Economic Development

Readers are invited to take a moment and fill out the 2015 BizTimes Mid-Year Economic Dashboard Survey.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. economy increased 0.7 percent in May to 123.1, following a 0.7 percent increase in April, and a 0.4 percent increase in March.

EMV cards are coming to the United States. Card issuers are migrating to chip technology, and many large merchants are going to be ready with chip-enabled point-of-sale devices by the deadline (generally October 2015) imposed by the card associations (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). Before you know it, cards with embedded microprocessor chips will be as prevalent in the U.S. as they are in Europe.

Glendale-based global diversified industrial company Johnson Controls Inc. has announced it is reviewing strategic options for its automotive business. Those options include a joint venture, a sale or a spinoff.

Milwaukee-based ManpowerGroup has announced it plans to acquire German human resource services provider 7S Group for $154.1 million.

Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Energy Corp. received the approval of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Friday, and is waiting on the approval of just one more state before it can finalize its $9.1 billion acquisition of Integrys Energy Group.

U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest bank in the United States, announced Monday it is purchasing the naming rights for the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium, which will open in 2016.

Mequon-based Data Financial Inc. is now an authorized distributor of Diebold Inc. products.

Edina, Minn.-based Marketplace Home Mortgage LLC has opened an office in Brookfield.

Glendale-based multi-industrial firm Johnson Controls Inc. today announced it has appointed Greg Guyett executive vice president, Corporate Development, effective August 10.