AGP Executive Report

Dairy Manufacturing: Prairie Farms Dairy will close two southwest Wisconsin plants in Shullsburg—Shullsburg Creamery and White Hill Cheese—cutting 118 jobs, with White Hill Cheese expected to be sold after closure. Food Safety: Milwaukee Health Department inspectors are ramping up checks for food trucks and vendors at the Milwaukee Night Market, emphasizing handwashing, temperature control, and rapid fixes or food tosses for violations. Politics & Labor: State Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez withdrew from a Milwaukee Area Labor Council endorsement process after a dispute over her stance on ICE activity. Energy & Grid Resilience: A Wisconsin solar installer says demand for battery storage is rising as more customers want backup power during outages, not full off-grid living. Agriculture Policy: A federal court ruling says USDA can’t terminate multi-year grants just because a new administration changes priorities, pushing back on broad cancellations. Tech & Research: NSF announced $83M for integrated data infrastructure to advance AI-driven science and strengthen U.S. research systems. Elections: A Marquette Law School poll shows Francesca Hong leading the Democratic primary for governor, while Tiffany leads or ties in general-election matchups.

Aerospace & Quality: AIRO Group’s consolidated Phoenix avionics/drone manufacturing facility (parent of Aspen Avionics) earned AS9100D certification, signaling a push for a unified, quality-certified aerospace footprint. Roads & Construction: WisDOT kicked off a major resurfacing of U.S. 63 between Turtle Lake and Cumberland, with lane restrictions but the highway staying open through mid-November. Housing & Development: Menomonee Falls is weighing rezoning for “The Reserve at Lannon Road,” a 40-acre luxury subdivision targeting 52 homes priced roughly $700,000–$950,000. Ag & Environment: UW–Madison Extension will host a free Manure Composting Management Field Day Aug. 5 at the Lancaster Agricultural Research Station, covering composting practices, regulations, and cost-share options. Food Industry: Prairie Farms says it’s ending production at its Creamery and White Hill Cheese facilities in Shullsburg, eliminating 97 jobs by end of August. Manufacturing Jobs: Spherion and Metalcraft are running hiring events in West Bend (today) and Mayville (Thursday) for roles across production and skilled trades. Energy/AI Infrastructure: Public Finance Authority issued revenue bonds up to $114.6M for Inperium to expand human services facilities, while separate coverage highlights Wisconsin’s ongoing regulatory scrutiny around major AI data center plans. Public Safety Tech: Chetek’s Flock camera rollout sparked a transparency fight at city council, with residents questioning approval process and authority. Transit: Amtrak’s Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago will add new railcars this fall to restore seating capacity.

Energy & Local Planning: Kenosha County’s proposed Red Oak Ridge natural gas plant heads to a public hearing in the Town of Paris, where residents say they’re being “pushed out,” while supporters frame it as an economic opportunity. Dairy & Consumer Prices: Wisconsin ice cream prices are falling as accelerated dairy manufacturing investment boosts butterfat supply and processing efficiency, according to UW-Madison Extension’s Leonard Polzin. Legal/Environment: Wisconsin DOJ won a court order forcing EPA to implement strengthened soot (fine particulate) air standards, pushing back on efforts to delay cleaner-air rules. Trade & Agriculture: Ghana’s President Mahama met Gov. Tony Evers in Accra to deepen trade and agricultural partnerships, as tariff uncertainty continues to roil dairy producers. Aviation & Manufacturing: EAA AirVenture’s Innovation Day spotlighted electric planes and crop-spraying drones, while Wittman Regional Airport advances a new hangar/aviation park plan. Housing & Construction: Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood moves closer to 40 new affordable homes after a $1.2M tax-credit award. Public Health & Food Supply: Wisconsin restaurants and stores respond to the Cyclospora lettuce recall with extra safety steps, while guidance stresses only certain products are affected. Workforce & Pay: Cass County is weighing a near-10% salary increase to close a pay gap with peer markets ahead of its 2027 budget.

Outdoor Equipment Financing: Scag Power Equipment is teaming with Huntington Bank and Octane to streamline dealer-to-customer financing through a single platform, aiming for faster prequalification to closing. Dairy Industry Shakeup: Prairie Farms will permanently close Shullsburg Creamery and White Hill Cheese, cutting nearly 100 jobs. Energy Costs: Gov. Tony Evers says a Trump push to keep Midwestern coal plants running will cost Wisconsin ratepayers $117 million. Appliance Distribution Consolidation: Platinum Equity is investing in Grand Appliance to expand its independent appliance distribution footprint after acquiring R&B Wholesale Distributors. Manufacturing & Workforce: UW-Madison launched a DoD-backed METAL Bootcamp to build casting and forging skills, while Wisconsin also sees more training and hiring signals across trades. Mining Permitting: GreenLight Metals’ Bend copper-gold project in northern Wisconsin is added to a fast-tracked federal permitting dashboard. Water & Infrastructure Accountability: Milwaukee officials demand answers after a clogged sewer pipe may have worsened Bay View flooding. Agriculture & Environment: A federally funded agroforestry program is taking Wisconsin applications to help farmers plant trees for resilience and soil benefits. Public Health & PFAS: Oneida County’s limited private well PFAS testing is winding down, with more results still coming in.

