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Showcasing Chippewa County’s Progress with WEDC

Chippewa’s economic development inertia is not built on a single project or a single conversation. It comes from the steady work of businesses, developers, local leaders, and community partners who are helping create the kind of places where people want to live, work, and invest. That spirit was on display recently when CEDC welcomed John W. Miller, Cabinet Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and Ray French, WEDC Regional Economic Development Director, for a visit focused on the projects and partnerships shaping the future of our county. Led by Charlie , the morning offered more than a tour. It told the story of a community investing in its future through thoughtful development, strong collaboration, and a clear understanding of what drives long-term growth. Building for what comes next At Lake [...]

Showcasing Chippewa County’s Progress with WEDC2026-07-30T15:02:41-05:00

Rail, Logistics, and Redevelopment: A Vision for Future Growth

Recently, CEDC hosted Wisconsin State Representative Rob Summerfield for a Business Expansion, Attraction, and Retention (BEAR) visit at B&L Transport to discuss the company's continued investment at the former frac sand processing facility and explore opportunities to strengthen the site's long-term economic potential. During the visit, B&L Transport provided an update on the significant progress made since acquiring the property. Company leadership highlighted ongoing improvements to the facility, current operations, and future plans to expand transportation, logistics, rail, and industrial capabilities at the site. The discussion underscored the importance of revitalizing formerly underutilized industrial assets while preserving family-supporting jobs and supporting continued private-sector investment in Chippewa County. A major focus of the discussion was Wisconsin’s newly enacted rail infrastructure modernization tax credit, created by 2025 Wisconsin Assembly Bill 219 (AB 219), which was [...]

Rail, Logistics, and Redevelopment: A Vision for Future Growth2026-07-06T16:42:03-05:00

Built Here, Growing Here: Celebrating Local Investment in Chippewa County

CEDC projects rarely happen overnight, they are often measured in milestones. A groundbreaking marks the beginning of the vision, while a ribbon cutting celebrates the successful completion of the project that took planning, partnership, and perseverance to bring to life. So, for us, the ribbon cutting is more than a celebration, it is the visible result of months of collaboration, commitment, and confidence in a community. That reality was on full display as CEDC joined community leaders, business partners, and members of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Water’s Edge Cheese Curds' new production facility in the Lake Wissota Business Park. The celebration was especially meaningful considering where the project began. As winter blanketed the Chippewa Valley in frost, CEDC continued its work alongside Chippewa County [...]

Built Here, Growing Here: Celebrating Local Investment in Chippewa County2026-06-22T13:22:29-05:00

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

Golden Calf Company: Where Innovation, Agriculture, and Community Meet

Golden Calf Company in Bloomer is a shining example of how innovation, manufacturing, and agriculture come together to strengthen Chippewa County’s economy. Their success highlights the importance of exporting locally made products—bringing new dollars into our region and helping fuel broader economic growth. It’s a perfect fit for CEDC’s BEAR Showcase. In the heart of America’s Dairyland, Golden Calf Company has transformed a bold idea into a Bloomer-based manufacturing success story focused on improving how dairies care for newborn calves. What began as a small entrepreneurial venture in 2010—born from firsthand experience on a multi-generation dairy farm—has grown into a modern facility producing specialized tools that help dairy farmers deliver high-quality colostrum quickly, safely, and consistently. Today, Golden Calf produces Calf Hero colostrum pasteurizers, colostrum bags, and innovative single-use tube feeders for customers [...]

