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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

Taking Advantage of Highschool–Small Business Partnerships

When most people think about economic development and the work that CEDC does, they often picture industrial parks, investment deals, or start-up programs like “BEAR” or “Hatch”. But one of the most important economic engines in our community can be found just down the road at the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (CFAUSD). That’s why we partner and have CEDC’s talent development programs. We are proud to highlight the ongoing partnership between Chippewa Valley businesses, and the CFAUSD. Under the leadership of Superintendent Jeffrey Holmes, the CFASUD has partnered even closer with CEDC. Holmes implemented strategic programs, valued open dialogue and shared goals, further helping local educators and entrepreneurs to work together to ensure the success of both our students and our economy. Why Schools Matter to Chippewa’s Small Businesses Small businesses [...]

Taking Advantage of Highschool–Small Business Partnerships2025-07-25T14:03:42-05:00

Celebrating the Core

Over the past year, we have been continuously reminded that economic momentum doesn’t come from policies or plans alone but from our stakeholders and communities. Chippewa County's strength wasn’t built from the top down but from the inside out. This understanding has guided the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) as we worked to shape a stronger future, always keeping the community at the center of everything we do. Each May, during Economic Development Week, CEDC gathers for its Annual Meeting to celebrate the vital role the organization continues to play in creating strong, thriving communities. This gathering is one of Chippewa Valley’s most significant business networking/connecting events that serve as a moment to reflect on the past twelve months of local progress, connection, and shared success. The economic development organization highlights its focus [...]

Celebrating the Core2025-05-01T14:13:50-05:00

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 2025

We sincerely thank all of our CEDC investors who attended our first entrepreneur showcase in 2025; its success was truly remarkable. Special thanks to KYMA and their team for hosting us at their facility, allowing community leaders to discover the innovative manufacturing they bring to our community. We are fortunate to have them here. The morning started with Momentum West and the Chippewa Valley's Economic Development professionals gathering to collaborate and update each other on everyone's projects and activities that raise and improve Western Wisconsin's economy. Following the roundtable discussion, over forty community leaders enjoyed a complimentary taco bar lunch, after which they attended a KYMA company presentation by Frederik van Heerden. Van Heerden presented a high-level overview of the energy landscape to the CEDC stakeholders and business leaders, covering its historical context [...]

CEDC’s First Entrepreneur Showcase of 20252025-02-17T10:47:38-06:00

Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase

Thursday, March 6, 2025 Valley Sports Academy Lake Hallie, WI Join us for an inspiring morning as we highlight VSA, showcase their innovations, and connect with community members! This event provides a platform for entrepreneurs to share their ideas, gain exposure, and build valuable relationships. The event starts at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast and runs until 10:00 a.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover and support the incredible businesses shaping our local economy!

Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase2025-03-03T10:11:46-06:00

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair – A Boost for Chippewa Falls

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair is more than just 5 days of fun and festivities; it’s a cherished tradition that brings our community together and has a significant positive impact on Chippewa Falls. Every year, residents and visitors eagerly anticipate the fair, which showcases our region's agricultural heritage, local talent, and vibrant culture. The fair is a major economic driver for Chippewa Falls, drawing thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond. Local businesses experience a surge in activity as fairgoers dine at restaurants, stay in hotels, and shop at stores. The influx of visitors boosts revenue for local merchants and creates seasonal job opportunities, providing an economic lifeline for many small businesses. Agricultural exhibits and competitions are at the heart of the fair, highlighting the importance of farming in our community. [...]

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair – A Boost for Chippewa Falls2024-07-09T13:10:21-05:00

STEAM NIGHT: Igniting Potential!

In today's rapidly evolving world, preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow requires a multifaceted approach to education. That's where S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs shine. Recently, Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) partnered with the Chippewa Falls Senior High School (Chi-Hi) to organize and host a remarkable event – S.T.E.A.M. Night! These CEDC STEM events are activities, conferences, workshops, or showcases focusing on science, technology, engineering,  and mathematics. The STEAM Night  was a showcase open house style event that incorporated an additional element of arts into the mix, emphasizing creativity and design alongside the traditional STEM disciplines. Over 1,000 students from the Chippewa area attended visited  over 40 employer's booths. These regional companies highlighted and promoted career opportunities that centered around science, technology, engineering, arts,  and math fields. Each company [...]

STEAM NIGHT: Igniting Potential!2024-03-07T12:28:05-06:00

So Many Reasons to Celebrate!

There are all kinds of reasons to celebrate Economic Development Week (May 9-13), but one of the most important is to celebrate, recognize, and thank the many staff, volunteers, and economic development organizations that work diligently to build wealth in our communities. Their daily actions create more economically vibrant and livable places, as well as encourage teamwork among organizations and businesses. In the Chippewa Valley, our local governments have officially proclaimed Economic Development Week. CEDC utilizes the week to not only pat ourselves on the back but to congratulate our partners, collaborators, and colleagues for all the hard work they do. It is always productive to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments and gather together to network and lift each other up so the mission of economic development can continue. On Thursday, [...]

So Many Reasons to Celebrate!2022-05-18T15:02:52-05:00
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