Here is a selection of business news tidbits from this week's paper and possibly some news items that didn't make it into the paper.

Buffalo Wild Wings to open in October

A Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant is expected to open in October in the former Krispy Kreme Doughnuts location in Onalaska.

“It’s kind of hard for us to pinpoint an actual date right now,” said Todd Kronebusch, director of operations for BWW restaurants in western Wisconsin, northern Iowa, Minnesota and Texas. “We anticipate October as the opening date, but that could move up as early as the end of September.”

David Robson and Brian Zeller, developers based in Hudson, Wis., recently bought the former Krispy Kreme building and are adding on to it. The building had been vacant since Krispy Kreme closed in February 2006.

Robson said Tuesday that the Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant chain will occupy about 5,500 square feet, and one or two other tenants will occupy the other nearly 3,700 square feet of space in the enlarged building. He said he can’t name other tenants yet because leases haven’t been finalized.

The Minneapolis-based restaurant chain’s locations typically open with about 90 employees, Kronebusch said.

BWW had been looking at La Crosse-area sites for more than years, he said. “We’re actively looking for sites in Winona as well,” he said.

UW-L offers class for new entrepreneurs

The Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will offer a class for new entrepreneurs. “The First Steps to Starting Your Business” runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, in 126 Wimberly Hall.

In a small group setting, participants will review the basics of going into business and identify the next steps. The three-hour class allows time for interaction and questions.

Cost is $35. To register or for more information about this and other business classes, contact the center at 785.8783 or log onto www.uwlax.edu/sbdc.

UW-L offers business plan workshop

The UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center will offer “Planning Basics for Business” from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, on campus. The three-hour business plan workshop gives an introduction to what goes into a business plan, what resources are available and how to get started. The workshop includes worksheets and exercises, a discussion of software programs and a review of sample business plans.

“Planning Basics,” part of the Small Business Development Center’s “Business Basics” series, is sponsored by Merchants Bank. The series also consists of “First Steps to Starting Your Business,” “Marketing Basics,” and “Financial Basics.”

Registration is $35; pre-registration is required. Register for all four topics and save; the series fee is $100. Seating is limited. The fee includes instruction, materials and refreshments.

To register or for more information, contact the center at 785-8783 or log onto www.uwlax.edu/sbdc.

S&S Cycle donates for WTC students

George Smith, chairman of the board for S&S Cycle, presented a check for $100,000 to Western Technical College recently. The money will be used for scholarships for students in the college’s mechanical design and machine tool programs.

S&S Cycle, a manufacturer of motorcycle components and engines, regularly hires Western graduates to work for their La Crosse and Viola-based company.

The George B. Smith S&S Cycle Scholarship will provide up to $25,000 per year to students enrolled in mechanical design or machine tool programs who meet eligibility requirements. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, scholarships for up to $2,500 per student will be available.

BBB seeks ethics awards nominees

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is looking for a few great Wisconsin companies and charities to recognize for outstanding business ethics and integrity.

The BBB is seeking nominations for the 2008 Torch Awards for Business Ethics and Integrity, which honor businesses and charities statewide that have demonstrated high ethical standards and exemplify excellence in business practices.

This year’s winners will be announced at a luncheon ceremony on Oct. 15 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. There is no cost to apply, and businesses do not have to be a BBB member to apply. The application deadline is July 14.

Awards are given in several categories, depending on the businesses’ number of employees.

Last year’s winners were: The Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Barb’s Interior Design (Cedarburg), Gardan (Hortonville), J.P. Cullen & Sons (Janesville) and Festival Foods (Onalaska).

For more information about the award, go to www.wisconsin.bbb.org/torch or call Carole Milos at (414) 847-6064.

International marketing help available to Wisconsin firms

MADISON n— As recent record export numbers confirm, the world is hungry for Wisconsin-made food and agricultural products. But tapping into international markets can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized companies.

Thanks to help from a cost-share program and technical assistance from the state’s international trade team, a number of Wisconsin companies are finding it easier to expand their markets abroad. Officials at the International Agribusiness Center hope more companies will take advantage of the program this year.

Over the past three years, the Food Export Association of the Midwest’s branded program has reimbursed nearly $1 million to participating Wisconsin companies.

“The 50-percent reimbursement may make it possible for a company to participate in an international trade show or demonstrate a product in another country,” said Lisa Stout, international marketing consultant at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and coordinator of last year’s Japan Gourmet Trade Mission. The Stone Group of Green Bay was among those participating.

“The Japan Gourmet Food Trade Mission was a breakthrough event for us. We were able to sell to multiple buyers and as a result our exports doubled,” said Michael Stone, president. The company’s exports include berries.

Red Arrow International of Manitowoc also took advantage of the branded program last year. The company exports a liquid smoke product to more than 100 countries.

“Breaking into exporting and maintaining a strong brand image can be challenging,” said Christopher Gutman, managing director of Red Arrow International. “The branded program really helped.”

Activities eligible for funding include:

Exhibits at international and some approved domestic trade shows

Advertising and public relations

In-store promotions and product demonstrations in other nations

Producing literature in other languages and modifying labels and packaging

Freight cost for samples

Eligible products include specialty foods and beverages, cheese and dairy products, pet food, supplements, flavorings and ingredients, feed companies and other value-added food and agricultural products.

For more information about qualifications, marketing plans, eligible reimbursements and the application process, call Lisa Stout at (608) 224-5126 or Food Export-Midwest at (312) 334-9200.

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