AGP Executive Report

Consumer Protection: Wisconsin’s Department of Justice and the FTC joined 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging stores repeatedly charged more at checkout than advertised prices. Manufacturing: Charter Manufacturing plans a $5 million expansion at its Mequon headquarters, while Cardinal Glass is set to open a new dedicated manufacturing facility in Tomah. Outlook Group also acquired ABX’s Pewaukee plant, adding conductive film, specialty-label and flexible-packaging capabilities. Industrial Redevelopment: Milwaukee’s former Master Lock campus is headed to a no-contingency auction, with bidding starting at $1 after an earlier sale fell through. Shipbuilding: Defense company Wildcat Defense is buying Fraser Shipyards and plans to invest $350 million in the Wisconsin operation.

Consumer Protection: Wisconsin joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging the retailer repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than advertised prices. Agriculture: A Federal Reserve survey says volatile commodity markets and higher diesel costs are weighing on the farm outlook, adding pressure during harvest. Manufacturing: Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers are seeking a larger role in aerospace, while Mercury Marine continues to grow and build larger products. Shipbuilding: Wildcat Defense is buying Fraser Shipyards and plans to invest $350 million, a major potential boost for Wisconsin’s maritime industry. Rural Infrastructure: The USDA is putting $14.5 million toward high-speed internet expansion in seven western Wisconsin counties.

Manufacturing Automation: Mequon-based MūL Technologies introduced modular pricing for its MARC autonomous carts, starting at $9,999, aiming to make factory material transport more accessible. Rural Connectivity: USDA is providing more than $14.5 million to expand high-speed internet across seven western Wisconsin counties, supporting business links and job growth. Data Center Policy: A tax exemption for data center construction and electricity, added to Wisconsin’s 2023 budget, is now a flashpoint in the governor’s race as communities weigh investment against infrastructure costs. Shipbuilding: Wildcat Defense plans a $350 million investment after acquiring Superior’s historic Fraser Shipyards; Fincantieri is also receiving a $10 million boost for shipyard robots and equipment. Agriculture Infrastructure: Wisconsin approved $69.5 million in grants for roads supporting dairy and agriculture. Consumer Protection: Wisconsin joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging customers were repeatedly charged more at checkout than advertised prices.

Data Centers: Wisconsin’s building boom is drawing local resistance. In Port Washington, neighbors oppose a project the mayor says could bring needed funding; Janesville is also debating data centers and development of its former GM site. National polling finds 72% oppose data centers in their communities. Medical Manufacturing: Janesville’s SHINE Technologies finalized a $263 million federal loan to complete a facility producing medical isotopes, while Beloit’s NorthStar Medical Technologies announced international partnerships to support cancer-treatment development. Shipbuilding: Fraser Shipyards in Superior has changed hands in a $350 million deal, with the buyer planning a major expansion. Agriculture & Infrastructure: Wisconsin approved nearly $70 million for agricultural road improvements, supporting routes vital to farms and dairy businesses.

Supply Chains: A Wisconsin-focused conference on Oct. 27 will bring manufacturers and logistics firms together to discuss freight, tariffs, inventory and fleet strategies. Shipbuilding: An investment company is buying Superior’s Fraser Shipyards and plans to invest $350 million, a major commitment to the region’s industrial base. Manufacturing: Evology Manufacturing is adding a large-format metal 3D-printing system as production demand grows; a new federal grant will also expand the Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center’s statewide support. Agriculture: The state approved nearly $69.5 million for rural road upgrades across 32 counties, while September milk production rose 2.7% year over year. Data Centers: Proposals face local pushback: Wisconsin Rapids rejected one project, and Janesville is debating data-center development at the former GM site.

PFAS Litigation: Companies Wausau is suing over contaminated wells argue the city’s fire department foam use contributed to the pollution, raising questions over who will pay cleanup costs. Forest Products: Wisconsin Forest Products Week highlighted how automation has transformed sawmills: Pukall Lumber now produces up to 100,000 board feet a day, compared with about 4,000 at a historic mill. Data Centers: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed data-center permit, while Milwaukee has paused projects and a developer agreed to fund a full impact report. Manufacturing and Defense: Hewlett Packard Enterprise is expanding its Chippewa Falls operations, and Fincantieri plans a $10 million investment in Wisconsin shipyards. Agriculture and Infrastructure: WisDOT announced rural road grants across 32 counties to support farmers and producers, while Wisconsin cheesemakers warned that a USDA funding change could hurt small producers.

