When Google announced it was planning to build an ultra-high speed broadband network in one or more test communities, cities across the nation began developing elaborate campaigns to attract the company’s attention (Topeka, Kansas even changed its name to “Google") The City of Madison has taken a less outlandish approach and is focused on building a broad range of community support for the project. Although light on specific criteria, Google has trumpeted community…

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…

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce endorses the following candidates for the 2010 Dane County Board elections: •    District 3 – Don Imhoff  (portions of Madison’s Eastside)•    District 5 – Analiese Eicher  (campus area)•    District 9 – Dianne Hesselbein (I)  (portions of Madison’s Westside and                        …

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. 

More than 100 GMCC members and elected officials packed the Madison Concourse Hotel on Wednesday morning to attend Eggs & Issues, featuring Gary Wolter, GMCC Board member and head of the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, a new agency created to assist the state and residents through the federal stimulus process.  Wolter says one of the biggest challenges so far has been addressing the high expectations from municipalities and businesses requesting stimulus dollars.  "Expectations…

 “When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”– John F. Kennedy The federal stimulus package presents opportunity for many businesses in today’s economic climate. Wisconsin will receive approximately $4 billion to cover a vast array of needs including infrastructure improvements, education, renewable energy technology and safety-net programs for the unemployed and…

The GMCC is proud to endorse the following candidates for Madison Common Council:District 1 - Jed SanbornDistrict 3 - Lauren CnareDistrict 7 - Steve KingDistrict 9 - Paul SkidmoreDistrict 11 - Chris SchmidtDistrict 14 - Tim BruerDistrict 15 - Larry PalmDistrict 16 - Judy ComptonDistrict 17 - Joe ClausiusDistrict 18 - Michael SchumacherDistrict 19 - Mark ClearDistrict 20 - Thuy Pham-RemmeleClick here for more information on our endorsements.