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Fueling Growth: CEDC’s BEAR Lunch & Learn Breaks Down SBA 504 Financing for Local Businesses

At CEDC, we’re dedicated to driving growth, innovation, and collaboration across the Chippewa Valley. One of the ways we make that happen is through our Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Lunch & Learn series — bringing together local business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals eager to learn, connect, and uncover new opportunities. Our latest BEAR Lunch & Learn focused on a powerful tool for small business success: the SBA 504 Financing Loan. Held right here at our  CEDC office, the event featured industry experts Mike Dieckman of WBD Inc. and Jacob Bauer of Security Financial Bank. Together, they provided a deep dive into how SBA 504 loans can help businesses purchase real estate, acquire equipment, or secure the funding needed to expand. Throughout the session, attendees gained practical insights into: How the SBA 504 [...]

Fueling Growth: CEDC’s BEAR Lunch & Learn Breaks Down SBA 504 Financing for Local Businesses2025-03-20T13:42:18-05:00

Take Your Business to the Next Level: SBA 504 Loans & Expert Advice

CEDC's Business Expansion and Retention (B.E.A.R.) Lunch and Learns are vital to our mission to support small business growth and expansion. The upcoming B.E.A.R. Lunch and Learn on March 20th will be held at the CEDC office at 770 Technology Way in Chippewa Falls! The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This edition of the Lunch and Learn will focus on the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Program, a key resource for business expansion, job creation, and economic development. This event allows business leaders to explore valuable tools and resources available in our community to help them succeed. As part of CEDC’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation, these sessions are essential in driving continued economic progress in our region. Lunch and Learns offer education and serve as a [...]

Take Your Business to the Next Level: SBA 504 Loans & Expert Advice2025-03-12T11:42:01-05:00

Fostering Innovation: The CEDC Collaborative Showcase at VSA

At CEDC, we sincerely thank all our investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who participated in the CEDC Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase today at Valley Sports Academy (VSA) in Lake Hallie, WI. A special thanks to VSA for hosting such a fantastic event in their state-of-the-art facility. The CEDC Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase highlights the innovators in our community, providing a platform for them to share their journeys, discuss challenges they’ve faced, and outline their goals for the future. By demonstrating that no entrepreneurial path is the same—and that every entrepreneur encounters obstacles—these showcases reassure and inspire emerging business owners. A powerful example from today’s event came from VSA founder Brian Seubert, who shared that he never had a mentor and had to learn many difficult lessons on his own. He emphasized the value of mentorship, [...]

Fostering Innovation: The CEDC Collaborative Showcase at VSA2025-03-07T10:34:41-06:00

CEDC Highlights Local Innovation at Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CEDC Showcases Local Innovation at Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase Lake Hallie, WI—On March 6th, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation welcomed over 50 investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to the second Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase of 2025, held at Valley Sports Academy (VSA). Those in attendance had the opportunity to collaborate, connect, and share innovative ideas that will drive Chippewa County’s economy further. As part of CEDC’s commitment to Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR), the showcase was crucial in fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic growth throughout the Chippewa Valley. By bringing together innovators and industry professionals, the event encouraged collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community engagement—all essential to the region’s thriving business ecosystem. Attendees had the unique opportunity to explore VSA’s state-of-the-art facilities, discover groundbreaking business concepts, and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow entrepreneurs. [...]

CEDC Highlights Local Innovation at Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase2025-03-07T18:36:40-06:00

BDO ZoneCONNECT Webinar: CHIPPEWA COUNTY, WISCONSIN & FLAGSTAFF COUNTY, ALBERTA

Are you looking for the perfect location to kick-start your biobased project? Look no further than BDO Zones! These designated areas are transforming the landscape for bio-based industries, offering a multitude of benefits that make them prime locations for development. Let’s dive into the key advantages of BDO Zones and why they stand out! Just recently, Ecostrat Inc. and the BDO Zone Initiative, in collaboration with TheDigest, hosted the BDO ZoneCONNECT webinar, highlighting two investment grade BDO Zone communities in North America: Chippewa County, Wisconsin, rated 'A' for Corn Stover Flagstaff County, Alberta, rated 'A' for Wheat Straw.    The webinar was moderated by Jim Lane, Editor of TheDigest, and featured key insights from Aryn Garswood, Head of the BDO Zone Initiative. Participants included Jenalee Waring, Economic Development Officer at Flagstaff County, Alberta; and key [...]

