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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

Visibility, Relationships, and Readiness: Positioning Chippewa County for Growth

Economic growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through relationships, preparation, and showing up consistently in the conversations that shape investment decisions. In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive economy, communities are no longer just competing with neighboring counties — they are competing nationally. For Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), that reality shapes how we approach business attraction and long-term growth in 2026. One thing is clear: visibility matters. Corporate expansion and relocation decisions often start months — sometimes years — before a community ever receives a call. Those early conversations are guided by professional site selectors and consultants who evaluate regions on behalf of companies. If a community is not actively building relationships with those decision-makers, it is unlikely to be considered when opportunities arise. That is why CEDC has made it a [...]

Visibility, Relationships, and Readiness: Positioning Chippewa County for Growth2026-02-20T15:50:52-06:00

Cadott School District: A Launchpad for Technical Careers and Regional Growth

The School District of Cadott’s brand-new Technical Education Center is opening doors for the next generation of makers, builders, and problem-solvers in Chippewa County. With more than 29,000 square feet of modern space and advanced, industry-relevant equipment, this investment gives students hands-on experience in high-demand skilled trades while strengthening the region’s future workforce. This center is a perfect fit for CEDC’s BEAR Showcase, which spotlights projects and partners that are driving economic growth and workforce development across Chippewa County. Local, regional, and state economic development and business leaders were honored to tour the new Technical Education Center and see its impact firsthand, gaining insight into how this investment in education will translate into long-term workforce and economic benefits for the region. Partners discussed how the Center will help address talent needs in manufacturing, [...]

Cadott School District: A Launchpad for Technical Careers and Regional Growth2026-02-03T16:38:24-06:00

Data Centers, Done Right: Positioning Us for Responsible Growth

As data centers appear more often in national and regional headlines, it’s natural for local communities—especially rural ones—to have questions. These facilities are large, energy-intensive, and highly technical, and without the right safeguards in place, they can raise concerns about utilities, water resources, and long-term community impact. At CEDC, we believe the question is not simply whether data centers belong in Chippewa, but under what conditions they make sense. For several years, CEDC has worked alongside state and local leaders to ensure communities are informed, protected, and positioned to take advantage of data center opportunities when they arise—and when they align with local priorities. When developed under the right conditions, data centers can be a strong fit for Chippewa's broader economic development strategy. They represent significant, long-term private investment and contribute a stable [...]

Data Centers, Done Right: Positioning Us for Responsible Growth2026-01-14T17:40:28-06:00

Advocacy That Drives Change

Advocacy is at the heart of CEDC’s mission. Each year, we unite businesses, community leaders, and partners to meet with legislators and elevate the issues that matter most to Chippewa County. Over the past three years, CEDC has supported more than 27 bills, with over a dozen now enacted into law. For instance-CEDC for years have been advocating for the establishment of a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Talent Recruitment Grant Program which would provide funding to help local governments and organizations attract new residents from outside the state— showcasing what makes Wisconsin an exceptional place to live, work, and build a future. This was realized this past year when Wisconsin Act 15 was signed by Governor Evers. The grant program is now open to eligible applicants with a mission of economic development, workforce [...]

Advocacy That Drives Change2025-12-11T16:23:11-06:00

Ripples of Giving: How We Raise the Chippewa Tide Together

Today, on the Day of Giving, we are reminded of the power of generosity and the impact it has on shaping our local communities. Here in the Chippewa Valley, the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is more than just an organization—it is a catalyst for growth, opportunity, and resilience. Our work is powered by community investment because when our community invests in economic development, everyone benefits. After all, a rising tide truly lifts all boats. Economic development is not just about attracting businesses or creating jobs; it is about building a stronger foundation for everyone. At CEDC, we create an environment where businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can thrive, and residents can access new opportunities. By expanding manufacturing and retail opportunities, supporting startups and small businesses, and investing in critical infrastructure, the benefits [...]

Ripples of Giving: How We Raise the Chippewa Tide Together2025-12-02T16:36:13-06:00

Gratitude, Growth, and the Orange Army

Here in Chippewa, usually the first real cold of the season settles in around Thanksgiving. The Chippewa River starts to grow quiet, frost laces the windows of our downtown boutique shops, and orange and pink dots emerge in the woods as Wisconsin’s legendary “orange army” heads out for deer season. It’s a time marked by traditions—family tables, early-morning hunts, and the simple comfort of being together. That same spirit of connection is what fuels CEDC mission and actions. We’re more than an office on Technology Way. We’re neighbors helping neighbors build the entrepreneur ecosystem where businesses strengthen our communities, create opportunities, and position the next generation for continued wealth creation. Entrepreneurship in rural Wisconsin isn’t for the faint of heart! Often, you’re up early, long before sunrise, sometimes firing up the coffee pot [...]

Gratitude, Growth, and the Orange Army2025-11-21T13:44:54-06:00

From the Battlefields to Main Street: A Veteran’s Gift of the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Every Veterans Day, I pause to remember a man who shaped not only my life, but the way I lead, serve, and build community. My father was a Vietnam veteran—three tours, each one a chapter of courage, grit, and sacrifice. He didn’t talk much about the war, but you could see it in his eyes: the weight of what he’d seen, and the pride of having stood for something bigger than himself. When he came home after serving 25 years in the Army, he didn’t stop serving. He just changed uniforms. He opened a small business in our hometown—a modest shop with a worn wooden counter, a coffee pot always on, and a handshake that meant something. It wasn’t just a place to earn a living. It was a place where our neighbors [...]

From the Battlefields to Main Street: A Veteran’s Gift of the Entrepreneurial Spirit2025-11-12T14:43:02-06:00

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

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
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