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From Fear to Confidence: CEDC’s Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase Inspires Success

Entrepreneurship is often seen as a path to freedom, innovation, and financial success. Yet, for many aspiring Chippewa entrepreneurs, the fear of failure can be a crippling barrier. This fear, while natural, can prevent brilliant ideas from coming to life and innovative solutions from being developed. The Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) understands that overcoming this fear is essential for entrepreneurs looking to carve their path in the business world. “What keeps many would-be entrepreneurs from succeeding—or even trying to succeed—is fear of failure,” says Charlie Walker, president and CEO of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation. “Helping entrepreneurs overcome that fear is one of the goals of the Chippewa EDC, which for decades has been laser-focused on cultivating the investment of talent and capital in Chippewa County.” This goal is closer than ever, [...]

From Fear to Confidence: CEDC’s Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase Inspires Success2025-01-16T15:02:38-06:00

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

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

Navigating Cybersecurity: Insights from Our BEAR Lunch & Learn

In today’s digital landscape, the need for robust cybersecurity practices among Chippewa Valley businesses has never been more pressing. Recently, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) hosted a Lunch & Learn event dedicated to enhancing local businesses’ understanding of cybersecurity threats and strategies. The session featured Stephen Casselman, a cybersecurity instructor at CVTC, who provided valuable insights into the challenges and best practices for protecting digital assets. With a strong background in Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense, Stephen effectively communicated the current state of cybersecurity and the risks organizations face. A key focus of Stephen’s presentation was that a significant percentage of data breaches are caused by human error. He emphasized that while technology plays a crucial role in safeguarding information, it is equally important for businesses [...]

Navigating Cybersecurity: Insights from Our BEAR Lunch & Learn2024-09-20T16:13:26-05:00

Protecting Local Businesses: What Chippewa Valley Businesses Need to Know

In an era where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the importance of cybersecurity practices for local Chippewa Valley businesses, especially those involved in sensitive sectors, cannot be overstated. Yesterday, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) hosted a Lunch and Learn event on cybersecurity, aimed at equipping local businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves against evolving cyber threats. The event, held at CVTC, brought together a diverse group of attendees eager to learn about the latest trends and strategies in cybersecurity. The keynote speaker, Doug Ebert, Vice President of Operations at Core Cabling & Integration (CCI), shared his expertise on the critical role of cybersecurity and security systems in today’s business landscape. Core Cabling & Integration (CCI) is a locally owned company [...]

Protecting Local Businesses: What Chippewa Valley Businesses Need to Know2024-09-03T09:50:12-05:00

CEDC Updates Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Managers

Recently, Charlie Walker from the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) delivered a compelling presentation at the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) Managers Meeting in Stanley, WI at the RESCO facility. WECA has a rich history rooted in the Great Depression of the 1930s, marked by significant achievements and leadership in rural electrification. Among its notable milestones is the creation of the nation’s first statewide association for Rural Electric Cooperatives. Over the past 80 years, Wisconsin's rural electric cooperatives have evolved into vital community assets, providing more than just reliable electricity. Their ongoing success is supported by organizations like CEDC, which promote business growth in rural Wisconsin. In his presentation, Charlie emphasized the critical role of economic development in fostering growth and sustainability in rural areas. Unlike urban centers, rural communities face unique challenges, [...]

CEDC Updates Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Managers2024-08-23T15:48:34-05:00
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