As the announcement of the HSHS closure was released, CEDC immediately mobilized and held meetings with our state representatives to discuss the idea of reallocating $15 million of state dollars, previously earmarked for HSHS St. Joesph’s, to be used to secure additional medical services for Chippewa County. Due in part to the work of CEDC’s advocacy committee to build support for the idea in Madison, the legislation was enacted in February. This funding is designed to address critical gaps created by the HSHS closures. The original bill limited eligibility to emergency room services, but the Governor used his partial veto powers to expand the type of services eligible. CEDC staff and board members continue to collaborate with the numerous organizations and committees working together to find solutions to the HSHS closure.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
Join us for one or both of these great events!
ANNUAL MEETING
EAU CLAIRE EVENT DISTRICT HIGH COUNTRY
5633 20th Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703
• Networking begins at 7:00am
• Breakfast is served at 7:30am
• Speaker begins at 8:15am
CHARITY CLASSIC 18-HOLE GOLF OUTING
LAKE WISSOTA GOLF
16108 97th Ave, Chippewa Falls, WI
• Shotgun start begins at 10:30am
S.T.E.A.M. NIGHT
IGNITING POTENTIAL!
Recently, the CEDC partnered with the Chippewa Falls Senior High School (Chi-Hi) to organize and host a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Night.
The STEAM Night was a showcase open house style event featured over 40 employer sponsored booths from regional companies promoting career opportunities that centered around science, technology, engineering, arts, and math fields. Each company booth provided opportunities for learning, connecting, and collaboration. Over 1,000 students from the Chippewa area attended.
The event was a testament to Chi-Hi’s commitment to fostering innovation and curiosity among its students. It provided a platform for students to explore careers with a focus on the diverse applications of S.T.E.A.M. concepts. From robotics demonstrations to art installations incorporating technology, attendees experienced firsthand the intersection of these disciplines and their real-world implications.
By bringing together students from various backgrounds and interests together, STEAM Night encouraged cross-pollination of ideas and the exploration of new concepts and cultivated a culture of teamwork and innovation while raising S.T.E.A.M scholarship funds.
Two $2,000 S.T.E.A.M. scholarship awards will be given to two students during the senior scholarship award program on Friday, May 3 at 6pm.
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
TEE OFF FOR A CAUSE!
SUPPORT OUR VETERANS
Join us for a day of golf in support of our nation’s heroes. Your participation will directly benefit CEDC’s charity mission to help bring more broadband internet access to our local Veterans, ensuring they have access to essential online resources and opportunities. Together, let’s make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country selflessly. Sign up today and swing for a great cause!
CHARITY CLASSIC 18-HOLE GOLF OUTING
WHO: Open to individuals, teams, and companies
WHEN: Friday, May 17, 2024 shotgun start at 10:30am
WHERE: Lake Wissota Golf 16108 97th Ave Chippewa Falls, WI
PRICE: $125 for a single golfer $450 for a foursome includes 18 holes of golf, prizes, cart rental, and lunch
SUPPORTING FBLA LEADERSHIP
On February 3rd, 2024 Chippewa Falls High School (Chi-Hi) hosted the Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) Regional Leadership Conference. FBLA is an organization that was first developed in the 1930s to focus 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.
One of CEDC’s missions is to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Programs such as HATCH and Lunch and Learns help budding entrepreneurs gain confidence for their journey. CEDC also works with students to ignite their entrepreneurial drive early. CEDC has been working with Marleana Lemay –business ed teacher and FBLA advisor at Chi-Hi for several years, and CEDC President/CEO, Charlie Walker has spoken to her Entrepreneurship Class. Charlie was asked and honored to be the keynote speaker at the Region 1 business conference.
LEGISLATIVE
SPEED DATING
Over 40 CEDC Investors representing banking, heath care, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and construction attended the 2nd Chippewa Economic Development Corporation’s (CEDC) legislative “speed dating” event.
Organized by CEDC and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), legislative speed dating was designed as a way for economic development stakeholders to meet Chippewa Valley’s multiple legislators in a short amount of time. It allowed for focused discussions on various topics with
the HSHS closure being the main focus. All of the Chippewa Valley’s state representatives in the Assembly and Senate were invited as well as Congressman Derrick Van Orden to jump from table to table every 8 minutes to listen to issues of concern. Congressman Van Orden was represented, and State Senator Jesse James, State Senator Quinn, Rep. Dave Armstrong, Rep. Karen Hurd, and Rep. Moses all attended.
CEDC has been working on numerous legislative proposals important to our members and the larger the economic development
community. Michael Welsh, WEDA’s Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Communications, assisted in keeping the “dating going” and the issues flowing. Issues such as the recent HSHS closing, economic development infrastructure funding, tax climate and reform, immigration, and competitive issues were topics were commonly discussed.
CEDC advocacy members took the opportunity to advocate for an existing facility in Chippewa County to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). The CAH designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities.
CEDC would like to thank Chippewa Family Restaurant for hosting the event and serving an outstanding breakfast and our sponsors for the opportunity for our region’s state legislators to discuss
the issues important to business and our economy. The CEDC speed dating is a rare opportunity to have dialogue with our elected representatives in small groups. They appreciate hearing directly from business owners about needs and opportunities in the Chippewa Valley.
