The Milwaukee Post

24 • Milwaukee County Post • May 2, 2014 By KIRSTEN KLAHN Special to The Post MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin's economy is on the road to recovery, according to a report released by BMO Economics. The report was released to coincide with the Council of Great Lakes Governors meeting, which was held last week in Chicago. The report, "North America's Economic Engine," states that the Great Lakes region is a major driver of North American economic output, employment and trade. The region accounts for nearly one- third of combined Canadian and U.S. out- put, jobs and exports. Things are picking up for the state's economy, which will grow 2.3 percent in 2014 and 2.6 percent in 2015, according to the report. The improvement in business invest- ments this year will help support modest export gains, said Michael Gregory, head of U.S. economics, BMO Capital Markets. In addition, factory activity has come back from the soft patch it went through last year, he said. "Wisconsin's labor market has experi- enced notable gains, with non-farm pay- rolls up 1.4 percent year-over-year in the three months through March, and manu- facturing employment rebounding to the highest level since early 2009," Gregory said. Leisure and hospitality jobs have climbed 5 percent in the last year. According to the report, the unemploy- ment rate has fallen to 5.9 percent and is expected to stay below 6 percent for the remainder of the year. Because Wisconsin's housing market didn't experience the same downturn as other states, its prices, although rising, are doing so at a slower pace compared to other markets. "Because of a relatively mild downturn," the state's vacancy rate is at the low end of the spectrum at 1.6 per- cent, and the months' supply of homes for sale in Milwaukee now sits below five, the lowest level since 2005, according to the report. www.bmo.com Report: State economy is recovering Post Staff WAUKESHA – A Greenfield man has been charged after he allegedly beat up a man at a Muskego gas station last summer. Robert Blankenheim, 28, was charged with a count of substantial battery on April 22 and faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. He is to appear in court Monday. The complaint against him said on Aug. 14, police were called to a Petro Mart on Loomis Road in Muskego, where the owner had a broken nose and a large bruise on his neck. Through an interpreter, the owner told police he'd seen a man later identified as Blankenheim come into his business, leave, and then urinate near propane tanks in the front of the station. When the owner confronted Blankenheim and told him to stop, Blankenheim punched him in the face, and grabbed him in the neck, punching him several more times, the complaint said. Greenfield man charged after assaulting gas station owner Greg's ***1/4 mile east of the 794 parkway on Layton*** 3050 E Layton Ave. 483-5550, M-F 7AM to 8PM, Sat 7AM-7PM, Sun 9AM-5PM & Resin Adirondack Chair T 172 337; 160 424, 423; 143 624, 623 While Supplies Last. MAY BARGAINS of the MONTH SAVE 20% 15 99 Your choice 16.60-Lb.Charcoal Briquets T 123 116 1 While Supplies Last. SAVE 30% 7 99 5/8-In x 50-Ft. Heavy-Duty Garden Hose L 784 470 B5 While Supplies Last. SAVE 42% 14 99 5 99 4 sale price mail-in * rebate $ Cu-Ft. Potting Mix L 482 572 B65 While Supplies Last. Your Final Cost $20.00 REGULAR PRICED MERCHANDISE Must present coupon. Expires 5.18.14 3050 E Layton Ave • 483-5550 $ 5 OFF Greg's & INSTANT SAVINGS $ 1 99 With this ad 1 FREE 3" Pot PERENNIAL With any purchase. Luxembourg Gardens Expires 5/11/14 "Come to the grower for the best quality at fair prices." NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT: •Cold-Crop Vegetables •Strawberries •Perennials •Pansies Over 1 Million ANNUAL & PERENNIAL PLANTS Grown in Our Greenhouses 8429 W. Forest Hill Ave., Franklin 414-425-5696 Hours: Monday - Saturday 8-6, Sunday 9-5 LUXEMBOURG GARDENS 3 Gallon Pot Rose Bushes •Tea •Grandiflora •Floribunda •Shrub •Miniature •Climbing Roses MP 238212010 Spring Preview Mother's Day Gift Certificates Available! 235874007 To see if you, or your loved one qualifies, contact them at (414) 476-3900 The Lamplight Inn of West Allis 7400 West Greenfield Ave. West Allis. WI 53214 The Lamplight Inn of West Allis, lighting the way to affordable assisted living. Lamplight Communities strive for outstanding living at affordable prices. They even accept senior residents who are receiving county assis- tance. All of the studios are private with private baths, activities, meals, weekly housekeeping and linen services. Lighting the way to affordable assisted living.

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