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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) won Momentum West’s Above and Beyond award in 2022 for the administration of the Main Street Bounceback Program. The WEDC was the statewide administrator of the program, which provided $10,000 in grants to businesses opening locations in vacant commercial spaces after January 1, 2021,...
B&L Transload and Warehousing LLC won the Momentum West’s Top Redevelopment Project of the Year Award in 2022 for the conversion of two former sand processing dry plants to transload facilities, where trains can now drop off full cars to be emptied and have the materials sent to clients in...
Our team is growing! This week we're announcing the new hire for our expanded service region - Debbie Elmer! Debbie will be taking the reins as we grow to serve Barron, Burnett, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn counties. Support from WBD, Inc. has made this hire and expansion...
If you’re one of Midwest Living’s 2.5 million-plus readers, you’ll recognize a familiar community in the Spring 2024 issue’s pages: the Chippewa Valley. In the new issue, writer Katy Spratte Joyce offers up 10 reasons (specifically non-Bon Iver related) for folks to put a trip to Eau Claire on the...
If you’re one of Midwest Living’s 2.5 million-plus readers, you’ll recognize a familiar community in the Spring 2024 issue’s pages: the Chippewa Valley. In the new issue, writer Katy Spratte Joyce offers up 10 reasons (specifically non-Bon Iver related) for folks to put a trip to Eau Claire on the...
As traditional newspapers have withered nationwide, many have worried about the onset of “news deserts” – geographic areas where citizens lack news sources to keep them aware of what’s going on in their hometowns.A desire to fight this trend in the Menomonie/Dunn County area led to the formation of a...
Maletto and her husband, Matthew, are the new owners of Eric’s Diamonds, 111 N. Bridge St., which reopened in early March. Now, she’s looking forward to creating heirloom quality jewelry for customers.For about eight years, Malletto apprenticed for Eric Pulver, the founder and recently retired owner of Eric’s Diamonds.Much of...
A health care clinic in Rusk County may soon fall under new ownership.The county board is working to buy the Prevea clinic in Ladysmith from HSHS.They met in a closed session tonight to discuss a motion regarding a lease agreement for the building with OakLeaf Medical Network.Read the full article...
From defunct to someone's dream home, a recent grant is helping Ladysmith complete a project that will provide workforce housing and a community center.Ladysmith's former elementary school has sat empty for years, now classrooms are being converted into 40 housing units.It's not just housing though, according to Ladysmith city administrator...
What it will show the world, say those connected to the state’s culinary scene, is that Wisconsin is — yes — cheese, beer, brats and cranberries, but a whole lot more.“What really distinguishes Wisconsin from a lot of other places is that we not only have great chefs and great...
Let’s say you want to analyze Wisconsin’s economic state. For a person doing so, the obvious stats — unemployment figures, percentage of people below the poverty line, and number of people experiencing homelessness — come to mind.Sometimes, when University of Wisconsin-River Falls Professor Logan Kelly researches the economy, he looks...
UWRF's dairy pilot plant is up and running
Mar 12 2024The University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ dairy pilot plant, which officially opened this past October, is up and running with new leadership and eager cheese heads. Eleven years ago there was talk to update the facility, but in 2018 operations ceased and with the COVID-19 pandemic all work to revamp the...
Uncanny results: Students win international challenge to imagine new packaging for Pringles
Mar 11 2024Imagine creating a new package for a product that has been on store shelves around the world for more than 50 years. How would you make the package better while ensuring consumers still recognized their favorite brand?That’s the challenge a team of UW-Stout students took on in a competition sponsored...
In the quest for sustainable growth and prosperity, rural economic developers face a unique set of challenges, paramount among them being a pervasive issue of infrastructure deficits. These deficits not only stifle economic potential but also hinder the quality of life in rural communities.Understanding the ChallengeInfrastructure in rural areas encompasses...
Chippewa Valley Legislative “Speed Dating”
Mar 8 2024Over 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...
A new program aimed at supporting workforce development in Wisconsin was praised by Gov. Tony Evers on March 7 when he visited UW-Stout.Evers learned about a first-of-its-kind collaboration that began last fall between the university and state Department of Workforce Development. The university is offering a three-course certificate program, the...
It’s a classic Chippewa Valley tale: with enough hard work and a genuine approach, a small business can transcend the walls of its storefront and become a true facet of the community. In this case, it’s more of a window into the community.Window World of Eau Claire is owned and...
With growing advances in artificial intelligence, leaders of Wisconsin agencies are working to create a framework for embracing the technology while protecting workers.The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence met in Oshkosh on Monday. The group included leaders of the state Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Economic...
With growing advances in artificial intelligence, leaders of Wisconsin agencies are working to create a framework for embracing the technology while protecting workers.The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence met in Oshkosh on Monday. The group included leaders of the state Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Economic...
Thanks to North Country Enterprises for hosting the 60th Annual Farm Show at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center! The Eau Claire Farm Show showcased exhibitors ag-related products and services. This event brought together farmers, exhibitors, and community members from around central Wisconsin to share their insights on the latest farming...
Momentum West Receives Economic Development Partner of the Year Award from West Central Works
Mar 4 2024Momentum West is proud to announce that it has been honored with the Economic Development Partner of the Year Award by West Central Works Wisconsin. This prestigious award recognizes Momentum West's outstanding contributions to economic development and innovation in the region.Steve Jahn, Executive Director of Momentum West, expressed his gratitude...
It’s official: Dunkin’ coming to Main Street
Mar 2 2024People in River Falls have noticed the construction at the old Burger King site on Main Street and have ventured a guess as to what the new business will be. Some have even wagered a bet.Now, it’s official. A new Dunkin’ store will be moving in.The store, located at 1287...
Following Wisconsin’s designation as a Regional Technology and Innovations Hub (Tech Hub) from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) last October, the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub submitted its Phase 2 application seeking $75 million in funds to support six interconnected projects designed to transform the State of Wisconsin into a global...
There’s been a lot of good news about Wisconsin lately, and it’s only just the start.First, recent U.S. Census figures show our state’s population grew by about 20,000 in 2023, the biggest one-year increase in this decade.Among Midwest states, only Indiana and Minnesota were ahead of us for population growth...