Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that in 2011, Wisconsin companies received 40% less in venture capital investment than the previous year. Some may greet that news with a shrug, assuming that it’s just the consequence of a tough lending environment and slow moving economy. But the reality is venture capital investments nationwide rose 22% according to a MoneyTree Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association.The report is just the latest…

A joint letter from GMCC, Downtown Madison, Incorporated, and Smart Growth Greater Madison.

Last week, the Madison Common Council failed to get the votes needed to restore the $16 million TIF loan for the Edgewater Hotel redevelopment proposal, previously approved by the Council in 2010. The vote to save the project came after Mayor Soglin reduced the project's TIF by more than $12 million in his 2012 Capital Budget. Project officials told the Council that without the full TIF loan, the $98 million redevelopment could not move forward. GMCC President Jennifer Alexander called the decision…

Madison Board of Estimates Testimony from Delora Newton, Executive Vice President, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce September 26, 2011 Tonight I’m speaking on behalf of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. They support Capital Budget Amendment 8A which fully restores the previously committed $16 million in TIF to the Edgewater Hotel. Thank you to the ten alders who sponsored this amendment. Full restoration of the TIF funding is about much more than issuing a…

The City of Madison’s zoning code rewrite project is now in its final stage. The Common Council adopted the text of the code earlier this year, which created the different types of zoning districts that will be used in Madison. Now, city staff are releasing draft maps of where each zoning district will be located. The draft map will be presented for public review and comment at a series of open house meetings in September and October. City Planning and Zoning Staff and city alders will be…

Wisconsin’s Department of Justice – the state agency charged with administrative rule-making responsibilities for the new concealed carry law – released new information and guidance in the form of a frequently asked questions page on its website. The 50-page document covers many areas of the bill, and touches briefly on the posting requirements for employers that wish to prohibit concealed weapons on their premises.   As stated in the bill, employers that prohibit concealed…

Current Commerce Secretary and recently confirmed CEO of the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Paul Jadin, spoke to chamber members at an Eggs & Issues program this morning. Jadin says the new public-private entity, which will begin operations on July 1, will focus solely on economic development, moving approximately two-thirds of his current staff over to the Department of Regulation & Licensing. More specifically, Jadin said the new entity will prioritize job growth and retention…

Earlier this week, Governor Walker announced the state would be applying for $150 million in federal funding for high-speed rail improvements between Milwaukee and Chicago. While it is encouraging to see the Governor support improvements to this established line, it comes as a disappointment to the Madison region since he opposed more than $800 million that had been awarded to Wisconsin last year, which would have provided for those improvements and established a link between Milwaukee and Madison.…

The first major step in rewriting Madison’s Zoning Code occurred this week when the City Council approved the text outlining the types of new zoning districts and the development/redevelopment parameters within each.  Overall, the Greater Madison Chamber supports the zoning code update and weighed in on four amendments offered Tuesday.The Chamber supported three amendments:·         Removal of anti-idling restrictions in loading zones. …

UW-Madison is an economic engine for our regional and state economy and has grown to be a global leader in research. The reality is that UW-Madison is in competition with other top academic institutions for the best and brightest faculty and students. Declining state support puts the university at a competitive disadvantage in this regard. For the university to flourish despite continued and significant state reductions, it is critical that the campus be provided greater flexibility to manage its…

A public hearing was held earlier this week on the draft text of the City’s new zoning code. GMCC staff testified at the hearing to encourage a few changes, including: Increase proposed parking maximums – The code proposes eliminating the current minimum parking requirements for development projects, which the chamber does not oppose. However, there are concerns about some of the proposed parking maximums. In particular, the new maximums for retail and offices (including medical offices)…

The Senate Labor Committee held a public hearing today on Senate Bill 23, a proposal that would preempt municipalities from enacting ordinances requiring employers to provide employees with paid or unpaid leave benefits. Delora Newton, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, testified in support of the bill, explaining the damaging economic consequences that mandatory municipal paid leave ordinances would have on small businesses. The bill was approved by the committee and…

