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Failing Forward: Building a Stronger Entrepreneurial Community

Our entrepreneurial community is no stranger to big dreams—and equally big challenges. Picture this: a room buzzing with energy, not from polished pitches or victory laps, but from candid tales of ventures and business ideas that didn’t quite make it. Prior to HATCH 2025, during the second week of November—Startup Week—CEDC is inviting founders, innovators, and supporters to a unique business celebration: a cocktail reception at EastBay Lodge in Lake Holcombe. Here, we’ll raise a glass not just to our successes, but to the lessons learned from failure. Why does CEDC celebrate these business idea setbacks? Because failure is often the best teacher. When local entrepreneurs openly discuss projects that didn’t pan out, it fosters a culture of honesty, resilience, and shared learning. At CEDC, we believe innovation thrives in an environment where [...]

Failing Forward: Building a Stronger Entrepreneurial Community2025-11-05T14:02:59-06:00

CEDC Works to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Defense Manufacturing

Every October is recognized as Manufacturing Month, and this year, CEDC spotlighted innovation, collaboration, and opportunity within Wisconsin’s defense manufacturing sector. Through two key events — the Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Conference (DMSCC) and the Collaborative Showcase at W.S. Darley & Co. — CEDC and its partners brought together manufacturers, educators, and defense industry leaders to strengthen local supply chains and highlight the vital role manufacturing plays in driving regional growth. Connecting Wisconsin’s Defense Manufacturers More than 60 manufacturers from across the Chippewa Valley and beyond gathered for the first time in Chippewa County to attend the Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Conference, hosted at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). The conference was organized in partnership with CEDC, CVTC, the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), and NDIA Great Lakes. The sold-out conference focused on unlocking [...]

CEDC Works to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Defense Manufacturing2025-10-22T14:10:05-05:00

From Design to Delivery: Ashley Furniture Showcases Innovation for Manufacturing Month

As part of Manufacturing Month, a CEDC Collaborative Showcase was hosted by Ashley Furniture Industries in Chippewa Falls—spotlighting one of Chippewa Valley's premier manufacturing facilities. Manufacturing Month is a national celebration in October that highlights the importance of the manufacturing industry to Wisconsin's economy and helps promote careers in manufacturing. For years, CEDC has proudly marked Manufacturing Month as a way to honor the region’s thriving manufacturing industry and highlight the critical role it plays in the Chippewa Valley’s economy. Each October, CEDC brings together local manufacturers, educators, community partners, and workforce development leaders to a collaborative showcase that highlights innovation, advanced technology, and skilled craftsmanship. Through these events, CEDC provides opportunities for stakeholders to see firsthand how manufacturing drives growth, creates quality jobs, and fuels innovation. Since 1945, Ashley Furniture—known then as [...]

From Design to Delivery: Ashley Furniture Showcases Innovation for Manufacturing Month2025-10-17T15:03:07-05:00

Rogers Behavioral Health Expands Access to Mental Health Care in the Chippewa Valley

Rogers Behavioral Health is inviting community members, leaders, and partners to attend an upcoming Open House on Wednesday, October 15, at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Chippewa Falls. The event marks an important milestone as Rogers continues to inform and educate more local citizens about their expansion project in Chippewa Falls. This event offers an opportunity to meet Rogers’ leadership team, learn more about their services, ask questions, and explore ways to collaborate in supporting mental health and wellness throughout the region. Having a mental health facility like Rogers Behavioral Health in our community provides significant advantages for both local well-being and economic development. This investment of over 12 million dollars not only fills a critical gap in care, but also supports a healthier, more resilient, and economically vibrant community. Access to mental [...]

Rogers Behavioral Health Expands Access to Mental Health Care in the Chippewa Valley2025-10-17T15:39:50-05:00

Opportunity Zone 2.0: Charting the Next Chapter for Chippewa County

CEDC knows that economic development is about more than attracting investment. It’s about creating lasting opportunities for growth that benefit everyone in our area. That’s why in 2016/17  CEDC  advocated for the establishment of a Chippewa County Opportunity Zone, what is known as Census Tract 105 in Chippewa Falls. This area was identified as  a Low-Income Community Opportunity Zone and forwarded on to the state and federal government for designation. Covering 7.4 square miles and home to around 5,400 residents, the Census Tract 105 was officially designated as the only Opportunity Zone in Chippewa County. This federal designation provides tax incentives for investors who direct capital into projects that revitalize underserved areas. As a result, Chippewa Falls gained  valuable projects and attracted new investment that increased the net new construction and brought more tax revenue into local governments coffers. For [...]

