It is time to recognize the heroes on this economic battlefield
I recently Googled the terms layoff and profit to get some idea of where we actually were in our fight on the economic battle field and what I found was depressing very depressing. Some companies were starting to move slowly back to the positive side of the ledger sheet but often these were the companies that fought the battle by devastating their own armies. More layoffs are in front of us and success stories are often from overseas....
I recently Googled the terms layoff and profit to get some idea of where we actually were in our fight on the economic battle field and what I found was depressing very depressing. Some companies were starting to move slowly back to the positive side of the ledger sheet but often these were the companies that fought the battle by devastating their own armies. More layoffs are in front of us and success stories are often from overseas....
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 2/11/2010 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 2/11/2010 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Im all for high-speed rail - but $810 million is a lot of money
As an elected official, I have always applied a simple test to spending money. Before I spend it, I ask myself, Is this the best possible way to spend this money in my community and how would I spend the money if it came directly from my pocket? That said, I am a fan of high-speed rail. I would love to see a corridor between Milwaukee and Madison that would improve mass transit between the communities. Provided I could get to where I needed to be at the end of the line, I would use the train. But would I spend $810 million of my money on it?
As an elected official, I have always applied a simple test to spending money. Before I spend it, I ask myself, Is this the best possible way to spend this money in my community and how would I spend the money if it came directly from my pocket? That said, I am a fan of high-speed rail. I would love to see a corridor between Milwaukee and Madison that would improve mass transit between the communities. Provided I could get to where I needed to be at the end of the line, I would use the train. But would I spend $810 million of my money on it?
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 1/1/2010 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 1/1/2010 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Cities even Madison must strike a balance between architecture, economics
Several large projects serve to define Madison, and more are on the brink of redefining our community. The challenge of building structures that speak about a city is that they rarely are good business and often are most controversial. Of course, if these projects werent able to produce the discussion, passion and controversy that great architecture often does they would not be significant enough to say something about the community. This balance between architectural excellence and sound economics is a paradox...
Several large projects serve to define Madison, and more are on the brink of redefining our community. The challenge of building structures that speak about a city is that they rarely are good business and often are most controversial. Of course, if these projects werent able to produce the discussion, passion and controversy that great architecture often does they would not be significant enough to say something about the community. This balance between architectural excellence and sound economics is a paradox...
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 12/1/2009 State: US
Category: Article
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Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 12/1/2009 State: US
Category: Article
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MGE making good on its pledge to use renewable energy sources
There is a tidal wave of government regulation on the horizon regarding energy production. Both the U.S. House and Senate are considering bills that would require substantial amounts of energy to be produced from renewable or cleaner sources, and the two bills would enact a set of mandates that cap future carbon emission levels and allow utilities to trade emissions on the commodities market. I would be negligent not to point...
There is a tidal wave of government regulation on the horizon regarding energy production. Both the U.S. House and Senate are considering bills that would require substantial amounts of energy to be produced from renewable or cleaner sources, and the two bills would enact a set of mandates that cap future carbon emission levels and allow utilities to trade emissions on the commodities market. I would be negligent not to point...
My 3, 6, 3 Plan
Last Sunday I heard a pundit suggest that the administration now believed that the recession would not be over until the economy started to create new jobs. Ya think! As brokers, developers and business professionals we need to weigh in on what our government is doing and suggest real solutions for very real problems. We can no longer complain and blame the other guy because we are the other guy.
Last Sunday I heard a pundit suggest that the administration now believed that the recession would not be over until the economy started to create new jobs. Ya think! As brokers, developers and business professionals we need to weigh in on what our government is doing and suggest real solutions for very real problems. We can no longer complain and blame the other guy because we are the other guy.
Ken Harwood
Biz Times and Others
Date: 11/10/2009 State: US
Category: Governor, politics
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Biz Times and Others
Date: 11/10/2009 State: US
Category: Governor, politics
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Governor living in Milwaukee would be a good thing
Tom Barrett has implied that he would not remove his children from their Milwaukee schools if he were to run for governor and that he would want to spend some time in Milwaukee if he was elected. I suggest that not only could this be a good idea for the governor, it would be a great idea for the rest of the elected state officials as well. Spending time outside Madison would allow our legislators to spend more time in their districts talking to local businesses, having coffee with seniors, getting involved with the local schools, and getting to know the real problems and the real opportunities in their districts throughout the state.
Tom Barrett has implied that he would not remove his children from their Milwaukee schools if he were to run for governor and that he would want to spend some time in Milwaukee if he was elected. I suggest that not only could this be a good idea for the governor, it would be a great idea for the rest of the elected state officials as well. Spending time outside Madison would allow our legislators to spend more time in their districts talking to local businesses, having coffee with seniors, getting involved with the local schools, and getting to know the real problems and the real opportunities in their districts throughout the state.
