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So far Charlie Walker has created 332 blog entries.
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BEAR & Lavender-Cultivating Growth

The CEDC is sprinkling a little extra purple magic across the Chippewa Valley with its Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) program—think of it as a fragrant breeze supporting local businesses, like the blossoming Pond View Lavender Farm nestled in Wheaton, Wisconsin Introduced by CEDC in 2007 the BEAR Program’s aim is to be the garden trowel helping businesses take root and bloom with all the resources and know-how they need. This bouquet of strategic initiatives includes BEAR Visits, Lunch & Learns, Listening Sessions, and even Podcasts—all designed to help the Chippewa Valley thrive. Like a "pollinator-CEDC conducts over 40 BEAR visits annually to connect with local businesses, engaging directly with leaders to develop relevant programs, advocating on key issues, and staying informed on trends shape our region's economy. The BEAR Visit approach emphasizes [...]

BEAR & Lavender-Cultivating Growth2026-05-04T15:43:30-05:00

Empowering Local Growth Through the Revolving Loan Fund

Since its establishment, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) has continually sought innovative ways to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth. A significant milestone came in 2005 when CEDC spearheaded efforts to create a regional Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). This initiative consolidated various local loan funds—many originally seeded by federal dollars—into one robust pool of resources known as RBF, Inc. Empowering Small Businesses Since 2006, a dedicated committee of CEDC board members has been reviewing and recommending applications for the Chippewa RLF, and since 2007, for the RBF, Inc. Chippewa County loans as well. Today, these funds stand as powerful tools for nurturing our local economy. By providing essential financial resources to startups and small businesses, these RLFs foster a sustainable cycle of support that transforms our communities. Revolving Loan Funds act [...]

Empowering Local Growth Through the Revolving Loan Fund2026-03-09T16:06:04-05:00

HATCH 2025: Honoring Veterans, Inspiring Entrepreneurs

Imagine a room buzzing with energy — a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, small business owners, investors, and mentors breaking down barriers over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Conversations flowed freely, laughter echoed over shared stories of failure, and new ideas sparked with every exchange. This was the Failing Forward cocktail hour at East Bay Lodge on Veterans Day — a prelude to CEDC’s HATCH 2025, our high-energy, shark tank–style pitch event designed to transform bold ideas into thriving ventures. Hosting HATCH on Veterans Day was no coincidence. CEDC proudly took the opportunity to honor the courage, leadership, and resilience of those who have served our country. Veterans embody the same qualities that define great entrepreneurs — grit, adaptability, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. That spirit wove through the evening as we [...]

HATCH 2025: Honoring Veterans, Inspiring Entrepreneurs2025-12-22T13:06:33-06:00

From the Battlefields to Main Street: A Veteran’s Gift of the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Every Veterans Day, I pause to remember a man who shaped not only my life, but the way I lead, serve, and build community. My father was a Vietnam veteran—three tours, each one a chapter of courage, grit, and sacrifice. He didn’t talk much about the war, but you could see it in his eyes: the weight of what he’d seen, and the pride of having stood for something bigger than himself. When he came home after serving 25 years in the Army, he didn’t stop serving. He just changed uniforms. He opened a small business in our hometown—a modest shop with a worn wooden counter, a coffee pot always on, and a handshake that meant something. It wasn’t just a place to earn a living. It was a place where our neighbors [...]

From the Battlefields to Main Street: A Veteran’s Gift of the Entrepreneurial Spirit2025-11-12T14:43:02-06:00

A Day in the Life of a Founder

What it's like to be a HATCH or BEAR  finalist I arrive while the sky is still deciding between gold and indigo, the river breathing its cool across the street. The venue is a local treasure- a family-run roastery that turns into a candlelit listening room at night- brick walls warm with history, string lights threaded like constellations. It’s intimate the way a good idea is intimate: close enough to hear a heartbeat, big enough to hold a room’s attention. Name tag, handshake, another handshake. Early evening is for orbiting, they told us, and so I orbit: investors in soft blazers, judges with notebooks like shields turned into harps, mentors whose eyes crinkle with the kind of experience you can only earn by surviving. I mention my company in a sentence, then again [...]