The Dane County Regional Transit Authority has released a draft transit plan outlining the general scope of services and anticipated costs for a regional transit system in the first three years after enactment of a sales tax. The draft plan proposes increasing the sales tax in the Madison Metropolitan Planning Area by ¼ cent to fund regional bus service, park and ride lots, shared ride taxi, elderly and disabled transit services and other technological improvements. The plan does not include…

Today, the GMCC Board announced its endorsement of Dave Cieslewicz for Madison Mayor. This is the first time the GMCC Board has given an endorsement in an executive race. Mayor Cieslewicz has made it his top priority to focus on economic development and providing high quality city services. His notable accomplishments include creation of a cabinet-level economic development director position; creation of an economic development implementation plan; supported innovative development projects, including…

Earlier this week, the GMCC Board sent a letter to Governor-Elect Scott Walker, requesting that he attend a meeting with GMCC representatives and other business leaders who support bringing intercity passenger rail service to Madison. The letter is a response to recent comments made by the incoming Governor, urging that the project be stopped unless the stimulus funds are allowed to be used on road and bridge infrastructure. The response from the U.S. Transportation Department has been that if Wisconsin…

The GMCC announced its support this week for the Madison College (MATC) Smart Community Plan, which will go before voters on the November ballot.  The Smart Community Plan includes new training facilities and renovations and technical upgrades to current MATC buildings to increase access to advanced job training. GMCC believes the proposed expansion plans are necessary to meet current and future student demands and enhance regional job opportunities. For more information on this position and…

The Dane County Clean Air Coalition is holding a free educational event this Saturday on residential wood burning to promote healthier indoor and outdoor air. Come learn how wood burning effects air quality in Dane County and watch a live demonstration by wood heating experts to improve health and safety and save money this winter season. For more information on the event and to see a list of safe wood burning tips, click here.For more air pollution reduction ideas for residents and employers,…

The GMCC is committed to providing members with substantive, timely information on the new federal health care changes and the impact on business. Some changes go into effect immediately, while other more dramatic changes, like insurance exchanges, may not occur until 2014.      There are still many unanswered questions about the substance and implementation of the new law. We’ll continue to update this page as more information is available and stay tuned for upcoming programs…

In an effort to make doing business in Madison more predictable and timely, the GMCC released several recommendations that will enhance the City's development approval process. Click here to view the complete list of recommendations.Madison's Economic Development Committee is currently reviewing the approval process and will hold public hearings on August 25 and 26.UPDATE (Dec 2): A final draft of the EDC's report is now available. A subcommittee of the EDC is expected to meet for the…

To be a proactive participant in the RTA's work to develop a regional transit plan, the GMCC Board of Directors collaborated with the Board of Directors of Thrive to develop a set of criteria they believe is critical for development of a viable transit plan. The criteria were officially submitted to the RTA Governing Board earlier this week. The criteria reflect the questions we've heard from members and what both organizations believe the general public will need to make an educated decision. …

The Dane County Clean Air Coalition recently issued a press release declaring Ozone Season upon us, and offering helpful suggestions for employers and employees to consider when Clean Air Action Days are called.  Clean Air Action Days are called when poor air quality is forecasted. When these action days are called, businesses and their employees are encouraged to make voluntary efforts to reduce their emissions.  To read more about Clean Air Action Days, ozone and fine…

It was appropriate that after a long process that lasted over a year and filled with contentious debate that the final meeting for the Edgewater renovation proposal required an epic 14-hours of public debate. GMCC staff testified at the meeting and encouraged alders throughout the night (and morning!) to support the proposal because of the significant public and private benefits it would provide to the region.  The proposal needed approval on five key issues. Here’s how alders…

If you own a business in the City of Madison and are interested in making energy efficiency improvements to your building, you may be eligible for a new grant and loan program. As part of the federal stimulus efforts, the City of Madison has received an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant to use toward energy conservation projects, such as energy efficiency improvements made to commercial, industrial, private non-profits and institutional structures, with the aim of job creation.  …

Tuesday was a good night for GMCC-endorsed candidates for Dane County Board. After all of the ballots were counted, 16 of the 19 endorsed candidates were elected into office! Our sincere thanks to all of the GMCC members who participated in the endorsement process, contributed to candidates through the GMCC conduit, or who voted on Election Day. Your support gives us a stronger voice in the political process to help businesses grow and prosper. Congratulations to all of the candidates! …