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 11/1/2009 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 11/1/2009 State: US
Category: Economic Development
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Madison could learn a lot from IBM-Dubuque partnership
IBM recently announced plans to open a technology service delivery center in Dubuque, Iowa. The facility will occupy the renovated Dubuque Building built downtown during the Great Depression. This massive structure formerly housed Rosheks Department Store and will be rebuilt to the highest environmental and ergonomic standards. It is expected to create 1,300 jobs, but the IBM-Dubuque partnership goes much further than jobs. More recently, IBM has asked Dubuque to become a Smart City following a European program developed by IBM. The program allows IBM to use its massive array of technological equipment...
IBM recently announced plans to open a technology service delivery center in Dubuque, Iowa. The facility will occupy the renovated Dubuque Building built downtown during the Great Depression. This massive structure formerly housed Rosheks Department Store and will be rebuilt to the highest environmental and ergonomic standards. It is expected to create 1,300 jobs, but the IBM-Dubuque partnership goes much further than jobs. More recently, IBM has asked Dubuque to become a Smart City following a European program developed by IBM. The program allows IBM to use its massive array of technological equipment...
Kenneth Harwood
Corporate Report Wisconsin
Date: 10/1/2009 State: US
Category: Politics, State
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Corporate Report Wisconsin
Date: 10/1/2009 State: US
Category: Politics, State
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Rules for a new governor
As I write this, I have been contemplating Governor Doyle's decision not seek a third term in office. I am not sure what that means for the state, but 'I do know we need' to focus on jobs and the economy as we move forward. Before you think this will become partisan, I should also suggest that no party has a lock on the pro-business economy. In fact the most successful times in recent history were when no one party was in control.
As I write this, I have been contemplating Governor Doyle's decision not seek a third term in office. I am not sure what that means for the state, but 'I do know we need' to focus on jobs and the economy as we move forward. Before you think this will become partisan, I should also suggest that no party has a lock on the pro-business economy. In fact the most successful times in recent history were when no one party was in control.
Kenneth Harwood
Corporate Report Wisconsin
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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Corporate Report Wisconsin
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 10/1/2009 State: US
Category: Economy
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Capital Region Business Journal
Date: 10/1/2009 State: US
Category: Economy
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China, Japan present opportunities, but the right approach is key
Wisconsin will lead a 10-day trade mission to Japan and China in September. Because my invite was obviously lost in the mail, I thought I would prepare a primer for those lucky enough to attend. Many are suggesting that China will lead the charge for a recovering economy and that Japan is showing signs that things may get worse before they get better. Still, both countries offer real opportunities and lessons in a global economy where success will depend on a world view. China Recently China out-purchased the United States in new car...
Wisconsin will lead a 10-day trade mission to Japan and China in September. Because my invite was obviously lost in the mail, I thought I would prepare a primer for those lucky enough to attend. Many are suggesting that China will lead the charge for a recovering economy and that Japan is showing signs that things may get worse before they get better. Still, both countries offer real opportunities and lessons in a global economy where success will depend on a world view. China Recently China out-purchased the United States in new car...
No more excuses -- it's time to start using green technology
Is green technology catching up with the rhetoric of the past? In my 1970s hippie days, I was an advocate for a greener planet. Solar power could be harvested by coiling black hose in a glass box and preheating water for the laundry. Detroit had secretly suppressed plans for a car that ran on water. The 1973 oil embargo would soon show us that wind was the real answer, and finally, if we dug deep enough we could tap Earths core for enough free geothermal steam to meet all of our heating needs. We were sure we had all the answers and only the media and corporate big brother were holding us back.
Is green technology catching up with the rhetoric of the past? In my 1970s hippie days, I was an advocate for a greener planet. Solar power could be harvested by coiling black hose in a glass box and preheating water for the laundry. Detroit had secretly suppressed plans for a car that ran on water. The 1973 oil embargo would soon show us that wind was the real answer, and finally, if we dug deep enough we could tap Earths core for enough free geothermal steam to meet all of our heating needs. We were sure we had all the answers and only the media and corporate big brother were holding us back.
Proper budgeting involves following just a few basic rules
By the time you read this, it is likely the state of Wisconsin will have passed a budget ostensibly dealing with a more than $6 billion deficit over the next biennium. Unfortunately, much of the balancing act is tied to onetime stimulus money, new taxes and deferral of debt, rather than repayment. The examples demonstrated by our legislators should have sent a strong message to business and other units of government in our state...
By the time you read this, it is likely the state of Wisconsin will have passed a budget ostensibly dealing with a more than $6 billion deficit over the next biennium. Unfortunately, much of the balancing act is tied to onetime stimulus money, new taxes and deferral of debt, rather than repayment. The examples demonstrated by our legislators should have sent a strong message to business and other units of government in our state...