Opportunity Zone 2.0: Charting the Next Chapter for Chippewa County2025-09-23T15:30:52-05:00

Smoked, Sauced, and Strategized: CEDC Heats Up!

CEDC was fired up—literally and figuratively—as our very own barbecue team, C2 BBQ, proudly competed in the inaugural Northern Wisconsin State Fair BBQ Cook-off. Thousands of BBQ cook-offs now take place annually across the U.S. and internationally, attracting pitmasters, foodies, and tourists. Events like the American Royal in Kansas City and the Jack Daniel’s Invitational in Tennessee are considered BBQ’s Super Bowls-and there is no doubt the Northern Wisconsin State Fair's cook off is headed in that direction. This sizzling new event brought together pitmasters from across the region for a day filled with smoky flavors, live music, food trucks, and festive camaraderie. But for CEDC’s team—Ken Pearson, Paul Olson, Casey Hedrington, and Charlie Walker—it was about more than just chicken and ribs. It was a chance to showcase the heart of our organization: [...]

Smoked, Sauced, and Strategized: CEDC Heats Up!2025-09-09T10:19:58-05:00

CEDC Champions $16 Million Mental Health Facility to Serve the Chippewa Valley

CEDC is collaborating with Senator Jesse James and Representative Clint Moses to strengthen mental health services in the Chippewa Valley, championing a transformative project that will expand access to critical mental health services. CEO Charlie Walker recently testified before the Wisconsin Assembly in support of Assembly Bill 388, and before the Wisconsin Senate for Senate Bill 407, advocating for the release of a $10 million state grant to support Rogers Behavioral Health Project. He was joined by CEDC Board Member Maureen Carlson, who also testified in support of SB 407. Their testimony highlighted the urgent need for improved mental health resources in the region following recent hospital closures that left communities underserved. Walker emphasized the strain on local systems, while Carlson noted how the proposed facility would relieve pressure on emergency departments and [...]

CEDC Champions $16 Million Mental Health Facility to Serve the Chippewa Valley2025-09-09T10:50:36-05:00

CEDC and Momentum West Map the Future for Rural Businesses

Visibility counts—and we’re making it count. CEDC and Momentum West have partnered up to help rural businesses boost their digital presence and get discovered. It starts with a practical brochure that walks owners through the steps of getting listed on Google Maps and Apple Maps—two of the most critical platforms for customer visibility. For rural businesses, being mapped is no longer optional—it’s essential. In economic development, the phrase “Not marked, not known” couldn’t be more true. Accurate mapping isn’t just about putting a pin on the map—it’s about unlocking opportunity. Most consumers, nearly 98% in the U.S., use the internet to find local business information, often through their phones. More than half search specifically for local businesses on their mobile devices, and 76% of those searches result in a store visit within 24 [...]

CEDC and Momentum West Map the Future for Rural Businesses2025-09-02T13:04:14-05:00

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

Building Connections, Creating Jobs: The Impact of CEDC’s BEAR Visits & Showcases

Our local manufacturing business visitation BEAR Visits and Showcase Programs continues to achieve notable successes and demonstrates substantial value to our economic development strategy. Almost everyone has heard, and local Chippewa data consistently shows that most new jobs in our area are created by our existing manufacturing businesses. Utilizing regular BEAR visits and Showcases allow our Board of Directors, stakeholders, and economic development support teams to identify and address real-time challenges faced by our local manufacturers. These events often lead to timely solutions that support local company growth as well as builds meaningful relationships, facilitates resource sharing, builds trust, and fostering innovation among local businesses. In fact, several studies show that economic development organization-driven connections help local firms adapt quickly to changes and can boost productivity by facilitating knowledge transfer and pooling local [...]

Building Connections, Creating Jobs: The Impact of CEDC’s BEAR Visits & Showcases2025-09-12T13:15:15-05:00
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