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All eyes in the health care industry in 2015 will be on the U.S. Supreme Court case King v. Burwell.

The lawsuit challenges the ability of federally run exchanges to provide subsidies that help people purchase insurance coverage.

Several significant construction projects will be in full swing in southeastern Wisconsin in 2015, a tangible sign of the economic recovery.

Motorists will continue to dodge construction barrels at major road projects, including the $1.7 billion reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange, which won't be complete until 2018, and the $226 million re-decking and repair project for the Hoan Bridge, which is expected to be completed this year.

The apartment building boom will continue this year, with several projects under construction or planned in downtown Milwaukee and in some suburban areas.

Construction will continue for two large office towers downtown.

Several major retail developments, or mixed-use developments with large retail components, are or will be under construction this year in the suburbs.

As many as three hotels could be under construction this year in and near downtown Milwaukee.
Numerous industrial buildings are under construction throughout the region

Then, there are the elephants in the room. Two major construction projects that could begin this year if they can clear major political hurdles: a new arena in downtown Milwaukee and a casino complex in Kenosha.

The new owners of the Milwaukee Bucks will seek approval to build a $400 to $500 million arena in downtown Milwaukee. The NBA says the city needs a new arena by 2017 to keep the Bucks. The Bucks' new owners and former owner Herb Kohl have pledged to contribute $200 million to $250 million toward the arena project, but they are expected to seek some public funding as well. The Bucks' owners also hope to attract a significant amount of additional development around the new arena.

Meanwhile, Gov. Scott Walker has until Feb. 19 to decide whether to approve or deny the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin's request to build an off-reservation casino in Kenosha. The Menominee intend to partner with Hard Rock International and its parent company, The Seminole Tribe of Florida, to develop the $800 million Hard Rock Hotel and Casino project at the former site of Dairyland Greyhound Park. The project would include a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with 3,100 slot machines, 75 table games, a 5,000-seat multi-purpose entertainment venue, 50,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants and a 400-room hotel.

Wisconsin’s banking industry has turned a corner. In the wake of a years-long economic recession, banks are now well into recovery, and that is good for Wisconsin consumers. As a key driver of economic growth, Wisconsin’s banking industry is uniquely positioned to keep the state moving forward and help businesses grow and families prosper.

A fairly rosy economic outlook and booming stock market have had an encouraging impact on the mergers and acquisitions...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted annual gains for the sixth-straight year in 2014, its longest winning streak since 1999.

Strong levels of optimism were expressed by Milwaukee-area businesses for 2015, according to a Business Outlook Survey conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

Affordable automation and advanced manufacturing will accelerate in 2015 to make the U.S. manufacturing environment more attractive than it has been in years, according to Todd Teske, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wauwatosa-based small engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton Corp.