plans to open a new office in a freestanding building in The Woodlands Market retail center in Menomonee Falls. The bank will hold a grand opening in the late summer or early fall.