Metro Milwaukee had a negative absorption of 130,000 square feet of industrial space during the fourth quarter of 2007, according to a recent report by Boston-based Colliers International, whose local affiliate is Milwaukee-based Colliers Barry. Still, that was an improvement over a negative absorption of 450,000 square feet of industrial space for the metro area during the fourth quarter of 2006. According to the Colliers report the national industrial space market weakened during the fourth quarter of 2007. “There’s no debating the fact that the warehouse market has weakened in step with the economy,” said Ross Moore, senior vice president and director of market and economic research for Colliers International. “Even though the export sector continues to fire on all cylinders, the strength of the domestic economy has been shaken. As a result, businesses are reluctant to sign leases. This situation may unfortunately persist through mid-year 2008, but Colliers remains confident that the underlying economy is strong and will thus respond favorably to recent actions by the Fed and other policymakers.”
Wauwatosa-based Selzer-Ornst Co. recently received the “2007 Award for Outstanding Safety Performance” for its exemplary safety record from Sheboygan-based Acuity Insurance Company.
A new vegetarian restaurant, called Café Mann, will open in Brookfield on Feb. 18 at 3815 N. Brookfield Road, Suite 100, in the Brookfield Town Centre. The restaurant will be one of the Milwaukee area’s first 100 percent vegetable and grain-based restaurants.
The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc. the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is seeking ideas from the community for the development of an association mascot. “Over the last several months, the Milwaukee/NARI Marketing Committee has discussed the establishment of an official mascot for the chapter for marketing purposes,” said Scott Cline, Milwaukee/NARI president. “We also want to create a ‘symbol’ for the public to be comfortable with in eventually contracting with one of our members.” Submissions must include the entrants name and contact information, with the design submitted electronically to info@milwaukeenari.com. Entries are due by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 29, 2008. The designer of the winning entry will receive a $500 cash prize and will be notified once the selection is made.
