Bold, dynamic and innovative companies and corporate leaders are invited to be nominated for the 2013 Bravo! Entrepreneur and IQ (Innovation Quotient) Awards.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce read with great interest the recent Milwaukee Biz Blog by History Professor Marc Levine from UW-Milwaukee. He claims, based on “major academic studies as well as data from the U.S., Wisconsin, and Milwaukee labor markets” that there is no evidence to support the skills gap thesis. We read the report, and waited to get to the part where the professor talked to manufacturers. Unfortunately, he did not.

The Chicago Loop long has been one of the world's greatest job centers, of course. For much of its history, though, downtown emptied out after office hours. And as the city aged and its population declined, the suburbs rose to become the preferred home to generations of young families and the tollways became employment corridors of their own.

Lawmakers in Washington have done what previously seemed unthinkable: They have allowed sequestration to mindlessly cut spending across the board rather than agree to a coherent deficit-reduction plan.

The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) has exceeded its goal of $2 million within Fran's Fund, a scholarship fund created in 2008 to grant music opportunities to underprivileged kids in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Brico Fund has awarded Hunger Task Force a $50,000 grant in response to both a shortage in food supply and a need for more funding.

The Wisconsin Partnership Program has awarded $2.25 million to 12 Milwaukee projects working to provide support and resources to African American families and end infant mortality in the city.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee has announced its 2013-2014 Board of Directors.

Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Department Stores announced Wednesday the launch of the Kohl's Cares Field Trip Grant Program, which will provide $750,000 in funding to eligible schools throughout the metro-Milwaukee area to help cover the cost of field trips during the 2013-2014 school year.

Milwaukee residents determined to make a difference in the city have an opportunity to help fund their goal through the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program, which awards 40 $25,000 grants to individuals wanting to improve the quality of life in their community.

Milwaukeeans Eric Von and Faithe Colas have launched a new website to serve as a resource and advocate for health and wellness among African American men, who face disproportionately high rates of disease and mortality.

*Saturday, March 2, the “Eastside Music Tour” will hit Brady Street, featuring performances by more than 50 area musicians,...