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Brewing Opportunity: Coffee with APEX Connects Chippewa Manufacturers to the Defense Supply Chain

How can local manufacturers better understand opportunities within the Department of Defense supply chain? What resources are available to help businesses navigate government contracting? Every year, the Department of Defense (sometimes referred to as the Department of War, DOW) awards hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts, and a significant portion supports the manufacturing sector — machined components, electronics, castings, textiles, packaging, and countless other supplies that keep military operations moving. For manufacturers looking to diversify their customer base, create more stable demand, and explore new markets, the defense industrial base represents a significant opportunity. The path to becoming a government supplier, however, can seem complex, with unique requirements, regulations, and procurement processes. That is where partnerships and resources like the Wisconsin APEX Accelerator and the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) play an important [...]

Brewing Opportunity: Coffee with APEX Connects Chippewa Manufacturers to the Defense Supply Chain2026-07-21T13:42:03-05:00

Rail, Logistics, and Redevelopment: A Vision for Future Growth

Recently, CEDC hosted Wisconsin State Representative Rob Summerfield for a Business Expansion, Attraction, and Retention (BEAR) visit at B&L Transport to discuss the company's continued investment at the former frac sand processing facility and explore opportunities to strengthen the site's long-term economic potential. During the visit, B&L Transport provided an update on the significant progress made since acquiring the property. Company leadership highlighted ongoing improvements to the facility, current operations, and future plans to expand transportation, logistics, rail, and industrial capabilities at the site. The discussion underscored the importance of revitalizing formerly underutilized industrial assets while preserving family-supporting jobs and supporting continued private-sector investment in Chippewa County. A major focus of the discussion was Wisconsin’s newly enacted rail infrastructure modernization tax credit, created by 2025 Wisconsin Assembly Bill 219 (AB 219), which was [...]

Rail, Logistics, and Redevelopment: A Vision for Future Growth2026-07-06T16:42:03-05:00

Opening Doors, Sharing Stories, Building Opportunity

Sometimes the most valuable economic development happens not in a boardroom, but on a shop floor. Recently, CEDC, in partnership with the New Auburn Area Development Corporation (NAADC), hosted a Collaborative Showcase that brought together more than twenty business owners and community leaders for a day centered on connection, collaboration, and conversation. The day featured tours of New Auburn Cheese Company and Auburn Rod and Custom, each offering a unique look at the innovation, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship that help drive our regional economy. By opening their doors, both businesses offered far more than a tour. They shared their stories, their experiences, and the passion behind what they do every day. Attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand what it takes to build and operate successful businesses in rural Wisconsin. From the entrepreneurial vision [...]

Opening Doors, Sharing Stories, Building Opportunity2026-07-30T12:45:44-05:00

Local Businesses and Big Brands

Many people looking at economic development think industrial/manufacturing recruitment and retail recruitment travel on two parallel roads. One road is one that seems focused on jobs and logistics, the other road on consumer spending and placemaking. A common concern among many folks is whether recruiting these national manufacturing firms or national retailers will typically hurt our locally owned “Main Street” businesses. Here at CEDC we believe the strongest communities work to do and support both. Recruiting big-name manufacturing projects have shown that they invest heavily in the community where they expand to and operate in. They tend to provide additional funds for schools, community foundations, and other social services beyond what their local tax bill shows. These types of corporate investments help to create a stronger, more vibrant community which benefits everyone. It’s also [...]

Local Businesses and Big Brands2026-06-29T11:29:26-05:00

Built Here, Growing Here: Celebrating Local Investment in Chippewa County

CEDC projects rarely happen overnight, they are often measured in milestones. A groundbreaking marks the beginning of the vision, while a ribbon cutting celebrates the successful completion of the project that took planning, partnership, and perseverance to bring to life. So, for us, the ribbon cutting is more than a celebration, it is the visible result of months of collaboration, commitment, and confidence in a community. That reality was on full display as CEDC joined community leaders, business partners, and members of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Water’s Edge Cheese Curds' new production facility in the Lake Wissota Business Park. The celebration was especially meaningful considering where the project began. As winter blanketed the Chippewa Valley in frost, CEDC continued its work alongside Chippewa County [...]

Built Here, Growing Here: Celebrating Local Investment in Chippewa County2026-06-22T13:22:29-05:00

A Day Before the Big Event!

Every year, the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting serves as a reminder of something easy to forget in the day-to-day grind of economic development work — that real, lasting progress is built by people who genuinely care. This year's event was no exception, and I was fortunate-no not the right word-I was blessed to spend a few days hosting our Keynote speaker before and after the CEDC event. The day before Maggi Thorne—known to many as a standout competitor on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior—inspired business and community leaders at CEDC annual meeting, she spent time doing something just as important: investing in our next generation. One of the most impactful moments that came of my time with Maggi is when she spoke to the Chippewa Falls 8th grade class. She didn’t just [...]

A Day Before the Big Event!2026-05-21T12:01:57-05:00

CEDC Board Meeting at Automation Displays Inc. Strengthens Regional Economic Connections

At CEDC fostering strong partnerships is central to our BEAR mission. Our recent board meeting, hosted at Automation Displays Inc. (ADi)’s Eau Claire campus, provided a dynamic platform for strategic discussions, relationship building, and exploring opportunities to drive economic growth in the Chippewa Valley. The meeting also welcomed new board members Mark Bergh of B&B Electric, Matt Guse of MRS Machining Co, and Jason Plante of Market & Johnson, whose expertise strengthens our collaborative efforts. The gathering brought together our CEDC board members who come from several different industries, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the table. The agenda featured our CEDC Board Meeting, roundtable discussions, and a tour of ADi’s state-of-the-art facility, creating an environment for collaboration on shared challenges and innovative solutions. Founded in 1971 by two engineers from a [...]

CEDC Board Meeting at Automation Displays Inc. Strengthens Regional Economic Connections2025-06-27T13:22:02-05:00

2025 CEDC Annual Meeting Highlights Community as the Core of Economic Growth

The 2025 CEDC Annual Meeting, was held on Friday, May 16. The meeting coincided with Economic Development Week, a time to reflect on regional progress and sets the tone for continued growth and collaboration. The theme of this year’s annual meeting was Communities at the Core. The gathering-one of the Chippewa Valley’s largest business networking events-is a time for local economic development stakeholders to reflect on the organizations past 12 months of work in assisting local businesses, making entrepreneur connections, and helping local communities grow. Over 350 attendees connected at the Eau Claire Event District while keynote speaker Sylvie Nelson, a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, reminded the audience that bold ideas and going beyond expectations is the only way to create real change for communities. “Businesses Must Step up even more, go above [...]

2025 CEDC Annual Meeting Highlights Community as the Core of Economic Growth2025-06-03T16:23:12-05:00

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

Revolutionizing Quality Control: How AI-Powered Vision Inspection is Transforming Manufacturing

The second session of the Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century series, held today at the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) campus in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, spotlighted the transformative potential of Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning. Organized in collaboration with the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), and CVTC, the event brought together manufacturing professionals eager to explore AI-driven automation as a catalyst for operational excellence. AI-Powered Machine Vision: A New Standard in Quality Control Dr. David Ding, Professor and Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Stout's College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Management, led discussions on how AI-powered machine vision systems are revolutionizing quality control and defect detection. Using advanced techniques such as pattern recognition, image segmentation, and deep learning, these systems achieve up to 99% accuracy [...]

Revolutionizing Quality Control: How AI-Powered Vision Inspection is Transforming Manufacturing2025-02-17T11:00:45-06:00
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