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So far Charlie Walker has created 332 blog entries.
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Join CEDC for Startup Week Wisconsin!

November 11-15 marks an exciting time for the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) as we celebrate Startup Week Wisconsin in the Chippewa Valley! Each year, we join forces with our economic development stakeholders to gather entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across the Chippewa Valley, supporting and energizing the local startup ecosystem. This week-long celebration brings together community members dedicated to driving growth and fostering innovation, creating valuable opportunities for startups to thrive. Throughout the week, a variety of events will unfold across the region, including workshops, panel discussions, networking events, and keynote speakers. Each is aimed at fostering innovation, providing resources, and creating opportunities for startups to grow and succeed. Events such as CEDC’s HATCH which takes place in various venues throughout the Chippewa Valley each year. HATCH provides a unique platform [...]

Join CEDC for Startup Week Wisconsin!2024-11-01T15:02:13-05:00

Embracing Innovation: CEDC’s BEAR Event Showcases Generative AI’s Business Potential

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) continues its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the Chippewa Valley. CEDC hosted a groundbreaking business expansion and retention (BEAR) lunch and learn on generative AI. The BEAR Lunch brought together local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals eager to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Featuring expert speakers Susan Ramonat, Bob Clint, and Bob Oliver, this event was held at Chippewa Valley Technical College and provided valuable insights into: The fundamentals of generative AI and its applications in business Real-world case studies of AI implementation in various industries Ethical considerations and best practices for AI adoption Hands-on demonstrations of popular generative AI tools One of the highlights of the BEAR Lunch & Learn was the question-and-answer session where [...]

Embracing Innovation: CEDC’s BEAR Event Showcases Generative AI’s Business Potential2024-10-24T15:04:57-05:00

Chippewa Falls School Board Honors CEDC’s Commitment to Building a Skilled Future Workforce

The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is committed to fostering economic growth in Chippewa Valley, and one of our most impactful initiatives is focused on workforce development. For years, we’ve worked closely with area high schools to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in future careers, aligning educational programs with the evolving needs of our local industries. Recently, CEDC Vice Chair Deb Chilson and President/CEO Charlie Walker attended a school board meeting where the Chippewa Falls School District recognized CEDC’s talent recruitment and workforce preparation efforts by nominating us for the 2024 Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) Business Honor Roll. This annual award celebrates Wisconsin businesses that demonstrate exceptional support for their local schools, and this year, 59 school districts across the state nominated 186 businesses for their contributions. "At [...]

Chippewa Falls School Board Honors CEDC’s Commitment to Building a Skilled Future Workforce2024-10-29T13:15:53-05:00

Navigating Cybersecurity: Insights from Our BEAR Lunch & Learn

In today’s digital landscape, the need for robust cybersecurity practices among Chippewa Valley businesses has never been more pressing. Recently, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) hosted a Lunch & Learn event dedicated to enhancing local businesses’ understanding of cybersecurity threats and strategies. The session featured Stephen Casselman, a cybersecurity instructor at CVTC, who provided valuable insights into the challenges and best practices for protecting digital assets. With a strong background in Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense, Stephen effectively communicated the current state of cybersecurity and the risks organizations face. A key focus of Stephen’s presentation was that a significant percentage of data breaches are caused by human error. He emphasized that while technology plays a crucial role in safeguarding information, it is equally important for businesses [...]

Navigating Cybersecurity: Insights from Our BEAR Lunch & Learn2024-09-20T16:13:26-05:00

Get Ready for HATCH 2024: The Ultimate Idea Pitch Competition!

Entrepreneurs, innovators, and dreamers—this one’s for you! On Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, during Startup Chippewa Valley Week, Chippewa Falls will be buzzing with creativity and excitement as CEDC's HATCH returns. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a $5,000 grand prize to the most promising business idea! HATCH is more than just a pitch competition; it’s a platform for local entrepreneurs to shine, connect with community leaders, and get their innovative ideas in front of a panel of experienced judges. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale your next big venture or a community member excited to witness the latest ideas that could shape the future, this event is for you. Why You Should Attend: Meet the Entrepreneurs: Some of the brightest minds in the Chippewa Valley will [...]

