Having the support of major businesses is instrumental to the success of an economic development organization. Luckily, we have had an ongoing partnership with Xcel Energy, a multi-state utility company, for many years. On November 30th, Xcel's Economic Development Team received a tour of the Chippewa Valley's prospective industry hubs and enjoyed a lunch and some engaging discussion at the CEDC office on Technology Way. The main topics of discussion were the history of economic development in the Chippewa Valley, updates on working projects, and plans for marketing the area to industrial customers. The group also discussed what the main challenges to economic development were. In short, this was an opportunity for the CEDC to communicate its largest priorities directly with Economic Development representatives of Xcel Energy. We would like to thank Xcel [...]

Our hope is that you’re having a safe hunting experience, enjoying the company of your loved ones, and preparing to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Our few days before Thanksgiving has got CEDC thinking about how grateful we are for those that support our mission, the board members that volunteer their time, and the wonderful Chippewa Valley community. Our community – the Chippewa Valley – has a history of coming together when our citizens are in need or for good causes. This fact was reinforced at the last CEDC Board of Directors meeting at Hope Gospel Mission during a tour of the facilities. The Chippewa Valley is blessed with kind folks that show up, time and time again, to invoke a positive effect on not just the Chippewa Valley but the state [...]

In addition to the Honeycomb HATCH Pitch Competition held on the 16th, the CCEDC held a BEAR Lunch & Learn during Startup Chippewa Valley Week. Startup Chippewa Valley Week (previously Startup Eau Claire Week) is a week-long celebration of the community's entrepreneurs and consists of entrepreneur-focused events by a variety of organizations. On November 17th, business "bees" gathered at Martino's Restaurante in Stanley, WI to eat some delicious pizza and get the buzz on financials. Business coach Bob Oliver continued his series of Lunch & Learns, called "Creating Value," by diving into profits, losses, working capital, and balance sheets. Attendees engaged in an interactive and lively discussion on best financial practices for every size of business. The Creating Value series is proudly sponsored by BMO Harris Bank. Don't miss the next one - [...]

Entrepreneurs drive the economy much more than people think; the Kauffman Foundation noted that startups create over 3 million jobs in the United States yearly. Successful entrepreneurs rely on a culture and environment (we call it an ecosystem) where they can gather inspiration, ideas, and resources to launch their businesses. We know in the Chippewa Valley that our economy’s future lies in their ability to be successful. Every day, the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) works to strengthen the Chippewa Valley entrepreneurial ecosystem. One way we do this is by spending the month of November celebrating National Entrepreneur Month and partnering with other local organizations to highlight our entrepreneurs. This year, the CCEDC joined Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Altoona to bring the community Startup Chippewa Valley Week, happening November 15-19, 2021. Startup [...]

There are absolutely no words that can express CCEDC’s gratitude which we have for our veterans. Currently, there are over 21 million veterans that have sacrificed for our freedom, but on Veterans Day, November 11, it is a special day to particularly stay focused and be remined of their continued positive impact that veterans have on our American economy. A recent SBA study also found that military service exhibits one of the largest marginal effects on self-employment, and veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans. According to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF), 25 percent of veterans say they want to start or own a business. There is no doubt that skills learned through military service can directly translate to business, and IVMF research confirms it. [...]

On November 3rd, a small group of eager business owners gathered at the Chippewa Valley Innovation Center to continue on their learning journey in the Creating Value series of BEAR Lunch & Learn workshops. Two weeks ago they learned about business value, and the factors of it that relate to a business's operating system. In this workshop, Bob Oliver led an interactive discussion on the structure of a business and the purpose that each compartment serves. Oliver illustrated this with a pillared building, with the pillars being the operating system, a roof of measurement, all built on the business value and model. Attendees gained a wealth of knowledge while enjoying a meal from a local restaurant, and the CCEDC will continue to provide this resource to existing businesses for years to come. We [...]