Madison & Bahrain?? No!!!

A few days ago, I was getting ready for my day and, as is my pattern, I turned on CNN.  It was the top of the hour and the lead story was fronted by a split screen of Bahrain – burning in protest against their government – and the Rotunda in the Capital Building of  Madison, Wisconsin, filled with protesters.

I was dumb-struck.

As *anyone* who has ever spent more than 180 seconds with me will tell you, THAT is not a common occurrence.

As a Chamber CEO, one of my chief responsibilities is working with our partners to bring new businesses, both expansions and relocations, as well as skilled professionals and workers to our area.  We have some geographic issues that are stumbling blocks for some to even consider Northeastern Wisconsin.  Namely, the weather, the weather and the weather.  And, well, the cheesehead.  I distinctly recall before I moved here a decade ago, during the year before we came, every person whom I told where we were going said to me, “you know it is cold there, right?”  Keep in mind, I was living in Reno, at 4,500 feet above sea level and 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe, home of some of the best downhill snow-skiing on the planet!  I wasn’t in Southern California for heaven’s sake!

I told them what I tell everyone – we chose Wisconsin because of their commitment to community, tradition and progressiveness; world class public education and the strong work ethic of Wisconsinites.

As I stood in disbelief, staring at my television screen, my thoughts were filled with those reasons I had told people.  And I wondered where that Wisconsin had gone.
I’m a Political Scientist by training and avocation.  I love politics.  Yes, odd I know.  But I love our system of government.  It is all about compromise and finding the elements in any given issue that all sides can live with … not what they *want* … but what, at the end of the day, they can stomach.   What I know and what history bears out is the following:

(Danger Will Robinson, idioms and idiomatic expressions are just ahead)

• You know you have good public policy when all sides leave the negotiating table a little ticked off but feeling like they can live with the decisions reached.  These feelings mean there were no “winners” and no “losers” just people who compromised their wants for their needs all in the spirit of moving their organization, their community, their state, their nation, their people forward.  Having said that, all sides will feel like they won and feel like they lost.  Such is the nature of compromise.
• If one side is jubilant and another side is so angry they are beyond the capacity for rational thought, it is very clearly NOT good public policy.
• Good public policy is what we can expect and must demand from those we elect to represent us.  NOT what we “want,” but good public policy.  THAT is the heart of a representative democracy such as the one we were lucky enough to be handed by a group of wise and brave men in 1776.
• Good public policy ONLY happens after reasoned, thoughtful, intelligent and measured discussion and negotiation amongst all sides of an issue.  *hint, there usually aren’t just two sides*
• Good public policy takes time to go through that process.  Grandma was right, “haste makes waste” and “act in haste, repent in leisure.” We must demand our representatives take the time to get it right.  It just too important.
• In Wisconsin, as in the country as a whole, I believe all people agree we have to make hard financial choices.  I haven’t talked to anyone in the last week who doesn’t agree with that.  Teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers – everyone agrees that we are in difficult financial times and that everyone, public employee, private employee, everyone must share the pain to fix our financial house as a people.
• The devil is, as always, in the details.

Is our public financial house out of order in Wisconsin? Damned straight it is.  It has been for the decade I’ve been here – and longer!  I’ve listened to State Senator Rob Cowles rail about the structural deficit in our state budget since the day I met him in the later part of  2001.  He was right then, he is right now.  Yes.  We absolutely must fix it.  It can only be fixed however, by reasoned, thoughtful, intelligent and measured discussion and compromise between all sides.   No quick fixes, no easy answers, no silver bullets.  No answers that fix today by mortgaging tomorrow.

I call on all sides – the Governor, the Republican leadership in the Senate and the Assembly, the Democratic leadership in the Senate and the Assembly, WEAC & AFT (the teachers’ unions), Wisconsin Public Workers Union, AFL-CIO, AFSCME (state, county & municipal employees union), the Firefighters union(s), Police Officers union(s), Correctional Officers union(s) and any public collective bargaining units I’ve not specifically mentioned (no slight intended Ladies & Gentlemen, I assure you!!) to pull back, let everyone catch their breath and then get to the bargaining table. Work together in good faith.

Legislators, take a long look at all elements of the legislation, because there is a lot more there than just the public workers benefits and collective bargaining – the hole we are in is much deeper than that.  Make sure you aren’t fixing today by mortgaging and raising costs for the taxpayers tomorrow.  Be judicious.  Be studied.  Be cautious.  Be open-minded.  Get it right.

