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BEAR & Lavender-Cultivating Growth

The CEDC is sprinkling a little extra purple magic across the Chippewa Valley with its Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) program—think of it as a fragrant breeze supporting local businesses, like the blossoming Pond View Lavender Farm nestled in Wheaton, Wisconsin Introduced by CEDC in 2007 the BEAR Program’s aim is to be the garden trowel helping businesses take root and bloom with all the resources and know-how they need. This bouquet of strategic initiatives includes BEAR Visits, Lunch & Learns, Listening Sessions, and even Podcasts—all designed to help the Chippewa Valley thrive. Like a "pollinator-CEDC conducts over 40 BEAR visits annually to connect with local businesses, engaging directly with leaders to develop relevant programs, advocating on key issues, and staying informed on trends shape our region's economy. The BEAR Visit approach emphasizes [...]

BEAR & Lavender-Cultivating Growth2026-05-04T15:43:30-05:00

Rogers Groundbreaking More than Turning Dirt!

CEDC was proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Rogers Behavioral Health hospital in Chippewa Falls—a project that represents a major accomplishment for our organization, our partners, and the entire Chippewa Valley. The groundbreaking event was more than just turning dirt. It was in part about a gathering in a field to witness a shared belief that strong communities don’t happen by accident — they believe in economic development and are built on purpose. One of the things we talk about a lot in economic development is speed to market. Communities that move quickly — and thoughtfully — are the ones that win. This project is a great example of that. From vision to action, Rogers Behavioral Health, the city, the County, the State (From the Senate, Governor, and agencies)- all working [...]

Rogers Groundbreaking More than Turning Dirt!2026-05-01T16:04:03-05:00

Chippewa Valley Bean: A Company with a Global Footprint

Recently, Chippewa Valley Bean welcomed regional partners for a Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) visit and Familiarization (FAM) tour. The visit brought together Chippewa Valley economic development professionals, along with representatives from Dunn Energy Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power Cooperative, for a firsthand look at one of the region’s quiet global leaders. At CEDC, BEAR visits are more than routine check-ins. When our team sits down with manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers to ask structured questions—about import volumes, tariff exposure, supply chain pressures, and global customer bases—we are building the foundation for stronger international engagement across the region. This visit offered exactly that kind of insight. From receiving beans from local growers to cleaning, grading, and preparing them for shipment around the world, Chippewa Valley Bean demonstrated the full scope of an operation [...]

Chippewa Valley Bean: A Company with a Global Footprint2026-04-27T16:28:21-05:00

Growing Best Together in the Chippewa Valley

The Forecast Lunch, part of CEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion (BEAR) program and hosted by CEDC with generous sponsorship from Frandsen Bank & Trust, brought together business owners, entrepreneurs, lenders, educators, area manufacturers, and public-sector partners. The shared purpose was clear: to better understand the forces influencing our local economy so we can make smarter, faster decisions together. More than 80 engaged local leaders gathered over tacos, and the room quickly made it clear this was more than just another luncheon. Conversations moved from “what’s happening?” to “how is the local economy doing?” as introductions were made, familiar faces reconnected, and new relationships were formed among people who share a common interest in the Chippewa Valley’s future. The energy in the room reinforced a central theme: our region isn’t standing on the sidelines [...]

Growing Best Together in the Chippewa Valley2026-04-20T17:33:03-05:00

Keeping the Chippewa Running

Conversations around disaster are never easy. Whether it is a cyberattack, natural disaster, or unexpected operational failure, the topic forces our local business leaders to confront risk, uncertainty, and worst-case scenarios. Yet CEDC knows those are exactly the conversations that must happen before a crisis or disaster ever occurs. That’s why CEDC partnered with the Dirks Group to help over twenty local business leaders gather for an executive-level seminar on the topic.  The goal was simple and essential: help our local employers keep their businesses running and protect jobs when disruption strikes. This work is especially important right now. Through ongoing  BEAR  (business expansion and retention) visits, CEDC continues to hear a consistent theme across industries: many local businesses are not adequately prepared for a major disruption. Some lack clear internal roles during [...]