CEDC would also like to recognize the hard work that Representative Rob Summerfield and Senator Jesse James did leading the HSHS $15 million dollar reallocation legislation.
Legislative speed dating allowed economic development stakeholders to meet Chippewa Valley’s multiple legislators in a short amount of time. “
JOIN US AUGUST 13-15, 2024
HOST FARM SPOTLIGHT
Close Farms is a family-owned grain farm in Cadott, WI and will be the host farm for the Chippewa Country Farm Technology Days 2024. Their first step towards farming was in 2003 when the family purchased their first tractor and plow. Their initial focus was on custom farming - from plowing and tillage to planting, baling, and harvesting a variety of crops.
In 2005, Close Farms had its year of change by renting its first 30 acres, setting the stage for growth. With that being said, it hasn’t come without challenges from the ever-changing environment, from weather, to marketing and technology. As a growing business, they have strived to overcome all the elements to continue to grow in the best possible way. They learned to adapt on a modern grain farm with all commodities ranging from corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay.
2020 was a unique and challenging year. Close Farms knew they needed to take their next step in growth by building their own modern grain site to accommodate their expanding business. Today, the farm continues to grow and is looking forward to what the future holds. Close Farms would like to thank the community and landowners for allowing them to rent their properties and giving them the opportunity to continue to succeed in the farming industry.
Hosting the 2024 Farm Technology Days in August is one way Close Farms is showing their appreciation to the community for their support of their operations.
There is still time to sponsor the event and/or register as an exhibitor. Contact brittany@chippewa-wi.com for these business showcase opportunities.
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
• Networking begins at 7:00am
• Breakfast is served at 7:30am
• Speaker begins at 8:15am
HIGH COUNTRY 5633 20th Ave Eau Claire, WI 54703
chippewa-wi.com/event/2024-annual-meeting
CEDC, 770 Technology Way, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
715-723-7150
THE NUTS & BOLTS OF ESOP
CEDC organized another Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) lunch and learn hosted by our strategic partner Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). These BEAR lunch and learns offer our local companies the advantages of networking and connecting with other businesses and community members while providing them access to valuable information and resources. Local companies can not underestimate the potential for business growth that they can get through learning and collaboration. Our BEAR lunch event programs are designed for professional development, knowledge sharing, team building, and connecting while also discussing important topics that impact business growth.
The topic of this most recent lunch event was understanding ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan. CEDC utilized Business Consultant Matt Middendorp of ESOP Partners to lead the discussion. ESOP is a retirement plan where a company contributes its stock to the plan for the benefit of the company’s employees. Some advantages of ESOPs include providing employees with a stake in the company, incentivizing productivity and loyalty, enabling tax benefits for both the company and employees, and facilitating succession planning for business owners.
“There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding ESOP, so it’s always fun when I get an opportunity to educate and spread real, quality
information to business owners and these CEDC Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) lunch and learns are a great platform to do that.” Expressed Matt Middendorp.
The lunch covered the topics of 1. The Nuts And Bolts: What is an ESOP and how do they work? 2. Strategic Impact: How an ESOP can be a win-win transition strategy for you, your business, your employees, and your community. 3. The Three Stage Path: Navigate the 3 critical stages of ESOP exploration and the profound mindset shifts they bring. And 4. Problem-Solving Solutions: Learn the most challenges encountered when considering an ESOP for your business, and how to solve them before they happen.
If you missed this event and would like to learn more contact the CEDC office and we will set you up with a one-on-one free discussion with Matt.
STANLEY INDUSTRIAL PARK
For roughly 20 years, Joe Winger has been running his custom home building operation – Winger Construction out of his home office. As he continues to grow, he was looking for a location suitable to accommodate not only his shop, but also a showroom for customers. Like the majority of home builders, many of the meetings are set up with clients at the customer’s homes. That developed a need for a showroom type location to establish office/showroom visits verses personal home visits. After looking throughout the Stanley area, Joe chose the East Stanley Industrial Park because of it is easily accessible to his Chippewa Valley customers. Winger Construction has broken ground on their new corporate office that will accommodate future growth as his construction crew continues to grow.
Joe Winger recently joined Charlie Walker on the BEAR Podcast to discuss his business philosophy- how he has been able to survive the ups and downs of the home building industry, and how he is able to maintain a quality workforce. For Joe the secret is simple- treat his employees, customers, and construction colleagues with respect. He believes honesty should be the foundation of all relationships. Since Joe was in High School, he had always aspired to be a contractor. Joe graduated from CVTC in the residential construction program and has built on that knowledge to become one of the premier custom home builders in the Chippewa Valley.
check out CEDC’s B.E.A.R. Podcast!
The Business Expansion And Retention (B.E.A.R) podcast is part of CEDC’s program that gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to discuss their businesses, dreams, and accomplishments. B.E.A.R. is an economic development strategy that proactively connects existing businesses with each other to discuss and share ideas to improve community collaboration. Charlie Walker and co-hosts travel throughout the Chippewa Valley conversing about insider details of the important roles businesses play in developing a community. Through these discussions, listeners gain motivation, insight, and appreciation for entrepreneurs.
The B.E.A.R. Discussion Podcast is available to listen on Spreaker or the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation website - https://chippewa-wi.com/
