About Charlie Walker

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So far Charlie Walker has created 331 blog entries.

COVID 19 return of workers

In commenting about the COVID 19 return of workers- Joseph Briggs, an economist at Goldman Sachs (GS), noted in a report to clients in December 2020 that “Young workers’ participation in the labor force has nearly fully recovered – likely reflecting both lower health risks from the virus and a decline in college enrollment – while the participation of older workers and women has recovered more slowly,” He estimates that there were some 830,000 “excess retirees” in October 2020, which represents about a quarter of the difference between the pre-pandemic workforce and the current workforce.   Did you know that having a great Brand image helps in reducing hiring recruitment costs? There is no doubt that it is a highly competitive talent market. Local companies must always work to improve their "Employer Brand" [...]

COVID 19 return of workers2021-02-22T15:37:37-06:00

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Company Nordson’s EDI- Celebrates 50 Years of Global Leadership & Innovation

Chippewa County’s Lake Wissota Business Park is now the home of Nordson EDI.  What began in 1971 with a five-person machine shop in this small city of 14,000 is now Nordson Corporation’s global EDI® brand, recognized worldwide for advanced engineering and precision workmanship in the production of flat dies for film, sheet, and coating. Nordson acquired a company-Extrusion Dies Incorporated in 2012 and spent 2019 and 2020 consolidating their three EDI operations in Chippewa Falls into an extensive new modern manufacturing facility.  In 2021, the EDI team celebrates its the 50th anniversary of the EDI business which began on February 15, 1971- the day of its founding. Nordson EDI has been a long-time supporter of the communities within the Chippewa Valley and of Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and their mission to [...]

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Company Nordson’s EDI- Celebrates 50 Years of Global Leadership & Innovation2021-02-18T12:58:10-06:00

SMART (BEAR) Discussions

Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) is a CCEDC economic development strategy that proactively connects with existing businesses to understand and respond to their needs. Special attention is given to our small businesses that employ 150 individuals or less. These existing small businesses and their workforce are key measuring sticks of the Chippewa Valley’s economic health.  It is important that CCEDC continues to build positive relationships with our local businesses, connect with them regularly, and follow up with them when problems are identified. CCEDC aims to proactively address small issues before they arise and become big issues that may impact critical business activities. This is what BEAR Discussions are all about! These (BEAR) discussions center around improving relationships with local governments, educational institutions, and supply chains.  CEDCC would like to thank Klaus Bauer of [...]

SMART (BEAR) Discussions2021-02-10T16:40:06-06:00

Hammerin’ Hank in the Chippewa Valley

February marks Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in shaping US history. But how did this celebration come to be - and how has it shaped the Chippewa Valley by one local legend? Carter G. Woodson, considered a pioneer in the study of African-American history, is given much of the credit for Black History Month. The story begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Disturbed that history textbooks largely ignored America's black population, Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation's history. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and [...]

Hammerin’ Hank in the Chippewa Valley2021-02-05T09:58:03-06:00

Reshoring is the practice of bringing manufacturing and services back to the U.S. from oversea

One role CCEDC's plays in the field of economic development is that of location marketer for companies looking to expand their product production, improve their product supply chain, or re-shore within the Midwest United States. Reshoring is the practice of bringing manufacturing and services back to the U.S. from overseas. It is a fast and efficient way to strengthen the Western Wisconsin economy because it helps balance the trade and budget deficits, reduces unemployment by creating good, well-paying manufacturing jobs, and fosters a skilled workforce. Reshoring also benefits manufacturing companies by reducing the total cost of their products, improving balance sheets, and making product innovations more effective. Add to Reshoring President Biden is keen on "Made in America!" The Federal Trade Commission requires products advertised as “Made in USA” be “all or virtually [...]