Golden Calf Company: Where Innovation, Agriculture, and Community Meet2026-01-21T17:29:46-06:00

BEAR Discussions Podcast: Elevating Local Business Stories in the Chippewa Valley

The BEAR Discussions Podcast has become a cornerstone of how CEDC connects with and supports entrepreneurs and existing businesses across the Chippewa Valley. As part of CEDC’s Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program, the podcast highlights honest, real-world conversations with local business leaders, offering insight into the challenges, decisions, missteps, and opportunities shaping the region’s economy. Hosted by CEDC President and CEO Charlie Walker, often alongside co-hosts Lisa Bruhn, Karen Smith, and Ken Pearson, BEAR Discussions focuses on authentic business stories rather than scripted success narratives. Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to speak candidly about what didn’t work, how they adapted, and what they learned along the way. This “fail forward” mindset reinforces trust, partnership, and long-term relationship building—values central to CEDC’s economic development approach and essential to a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. [...]

BEAR Discussions Podcast: Elevating Local Business Stories in the Chippewa Valley2025-12-24T11:57:28-06:00

The Heartbeat of Western Wisconsin: The BEAR Podcast

If you care about the future of Chippewa, rural innovation, or the heartbeat of western Wisconsin, there’s one podcast you can’t afford to overlook: The BEAR Podcast, hosted by Charlie Walker of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation. BEAR stands for Business Expansion, Attraction, and Retention—but it’s more than an acronym. It’s a mindset. It’s a movement. And it’s your front-row seat to the conversations shaping our region’s economic future. Podcasts have emerged as one of the most powerful tools for storytelling, knowledge-sharing, and community connection. For CEDC, the BEAR Podcast offers a fresh, engaging way to share insights, elevate local voices, and connect with stakeholders in a more personal, meaningful way. Unlike newsletters or press releases, this format brings warmth, personality, and authenticity to the table. It breaks through the noise of traditional [...]

The Heartbeat of Western Wisconsin: The BEAR Podcast2025-10-01T19:43:03-05:00

Driving Defense Contracts – Jobs and Growth for Chippewa and Western Wisconsin

For communities across Wisconsin, economic development organizations (EDCs) such as the CEDC play a critical role in supporting local businesses. Encouraging participation in the defense supply chain is one part of strengthening our region. Chippewa Valley’s role in supporting our nation’s defense is both substantial and growing. With our partners, CVTC, WPI, and NDIA, CEDC is helping organize and promoting an upcoming Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Conference (DMSCC).  This conference provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators to learn how to better engage with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the broader federal contracting landscape. Events like this one can: Connect local businesses to federal opportunities they may not otherwise pursue. Help diversify revenue streams for manufacturers, protecting against downturns in other markets. Encourage workforce development and job creation through high-skill, [...]

Driving Defense Contracts – Jobs and Growth for Chippewa and Western Wisconsin2025-09-16T13:45:04-05:00

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap-  Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment Holcombe, WI – Positioned at the forefront of Wisconsin’s growing startup success story, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation’s BEAR ’25 (Business Expansion and Retention Pitch Showcase) took place this week in Holcombe, bringing together second-stage companies and the investors, lenders, and business champions ready to fuel their next phase of growth. As a statewide initiative, BEAR was designed to address a persistent challenge: the lack of accessible capital for companies that have moved beyond early traction but need resources to scale sustainably. According to a recent report from the Wisconsin Technology Council, more startups across the state are entering a growth-ready phase, reflecting a shift from ideation to execution. However, this [...]

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment2025-09-08T16:48:49-05:00

Shining a Spotlight on Second-Stage Success with BEAR ’25

Wisconsin—and the Chippewa Valley in particular—lags behind some other states and regions in new business formation and job creation per startup. The rate of new business launches has also declined in recent years. Recognizing this challenge, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) has been working to change the trend. We’re focusing on increasing support density, backing founders, and building a stronger ecosystem for growth—especially for second-stage companies. You might be surprised to learn just how many second-stage companies operate right here in western Wisconsin. These are typically privately owned, growth-oriented firms with annual revenues between $1 million and $50 million and at least 10 employees. They’ve moved beyond the early hurdles of starting up and are now focused on scaling their operations, expanding into new markets, and creating lasting value in their industries. [...]

Shining a Spotlight on Second-Stage Success with BEAR ’252025-08-15T16:23:18-05:00
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