This is currently classified as a budget issue and the issues of collective bargaining in the aggregate are issues that are not budget issues.  Pull those aside and let’s all get to addressing the immediate need of the State’s fiscal problem.

It is time to create good public policy. The fiscal situation of the state must be addressed and I believe everyone involved knows that and is willing to make concessions,  give up what they want for what they (and we) need.  To create GOOD public policy.

Let’s get Wisconsin known again for our strong sense of community and tradition.  Our world class educational system.  Our strong work ethic.  Our ability to craft solutions that not only address our issues and needs, but also serve as a model for the rest of the nation.  And yes, for Cheeseheads, beer and the 13 time World Champion Green Bay Packers.  Please let those of us who are working to recruit companies and individuals to our great state sell those wonderful things and not have more mornings watching CNN like this last week.

Just, please, for God’s sake, get to working together so the beautiful & historic Rotunda of the Capital in Madison is never again split screen in comparison with a flaming Middle East.  We deserve better.

Is your business impacted by the Main Avenue exit off Highway 41 in De Pere?

If yes, then mark your calendar:

US 41 Project Business Group Meeting County G (Main Avenue) Interchange

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) invites you to attend a business group meeting for the County G (Main Avenue) Interchange.

BUSINESS GROUP MEETING
September 29, 2010    |    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
St. Norbert College – F.K. Bemis International Center Room 20 (lower level) 299 Third Street, De Pere, WI (Parking available in Lot #14 located on Grant Street across from the Kress Inn)
Presentation at 7:15 a.m.

This meeting will present draft transportation management plans (TMP) that are being developed for the area including:

• Construction staging scenarios created for County G (Main Avenue) Interchange
• Alternative access routes
• Staging concepts and schedule for remainder of Orange to Glory segment including mainline US 41, Grant Street, and Glory Road

Transportation management plans are important because they determine how construction will be staged and what strategies are needed to keep traffic moving during the construction zone. This is an opportunity for you to provide input as WisDOT refines TMP plans for this area.

In addition to the business group meeting, project staff will be available to hold small group workshops with interested businesses to discuss specific issues. These meetings can be located at your business or at WisDOT offices and can be geared towards your specific questions.

Contact information

If you would like to receive US 41 Project updates or notices of future meetings related to the County G Interchange via e-mail, please submit your e-mail address to Wendy Knaus at wknaus@buveck.com.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a workshop, please contact one of the following WisDOT staff members:

Kris Schuller
US 41 Project Communication Manager (920) 492-4109 Kris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov
Chad DeGrave
Project Manager (920) 492-4112 Chad.DeGrave@dot.wi.gov

If you would like would like information on the area road constructions projects, visit our website here.  We keep this area update with news as soon as we know it!

Chamber Chat TV – Premiere Episode Loaded. Links here!

Yeah!  Our first episode of Chamber Chat is in the can.  Or on the disc.  I’ve got terminology to learn!  But, it’s done.

Chamber Chat is a new and exciting program concept of all original content engaging businesses, visitors and communities across the State of Wisconsin to share old concepts, ideas and programs plus new ways of seeing old things.  Each episode is 30 minutes long.  Our YouTube account type only allows us to load 10 minutes per upload, so I broke this into segments of interviews and it ends up being 5 of them.  They are embedded below.

Each month our program will focus on one of our programs, projects or events, but will also have guests & experts on to talk about the underlying principle or concept to give it both regional and statewide appeal.  This program is created here in De Pere, but is certainly not just FOR De Pere.  Each episode is 30 minutes long.

This first episode is about Sustainability and features guests from St. Norbert College, SEEDs for De Pere (our community sustainability initiative), Focus on Energy and an international business headquartered here, Megtec, Inc.

PLEASE NOTE:  THE FINAL CLIP INCLUDES AN INCORRECT LINK:  it should be www.dsireusa.org

If you like to see other videos from the Chamber about the community, our members and happenings – Visit our De Pere Chamber YouTube Channel here.

Do you have interns at your company?

The Chamber often has interns “on staff” and they are often of great benefit to our mission.  I’ve often encouraged members to work with the universities and colleges to give interns an opportunity to try their newly learned skills in the business world and encouraged students to use internships as a way to put those skills to use in the real world and also to build their resume.

It has come to our attention that there are rules for how interns must be handled relating to pay and college credit and we want to make sure businesses are aware of them.  Apparently, these aren’t new rules, just rules that periodically come up for review and I wouldn’t want one of our members to get fined for something they were unaware they were in violation of!!

