Call Us Today! 1-715-723-7150|staff@chippewa-wi.com

About Staff

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Staff has created 51 blog entries.

A Feast of Curiosity — How STEAM Night Served Up the Future

When area students, families, regional manufacturers, and employers gathered for this year’s STEAM Night held on to the campus of Chippewa Falls High School, it felt less like a school event and more like a “community banquet of curiosity”. From robotics demonstrations to digital art displays, from coding challenges to physics-in-action experiments, tables across the commons and hallways buzzed with energy. Each station offered kids a new flavor of discovery — a chance to sample the skills that will shape tomorrow’s workforce.  Hosted in partnership with CEDC and the Chippewa Falls High School science teachers and staff-the evening invited students and families to explore an inspiring buffet of hands-on experiences that celebrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. What made STEAM Night truly special was the way parents also leaned in — not [...]

A Feast of Curiosity — How STEAM Night Served Up the Future2026-03-16T17:23:41-05:00

The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Generation: How CEDC Is Aligning with Tomorrow’s Founders

A quiet revolution is reshaping the workforce. Today’s rising generation doesn’t just want a job—they want to plant, nurture, build, and grow something of their own. According to recent research, 84% of Gen Z express interest in entrepreneurship. That’s more than a passing trend; it represents a fundamental shift in how young people think about work, risk, and opportunity. Where previous generations often sought long-term security through employment—perhaps at a local manufacturing company—Gen Z increasingly views entrepreneurship as the safer bet. They are driven by purpose, autonomy, and ownership. For many, building a business isn’t just about chasing an idea; it’s about creating stability, flexibility, and a future they control for themselves and their families. At CEDC, we’ve been watching this shift unfold across Chippewa County, the Chippewa Valley, and throughout Wisconsin—and we’re [...]

The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Generation: How CEDC Is Aligning with Tomorrow’s Founders2026-02-25T15:11:56-06:00

Visibility, Relationships, and Readiness: Positioning Chippewa County for Growth

Economic growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through relationships, preparation, and showing up consistently in the conversations that shape investment decisions. In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive economy, communities are no longer just competing with neighboring counties — they are competing nationally. For Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), that reality shapes how we approach business attraction and long-term growth in 2026. One thing is clear: visibility matters. Corporate expansion and relocation decisions often start months — sometimes years — before a community ever receives a call. Those early conversations are guided by professional site selectors and consultants who evaluate regions on behalf of companies. If a community is not actively building relationships with those decision-makers, it is unlikely to be considered when opportunities arise. That is why CEDC has made it a [...]

Visibility, Relationships, and Readiness: Positioning Chippewa County for Growth2026-02-20T15:50:52-06:00

A Valentine to Our Investors and Stakeholders

In the world of entrepreneurship and community building, Brad Feld often speaks about the principle of “Give First.” It’s the idea that lasting ecosystems are built when people contribute without immediately asking, “What do I get in return?” That mindset is deeply aligned with how we approach economic development at CEDC. So on Valentine’s Day its a natural reminder that strong relationships are at the center of meaningful progress. While flowers and chocolates symbolize appreciation in February, our gratitude for our investors and stakeholders extends far beyond a single day. Economic development is built on partnership. It requires trust, shared vision, and a willingness to invest in long-term success. Our investors and stakeholders embody the Give First philosophy. They step up not simply for recognition, but because they believe in the future Chippewa. [...]

A Valentine to Our Investors and Stakeholders2026-02-16T12:54:36-06:00

Cadott School District: A Launchpad for Technical Careers and Regional Growth

The School District of Cadott’s brand-new Technical Education Center is opening doors for the next generation of makers, builders, and problem-solvers in Chippewa County. With more than 29,000 square feet of modern space and advanced, industry-relevant equipment, this investment gives students hands-on experience in high-demand skilled trades while strengthening the region’s future workforce. This center is a perfect fit for CEDC’s BEAR Showcase, which spotlights projects and partners that are driving economic growth and workforce development across Chippewa County. Local, regional, and state economic development and business leaders were honored to tour the new Technical Education Center and see its impact firsthand, gaining insight into how this investment in education will translate into long-term workforce and economic benefits for the region. Partners discussed how the Center will help address talent needs in manufacturing, [...]