BDO ZoneCONNECT Webinar: CHIPPEWA COUNTY, WISCONSIN & FLAGSTAFF COUNTY, ALBERTA2025-03-05T15:16:22-06:00

Secure Your Spot: Sponsorship Opportunities for CEDC’s 2025 Annual Meeting Now Open

The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation's (CEDC) Annual Meeting is Wisconsin's biggest annual economic development meeting. It is geared towards showcasing achievements from across Chippewa County, fostering collaboration and connecting among local businesses and community members, and sharing our future goals and ambitions for our community. The CEDC aims to strengthen local pride and getting the community invested in our mission. This year's Annual Meeting will be held at the Eau Claire Event District - The Crescent! The CEDC's annual meeting theme, "Shaping Tomorrow's Economy: Communities at the Core," highlights the importance of building a thriving economy in Chippewa County while keeping community members at the forefront. This approach aligns with CEDC's mission of fostering a strong economic environment that supports businesses and enhances the quality of life for residents. This is your chance [...]

Secure Your Spot: Sponsorship Opportunities for CEDC’s 2025 Annual Meeting Now Open2025-03-21T11:42:30-05:00

3rd Annual Legislative Speed Dating: A Huge Success

On February 21st, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) hosted its 3rd annual Legislative Speed Dating event at the Eggbreak Café in Lake Hallie. This unique gathering brought together over 40 business and community leaders with the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly officials, creating a dynamic space for dialogue and advocacy. Inspired by the concept of speed dating, the event provided structured yet engaging discussions between local constituents and elected officials. Each legislator spent up to six minutes at a table, actively listening to concerns, providing updates, and addressing key issues before rotating to the next group. This rapid format ensured a broad exchange of ideas within the 90-minute session. The CEDC was honored to host several key legislators who engaged in meaningful conversations about economic development, infrastructure, and policy needs affecting Chippewa Valley. [...]

3rd Annual Legislative Speed Dating: A Huge Success2025-03-10T10:55:20-05:00

CEDC Board Pushes for More Healthcare Services

To stay abreast of the ever-changing healthcare environment in Chippewa County, the CEDC Board of Directors recently had the opportunity to tour the Aspirus Health facility in Stanley, WI. The purpose of this tour was to follow up on the due diligence meetings that CEDC has had in the past year with healthcare providers looking to expand their services in Chippewa Falls after the HSHS closing just over a year ago. During the visit, the Board of Directors gained valuable insight into the operations and services provided by Aspirus Health. Which will serve as a model for the new hospital Aspirus will build in Chippewa Falls. Further discussions centered around workforce recruitment, patient services, quality of care, and opportunities to bridge the gap between functional and traditional medicine. Chippewa County is on the [...]

CEDC Board Pushes for More Healthcare Services2025-02-27T13:28:26-06:00

Chippewa Economic Development Corporation Hosts Annual Legislative “Speed Dating” Event

Chippewa Valley, WI – On February 21st, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) welcomed over 40 business and community leaders to its annual Chippewa Valley Legislative Speed Dating event at the Eggbreak Café in Lake Hallie. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with and provide input to Wisconsin Legislative Senate and Assembly elected officials. Modeled after the old-fashioned “Speed Dating” Concept, area legislators spent up to six minutes at tables with area constituents and CEDC economic development stakeholders, listening and updating them on local issues. After six minutes, all elected officials rotated to the following table to hear from the next set of local issues to another group. The legislative “dating” process lasted for an hour and a half. The CEDC event was privileged to host several key legislators who listened attentively, shared [...]

Chippewa Economic Development Corporation Hosts Annual Legislative “Speed Dating” Event2025-03-10T11:00:10-05:00

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 2025

We sincerely thank all of our CEDC investors who attended our first entrepreneur showcase in 2025; its success was truly remarkable. Special thanks to KYMA and their team for hosting us at their facility, allowing community leaders to discover the innovative manufacturing they bring to our community. We are fortunate to have them here. The morning started with Momentum West and the Chippewa Valley's Economic Development professionals gathering to collaborate and update each other on everyone's projects and activities that raise and improve Western Wisconsin's economy. Following the roundtable discussion, over forty community leaders enjoyed a complimentary taco bar lunch, after which they attended a KYMA company presentation by Frederik van Heerden. Van Heerden presented a high-level overview of the energy landscape to the CEDC stakeholders and business leaders, covering its historical context [...]

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 20252025-02-17T10:47:38-06:00
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