Forest Products: Wisconsin sawmills are moving from hand-fed machinery to automation. Pukall Lumber now produces 70,000 to 100,000 board feet a day, compared with about 4,000 at a historic mill in Rhinelander. Advanced Manufacturing: Rownd Inc. has begun building and testing specialty military drones in Washington County, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is expanding its Chippewa Falls operations. Data Centers: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed data center, as local resistance and environmental review shape development plans across the state. Shipbuilding: Fincantieri plans a $10 million investment in Wisconsin shipyards. Farm and Energy Infrastructure: WisDOT announced rural road grants across 32 counties to support farmers and producers; separately, the state awarded $11.5 million for clean-energy innovation projects.

Shipbuilding: Wildcat Defense has agreed to buy Superior-based Fraser Industries and plans to invest $350 million to expand the shipyard and workforce, building on Wisconsin’s growing defense-manufacturing activity. Data Centers: A proposed Janesville project at the former GM site is drawing debate over construction jobs, local oversight and community impacts, as data-center policy becomes a key issue in the governor’s race. Biotechnology: Senator Tammy Baldwin and industry leaders met at UW–Madison to discuss growing the state’s biotech workforce and turning research into new products, building on a federal tech-hub designation backed by about $49 million. Energy and Agriculture: Vernon County called for a moratorium on proposed 765-kV transmission lines, while Wisconsin reported another avian-flu detection in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County.

State Investment: Wisconsin’s State Building Commission approved about $254 million for projects statewide, including UW campus upgrades, student housing at UW–Madison and infrastructure work at Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Shipbuilding: Fraser Shipyards in Superior is being acquired in a $350 million expansion deal, while Fincantieri plans a separate $10 million investment in Wisconsin shipyard equipment and robotics tied to Navy work. Business Ownership: Wisconsin’s Center for Employee Ownership honored Union Cab, Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Community Pharmacy Cooperative and Findorff for employee-ownership models that keep businesses and jobs rooted locally. Agriculture: Drought-hit businesses and nonprofits in 16 Wisconsin counties can seek SBA disaster loans of up to $2 million; meanwhile, state grants are directing nearly $70 million to agricultural roads. Energy and Data Centers: Wisconsin’s data-center debate is intensifying as regulators review the environmental impacts and the state utility commission again deems ATC’s transmission-line application incomplete. Local Enterprise: A community-led effort in Chippewa Falls has secured financing to reopen a full-service hospital in August 2027, backed by more than $14 million in gifts and grants plus bank loans.

Energy & Infrastructure: Rock County supervisors voted to oppose the proposed 190-mile BECI transmission line, citing safety and farmland concerns. The PSC also deemed ATC’s revised application incomplete, while Wisconsin Rapids rejected a data center proposal. Manufacturing & Defense: Hewlett Packard Enterprise plans a $75 million expansion in Chippewa Falls, and Fincantieri will receive $10 million for shipyard equipment and robotics tied to Navy work. Investor Wildcat has also agreed to buy Superior’s Fraser Shipyards for $350 million. Agriculture: Wisconsin is directing $69.5 million to improve farm roads across 32 counties. September milk production rose 2.7%, while bird flu was confirmed in a commercial Barron County poultry flock. State Projects: The Building Commission approved about $254 million for facilities across Wisconsin, including UW campus improvements and new Madison student housing.

Shipbuilding: Wildcat Defense plans to acquire Superior’s Fraser Shipyards and invest $350 million over five years, aiming to triple production and add facilities for vessels ranging from small boats to 1,000-foot lakers. Energy and Data Centers: ATC says proposed charges to data centers could lower its transmission revenue requirement by 6.2%, but state regulators again deemed its application incomplete. Wisconsin is also moving toward statewide reviews of data centers’ environmental impacts. Manufacturing: Sheboygan startup Louis Structures won a regional pitch contest for its construction aggregate made from household waste. Evology Manufacturing is adding a large metal 3D-printing system as production demand grows. Agriculture and Infrastructure: Wisconsin approved nearly $69.5 million for roads supporting agriculture, while Dunn County’s proposed 20-year plan would steer development toward existing communities to help preserve farmland.

