Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/454570
22 | I NSIGH T • F e b r u a r y 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m T. J. Brooks is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. His research interests cover a wide variety of topics, including the business cycle, regional banking and the economics of health. He is frequently interviewed on local television and Wisconsin Public Radio, and has had his work featured in the Economist. About Taggert Brooks U P F R O N T CONNECTIONS B Y M A R G A R E T L E B R U N T he market for commercial development, which dragged throughout the Great Recession, is finally heating up. Interest rates remain low and pent-up demand is now at a low boil. So says Taggert "T.J." Brooks, who will keynote the sixth annual InDevelopment conference March 12 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay. "ere's more optimism in the state and the country, and that's leading to a building boom," says Brooks, associate professor and chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and economic trends consultant with Taggert Brooks Economic Consulting. is may be no secret to those in the development and construction industries. But there's no question it's good news for anyone connected to the commercial real estate industry — from engineers and builders to those involved in interior design, office furniture, property management and related industries. Projects in the works throughout the region will be featured at InDevelopment, hosted by Insight Publications LLC. Based on the survey results from past years, the formerly all-day event will be delivered in a condensed format from 2 to 7 p.m. (registration opening at 2 p.m.) and opportunities to continue networking into the evening. Developers from throughout the region will deliver short talks about projects in the works immediately following the keynote by Brooks, including: » Elaine Willman, director of community development and tribal affairs for the Village of Hobart, who will discuss the planned $250 million Centennial Centre, which includes the creation of a walkable, mixed-use downtown, and Hobart Crossing, a $25 million planned luxury apartment development (see page 36, "Making a place"). » Randy Stadtmueller and Renee Torzala of Stadtmueller and Associates, who will talk about progress on the Grand KaKalin project, a mixed-use development that could include a new public library, senior housing and commercial tenants at the historic, 88,000-square-foot Eagle Mill in Kaukauna, as well as plans for the Cedars at Kimberly, a redevelopment of the former NewPage paper mill site on the Fox River. Economic development professionals from throughout Northeast Wisconsin will be present to share information about opportunities related to commercial projects under way in their communities. Brooks, who has presented talks on economic trends statewide the past few years, including a recent one with Gov. Scott Walker, says the lower unemployment rate is contributing to optimism in the construction industry. However, with a skills gap in industries such as manufacturing InDevelopment: Ahead of the action Annual commercial real estate and economic development conference set March 12 in Green Bay