Keeping the Chippewa Running2026-04-15T17:54:28-05:00

From a Century of Care to a New Beginning in Chippewa County

When the groundbreaking begins for the new Rogers Behavioral Health hospital in Chippewa Falls, it will represent far more than the start of construction. It marks the continuation of a legacy more than a century in the making—one now taking root in the Chippewa Valley. A Legacy Rooted in Wisconsin Rogers Behavioral Health traces its origins back to 1907, when Arthur Rogers and his wife Theresa opened a small health retreat in Oconomowoc. What began as a quiet, nature-based place for healing has grown into one of the nation’s leading independent behavioral health systems. Over the past 100+ years, Rogers has expanded well beyond its original campus—advancing research, developing specialized treatment programs, and delivering care for mental health, addiction, and eating disorders. Today, the organization operates across the country, serving children, teens, and [...]

From a Century of Care to a New Beginning in Chippewa County2026-04-15T17:25:51-05:00

Yes, Wisconsin Has a Moss Industry—and It’s Global

Last weekend, I laced up my boots and headed to Beaver Creek Reserve in Eau Claire County—a beautiful 400-plus-acre mix of upland woods, river bottom forests, wetlands, and savanna just outside Eau Claire. The occasion: a moss hike, one of those wonderfully slow, ground-level experiences that shifts your perspective from the canopy to the carpet underfoot. As I crouched beside a lush emerald patch of sphagnum moss along a wetland edge, the usual questions kicked in: Who first saw commercial value in this stuff? How did an industry grow from bog moss? And is it still thriving today? The answers surprised me—and they should surprise most economic developers, nature lovers, and even many longtime Wisconsin residents. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. that commercially harvests sphagnum moss at scale. The heart [...]

Yes, Wisconsin Has a Moss Industry—and It’s Global2026-03-30T17:41:00-05:00

#FlyEAU — What Communities Without Air Service Wish They Had

In economic development, you don’t always learn the value of an asset by having it. Sometimes you learn by watching others lose it.  Across the Midwest, communities without reliable commercial air service are discovering—often the hard way—that air access is not a luxury. It is one of the core infrastructure requirements for a growing community. Once it’s gone, rebuilding it is costly, slow, and uncertain. However- here in the Chippewa Valley we are fortunate. We have the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (CVRA) that connects us to a major hub (Chicago), one that supports business growth, and one that keeps us competitive. There are many communities our size that would trade places with us in a heartbeat!  It’s easy to overlook something that’s always been there. But when you step back and really think [...]

#FlyEAU — What Communities Without Air Service Wish They Had2026-03-24T10:34:22-05:00

The BDO Zone Delivers Real Economic Treasure

Top o' the morning to our Chippewa Valley friends! As we gear up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day—a time for green rivers, festive parades, and the promise of new beginnings—it's the perfect moment to shine a light on something truly golden right here in Chippewa County: our certified Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone. A newly published independent study from Dr. Burton C. English, Institute Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, using the Renewable Energy Economic Analysis Layers (REEAL) model, provides the hard evidence we've been building toward. The research shows that biomanufacturing projects in certified BDO Zones generate an average of $423 million in annual economic impact per project—that's $4.23 billion cumulatively over ten years. Nationally, adding just 100 more BDO Zones could spark $21 billion to $64 billion in economic activity [...]

The BDO Zone Delivers Real Economic Treasure2026-03-16T16:53:06-05:00

Verify Before You Click

Phishing emails are not just an IT problem—they are a real business risk for businesses across Chippewa and Wisconsin, including our CEDC investors.  Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated at sending fake emails that appear to come from trusted local organizations, including the CEDC. Some even impersonate board members or business owners, using their names and email addresses. These messages are designed to prompt quick action—often clicking a link or opening an attachment—before you notice the warning signs. Scammers know you are more likely to trust messages from familiar names or organizations like us.  They often: Spoof the sender’s name – For example, using a board member’s name but sending from a free email account like Gmail instead of our official domain. Create urgency – Messages such as “We need you to pay this [...]

Verify Before You Click2026-03-09T14:51:30-05:00
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