Data Center Debate: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed data center, Barron County backed a moratorium, and a settlement will require statewide DNR review of data center impacts. ATC also projects a 6.2% rate decrease under proposed data center charges. Farm and Road Infrastructure: The state announced rural road grants across 32 counties to support farmers and producers, while the new I-41 and Southbridge Road interchange in Brown County is complete. Dairy Producers: A Sauk County cheesemaker warns a new USDA cost-sharing rule could put grants for small and midsize dairy businesses at risk. Wisconsin Investment: Hewlett Packard Enterprise plans a $75 million expansion in Chippewa Falls to support AI computing, and Fincantieri will invest $10 million in Wisconsin shipyards. The state also awarded $11.5 million for clean-energy projects. Passenger Rail: Wisconsin secured $218 million in federal funding to extend Amtrak service from Milwaukee to Madison.

Agriculture and Infrastructure: Wisconsin awarded $69.5 million for 39 rural road, bridge and culvert projects across 32 counties, supporting farm and forestry shipments. The new I-41/Southbridge Road interchange in Brown County is also set to open next week, improving a key regional connection. Data Centers: A settlement requires the DNR to review statewide environmental impacts of data center development by January 2028, with Vantage Data Centers paying for the study. Manufacturing and Technology: Hewlett Packard Enterprise plans a $75 million expansion in Chippewa Falls to support AI computing. Fincantieri will invest $10 million in Wisconsin shipyards, while Madison contractor 1901 Inc. has been sold to Limbach Holdings for about $63 million; the deal brings 450 employees into Limbach’s organization. Energy: The state awarded $11.5 million in grants for clean-energy innovation projects.

Data Center Scrutiny: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed hyperscale center and imposed a one-year moratorium; Florence County approved its own pause. A statewide environmental review is also planned, with Vantage paying for a full impact report. Manufacturing & Transportation: Fincantieri plans to invest $10 million in Wisconsin shipyards, while a $218 million federal grant will advance passenger rail between Milwaukee and Madison. Agriculture: Highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed at a Barron County poultry flock. Wisconsin cheesemakers warn a new USDA cost-sharing rule could limit grants for smaller producers, and Gov. Tony Evers is urging the agency to reverse it. Energy: Wisconsin awarded $11.5 million in grants for clean-energy innovation.

Shipbuilding: Fincantieri plans a $10 million upgrade at its Wisconsin shipyards, adding advanced cutting, forming and welding equipment and automation to boost production and workforce capacity. Energy Innovation: Wisconsin awarded $11.5 million in grants for clean-energy projects, supporting efforts to develop energy-saving technologies. Data Centers: A settlement requires Vantage to fund a state review of data centers’ effects on energy, water, land and communities; separately, a judge upheld Port Washington’s ordinance requiring public votes on major tax incentives. Workforce: Wisconsin’s technical college leaders say adapting to demographic decline, worker shortages and rising costs is key to preparing nearly 300,000 students a year for the state’s changing economy. Playground Manufacturing: Wisconsin joined a federal lawsuit to block PlayPower’s proposed purchase of North Fond du Lac-based BCI Burke, arguing the deal could reduce competition and raise prices for schools, parks and other buyers.

Energy & Data Centers: Wisconsin regulators approved two southern Wisconsin natural-gas plants, while the DNR agreed to review data centers’ statewide environmental impacts under a legal settlement. Agriculture: Highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County, prompting a quarantine. At Kinnard Farms in Casco, a manure-processing facility is now fully online, producing organic nitrogen fertilizer; World Dairy Expo also showcased Wisconsin dairy and soybean industries to global visitors. Manufacturing: Hewlett Packard Enterprise plans a $75 million expansion in Chippewa Falls, expected to add 75 jobs. Fincantieri also received nearly $10 million for Wisconsin shipyard upgrades. Transportation: Wisconsin secured $218 million in federal funding to extend passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Madison, linking the capital to Chicago by train.