The bottom line, as it has been explained to us, is if you have interns in your company who aren’t being compensated and they are NOT receiving college credit for the internship – make sure you have a written agreement between you and the intern clearly delineating  the arrangement and that all the tests below are met.

The “Fact Sheet” regarding internships:

Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act

This fact sheet provides general information to help determine whether interns must be paid the minimum wage and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act for the services that they provide to “for-profit” private sector employers.

Background

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) defines the term “employ” very broadly as including to “suffer or permit to work.”  Covered and non-exempt individuals who are “suffered or permitted” to work must be compensated under the law for the services they perform for an employer.  Internships in the “for-profit” private sector will most often be viewed as employment, unless the test described below relating to trainees is met.  Interns in the “for-profit” private sector who qualify as employees rather than trainees typically must be paid at least the minimum wage and overtime compensation for hours worked over forty in a workweek

The Test For Unpaid Interns

There are some circumstances under which individuals who participate in “for-profit” private sector internships or training programs may do so without compensation.  The Supreme Court has held that the term “suffer or permit to work” cannot be interpreted so as to make a person whose work serves only his or her own interest an employee of another who provides aid or instruction.  This may apply to interns who receive training for their own educational benefit if the training meets certain criteria.  The determination of whether an internship or training program meets this exclusion depends upon all of the facts and circumstances of each such program.

The following six criteria must be applied when making this determination:

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;
3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and
6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

If all of the factors listed above are met, an employment relationship does not exist under the FLSA, and the Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to the intern.  This exclusion from the definition of employment is necessarily quite narrow because the FLSA’s definition of “employ” is very broad.  Some of the most commonly discussed factors for “for-profit” private sector internship programs are considered below.

Similar To An Education Environment And The Primary Beneficiary Of The Activity

In general, the more an internship program is structured around a classroom or academic experience as opposed to the employer’s actual operations, the more likely the internship will be viewed as an extension of the individual’s educational experience (this often occurs where a college or university exercises oversight over the internship program and provides educational credit).  The more the internship provides the individual with skills that can be used in multiple employment settings, as opposed to skills particular to one employer’s operation, the more likely the intern would be viewed as receiving training.  Under these circumstances the intern does not perform the routine work of the business on a regular and recurring basis, and the business is not dependent upon the work of the intern.  On the other hand, if the interns are engaged in the operations of the employer or are performing productive work (for example, filing, performing other clerical work, or assisting customers), then the fact that they may be receiving some benefits in the form of a new skill or improved work habits will not exclude them from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime requirements because the employer benefits from the interns’ work.

Displacement And Supervision Issues

If an employer uses interns as substitutes for regular workers or to augment its existing workforce during specific time periods, these interns should be paid at least the minimum wage and overtime compensation for hours worked over forty in a workweek.  If the employer would have hired additional employees or required existing staff to work additional hours had the interns not performed the work, then the interns will be viewed as employees and entitled compensation under the FLSA.  Conversely, if the employer is providing job shadowing opportunities that allow an intern to learn certain functions under the close and constant supervision of regular employees, but the intern performs no or minimal work, the activity is more likely to be viewed as a bona fide education experience.  On the other hand, if the intern receives the same level of supervision as the employer’s regular workforce, this would suggest an employment relationship, rather than training.

Job Entitlement

The internship should be of a fixed duration, established prior to the outset of the internship.  Further, unpaid internships generally should not be used by the employer as a trial period for individuals seeking employment at the conclusion of the internship period.  If an intern is placed with the employer for a trial period with the expectation that he or she will then be hired on a permanent basis, that individual generally would be considered an employee under the FLSA.

Consumer confidence is up, but test looms

Some at least quasi-good news…

Consumers expressed more confidence in the economy than they have since 2008, but that goodwill — a key to the recovery — will be tested in the next few months as government stimulus programs wind down.

The Conference Board said in a report released Tuesday that gains in its monthly survey of consumers largely reflected improvements in the labor market as more people said jobs were plentiful and business conditions were good in April. The group’s index of consumer confidence rose almost six points in April to 57.9, the highest level since September 2008. The jump was larger than some economists had expected, and they warned that many consumers remain considerably strained.

“If they have a job, most people think they’ll be able to hold onto it. But that’s the best you can say,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com.

Consumers’ willingness to spend is key to how the economic recovery progresses this year. The U.S. economy has been expanding since last summer, with only middling growth in personal consumption but strong growth in federal government spending, exports and residential investment.

