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A CEDC Christmas Tale of Economic Development – Spreading Joy and Prosperity

In the picturesque region of Chippewa, nestled among the snow-draped Blue Hills and the ever-flowing Chippewa River, the Christmas season is a time of warmth, laughter, and togetherness. It's the perfect season to reflect on our accomplishments, our failures, and our experiences. Yet, in many other communities, the past few years have brought worry into the hearts of their townsfolk. Their local economies have slowed, businesses have shuttered, and many families faced a difficult Christmas without jobs. Unlike Chippewa, these communities lacked an organization like CEDC to unite behind. The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC)—renowned for its community-focused initiatives—continued to partner with their towns to revitalize the Chippewa Valley. Fueled by a can-do attitude, abundant collaboration, community involvement, and adaptive, ground-breaking ideas, CEDC helped Chippewa County, Wisconsin become a dynamic and prosperous area [...]

A CEDC Christmas Tale of Economic Development – Spreading Joy and Prosperity2024-12-23T16:19:32-06:00

Winter Expansion: Chippewa County Company Builds Toward Prosperity

As winter frost blankets the Chippewa Valley, the local economy is heating up with exciting developments. Water’s Edge Cheese Curds has officially broken ground on a 12,000-square-foot facility in the Lake Wissota Business Park in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. This expansion marks a significant investment in the company’s future, aimed at improving efficiency, increasing capacity, and enhancing its ability to meet growing customer demand. Despite the chilly temperatures, contractors are hard at work through the winter to bring this facility to life. Their dedication ensures that the project stays on schedule, reflecting the resilience and determination that define our community. Water’s Edge Cheese Curds began in 2010 with a secret recipe crafted in the kitchen of a Northwoods Wisconsin supper club. What started as a small venture has grown into one of the nation’s [...]

Winter Expansion: Chippewa County Company Builds Toward Prosperity2024-12-12T15:18:26-06:00

Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series: Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition – Chippewa Falls, WI

The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) continues its commitment to supporting local businesses by partnering with UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), the Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator (WPI), and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). Together, these organizations are hosting a three-part series of Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series as part of a Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Learning event aimed at helping local manufacturers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Looking Ahead The last BEAR Learning Sessions of our three-part series is: Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition: REGISTER HERE Scheduled for March 14, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at CVTC Chippewa Falls Campus CEDC’s ongoing partnership with local institutions such as UW-Stout, CVTC, and WPI ensures that Chippewa Valley manufacturers continue to benefit from programs that [...]

Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series: Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition – Chippewa Falls, WI2025-03-05T14:51:08-06:00

Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series: Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning – Chippewa Falls, WI

The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) continues its commitment to supporting local businesses by partnering with UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), the Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator (WPI), and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). Together, these organizations are hosting a three-part series of Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series as part of a Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Learning event aimed at helping local manufacturers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. The first session, focused on Training Within Industry (TWI), took place on Friday, December 6th, 2024. Led by Matthew Wakefield, Management Engineer at UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), this session provided valuable insights into how TWI can be leveraged as a comprehensive approach to improving manufacturing processes. Looking Ahead The next two BEAR Learning Sessions of our three-part series are: Vision Inspection [...]

Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series: Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning – Chippewa Falls, WI2024-12-09T13:34:36-06:00

CEDC RECOGNIZED BY MID-AMERICA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

COLUMBUS, OH, DECEMBER 5, 2024-The Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) honored outstanding achievements during its annual Economic Development Awards at the 2024 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference, held December 4–6 at the Columbus Hyatt Downtown. The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) received recognition in the Entrepreneurial Program category. This award highlights innovative economic development initiatives that foster entrepreneurial culture within a city or region or provide unique support for young businesses in the start-up and early stages of their growth. Entrepreneurial Awards were given to three markets per category – large division (community population over 25,000), medium division (community population between 10,001-25,000), and small division (community population less than 10,000). “The success of our MAEDC awards highlights the incredibly deep impact that innovative programs can have on communities. These awards recognize collective efforts creating [...]