Get Ready for HATCH 2024: The Ultimate Idea Pitch Competition!2024-09-16T15:58:06-05:00

Protecting Local Businesses: What Chippewa Valley Businesses Need to Know

In an era where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the importance of cybersecurity practices for local Chippewa Valley businesses, especially those involved in sensitive sectors, cannot be overstated. Yesterday, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) hosted a Lunch and Learn event on cybersecurity, aimed at equipping local businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves against evolving cyber threats. The event, held at CVTC, brought together a diverse group of attendees eager to learn about the latest trends and strategies in cybersecurity. The keynote speaker, Doug Ebert, Vice President of Operations at Core Cabling & Integration (CCI), shared his expertise on the critical role of cybersecurity and security systems in today’s business landscape. Core Cabling & Integration (CCI) is a locally owned company [...]

Protecting Local Businesses: What Chippewa Valley Businesses Need to Know2024-09-03T09:50:12-05:00

CEDC Updates Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Managers

Recently, Charlie Walker from the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) delivered a compelling presentation at the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) Managers Meeting in Stanley, WI at the RESCO facility. WECA has a rich history rooted in the Great Depression of the 1930s, marked by significant achievements and leadership in rural electrification. Among its notable milestones is the creation of the nation’s first statewide association for Rural Electric Cooperatives. Over the past 80 years, Wisconsin's rural electric cooperatives have evolved into vital community assets, providing more than just reliable electricity. Their ongoing success is supported by organizations like CEDC, which promote business growth in rural Wisconsin. In his presentation, Charlie emphasized the critical role of economic development in fostering growth and sustainability in rural areas. Unlike urban centers, rural communities face unique challenges, [...]

CEDC Updates Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Managers2024-08-23T15:48:34-05:00

Securing the Future: The Crucial Role of Cybersecurity for Chippewa Manufacturers

In today's digital age, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated, especially for Department of Defense (DoD) manufacturers in the Chippewa Valley. These manufacturers are crucial to national security, making them prime targets for cyberattacks from state-sponsored actors, organized crime groups, and opportunistic hackers. A successful cyberattack on Western Wisconsin's DoD manufacturers could have catastrophic consequences, potentially compromising sensitive defense information, disrupting operations, and endangering national security. To address these critical cybersecurity needs, the Wisconsin Procurement Institute and UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), in collaboration with Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) and the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), hosted a BEAR Discussion event. This event tackled the pressing challenges faced by the manufacturing sector. Expert speakers, including Stephen Casselman, IT-Network Specialist Instructor at CVTC’s Center for Cyber Defense, Ron Thomas, Senior Management Engineer [...]

Securing the Future: The Crucial Role of Cybersecurity for Chippewa Manufacturers2024-08-20T14:15:57-05:00

CEDC Holds Board Meeting at Farm Technology Days with a Focus on Healthcare

On the last day of Farm Technology Days, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) held a pivotal board meeting, bringing together community leaders both in person at the Hixwood building and virtually. This meeting was significant not only for its venue—Wisconsin's largest outdoor agricultural event—but also for its focus on a topic crucial to the future well-being of the Chippewa Valley: healthcare. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Patti Darley, Vice Chair of the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative (CVHC), who provided an in-depth look at the organization's mission and services. As she addressed the CEDC board members, half of whom joined via Zoom, Darley emphasized the importance of making high-quality healthcare both accessible and affordable for all residents in the Chippewa Valley region. The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is a [...]

CEDC Holds Board Meeting at Farm Technology Days with a Focus on Healthcare2024-08-19T08:48:54-05:00

Chippewa County Involved Since ’68

During the early summer event held from June 25-27, 1968 the focus was on hay harvesting. The show faced significant challenges due to heavy rainfall, which disrupted activities and made the event notably muddy. A long-time attendee remarked that this was the wettest show they've ever experienced, with rain falling for ten days prior, resulting in 1.5 to 2.0 feet of mud in the tent area. Additionally, the forage crop was not at its peak maturity, further complicating the event. Despite these issues, nearly 400 lots were sold in Tent City. At the end of the show, a local jokester mysteriously drove away with a display tractor, which was eventually found in Missouri. The event took place on The Chippewa County farm (now Lake Wissota Business Park) which included around 120 dairy cows [...]

Chippewa County Involved Since ’682024-08-05T17:35:32-05:00
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