Reshoring is the practice of bringing manufacturing and services back to the U.S. from oversea2021-02-03T12:14:03-06:00

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Planning to Invest $22 Million into the Chippewa Falls facility

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) in Chippewa Falls, WI. announces plans to invest $22 million into their Chippewa Falls facility formerly run by supercomputing company Cray Inc. to turn it into high-performance computing center of excellence and create more jobs in the process. The computer technology company will receive $8 million in Enterprise Zone tax credits over the next five years under an incentive package approved by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) board of directors. Under the plan approved the Chippewa Falls location would be designated as the Enterprise Zone (EZ) and continue retaining its current workforce of almost 500 high-paying jobs in Chippewa County. The company plans to establish the Chippewa Falls site and invest millions in improvements, moves that would create 30 new jobs. HPE’s renewed [...]

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Planning to Invest $22 Million into the Chippewa Falls facility2021-01-27T12:31:36-06:00

Chippewa Historical Center Continues Progressing

The Chippewa Valley has a long history of business, entrepreneurial and community prosperity over its history. To help preserve, celebrate and display of the area’s history the Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society embarked on construction of a new Chippewa Area Historical Center. Located outside the entrance of Irvine Park the center was designed by CBS2 of Chippewa Falls. The company has a long tradition of supporting Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCDEC), and the surrounding communities. The 19,000-square-foot History Center will include exterior design elements from the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, which was promoted as the largest sawmill in the world under one roof. The building also features large spaces for events highlighting local history, meeting rooms and a wide array of other informational and educational attractions. Construction of the new Chippewa [...]

Chippewa Historical Center Continues Progressing2021-01-26T14:09:29-06:00

Indianhead Plating of Chippewa Falls Purchased by Pioneer Metal Finishing’s of Green Bay, Wisconsin

Indianhead Plating, Inc located in Chippewa County, Wisconsin has been in business for over 42 years. The company employees over 90 people in a 120,000 sq/ft facility located in Chippewa Falls. Founded in 1978, the plant operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week and has become the leading chrome plating provider in the Upper Midwest. Indianhead provides chrome plating, roll services, cylindrical grinding, and other related processes to customers in the agricultural, heavy equipment and general industrial end markets nationwide. John Altmann, Owner of Indianhead, recently announced that he had sold the company to Pioneer stating, "I feel this is the perfect fit for Indianhead Plating and the Pioneer team. Pioneer continues to grow as a strategic consolidator of market leaders in the plating and finishing industry.” Headquartered in Green Bay, [...]

Indianhead Plating of Chippewa Falls Purchased by Pioneer Metal Finishing’s of Green Bay, Wisconsin2021-01-13T14:34:38-06:00

Community Foundation of Chippewa County Opens Phase II of Grants

CCEDC was notified that the Community Foundation of Chippewa County will be opening up applications for Phase II of the Northwestern Bank Mini-Grant funding starting January 13, 2021! Because of Northwestern Bank's generosity, school mini-grants (up to $300 each) are available to Chippewa County 3rd through 8th grade educators to fund innovative learning and motivational activities or service learning projects for their students. This grant will further help provide opportunities for our community to invest in our future and provide lasting resources for people in Chippewa County. Chippewa County Public and Private School educators are invited to apply who serve this age group throughout the Chippewa Valley. Priority will be given to those applicants who did not receive Northwestern Bank Mini-Grant funding during their last funding cycle. Proposals for Phase II Northwestern Bank [...]

Community Foundation of Chippewa County Opens Phase II of Grants2021-01-08T10:54:03-06:00

Updates on New COVID-19 Relief Bill

CCEDC would like to share information regarding the new COVID-19 Relief Bill! Below is a major part of the new information that was shared. Please watch for updates as we move forward! Key provisions in the bill includes $325 billion in aid for small businesses detailed as followed: •$284 billion to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) for the first and second PPP forgivable small business loans •$20 billion to provided Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Grants to businesses in low-income communities •$15 billion for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions •$12 billion to help business in low-income and minority communities $166 billion for economic impact payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for married couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as [...]

Updates on New COVID-19 Relief Bill2020-12-30T10:33:02-06:00
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