Southeast Wisconsin

Corporate Report Wisconsin, Feb 2006

GRANT COUNTY: The final leg of a $135 million four-lane expansion of Highway 151 from Madison to Dubuque, Iowa, that began in 2001 was dedicated here in the southwestern tip of Wisconsin by Gov. Jim Doyle in December. The 36-mile segment from Platteville to Dickeyville included several bridges and bypasses as well as two added lanes.

MADISON: EraGen Biosciences Inc., a venture-backed biotechnology company, completed a $12 million financing deal, bringing the total capital raised to date to about $21 million. The round was led by investment firms First Analysis Corp., Chicago, and Prolog Ventures, St. Louis, plus a syndicate of investors from the Midwest. The existing investor, Novartis Venture Fund, also participated in the round. EraGen develops and commercializes automated molecular diagnostics products for personalized medicine and rapid-response needs for homeland security.

Biotech company Third Wave Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: TWTI) was award-ed triple damages of $15.9 million in December by a U.S. district judge in a patent infringe-ment case that involved chemicals that are used to cut strands of genetic material for analysis. Third Wave makes genetic analysis products under the Invader brand to test for diseases such as hepatitis C and cystic fibrosis. A California company named Stratagene was found guilty of infringing on two Third Wave patents.

NORTHEAST

DE PERE/OCONTO FALLS: Tissue Products Technology Corp. announced that it will build four new paper machines for a total investment of $250 million. Two machines will be built at Eco Fibre Inc. in De Pere, and two at Oconto Falls Tissue Inc. Both companies are owned by Tissue Products Technology. The machines at Eco Fibre represent a Sl 50 million investment and the Oconto Falls machines a $100 million investment, and both plants are expected to create more than 100 jobs each.

FOND DU LAC: Mercury Marine will reduce its workforce by 75 employees in early 2006 through a voluntary retirement program. Layoffs are possible if fewer than 75 employees apply for the retirement package. Mercury Marine employs about 3,300 and is the largest employer in Fond du Lac County.

GREEN BAY: The Weidner Center - the performing arts venue at UW-Green Bay-laid off half of its staff, effective in January. Among the nine positions eliminated were those of executive director, general manager and director of development. The center, which in the past has brought national acts and Broadway shows to Green Bay, will now focus on local performers and speakers. Opened in 1993, the Weidner Center has faced growing competition in recent years from the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton and the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.

MANITOWOC: Heiden Inc., a small manufacturer specializing in aluminum and steel fabrication, received $25,000 in Community Development Zone credits to help with business expansion. The company plans to spend $725,000 to purchase and install new equipment.

SHEBOYGAN: The city of Sheboygan received nearly $1.2 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is designated for business and economic development, affordable housing, and social service agencies.