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
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Ken Harwood is editor of Wisconsin Development. com and founder of FutureWisconsin. com, a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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Capital Region Business Journal
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Ken Harwood is editor of Wisconsin Development. com and founder of FutureWisconsin. com, a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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OK, everyone -- let's review the proper way to feed a bear
Are we feeding the wrong end of the bear? OK, clearly not my best analogy, but it does illustrate the bear market economy and the challenges we all face. If we shovel money into to the wrong end of our economic problems, we fail to address the famine that is the causing the problem in the first place. For the past few years, we have seen an economy stimulated with easy credit and the assumption that the American dream was at hand. We borrowed, we spent, we invested, or at least two of the three...
Are we feeding the wrong end of the bear? OK, clearly not my best analogy, but it does illustrate the bear market economy and the challenges we all face. If we shovel money into to the wrong end of our economic problems, we fail to address the famine that is the causing the problem in the first place. For the past few years, we have seen an economy stimulated with easy credit and the assumption that the American dream was at hand. We borrowed, we spent, we invested, or at least two of the three...
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
Email Author
Ken Harwood is the editor of WisconsinDevelopment.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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Capital Region Business Journal
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Ken Harwood is the editor of WisconsinDevelopment.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business.
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Growing Our Own
One of the additional challenges of a recovering economy will be creating new jobs in the region. As existing national companies downsize and reduce their production capacity, our hopes of their building new facilities or expanding current ones is limited at best. Of course we are seeing some companies take advantage of sparkling new facilities available at very completive rates - but they are most often relocating from down the road, not other states or regions. To add to the employment base and see new brick and mortar we will have to start from seed.
One of the additional challenges of a recovering economy will be creating new jobs in the region. As existing national companies downsize and reduce their production capacity, our hopes of their building new facilities or expanding current ones is limited at best. Of course we are seeing some companies take advantage of sparkling new facilities available at very completive rates - but they are most often relocating from down the road, not other states or regions. To add to the employment base and see new brick and mortar we will have to start from seed.
Ken Harwood
CRIEX
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin.
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CRIEX
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin.
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Consumers hold the key to restarting the economy game
I was recently the speaker at a sports banquet, which was a challenge because I speak about the economy. My opening analogy did seem to get the point across, though. In a basketball game, if the ball goes flat, while many solutions are obvious, in the case of the economy we have chosen to solve the problem by sending money to Wilson, the ball manufacturer. We then sit in the stadium waiting for the game to continue while Wilson pays bonuses to their executives and buys a soccer ball manufacturer in Brazil. In..
I was recently the speaker at a sports banquet, which was a challenge because I speak about the economy. My opening analogy did seem to get the point across, though. In a basketball game, if the ball goes flat, while many solutions are obvious, in the case of the economy we have chosen to solve the problem by sending money to Wilson, the ball manufacturer. We then sit in the stadium waiting for the game to continue while Wilson pays bonuses to their executives and buys a soccer ball manufacturer in Brazil. In..
Ken Harwood
Capital Region Business Journal
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Ken Harwood is editor of Wisconsin Development. com and founder of FutureWisconsin. com, a site selection tool for Wisconsin business. He is currently
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Capital Region Business Journal
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Ken Harwood is editor of Wisconsin Development. com and founder of FutureWisconsin. com, a site selection tool for Wisconsin business. He is currently
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A Developers Job
It is interesting to note that in order to sustain a new economy, whatever that may be and whenever it may come, many of the new jobs will have to come from the private sector. Yet the current solution seems focused on the public sector or temporary jobs based on short term projects. It is further disheartening to realize that many of the new projects are really previously scheduled projects now shifted to use stimulus monies.
It is interesting to note that in order to sustain a new economy, whatever that may be and whenever it may come, many of the new jobs will have to come from the private sector. Yet the current solution seems focused on the public sector or temporary jobs based on short term projects. It is further disheartening to realize that many of the new projects are really previously scheduled projects now shifted to use stimulus monies.
Ken Harwood
CRIEX
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Ken Harwood is the editor of WisconsinDevelopment.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business. The former mayo
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CRIEX
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Ken Harwood is the editor of WisconsinDevelopment.com and founder of FutureWisconsin.com a site selection tool for Wisconsin business. The former mayo
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Things the stimulus missed
Four things we haven't stimulated: Retirement funds Baby boomers are now in their 60s. They were ready to retire and return to their hippie, free-spirit lives of the past, creating tens of millions of jobs for the generations replacing them and millions more jobs for those who cater to their dreams of beaches, travel and multiple homes. They woke up this year to IRAs, pensions and investments reduced by as much as half. They now have no faith in a Social Security system that now must be o
Four things we haven't stimulated: Retirement funds Baby boomers are now in their 60s. They were ready to retire and return to their hippie, free-spirit lives of the past, creating tens of millions of jobs for the generations replacing them and millions more jobs for those who cater to their dreams of beaches, travel and multiple homes. They woke up this year to IRAs, pensions and investments reduced by as much as half. They now have no faith in a Social Security system that now must be o
Time-out, dammit!
