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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

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

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

CEDC Engages Local Businesses to Shape Chippewa County’s Comprehensive Plan

CEDC recently brought together business leaders from across the county in Cadott for a collaborative session aimed at gathering firsthand insights from those directly involved in the local economy. Engaging local businesses in updating the county’s comprehensive plan is crucial, as it ensures that strategies guiding land use, infrastructure, and economic growth align with the realities and aspirations of the community. This meeting marked an important step in shaping the plan, a long-term blueprint that will guide development, investment, and infrastructure decisions for years to come. During the session, CEDC highlighted several key strategies designed to address challenges facing Chippewa County. These included supporting workforce development initiatives to attract and retain skilled talent, expanding broadband access to ensure businesses and residents can compete in a digital economy, and promoting infrastructure improvements that enhance [...]

CEDC Engages Local Businesses to Shape Chippewa County’s Comprehensive Plan2025-09-09T13:48:30-05:00

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’25

When I was building WeatherVane Creamery (note: website intentionally frozen in time), I was trying to do more than just open a vibrant Wisconsin-themed deli in River Falls- I was painting a vision. I wanted people to see what I saw: a vital, community-centered, proudly Wisconsin space that could become something special right now, not “someday.”   And thankfully, people did see it. I built an advisory board of experts, restaurateurs, and dairy industry insiders. I crowdfunded. I launched investor dinners. I had the American Cheese Society's stamp of approval. I got a ton of media coverage. It was alive and moving, being the scrappy Western Wisconsin founder working tirelessly to rally Cheeseheads.   What I didn’t have… was a clear investor path. Ask any rural founder in these parts, and they’ll likely tell you a [...]

Sarah Kowal Blogging for CEDC-From Founder to Capital Connector: A Western Wisconsin Entrepreneur Comes Full Circle with BEAR ’252025-07-31T16:47:34-05:00

BEAR Lunch & Learn: OSHA & EPA’s Impact on Small Businesses

Most OSHA and EPA laws were created to regulate large businesses, yet 99.5% of U.S. businesses consist of less than 250 employees. In this BEAR Lunch & Learn, find out from Cory White, co-owner of Small Business EH&S, the three ways that these laws negatively effect small businesses and what you can do to ensure the safety of your employees. Registration is limited; reserve your seat today! Tickets cover the cost of lunch. To learn more about what Cory does, visit his website here.

BEAR Lunch & Learn: OSHA & EPA’s Impact on Small Businesses2021-12-30T09:43:15-06:00

SMART (BEAR) Discussions

Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) is a CCEDC economic development strategy that proactively connects with existing businesses to understand and respond to their needs. Special attention is given to our small businesses that employ 150 individuals or less. These existing small businesses and their workforce are key measuring sticks of the Chippewa Valley’s economic health.  It is important that CCEDC continues to build positive relationships with our local businesses, connect with them regularly, and follow up with them when problems are identified. CCEDC aims to proactively address small issues before they arise and become big issues that may impact critical business activities. This is what BEAR Discussions are all about! These (BEAR) discussions center around improving relationships with local governments, educational institutions, and supply chains.  CEDCC would like to thank Klaus Bauer of [...]

SMART (BEAR) Discussions2021-02-10T16:40:06-06:00

BEAR Discussion

Business Expansion AND Retention (BEAR) is an economic development strategy of CCEDC that proactively connecting with existing businesses to discuss and understand their needs.

BEAR Discussion2021-02-10T14:28:28-06:00

CCEDC C2 IT Event

ReForMDirect  Hear from ReForMDirect  Dr. David J Usher on the importance health care cost controlling them in your business. Especially as the unknown of the Covid 19 will make it more important about controlling cost and providing excellent care. Lisa Bruhn of CCEDC board member will lead the discussion on July 24, 2020 from 9 am - 11 am 2020. Register and a Zoom link will be sent out later date.  

CCEDC C2 IT Event2021-02-17T13:44:42-06:00

Feasibility Business Park Site Visit

Chippewa County is on the cusp of expanding on its recent economic boom, the President/CEO of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation(CCEDC)-Charlie Walker said. According to Walker, “The county began the process of looking into the feasibility of adding or building another Certified Shovel Ready Business Park because in part of the most recent success of the current Lake Wissota Business Park." Chippewa County officials want to expand on that success by making room for more businesses. As part of that process Chippewa County hired a consultant to look at the feasibility of such a project. CCEDC organized meetings between businesses, elected leaders, site selectors and other economic development stakeholders to gather input and feedback for the new business/industrial park. The consultants and CCEDC spent two days touring Chippewa County looking at current [...]

Feasibility Business Park Site Visit2020-01-17T13:56:24-06:00
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