Cadott School District: A Launchpad for Technical Careers and Regional Growth2026-02-03T16:38:24-06:00

Golden Calf Company: Where Innovation, Agriculture, and Community Meet

Golden Calf Company in Bloomer is a shining example of how innovation, manufacturing, and agriculture come together to strengthen Chippewa County’s economy. Their success highlights the importance of exporting locally made products—bringing new dollars into our region and helping fuel broader economic growth. It’s a perfect fit for CEDC’s BEAR Showcase. In the heart of America’s Dairyland, Golden Calf Company has transformed a bold idea into a Bloomer-based manufacturing success story focused on improving how dairies care for newborn calves. What began as a small entrepreneurial venture in 2010—born from firsthand experience on a multi-generation dairy farm—has grown into a modern facility producing specialized tools that help dairy farmers deliver high-quality colostrum quickly, safely, and consistently. Today, Golden Calf produces Calf Hero colostrum pasteurizers, colostrum bags, and innovative single-use tube feeders for customers [...]

Golden Calf Company: Where Innovation, Agriculture, and Community Meet2026-01-21T17:29:46-06:00

Data Centers, Done Right: Positioning Us for Responsible Growth

As data centers appear more often in national and regional headlines, it’s natural for local communities—especially rural ones—to have questions. These facilities are large, energy-intensive, and highly technical, and without the right safeguards in place, they can raise concerns about utilities, water resources, and long-term community impact. At CEDC, we believe the question is not simply whether data centers belong in Chippewa, but under what conditions they make sense. For several years, CEDC has worked alongside state and local leaders to ensure communities are informed, protected, and positioned to take advantage of data center opportunities when they arise—and when they align with local priorities. When developed under the right conditions, data centers can be a strong fit for Chippewa's broader economic development strategy. They represent significant, long-term private investment and contribute a stable [...]

Data Centers, Done Right: Positioning Us for Responsible Growth2026-01-14T17:40:28-06:00

2025 A Year of Progress, Placed Piece by Piece

The story of 2025 for the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is really the story of a community placing one puzzle piece after another—each CEDC supporter, collaborator, and partner helping to complete a clearer picture of what Chippewa can become. Every event, pitch, training, connection, and conversation added a new edge or corner, and by December, the table was covered in signs of progress that only came into focus because so many hands chose to build together. Communities at the core In May, more than 450 leaders gathered for CEDC’s 30th Annual Meeting under the theme “Communities at the Core,” filling the Eau Claire Event District with a sense of shared purpose that set the tone for the entire year. National workforce leader Sylvie Nelson challenged local employers to go “above and beyond” [...]

2025 A Year of Progress, Placed Piece by Piece2025-12-31T13:56:38-06:00

BEAR Discussions Podcast: Elevating Local Business Stories in the Chippewa Valley

The BEAR Discussions Podcast has become a cornerstone of how CEDC connects with and supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses across the Chippewa Valley. As part of CEDC’s Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program, the podcast highlights honest, real-world conversations with local business leaders, offering insight into the challenges, decisions, missteps, and opportunities shaping the region’s economy. Hosted by CEDC President and CEO Charlie Walker, often alongside co-hosts Lisa Bruhn, Karen Smith, and Ken Pearson, BEAR Discussions focuses on authentic business stories rather than scripted success narratives. Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to speak candidly about what didn’t work, how they adapted, and what they learned along the way. This “fail forward” mindset reinforces trust, partnership, and long-term relationship building—values central to CEDC’s economic development approach and essential to a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. [...]

BEAR Discussions Podcast: Elevating Local Business Stories in the Chippewa Valley2025-12-24T11:57:28-06:00

Where Community Meets the Season

There’s something magical about a room full of people who share a common purpose, and the CEDC Christmas Collaboration Gathering was exactly that. Even as a winter storm swept across the Chippewa Valley, partners, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders braved the weather to come together, proving that a little snow and ice couldn’t dampen the spirit of collaboration. The View in Chippewa Falls glowed with holiday spirit and laughter as guests arrived, greeted by friendly faces, hors d’oeuvres, and the comforting hum of conversations. Old friends caught up, new connections were made, and every handshake and smile felt like a reminder of the strength of our community. Collaboration in Action It wasn’t just a Christmas party, it was a celebration of the relationships that drive economic growth across the region. Stories of local [...]

Where Community Meets the Season2025-12-19T12:56:30-06:00
Go to Top