As we approach the end of 2012, and with the holidays upon us, many Americans will be giving gifts in December by way of a check. This year is unique because the Fiscal Cliff is also upon us. Some people will be writing very large, multimillion-dollar checks to family members with the hopes of taking advantage of favorable tax conditions in advance of the Fiscal Cliff. Those taxpayers may become victims of their own generosity.

The U.S. economy grew more quickly than previously stated in the third quarter due to stronger trade, faster health care spending and increased local government construction, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today.

Former Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is expressing interests in buying the Milwaukee Bucks from owner Herb Kohl, according to a report by ESPN.com.

Gladstone Capital Corp., a McLean, Va.-based investment company, today announced today it has invested $19.5 million in Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp. of Port Washington by purchasing a loan from one of Allen Edmonds' existing lenders.

Bolstered by a strong cast of fall movies, The Marcus Corp. today reported fiscal second quarter net earnings of $4.7 million, or 17 cents per share, up from $2.8 million, or 10 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

BizTimes Media invites readers to attend the City of Milwaukee’s 167th Birthday Party.

As we prepare to discard the calendar of a tumultuous and often nasty 2012 in Wisconsin, it’s time to launch into 2013 with a clean slate and try to begin the year with no grudges and a spirit of compromise.

The Drexel Town Square developers are negotiating with Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer Meijer Inc. to open a 192,000-square-foot store that would anchor the Oak Creek development, according to numerous sources.

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP announced Tuesday that it has completed its move from the Honey Creek Corporate Center on the west side of Milwaukee to the U.S. Bank Center at 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.

A 44,342-square-foot industrial building on a 2,83 acre site at 1711 Paramount Ct., Waukesha, was sold recently for $2,061,903.

A pair of redevelopment projects are planned in downtown Port Washington.

Wisconsin home sales continued to grow at a robust pace in November, extending a strong growth trend that started in July last year.