Water & Sewer Upgrades: USDA is investing nearly $9M in Cedar Grove to replace lead service lines and rebuild about 3,700 feet of wastewater collection plus water mains, aiming to cut clear-water inflow and reduce breaks/mineral buildup. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states over potential cyclospora risk, including Wisconsin, while the FDA later walked back an earlier cyclospora detection as a false positive and said testing is continuing. Data Centers & Water: Oshkosh lawmakers moved toward a pause on new data center construction, with water and broader environmental and utility concerns driving the push; Milwaukee also approved revised plans for a former Walmart site that now includes affordable housing, a library, and self-storage (after removing a proposed data-processing facility). Aviation & Logistics: With FAA caps on O’Hare flights, Milwaukee’s new Air Cargo Center is positioned as a regional freight “relief valve,” highlighting growing pressure on Midwest air capacity. Manufacturing & Industry Tech: Miller Electric in Appleton launched new 600-amp Deltaweld systems, extending its arc-welding lineup for higher-power, longer-duty applications. Workforce & Health: Gov. Evers approved an emergency rule allowing qualified registered nurses to teach clinical courses to help address Wisconsin’s nursing shortage. Scam Alert: Wisconsin DWD warned of a multi-state email scam targeting injured workers with fake workers’ compensation hearings and fee demands.

Aviation & Autonomy: Merlin says it completed what it calls the first autonomous landing of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, using its Merlin Pilot AI platform on a Cessna 208B. Energy Policy: A coalition of state attorneys general, with Michigan AG Dana Nessel joining, is asking a court to undo the Pentagon’s freeze on routine land-based wind project reviews, arguing it unlawfully stalls clean energy. AI & Data Centers: Oracle’s credit rating was cut by S&P as it ramps AI spending tied to a Wisconsin data center fight with regulators; meanwhile, Wisconsin’s own debate over a data center moratorium continues, with candidates clashing over water, subsidies, and local control. Food Safety: The FDA says a Cyclospora-positive lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, even as the broader outbreak investigation and recalls linked to iceberg lettuce continue. Local Housing: Milwaukee police say a woman allegedly ran a rental scam by posing as a landlord and showing a home she didn’t own. Water & Environment: A Roy Creek stream restoration project is designed to keep about 70 tons of sediment per year from reaching Green Lake. Maritime & Industry: Wisconsin’s Sailing and Maritime Hall of Fame is set to open Sept. 19 in Manitowoc, with an inaugural class of 18 inductees.

Food Safety Recall: Walmart pulled Taylor Farms-supplied bagged iceberg lettuce salad products in 27 states after a cyclospora outbreak linked to the supplier; Taco Bell had already removed the same lettuce from restaurants in five states. Local Business Lending: The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is taking applications for ThriveOn Small Business Loans, offering up to $50,000 in low-interest funding for disadvantaged small businesses in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. Energy & Industry Siting: Residents packed a Darien hearing on Invenergy’s proposed 325-megawatt gas-fired plant, while Beloit is weighing a cost-reimbursement deal tied to a major data center campus. Manufacturing Expansion: Rockwell Automation’s New Berlin manufacturing facility cleared preliminary city approval, setting up a 2027 construction timeline amid neighborhood opposition. Housing Repairs: Altoona launched Safe Steps, a no-interest loan program for eligible households to fund repairs and upgrades to preserve existing affordable housing. Agriculture Spotlight: Lisa Condon of Condon Dairy Farm earned an Outstanding Woman in Agriculture award for scaling and mentoring in Wisconsin dairy. Tech & Power Costs: Madison Gas & Electric filed for a separate electric rate for hyperscale data centers as large users seek grid access.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak, now covering 27 states including Wisconsin, after thousands of illnesses were reported nationwide; the company says it’s removing implicated product and urges consumers to discard it. Local Governance & Health: Greenville, Wisconsin approved a one-year moratorium on new large data centers (10,000+ sq. ft.) to study health, safety, and community impacts. Energy & Industry: Realta Fusion will relocate and build a major fusion R&D facility at the former Oscar Mayer plant in Madison, aiming to grow from 50 to 600 jobs with state and city incentives. AI & Workforce Training: UW-Milwaukee is using AI-guided projects in business classes to teach practical applications while pushing students to understand what’s truly their work. Finance & Manufacturing: S&P cut Harley-Davidson’s long-term credit rating into “junk” territory, citing skepticism about its “Back to Bricks” turnaround and margin pressure. Business & Consumer Demand: Dairy producers face whey shortages as global demand for high-protein foods surges, driving record prices.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall to 27 states after a cyclospora outbreak, urging shoppers to discard affected shredded products distributed June 29–July 16; the company says no Taylor Farms-branded salads or kits are tied to the outbreak. Energy & Industry: Realta Fusion says it will turn Madison’s former Oscar Mayer plant into a 200,000-square-foot fusion R&D facility, growing from 50 to 600 workers, with major state and city tax incentives. Public Health & Travel: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to disrupt the Midwest and Northeast, with airlines issuing alerts and rebooking options as air quality worsens. Workforce & Education: UW-River Falls honored seven staff members with Chancellor’s Employee Excellence Awards for service and teamwork. Infrastructure: WisDOT contract work begins Monday on US 63 in Barron County, using single-lane closures and side-road impacts through mid-November. Consumer Watch: Kenosha placed in the top five for BBB scam reports in June, with 15 reports logged.