A Day in the Life of a Founder2025-10-21T16:20:29-05:00

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap-  Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment Holcombe, WI – Positioned at the forefront of Wisconsin’s growing startup success story, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation’s BEAR ’25 (Business Expansion and Retention Pitch Showcase) took place this week in Holcombe, bringing together second-stage companies and the investors, lenders, and business champions ready to fuel their next phase of growth. As a statewide initiative, BEAR was designed to address a persistent challenge: the lack of accessible capital for companies that have moved beyond early traction but need resources to scale sustainably. According to a recent report from the Wisconsin Technology Council, more startups across the state are entering a growth-ready phase, reflecting a shift from ideation to execution. However, this [...]

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment2025-09-08T16:48:49-05:00

Smoked, Sauced, and Strategized: CEDC Heats Up!

CEDC was fired up—literally and figuratively—as our very own barbecue team, C2 BBQ, proudly competed in the inaugural Northern Wisconsin State Fair BBQ Cook-off. Thousands of BBQ cook-offs now take place annually across the U.S. and internationally, attracting pitmasters, foodies, and tourists. Events like the American Royal in Kansas City and the Jack Daniel’s Invitational in Tennessee are considered BBQ’s Super Bowls-and there is no doubt the Northern Wisconsin State Fair's cook off is headed in that direction. This sizzling new event brought together pitmasters from across the region for a day filled with smoky flavors, live music, food trucks, and festive camaraderie. But for CEDC’s team—Ken Pearson, Paul Olson, Casey Hedrington, and Charlie Walker—it was about more than just chicken and ribs. It was a chance to showcase the heart of our organization: [...]

Smoked, Sauced, and Strategized: CEDC Heats Up!2025-09-09T10:19:58-05:00

Celebrating Labor Day by Investing in TWI

CEDC has long understood that true economic growth comes not just from recruiting new businesses, but from strengthening the companies already embedded in our communities. For over 30 years, CEDC has focused on creating opportunities and bolstering regional economic success by keeping communities at the core of every initiative. As we reflect on Labor Day—a time to honor the contributions of workers who drive our economy—it’s clear that strong leadership is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. That’s why the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is proud to partner with the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC) on a proven workforce development tool that can elevate local business support: Training Within Industry (TWI). Originally developed during World War II to rapidly train industrial supervisors, TWI has stood the test of time. Its structured, [...]

Celebrating Labor Day by Investing in TWI2025-09-02T14:15:31-05:00

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’25

When I was building WeatherVane Creamery (note: website intentionally frozen in time), I was trying to do more than just open a vibrant Wisconsin-themed deli in River Falls- I was painting a vision. I wanted people to see what I saw: a vital, community-centered, proudly Wisconsin space that could become something special right now, not “someday.”   And thankfully, people did see it. I built an advisory board of experts, restaurateurs, and dairy industry insiders. I crowdfunded. I launched investor dinners. I had the American Cheese Society's stamp of approval. I got a ton of media coverage. It was alive and moving, being the scrappy Western Wisconsin founder working tirelessly to rally Cheeseheads.   What I didn’t have… was a clear investor path. Ask any rural founder in these parts, and they’ll likely tell you a [...]

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’252025-07-31T16:47:34-05:00

The Story of Steaks, Strategy, and the Secret Sauce for Economic Development

The steaks hit the grill with a satisfying hiss, smoke curling into the early evening air. Dan adjusted the heat and turned to Charlie, who stood nearby sipping a bourbon old-fashioned, sleeves rolled up and a smirk forming. “Careful,” Dan said, “you’ll end up branding that grill with a motivational quote.” Charlie laughed. “Dan-Funny you say that. I’ve had this phrase stuck in my head all week: ‘Be Kind, Rewind.’ Sounds cute, right? An era of VHS manners- Camaros and cassette tapes. But the longer I’m in economic development, the more it feels like a good playbook.” Dan leaned against the restaurant railing, curious. “Alright, I’ll bite—what’s kindness got to do with infrastructure and investment?” “Everything,” Charlie said. “At Chippewa Economic Development Corporation, we’re here to grow our community—not just by building business [...]

The Story of Steaks, Strategy, and the Secret Sauce for Economic Development2025-07-01T16:36:14-05:00
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