The nation’s gross domestic product is expected to have grown at a 3.3 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year, according to economists’ forecasts for figures that are to be released Friday. That would mark the third consecutive quarter of growth.

With federal stimulus spending beginning to taper off over the second half of the year, the fragile recovery in the housing markets showing signs of petering out and exports unlikely to create the same boost over the next nine months that they did over the past nine months, it will be up to American consumers to pick up the slack and drive a continued expansion.

In that sense, the factors weighing on consumers — continued downward pressure on wages because of high unemployment, fears of losing a job and the need to pay down debts — could weigh on the economic expansion more broadly.

Shoppers have opened their wallets in recent months, sending retail sales up 1.6 percent in March. Sales in discretionary categories such as home furnishings and clothing have improved, and several retailers have reported stronger results.

Macy’s raised its estimates for annual sales and profit Tuesday. The department store chain expects sales at established stores to grow 3 to 3.5 percent, up from 1 to 2 percent, this fiscal year. Earnings per share are predicted to be $1.75 to $1.80, up from $1.55 to $1.60.

Ford reported a $2.1 billion first-quarter profit Tuesday and said it expected a “solid profit” for 2010, a year sooner than it had previously forecast. In the first quarter of 2009, Ford lost $1.4 billion. It has not taken money from the federal government’s aid program for automakers.

But Wal-Mart chief executive Mike Duke said on Tuesday that the 150 million customers who shop his stores each week are still being hammered by the recession. In addition, higher gas prices are eating into household budgets, resulting in fewer shopping trips.

“Some would say there is a recovery taking place,” Duke said during a meeting with Washington Post editors and reporters. “The lower-income and middle-income customers . . . they still feel the pressure.”

In addition, he said that the weak housing market continued to hold back the recovery in states such as Florida and Nevada. During the boom years, many jobs in those states were fueled by a surge of construction that has since abated, drying up the demand for labor.

“It will take housing to create some of those jobs,” Duke said.

He said shoppers are still trading down in food purchases, and the company’s internal research shows that the percentage of mothers who report job security and availability as a top concern has risen 5 percent since January. The world’s largest retailer has responded to the pressures on its customers by keeping a laser-like focus on prices, most recently slashing prices on roughly 10,000 products across its stores.

“That’s just an area we will not give an inch on,” Duke said.

Link credit to the Washington Post

De Pere Chamber makes newspaper in Holland!

Translated from the local newspaper in Twello Holland

On March 16 j.l. in De Pere, Wisconsin, about 350 km north Chicago in the USA, the opening of a new place Ruitenberg establishment. The official opening was done by the Mayor of De Pere, Mayor Mike Walsh with Ms Cheryl Detrick, President the Chamber of Commerce, and Ad de Haas, Director of Ruitenberg Ingredients B.V.

During the reception, several items served, prepared with ingredients by Ruitenberg delivered, so the attendees a glimpse had the opportunities. The new facility is also a technological present, where product demonstrations can be given. Currently focusing Ruitenberg USA mainly on the meat industry by supplying ingredients for the production of sausages. The location offers the possibility for
extension products to the baking industry delivered. With the presence of the new facility in Wisconsin expects its Ruitenberg Sales in the U.S. to grow strongly over the coming years.

Ruitenberg Ingredients is a family owned company founded in 1938 and located at modern facilities in Twello, the Netherlands. Product developers, technologists and analysts work on new products and applications in a state-of-the-art technology center with a strong focus on supplying a versatile product range for specific applications in the meat, convenience, bakery and confectionery industry. The site is De Pere is the first US location for the company.

In case you are curious, the original language is below: Op 16 maart j.l. heeft in De Pere, Wisconsin, ca. 350 km ten noorden
van Chicago in de USA, de feestelijke opening plaats gevonden van een nieuwe
Ruitenberg vestiging. De officiële opening geschiedde door de burgemeester van
De Pere, Mayor Mike Walsh samen met mevrouw Cheryl Detrick, de voorzitter
van de kamer van Koophandel, en Ad de Haas, directeur van Ruitenberg Ingredients
B.V.
Tijdens de receptie werden diverse producten geserveerd, bereid met ingrediënten
die door Ruitenberg geleverd worden, zodat de aanwezigen een voorproefje
kregen van de mogelijkheden. In de nieuwe vestiging is ook een technologiehal
aanwezig, waar productdemonstraties gegeven kunnen worden. Momenteel richt
Ruitenberg USA zich vooral op de vleesindustrie met de levering van ingrediënten
voor de productie van worsten. De locatie biedt echter de mogelijkheid voor
uitbreiding met producten die aan de bakkerij-industrie geleverd worden. Met de
aanwezigheid van de nieuwe vestiging in Wisconsin verwacht Ruitenberg haar
verkoop in de USA sterk te kunnen laten groeien de komende jaren.