Data Center Legal Fight: Sierra Club and Midwest Environmental Advocates sued Wisconsin DNR over Port Washington’s $15B Vantage data center, arguing permits were issued without an environmental impact statement despite projected major power demand and air-pollution impacts. Workforce Housing: Cook County’s HRA is moving a 16-unit workforce housing plan forward again after securing Vision Inc. as the new developer, with funding tied to a January 2028 completion deadline. Public Finance & Infrastructure: Green Lake city leaders reviewed a clean 2025 audit and discussed Town Square Community Center renovations to the former courthouse, plus ongoing public works updates. Food Safety: CDC traced a multistate Cyclospora outbreak to Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce from a Mexican supplier; Wisconsin reported 61 cases, mostly travel-linked. Air Quality & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke pushed Milwaukee to record-hazard AQI levels, prompting guidance for people with lung/heart conditions and other vulnerable groups. Housing Development in Milwaukee: Amani Homeownership Initiative TIF would finance 95 affordable homes in the Amani neighborhood. Construction & Growth Watch: Rock County saw fewer single-family permits in Q2, even as statewide construction edged up.

Data Center Tension in Wisconsin: Rossville officials say they weren’t told about a four-acre sale tied to BridgTRK’s future plans until after closing, but newly released emails show city leaders were in discussions about rezoning steps before the transaction. Housing & Construction: Milwaukee approved a new Amani Homeownership TIF to help build 95 affordable homes on city-owned lots, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and other local developers. Food Safety: DATCP issued a public health alert for Gunderson Food Service “Beef Grillers” raw patties in Mondovi due to misbranding and an undeclared milk allergen. Air Quality & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke pushed Milwaukee’s AQI to a record 644, with experts warning extreme heat plus polluted air can strain lungs and hearts—pets included. Midwest Business Expansion: United Flow Technologies is expanding its Midwest footprint via acquisition of Peterson and Matz, adding water/wastewater market reach across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Road Work: WisDOT begins full closure and culvert replacements on WIS 180 in Marinette County starting July 20, with work staged through fall 2026.

Microcollege Spotlight: Thoreau College in rural Wisconsin is drawing students like Layla Coyne with small, immersive programs that blend homesteading and agricultural skills with academics. Food & Local Business: Madison’s Hong Kong Cafe, a 35-year Cantonese staple, will close July 31 as a nearby redevelopment plan moves forward. Public Health: Wisconsin health officials report a surge in cyclospora cases, including a honeymoon illness tied to the parasite. Aviation & Rural Access: A proposed federal cut to the Essential Air Service program could reduce subsidized flights to small airports, including routes tied to Illinois communities. Air Quality & Climate Impacts: Canadian wildfire smoke is again choking parts of the Midwest, with Wisconsin under air quality advisories and outdoor restrictions. Sports Business: The NBA is reviewing the Milwaukee Bucks’ reported four-year, $64 million deal with Gary Trent Jr. amid salary-cap circumvention questions. Community Development: Gillett breaks ground on Zippel Park upgrades, funded by WEDC and federal dollars, including new accessible play and trail features.