A bill that would increase the state's minimum wage and permanently index the wage to inflation received a public hearing yesterday.  The bill has already passed the State Senate.  Most concerning to the GMCC is a provision of the bill that would eliminate the current municipal prohibition from establishing local wage ordinances.  In 2005, the GMCC worked with Governor Doyle and legislative leadership to support passage of 2005 Wisconsin Act 12, which increased the state's minimum…

The Dane County Regional Transit Authority will hold its first meeting today at 4:30 p.m. in Room 315 of the City-County Building (210 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd, Madison). Aside from introductory administrative matters, the RTA will consider a resolution confirming a future transit referendum before authorizing any sales tax increase.  To read more about the RTA and the GMCC perspective, click here to view a recent InBusiness Magazine guest column submitted by GMCC President Jennifer…

A vote by the Madison Common Council next Tuesday could halt a $93 million proposal to redevelop the Edgewater Hotel downtown. The Council will consider whether to overturn a Madison Landmarks Commission decision in opposition to the project. The Council will need a supermajority (14 out of 20 votes) to allow the project to continue through the city approval process.  The GMCC supports redevelopment of the Edgewater Hotel and supports the motion to overturn the Landmarks Commission…

Madison Metro now offers a Commute Card Program that provides unlimited ride pass options for employees of small businesses. The program is modeled after a successful option previously available to large businesses and public entities.  Participating small businesses will be able to provide bus passes to employees at an average fare rate ($1.15 per ride). The business will receive an invoice each month indicating the total number of rides recorded. Employers can…

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 60 members and local elected officials to the December 8 Eggs & Issues Economic Panel. The panel featured Jim Imhoff, Chairman and CEO of First Weber Group, Marshall Heyworth, Chief Operating Office for QTI Consulting, Inc., Tim Cooley, the City of Madison Economic Development Director, and Jennifer Alexander, GMCC President. M&I Bank Regional President Doug Nelson moderated the event. The Wisconsin 2010 Human Resources Survey completed…

Hundreds of county residents turned out this week for two public hearings on a new draft Shoreland Management Plan that would impact any property located within 1,000 feet of a lake or pond, or 300 feet from a river or stream.  The GMCC testified in opposition to the draft plan.  While the GMCC commends the intent and goals of the project, there are concerns about the economic impact on individual property owners and property values.   The hearings were scheduled to gather public…

A joint public hearing of the Dane County Public Works and Transportation Committee and Dane County Personnel and Finance Committee has been scheduled to consider a resolution that would create a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in the Madison metropolitan planning area. The public hearing will take place on Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 201 of the City-County Building.   The RTA resolution does not specificy eligible transit modes.  If created, the RTA Board would…

The City of Madison is nearing the final stages of the Zoning Code Rewrite Project, an effort to update the City's zoning code to make it more predictable and transparent.  Draft copies of the code are currently available and are expected to be considered by the Plan Commission later this year.  Most relevant to GMCC members are the sections on mixed-use and commercial districts, employment districts, and general parking regulations.  For additional information or to view the…

Earlier this week Governor Doyle signed the state’s budget bill into law, but not before vetoing 81 areas of the adopted legislative version. Gone from the budget is a Senate provision that would permanently index the state’s minimum wage to inflation and changes to joint and several liability laws.      Language enabling creation of a Dane County RTA was approved as part of the bill, but the Governor vetoed requirements for a binding referendum and the…

The State Senate approved their version of the budget last night, containing stark differences from the Assembly version that passed last week.  As a result, leaders from both houses will convene a conference committee to find compromise in the two versions.  As expected in a budget bill nearing 2,000 pages, there’s plenty of good, bad, and just plain ugly proposals buried in it.   The Good: Both houses approved language enabling creation of a Dane County Regional Transit…

To encourage regional transportation and increase economic competitiveness, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) urged state legislators today to enable creation of a Dane County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) as part of the state budget bill.  Click here for more information on this issue.

Is your small business facing financial hardship due to current economic conditions?  As part of the federal stimulus efforts, the Small Business Administration is offering a new loan program that provides up to $35,000 in short-term relief for small businesses.  These loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available until September 30, 2010.   Click here to go to the SBA website for more information on this program.