To suggest that we are all worried about the effects of the economy on our community would have to be an understatement. To be honest, this little column of mine was more fun to write when I could joke about little pink houses, suggest we market our community a bit more effectively or become a little more green. Those were the days, simpler thoughts for simpler times and that was just six months ago.
To suggest that we are all worried about the effects of the economy on our community would have to be an understatement. To be honest, this little column of mine was more fun to write when I could joke about little pink houses, suggest we market our community a bit more effectively or become a little more green. Those were the days, simpler thoughts for simpler times and that was just six months ago.
Staying Afloat!
Last month I mentioned the paradox of major companies laying off employees to bolster their bottom lines, while at the same time asking for federal assistance. To be overly graphic, this is a little like throwing bodies off a sinking ship to lighten the load. Lets look at the impact of millions of laidoff workers on the economy. First, the lack of income for an extended period makes it hard to pay the bills, so the mortgage and bank lenders...
Last month I mentioned the paradox of major companies laying off employees to bolster their bottom lines, while at the same time asking for federal assistance. To be overly graphic, this is a little like throwing bodies off a sinking ship to lighten the load. Lets look at the impact of millions of laidoff workers on the economy. First, the lack of income for an extended period makes it hard to pay the bills, so the mortgage and bank lenders...
Its a Stool, Stupid
It appears to me that economic recovery is a three-leg stool. The first leg is the financial stability of the overall economy. As we all know, this is being addressed by the various packages the government is working on with banks, the stock market and industry giants. We must prevent an all-out meltdown of the economy and reduce the chance of massive defaults and bankruptcies. But this is only one leg of our stool, and the other two... are shaking badly...
It appears to me that economic recovery is a three-leg stool. The first leg is the financial stability of the overall economy. As we all know, this is being addressed by the various packages the government is working on with banks, the stock market and industry giants. We must prevent an all-out meltdown of the economy and reduce the chance of massive defaults and bankruptcies. But this is only one leg of our stool, and the other two... are shaking badly...
I Know Very Little
Why do I feel that many of you have read just the title and are already applauding? As I write this, we are less than one month away from a presidential election and less than a week into a new economy created as a program designed to bolster the financial system. We have already seen both the largest one-day declines and gains on Wall Street, and our candidates have laid out solutions to problems I am not sure we have yet identified. As you read this, we will have a new president (barring any hanging chads or other controversy) and depending on the success of the economic programs...
Why do I feel that many of you have read just the title and are already applauding? As I write this, we are less than one month away from a presidential election and less than a week into a new economy created as a program designed to bolster the financial system. We have already seen both the largest one-day declines and gains on Wall Street, and our candidates have laid out solutions to problems I am not sure we have yet identified. As you read this, we will have a new president (barring any hanging chads or other controversy) and depending on the success of the economic programs...
The Value of the Neighborhood
I recently wrote that I was concerned that the Community Development Authority (CDA) had to dismiss Eppstein Uhen Architects on the soon-to-begin Allied Drive project because they had only allocated $179,000 for design and other related work for the $9.2 million project. EUA had reduced their offer from $900,000 to $375,000. In my news blog I suggest that a public-private partnership and...
I recently wrote that I was concerned that the Community Development Authority (CDA) had to dismiss Eppstein Uhen Architects on the soon-to-begin Allied Drive project because they had only allocated $179,000 for design and other related work for the $9.2 million project. EUA had reduced their offer from $900,000 to $375,000. In my news blog I suggest that a public-private partnership and...
Let's promote our state as a great place to do business
Forbes Magazine just ranked the "Best States For Business," and I for one am outraged at the 44th-place ranking Wisconsin received. And before we all point the proverbial finger at someone else for this, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves. We are not good at doing what need to be done to attract new business to the state and promote and nurture the businesses that are already here. How is it that the state with the 8th-best quality of life ranking
Forbes Magazine just ranked the "Best States For Business," and I for one am outraged at the 44th-place ranking Wisconsin received. And before we all point the proverbial finger at someone else for this, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves. We are not good at doing what need to be done to attract new business to the state and promote and nurture the businesses that are already here. How is it that the state with the 8th-best quality of life ranking
Ken Harwood
Milwaukee Biz Blog / Biz Times.com
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development News and founder of The FutureWisconsin...
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Milwaukee Biz Blog / Biz Times.com
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Ken Harwood is the editor of Wisconsin Development News and founder of The FutureWisconsin...
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About Me (resume)...
Personal Resume / Vita of Ken Harwood
Personal Resume / Vita of Ken Harwood
- Author / Columnist / Editor
- Web Developer
- Economic Development Advocate
- Elected Official
- Consultant and Public Speaker