February 9, 2012

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EPA keeps S.S. Badger afloat

February 9, 2012 By

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted the owners of the S.S. Badger permission to apply for a new five year permit to continue dumping coal ash into Lake Michigan.

The ferry, which runs between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, dumps an estimated 500 tons of waste ash into the lake each year. The EPA had previously set a December 2012 deadline for them to stop the practice.

Lynda Matson with Lake Michigan Car Ferry, which owns the ship, says the decision comes after the ash was tested and found to be benign. She says it is mixed with lake water and put back into Lake Michigan, but the dilution level is so high it has no effect on drinking water.

Matson says they are cooperating with the EPA in converting the ship to burn natural gas. She says a new permit will give them more time to develop the infrastructure and design needed to complete that process.

Matson adds the Badger is a historic vessel that provides over 200 jobs in both communities.

Both sides are scheduled to meet in the next few weeks.

Brian Norton, WOMT

Filed Under: Business, Environment & Conservation, News

Tech firm fires up in Wausau

February 3, 2012 By

A Massachusetts technology firm has opened its new software development and testing center in Wausau. Collaborative Consulting has hired its first 12 employees in Wisconsin and begun working with three clients on developing and testing software. Senior vice president of marketing and services John Williams says they plan to hire another 20 employees soon. “Doing this in the United States with a U.S. based workforce makes perfects sense,” says Williams. “We’ve got the best workforce in the world, we firmly believe that. And because of where we’ve located and because of the cost of living here, we can create an attractive price as well.” The tech firm got more than 2-million dollars in state tax credits to locate in Wausau. It announced plans in November to hire up to 200 employees over the next three years.

Matt Lehman, WSAU 

Filed Under: Business, News

Wisconsinites opt to retire elsewhere

February 2, 2012 By

The Badger State is becoming less popular for people looking for a change of scenery. Over the past 15 years Wisconsin transitioned from a state that saw a gain in people moving here, to a state that lost residents. That’s the finding of a study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.

Research director Dale Knapp says the report used tax returns to determine how many people were coming to and leaving the state. He says in the mid ’90s, Wisconsin was a popular place to relocate. But trend has been changing in recent years and in 2010, about 10,000 more people left than came to the Badger State.

Many are retirees looking for warmer weather and friendlier tax climates. The report says 45,000 Wisconsinites – which equals the entire population of Fond du Lac – moved to Florida and Arizona from 2006 to 2010.

“As the baby boom continues to head toward retirement we expect that to continue,” says Knapp. He adds improving the state’s economy is the only way to reverse the trend.

Rick Schuh-WHBY contributed to this report

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

Mining bill in Assembly vote

January 26, 2012 By

A controversial mining bill is scheduled for action in the state Assembly Thursday, and Republicans are vowing to pass the measure. Majority Leader Scott Suder dismisses claims by opponents that environmental protections will go by the wayside. “What we’re doing is creating a reasonable permitting process, and a timeline that doesn’t compromise environmental integrity,” says Suder.

AUDIO: Rep. Scott Suder (:45) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News

State wants input on broadband plans

January 23, 2012 By

The Public Service Commission wants to hear from residents on a plan to expand digital access in south central Wisconsin. The public meeting Tuesday will focus on ways to fill gaps in broadband availability, along with improve adoption of existing services throughout the region.

An economic development group involved with the process says such access is even more important outside of metro areas where face-to-face contact is not easy. However these are the areas that have the least access to broadband.

“Obviously Dane County is important but we really want to reach out to the none Dane Counties as well because they are the ones most impacted by this,” says Joe Klosterman, Project Manager with Thrive.

The PSC says another goal of the event is to gather public and private investment of time and money for more and better broadband.

The government’s Link Wisconsin initiative ( Region 8 ) includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk Counties. The meeting begins at 4:30 pm at the Days Inn Portage.

Click here to see how broadband stacks up in Wisconsin.

Filed Under: Business, News
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