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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

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap-  Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment Holcombe, WI – Positioned at the forefront of Wisconsin’s growing startup success story, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation’s BEAR ’25 (Business Expansion and Retention Pitch Showcase) took place this week in Holcombe, bringing together second-stage companies and the investors, lenders, and business champions ready to fuel their next phase of growth. As a statewide initiative, BEAR was designed to address a persistent challenge: the lack of accessible capital for companies that have moved beyond early traction but need resources to scale sustainably. According to a recent report from the Wisconsin Technology Council, more startups across the state are entering a growth-ready phase, reflecting a shift from ideation to execution. However, this [...]

BEAR ’25: Wisconsin’s Statewide Pitch Showcase Tackles Mid-Stage Capital Gap- Connecting Scaling Businesses with Growth-Ready Investment2025-09-08T16:48:49-05:00

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

Chippewa & UK Entrepreneurs Work Together

The Chippewa EDC for several years has been wrestling with what to do with the several idle frac sand plants that have ceased operations in the region. Back in the day, the CEDC worked aggressively to recruit several non metallic mining operations bringing over $600 Million and hundreds of jobs to the area. Today the market has changed and the movement away from fossil fuels has opened another opportunity for expanding companies that need rail served sites. One particular idle frac sand location in Chippewa Falls, WI [EOG Facility] was purchased by a private investor. The private investor met with CEDC and the hunt for the next user of the 80 acres began with a collaborative approach. CEDC has a program that works with entrepreneurs that helps them grow. Enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem [...]

Chippewa & UK Entrepreneurs Work Together2023-05-24T16:13:36-05:00

Latest BEAR Discussions Podcast Episode

Patrick Ley and Steven Birkholz – Seeking and Applying Unique Workforce Solutions – Episode 131 CEDC’s Charlie Walker sits down with Patrick Ley and Steven Birkholz of Applied Care Services (ACS). ACS is based out of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and offers counseling and employment assistance to individuals that struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues, while also helping businesses save money by taking care of their packaging needs. This week's podcast is back on the talent solution that so many businesses are struggling with; ACS is part of the solution. If you are struggling with mental health, Applied Care Services is here to help. Please consider reaching out by visiting their website or giving them a call at (612) 205 5332. Interested in signing up for the newsletter or learning more [...]

Latest BEAR Discussions Podcast Episode2022-01-19T14:42:14-06:00
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