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Rogers Groundbreaking More than Turning Dirt!

CEDC was proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Rogers Behavioral Health hospital in Chippewa Falls—a project that represents a major accomplishment for our organization, our partners, and the entire Chippewa Valley. The groundbreaking event was more than just turning dirt. It was in part about a gathering in a field to witness a shared belief that strong communities don’t happen by accident — they believe in economic development and are built on purpose. One of the things we talk about a lot in economic development is speed to market. Communities that move quickly — and thoughtfully — are the ones that win. This project is a great example of that. From vision to action, Rogers Behavioral Health, the city, the County, the State (From the Senate, Governor, and agencies)- all working [...]

Rogers Groundbreaking More than Turning Dirt!2026-05-01T16:04:03-05:00

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

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

From a Century of Care to a New Beginning in Chippewa County

When the groundbreaking begins for the new Rogers Behavioral Health hospital in Chippewa Falls, it will represent far more than the start of construction. It marks the continuation of a legacy more than a century in the making—one now taking root in the Chippewa Valley. A Legacy Rooted in Wisconsin Rogers Behavioral Health traces its origins back to 1907, when Arthur Rogers and his wife Theresa opened a small health retreat in Oconomowoc. What began as a quiet, nature-based place for healing has grown into one of the nation’s leading independent behavioral health systems. Over the past 100+ years, Rogers has expanded well beyond its original campus—advancing research, developing specialized treatment programs, and delivering care for mental health, addiction, and eating disorders. Today, the organization operates across the country, serving children, teens, and [...]

From a Century of Care to a New Beginning in Chippewa County2026-04-15T17:25:51-05:00

Yes, Wisconsin Has a Moss Industry—and It’s Global

Last weekend, I laced up my boots and headed to Beaver Creek Reserve in Eau Claire County—a beautiful 400-plus-acre mix of upland woods, river bottom forests, wetlands, and savanna just outside Eau Claire. The occasion: a moss hike, one of those wonderfully slow, ground-level experiences that shifts your perspective from the canopy to the carpet underfoot. As I crouched beside a lush emerald patch of sphagnum moss along a wetland edge, the usual questions kicked in: Who first saw commercial value in this stuff? How did an industry grow from bog moss? And is it still thriving today? The answers surprised me—and they should surprise most economic developers, nature lovers, and even many longtime Wisconsin residents. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. that commercially harvests sphagnum moss at scale. The heart [...]

Yes, Wisconsin Has a Moss Industry—and It’s Global2026-03-30T17:41:00-05:00

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

A Feast of Curiosity — How STEAM Night Served Up the Future

When area students, families, regional manufacturers, and employers gathered for this year’s STEAM Night held on to the campus of Chippewa Falls High School, it felt less like a school event and more like a “community banquet of curiosity”. From robotics demonstrations to digital art displays, from coding challenges to physics-in-action experiments, tables across the commons and hallways buzzed with energy. Each station offered kids a new flavor of discovery — a chance to sample the skills that will shape tomorrow’s workforce.  Hosted in partnership with CEDC and the Chippewa Falls High School science teachers and staff-the evening invited students and families to explore an inspiring buffet of hands-on experiences that celebrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. What made STEAM Night truly special was the way parents also leaned in — not [...]

A Feast of Curiosity — How STEAM Night Served Up the Future2026-03-16T17:23:41-05:00

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

Where Community Meets the Season

There’s something magical about a room full of people who share a common purpose, and the CEDC Christmas Collaboration Gathering was exactly that. Even as a winter storm swept across the Chippewa Valley, partners, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders braved the weather to come together, proving that a little snow and ice couldn’t dampen the spirit of collaboration. The View in Chippewa Falls glowed with holiday spirit and laughter as guests arrived, greeted by friendly faces, hors d’oeuvres, and the comforting hum of conversations. Old friends caught up, new connections were made, and every handshake and smile felt like a reminder of the strength of our community. Collaboration in Action It wasn’t just a Christmas party, it was a celebration of the relationships that drive economic growth across the region. Stories of local [...]

Where Community Meets the Season2025-12-19T12:56:30-06:00

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
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