National Volunteer Week – Beautification committee seeks volunteers for planting, trail clean-up

In keeping with the spirit of National Volunteer Week, the Beautification Committee of De Pere is looking to expand its ranks.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep our community looking festive and tidy,” explains Rose Smits, chair of the Beautification Committee, which is a program of the De Pere Area Chamber Foundation. “We receive invaluable assistance from members of the De Pere Woman’s Club, but we can always use additional help tending to flower beds and other plantings, and also with the weekly clean-up along the Fox River Trail in the downtown area.”

The committee is responsible for planting and maintaining annual and perennial flowers in beds at eight different sites in the city. Last year, more than 2,300 plants – including globe artichokes and kale grown by students at West De Pere High School – were planted. This year, spring bulbs are scheduled to be planted in the large roundabout at the bridge approach. Flowers are usually planted the last week in May, and volunteers weed the beds weekly.

Committee volunteers also walk the Fox River Trail weekly between Cook Street and the Kress Library to pick up litter. “This is a very relaxing and enjoyable volunteer experience,” Smits notes. “After the major trail clean-up in the spring, it is easy for one or two volunteers to grab a coffee or soft drink at one end of the trail and walk to the other end with a garbage bag. The trail is a tremendous asset to our downtown, and our committee is happy to work with other local groups to keep it clean and attractive.”

Persons interested in volunteering for the Beautification Committee should contact Dr. Beth Nasal, the chamber’s volunteer coordinator, at 336-9595, or e-mail her at volunteers@deperechamber.org

Cities use destination branding to lure tourists

I’m feeling like we are definitely on the right track with Pier Art: Fins & Feathers!

Yes, we look to try to raise some funds for both our Main Street De Pere program and for the riverwalk & nature viewing pier in downtown, but our primary purpose is economic & community development and branding De Pere as a destination for visitors looking for experiences in historic places AND nature tourism AND outdoor buffs AND shopping & dining AND now arts & culture.  Whoa.  What a place to be and go!!  You want to come to De Pere, don’t you?  Here’s a sneak peek for you

But, apparently, tourist appeal for destination marketing is the thing!  There’s an article in USA Today about this topic which says in part:

Cities are more specific in touting their uniqueness and targeting the demographics more likely to be swayed by their message, says Dan Fenton, chairman of Destination Marketing Association International.

“Destination branding,” such as Dayton is undertaking, is back in vogue as cities and states pursue image makeovers designed to help them stand out in the weak global economy, attract visitors and even lure people who might relocate. Some are adopting new themes. Others are recalibrating messages to portray themselves as an affordable place to visit.

Whole article linked here

Downtown De Pere plan update

A few weeks ago, RDg Planning and Design, the firm selected to write the new Master Plan for downtown De Pere was in town and presented the updated, though STILL IN DRAFT FORM version of the plan.  The final plan will be presented in about March, but we are still seeking input from the community, both business and at-large.

Please click here to download the PDF document and then reply with your comments or email me at cdetrick@deperechamber.org with your thoughts. (warning: it is a LARGE file!)

Pushing for Small Business Funding

Today’s entry are links to recent articles on the Obama Administration’s recent push for increase funding for loan to Small Businesses.   This issue is of vital importance as small business is definitely the engine that drives our economy.  Please get the information, get educated and then contact your federal legislators with your thoughts, opinions, needs and concerns.  If you need contact information on them, don’t hesitate to contact us.

All of these articles are courtesy of Robb Mandelbaum

From 10/21 – New York Times: Are Obama’s Small-Business Lending Proposals Also About Health Care? (http://tinyurl.com/yg4ornp)

From 10/22 – New York Times:   Obama Announces Small-Business Lending Push (http://tinyurl.com/yfl5r4b)

From 10/23 – New York Times:  Obama’s Small-Business Plan: Not Necessarily a Done Deal (http://tinyurl.com/yhcpbly)

From 10/24 – New York Times Obama Talks Up Small Business, Again (http://tinyurl.com/yzchfd8)

From 10/29 – New York Times – Q&A: Defending Obama’s Small-Business Agenda (http://tinyurl.com/ykzfrob)

I would also like to hear your thoughts!