Chippewa Falls, WI — June 8, 2026 — The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) joined community leaders, business partners, and members of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday to celebrate the continued growth of Water’s Edge Cheese Curds with a ribbon cutting for its new production facility in the Lake Wissota Business Park.
The event marked a significant milestone for the family-owned company and highlighted strong local collaboration supporting business expansion and job growth in the Chippewa Valley.
Led by owners Luke Grube, Rick Drolet, and Sara Drolet, Water’s Edge Cheese Curds has quickly built a reputation for quality, innovation, and commitment to Wisconsin’s dairy tradition while expanding its footprint in Chippewa Falls.
“This project represents more than just a new building. It is a meaningful investment in the future of local manufacturing, agriculture, and economic growth in our region,” said Casey Hedrington, Economic Development Specialist with CEDC. “Expansion is a crossroads moment for any business. You can go anywhere. Water’s Edge chose to stay, invest, and grow right here in Chippewa County, and that’s something worth celebrating. This is exactly the kind of story that shows our region is a great place to raise a family and a business.”
CEDC worked alongside Water’s Edge Cheese Curds throughout the development process, supporting efforts to strengthen local industry and encourage long-term investment in the community. The ribbon cutting, hosted by the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, brought together stakeholders from across the region to recognize the project’s impact.
The new facility positions Water’s Edge Cheese Curds for continued growth while enhancing its ability to serve customers across Wisconsin and beyond. The expansion reflects broader momentum in the Chippewa Falls area for manufacturing investment, entrepreneurial growth, and agricultural value-added production.
Water’s Edge Cheese Curds continues to represent the core strengths of the region—hard work, family ownership, innovation, and community investment—while contributing to a growing local economy.
As the community celebrates this milestone, the project stands as a symbol of confidence in Chippewa Falls and the broader Chippewa Valley region.
About Water’s Edge Cheese Curds
Water’s Edge Cheese Curds is a family-owned Wisconsin-based producer of premium cheese curds committed to quality, innovation, and tradition.
About Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC)
CEDC is dedicated to fostering economic growth and resilience in Chippewa County by supporting business development, workforce initiatives, and strategic advocacy efforts that strengthen the regional economy.
Media Contact:
Casey Hedrington
Economic Development Specialist
Chippewa Economic Development Corporation
Staff@chippewa-wi.com