Local News Briefs Monday 8/17/15

Marian University has been awarded a $1.1 million five-year federal grant. It begins on September 1st and the school will receive $220,000 during each year of the grant.  It will support an educational program that increases the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.The Marian program will help 140 students annually.

Highway 45 Meeting In Eden This Wednesday

The state’s Department of Transportation will hold a meeting in Eden Wednesday to discuss improvements to U.S. Highway 45. The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Eden Village Hall. There will be a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m., followed by an open-house meeting format. Construction is currently scheduled for 2018.  Work slated during the project includes reconstruction of 6.3 miles of Highway 45 in the village of Eden from Elm Street to the north village limits; resurfacing Highway 45 from the north village of Eden limits to County V ; relocation of the County H intersection; and rehabilitation of DeNeveu Creek Bridge; and culvert replacements.  The project also includes a number of safety improvements including beam guard upgrades and centerline rumble strips.

Allcast Expansion Gets State Help

A custom aluminum die-casting manufacturer is undertaking a $14 million expansion of its facility in Washington County. The Allcast project is expected to create 88 new jobs. The company is adding a 29,000-square-foot addition to its current facility in the Town of Addison as it expands its casting capabilities to meet increased customer demand. Construction of the first phase, a 14,420-square-foot expansion of the company’s foundry, is expected to be completed by October. To help facilitate the project, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has authorized Allcast to receive up to $350,000 in state tax credits over a four-year period.

Mixed News For FDL Trash And Recyclable Costs

Fond du Lac Public Works Director Jordan Skiff recently told the City Council that there was both good and bad news regarding the City’s trash and recyclable collections. Skiff says the City will be starting a new 10 year contract with Waste Management, which includes no longer having to transport refuse out to a landfill in Mayville. He says crews will drop off the refuse at a Waste Management transfer station in Fond du Lac. He says it’s estimated that will save the City about $100,000 a year through less maintenance and personnel costs, and less fuel savings. He says the bad news came with the state budget and a cut in the grant the City receives for recycling. He says it’s a 22 percent reduction in the grant or about a $35,000 cut. The City should be able to make up the difference through its general fund balance.

Delay Of Highway 23 Project Having A Human Impact

The president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation says delaying the expansion of Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Plymouth is taking a human toll. Steve Jenkins says it’s fortunate that there was no one killed in two separate accidents on the highway that injured 14 people. He says it needs to be expanded from two to four lanes as more truck traffic travels the highway. Jenkins says both the FCEDC and their counterparts in Sheboygan County want to see the expansion accomplished. He says it’s about the economic impact and the human impact and both are critically important.

FDL City Council Weighing Pros and Cons Of Pedal Pubs

Fond du Lac City Council President Lee Ann Lorrigan says one of the things City officials constantly hear in efforts to recruit and retain talented employees to the City is that people want to see more fun things to do. She says arguably that can be said in the case of allowing the use of pedal pubs in the City. She says she would like to see the pedal pubs limited to either allowing people to drink on them or go to a bar where they will be served, but not both. She says one thing they don’t want to do is encourage binge drinking. She says she would like to see an option that would allow people that don’t want to drink on the pedal pub to rent it for rides. The City Council will take up the issue again at their next meeting.

Going Solo Workshop Series Coming Up

Registration is being accepted for the next “Going Solo” workshop. It’s a workshop series for beginning entrepreneurs. Diana Tscheschlok of the Fond du Lac County UW-Extension Service says it kicks off on Tuesday August 25th and meets each Tuesday through September 22nd. She says it will feature a simulation game giving participants a chance to experience what it’s like to run a business. She says participants will also get the opportunity to meet the business professionals of IGNITE! Business Success. There is a $10 cost for the workshop with scholarships available.The workshop series will meet at the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation Office at 116 North Main Street in Fond du Lac. To enroll call (920) 929-3173.

Registration Being Taken For Annual K9 Golf Scramble

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is taking registration for their 5th Annual K9 Golf Scramble. The September 11th event at the Beaver Dam Country Club will benefit the department’s two K9 teams. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says it’s a nice event open to foursomes and businesses are also being sought for sponsorship or to donate cash or prize items. The department’s two dogs are Paige and Ziva. To register for the event call 920-386-4123 or email Deputy Gib Fairman at gfairman@co.dodge.wi.us.