CEDC Honors Board Member Albert Edward Holand III (Ed), 1959-2024

It is with deep sadness that CEDC communicates the passing of Board Member Albert Edward Holand III, known to many as Ed, who died suddenly of a heart attack on July 28th, 2024. Ed was a visionary entrepreneur who owned CN Manufacturing in Boyd, a dedicated CEDC board member, and a pillar of our community whose impact will be felt for generations to come. Ed's entrepreneurial spirit ignited at the young age of 17 when he started his first business, a driveway sealing company, with his best friend Kevin Barrick. This early venture was just the beginning of a remarkable career that would span decades and touch numerous industries. After spending time in Hawaii rebuilding houses as a contractor in the wake of a devastating hurricane, Ed returned to the mainland with renewed [...]

CEDC Honors Board Member Albert Edward Holand III (Ed), 1959-20242024-11-26T13:54:49-06:00

FBLA Regional Leadership Conference Around the Corner

Did you know Chippewa Falls High School (Chi-Hi) will be hosting the Future Business Leaders of America's (FBLA) Regional Leadership Conference on February 3rd, 2024? FBLA is an organization that was first developed in the 1930s focusing on preparing students to become leaders with hopes of unleashing the power of entrepreneurship and business knowledge. FBLA focuses on academic competition and leadership development. It has grown to become the premier high school business leadership development platform where students get together, connect, and share ideas about future career opportunities. FBLA students work hand in hand with local business leaders and educators to participate in competitive events that help them prepare for the challenging job market. CEDC President/CEO, Charlie Walker has the honor of being Region 1's Keynote speaker at this year's conference. Charlie is preparing [...]

FBLA Regional Leadership Conference Around the Corner2023-12-18T16:51:01-06:00

All Businesses Start With An Idea

Chippewa Economic Development Corporation understands the importance of business startups and entrepreneurship and the role they play in the community. That's why for years the organization has organized and sponsored a business pitch competition where a good idea can earn entrepreneurs cash and prizes with the ultimate goal of furthering their business. This year there were over 25 requests for applications from entrepreneurs throughout the Chippewa Valley that showed interest in pitching their business idea to the audience. What is really cool is the number of people who have ideas and want to be entrepreneurs continue to grow each year. The CEDC Hatch - A Shark Tank-like event is obviously working and is enhancing our local entrepreneur ecosystem. From sauna rentals to pet devices, this year's Hatch event is on track to be [...]

All Businesses Start With An Idea2022-11-15T17:14:07-06:00

BEAR Lunch & Learn: OSHA & EPA’s Impact on Small Businesses

Most OSHA and EPA laws were created to regulate large businesses, yet 99.5% of U.S. businesses consist of less than 250 employees. In this BEAR Lunch & Learn, find out from Cory White, co-owner of Small Business EH&S, the three ways that these laws negatively effect small businesses and what you can do to ensure the safety of your employees. Registration is limited; reserve your seat today! Tickets cover the cost of lunch. To learn more about what Cory does, visit his website here.

BEAR Lunch & Learn: OSHA & EPA’s Impact on Small Businesses2021-12-30T09:43:15-06:00

Shop Main Street WI

Good news for all our small businesses in the Chippewa Valley and Wisconsin that offer ecommerce and shipping options – the MainStreetWI.com online retail portal is expanding statewide. The portal, launched in June for participants in WEDC’s Main Street and Connect Communities programs, will be expanded! This campaign will include additional media and social media tools and resources which will be released on November 16th, but in advance of this launch, WEDC is hoping to identify additional businesses that should be added to the site to allow Wisconsinites to shop local when they are shopping online this holiday season. Surveys show that more than 70% of consumers plan to do at least some online shopping this year, and WEDC would like to make it easier to identify and purchase goods online from local [...]

Shop Main Street WI2020-11-10T15:30:01-06:00

National Veterans Small Business Week

Veteran business owners drive our economy and power the American Dream.  As these patriots apply many of the skills they obtained in the Armed Forces, they make valuable and lasting contributions to our robust business landscape.  During National Veterans Small Business Week, we celebrate these hardworking men and women who defended our Nation in uniform and continue to strengthen it by starting businesses when they return to civilian life. Join us at Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) as we celebrate veteran-owned businesses across the country from Monday, November 2nd thru Friday, November 6th! Each year the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates, connects, and empowers service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). This year marks the seventh annual NVSBW and this [...]

National Veterans Small Business Week2020-11-02T11:16:47-06:00

We’re All Innovating Contest

Innovation can come from many directions – a small business that offers new ways of dining; a precision machining shop that tweaks a new part for ventilators; or a startup that’s using software to improve e-learning. Whatever it may be Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) would like you to know about a new contest that Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is offering for Wisconsin businesses. Wisconsin businesses of all sizes and in all industries are demonstrating resilience, ingenuity and compassion—all traits our state is well known for—in their response to COVID-19. WEDC is recognizing and rewarding these companies with Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the We’re All Innovating Contest, administered in partnership with the Wisconsin Technology Council.  As we work together to build a stronger economy, we [...]

We’re All Innovating Contest2020-10-01T12:23:29-05:00

A Maple Syrup Passion – Colfax Teen’s Entrepreneurship

The Wanish family  will tell you that they are proud to produce 100% pure maple syrup near Colfax, Wisconsin. But, they will also tell you that the new budding entrepreneur in the family, with a mind set on success and dedication to harvesting is 16-year-old Will Wanish. Wanish in 2018, started tapping trees and making maple syrup with his uncle, Jon, who has been tapping trees for 20 years. After that season he was hooked and decided to start his own business and Wanish Sugar Bush LLC was born in 2019. His parents, Todd and Heather Wanish, have continuously encouraged his diligent work ethic and are proud of what he has accomplished. Wanish said the decision to get into the syrup business came after the roots of the business were established in the [...]

A Maple Syrup Passion – Colfax Teen’s Entrepreneurship2020-09-30T15:42:37-05:00

CCEDC Hosts Regional Entrepreneurial Pitch Contest, HATCH

The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is paving the way for local entrepreneurs and assisting them in bringing their business ideas alive by organizing and hosting the Chippewa Valley HATCH Program. Fostering more Startup entrepreneurs makes sense because of the role they play in helping the Chippewa Valley grow and prosper. CCEDC once again teamed with the BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. and several area local businesses at Cowboy Jack’s Saloon in Altoona, WI on Thursday October 17, 2019 to further develop the entrepreneurial eco-system. The HATCH Program-in its second year- is a rotating, high-energy idea pitch program designed to facilitate connections between prospective entrepreneurs and those within a community who support them such as industry experts, professional service firms, banks, non-profits, business leaders and investors. “Brightstar and WEDC were impressed with the [...]

CCEDC Hosts Regional Entrepreneurial Pitch Contest, HATCH2019-10-23T17:29:42-05:00
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