NBA & Milwaukee: The league is investigating Gary Trent Jr.’s four-year, $64M Bucks deal for possible salary-cap “prior agreement” issues, even as the contract was submitted to the NBA and set to pay him $15.2M next season. Wisconsin Manufacturing & Training: Lakeshore College won two Workforce Advancement Training grants totaling $211K to upskill workers at Burger Boat (welding and general education) and Nemak (Lean Six Sigma leadership). Energy & Data Centers: Soluna named Microsoft hyperscale executive Ryan Carver as Chief Development Officer to oversee AI/HPC data center delivery from site selection through operations. Logistics & Construction: Amazon is moving ahead with a large DeForest parcel delivery facility planned for 24/7 operations, with major daily trip impacts. Environment & Health: Wildfire smoke kept air quality alerts active across Wisconsin, with guidance focused on protecting kids and sensitive residents. Local Infrastructure: MMSD cleared a major Bay View sewer clog that may have contributed to flooding, and will model how much. Housing: Milwaukee’s Redevelopment Authority approved a smaller Historic Mitchell Street workforce-housing plan using TIF support.

Manufacturing & Ag Innovation: A new NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast spotlights Graetz Manufacturing in Pound, Wisconsin—still producing its original barn chain cleaner patent while expanding into aerospace, marine, and other metal fabrication markets. Business Growth: Inc. ranked SystemDomain Inc. (Midwest, including Wisconsin) No. 72 on its 2026 fastest-growing private companies list. Food & Community Infrastructure: Kinship Community Food Center broke ground on a 28,000-square-foot Milwaukee hub for food production, job training, and crisis services, aiming for a 2027 opening. Local Food Access: Oshkosh Area Community Pantry launched “Food for Health” to boost Wisconsin-grown produce and nutrition education for visitors. Energy Assistance: Slinger Utilities donated $5,000 to St. Vincent de Paul for local energy payment help, funded via a WPPI Energy grant. Consumer Protection: Wisconsin officials warned back-to-school shoppers about fake social media ads and copycat sites that can lead to scams and counterfeit purchases. School Capital Planning: Elmbrook School Board approved up to $100M in bond authority for four schools, pending a Nov. 3 referendum. Public Safety: Wisconsin health and safety coverage continues to flag e-bike and e-scooter injury risks, especially when riders aren’t wearing helmets.

Daylight Saving Time: The U.S. House voted to make daylight saving time permanent, a move that could shift Wisconsin farm schedules that run on sunrise, not the clock. Milwaukee Waterfront: Milwaukee opened the first half of a major Harbor District riverwalk expansion, a roughly $30M project aimed at reconnecting residents to the lakefront. Disaster Relief for Small Business: The SBA opened Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Eau Claire County businesses hit by severe weather earlier this year. Wildfire Smoke: Smoke from Minnesota and Canada is driving air quality alerts across Wisconsin, with guidance to limit exposure—especially for kids and people with lung or heart conditions. Corrections Overcrowding: Protesters rallied at the Wisconsin DOC in Madison, citing prison overcrowding and capacity pressures. Energy & Pipelines: Wisconsin issued Line 5 permits even while acknowledging significant impacts, keeping the tunnel fight alive in court. Data Centers & Local Rules: Green County approved a 12-month data center moratorium for unincorporated areas, joining a growing list of Wisconsin counties tightening the pace. Smart Grid During Heat: We Energies’ Smart Thermostat Rewards program is paying customers for temporary thermostat adjustments during peak demand. Antitrust & Drugs: Wisconsin’s AG joined a multistate $29.6M Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing. Tech & Manufacturing: Cadence unveiled an agentic AI platform aimed at speeding PCB and advanced packaging design. Real Estate/Industry: Realta Fusion plans to redevelop the former Oscar Mayer plant in Madison into a large R&D facility.

Workforce & Training: Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced nearly $900,000 in Fast Forward Training Grants to train more than 340 workers across healthcare, customer service, technology, and manufacturing. Food & Dairy Manufacturing: Westby Cooperative Creamery is upgrading cottage cheese equipment with a $14 million project, while Blair’s cheese plant conversion signals more capacity chasing booming cottage cheese demand. Ag Policy & Compliance: Wisconsin tightened animal import rules amid New World Screwworm spread, and new dicamba rules are reigniting debate over drift damage and crop safety. Data Centers & Community Impact: Wisconsin’s data-center debate keeps heating up as rural concerns grow; in the broader region, a Duluth event highlighted transparency and local protections amid Hermantown opposition. Clean-Air & Industry Scrutiny: Reporting alleges xAI ran 59 unpermitted gas turbines for its Colossus 2 campus, raising permitting and pollution concerns. Right to Repair: John Deere reached a right-to-repair settlement that expands access to diagnostics and fixes for farmers and independent repair providers. Innovation in Wisconsin: Realta Fusion plans to build its fusion R&D facility at the former Oscar Meyer site in Madison, backed by state and city incentives. IP & Biotech: Vector Science & Therapeutics expanded its Wisconsin-linked patent portfolio to 15 applications focused on precision therapeutic delivery.