CEDC RECOGNIZED BY MID-AMERICA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL2024-12-06T16:35:22-06:00

HATCH 2024: The Chippewa Valley’s Recipe for Growth, Creativity, and Success

The entrepreneurial spirit of the Chippewa Valley was on full display at HATCH 2024: A Business Pitch Event, a flagship initiative of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). This year’s event, held during Wisconsin Startup Week at the River Bend Winery and Distillery, has continues to be a cornerstone event for fostering creativity and driving business development. HATCH is more than a competition, it’s a platform where local entrepreneurs share groundbreaking ideas and connect with potential investors. By promoting creativity and problem-solving, this event supports economic growth, job creation, and business expansion. This year, the pre-event investor reception, hosted by the CEDC, further strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem by facilitating mentorships, partnerships, and collaborations. The gathering of 75 attendees provided a vital connecting opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to forge relationships that [...]

HATCH 2024: The Chippewa Valley’s Recipe for Growth, Creativity, and Success2024-11-21T15:44:58-06:00

CEDC and BDO Zone Featured in Business in Focus Magazine

Chippewa County’s rich heritage, cultural diversity, economic growth, and designation as a BDO Zone are prominently highlighted in the latest edition of Business in Focus (BIF) Magazine. With a readership exceeding 250,000 executives across the United States and Canada, BIF Magazine is a premier source for business news and insights, reaching influential decision-makers shaping today’s economy. Its digital platforms are trusted for up-to-date developments and trends in economic growth and innovation. Through exclusive interviews with industry leaders, BIF dives into the stories behind their successes, providing valuable insights to its audience. “These are exciting times for CEDC and Chippewa County,” says Charlie Walker. “We are building on our traditionally strong agriculture and manufacturing base, and the BDO Zone will help us expand even further. It’s terrific to be recognized in this BIF publication.” [...]

CEDC and BDO Zone Featured in Business in Focus Magazine2024-11-18T11:45:27-06:00

Join CEDC for Startup Week Wisconsin!

November 11-15 marks an exciting time for the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) as we celebrate Startup Week Wisconsin in the Chippewa Valley! Each year, we join forces with our economic development stakeholders to gather entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across the Chippewa Valley, supporting and energizing the local startup ecosystem. This week-long celebration brings together community members dedicated to driving growth and fostering innovation, creating valuable opportunities for startups to thrive. Throughout the week, a variety of events will unfold across the region, including workshops, panel discussions, networking events, and keynote speakers. Each is aimed at fostering innovation, providing resources, and creating opportunities for startups to grow and succeed. Events such as CEDC’s HATCH which takes place in various venues throughout the Chippewa Valley each year. HATCH provides a unique platform [...]

Join CEDC for Startup Week Wisconsin!2024-11-01T15:02:13-05:00

Embracing Innovation: CEDC’s BEAR Event Showcases Generative AI’s Business Potential

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) continues its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the Chippewa Valley. CEDC hosted a groundbreaking business expansion and retention (BEAR) lunch and learn on generative AI. The BEAR Lunch brought together local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals eager to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Featuring expert speakers Susan Ramonat, Bob Clint, and Bob Oliver, this event was held at Chippewa Valley Technical College and provided valuable insights into: The fundamentals of generative AI and its applications in business Real-world case studies of AI implementation in various industries Ethical considerations and best practices for AI adoption Hands-on demonstrations of popular generative AI tools One of the highlights of the BEAR Lunch & Learn was the question-and-answer session where [...]

Embracing Innovation: CEDC’s BEAR Event Showcases Generative AI’s Business Potential2024-10-24T15:04:57-05:00

Chippewa Falls School Board Honors CEDC’s Commitment to Building a Skilled Future Workforce

The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is committed to fostering economic growth in Chippewa Valley, and one of our most impactful initiatives is focused on workforce development. For years, we’ve worked closely with area high schools to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in future careers, aligning educational programs with the evolving needs of our local industries. Recently, CEDC Vice Chair Deb Chilson and President/CEO Charlie Walker attended a school board meeting where the Chippewa Falls School District recognized CEDC’s talent recruitment and workforce preparation efforts by nominating us for the 2024 Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) Business Honor Roll. This annual award celebrates Wisconsin businesses that demonstrate exceptional support for their local schools, and this year, 59 school districts across the state nominated 186 businesses for their contributions. "At [...]

Chippewa Falls School Board Honors CEDC’s Commitment to Building a Skilled Future Workforce2024-10-29T13:15:53-05:00
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