News and Media
Earlier this year, Momentum West recognized some of the organizations and businesses who have made tremendous progress in the past year. In a year that was full of challenges, it’s important to take a step back and recognize that that West Central Wisconsin is continuing to move forward. We invit...
How Technology Can Transform Your Business
Jun 22 2021The pandemic forced many companies to make big pivots, and by utilizing tech, some found ways to actually positively affect their overall business.
Nicole Walters, founder and CEO of Inherit Learning Company and star of USA Network's She’s The Boss, recently spoke with Andres Wydler, executive director of StartOut, about the role technology played in shaping how the LGBTQ nonprofit operate...
Despite improvements over the past decade, the advocacy group Kids Forward argues that improving the economic well-being of Wisconsin’s children has stalled.
The group is calling on lawmakers to take aggressive steps to ensure the progress that has been made isn’t negated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This improvement is detailed i...
Covid's Explosion
Jun 21 2021High unemployment, the magnifying power of the web and fresh fintech financing are fueling an eruption of startups not seen in decades. And America will never go back to business as usual.
In the gritty, gray concrete lobby of Firebrand Collective—a women’s coworking space in Kansas City’s industrial West Bottoms district—Jackie Nguyen make...
Group Of Eau Claire Restaurants, Bars Increase Hourly Wage To $16, Moving Away From Tipping
Jun 21 2021A group of restaurants, hotels and bars in Eau Claire have eliminated tipping and raised their minimum wage to $16 an hour. The ownership group overseeing the establishments says it's aimed at improving pay equity for all employees, something businesses and municipalities across the United States are attempting to do by raising the minimu...
A dozen 2021 area high school graduates have been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Sterling Bank. The scholarships are intended to help students pay for their pursuit of a college education. Three students each from Barron, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, Luck and Rice Lake high schools were chosen by their school’s faculty o...
When University of Wisconsin-Stout moved to an alternative learning method in March of 2020 because of COVID-19, Erin O’Brien and Nathan Thompson left campus to finish their first years of college at home.
Having just completed their 2020-21 sophomore years, in which UW-Stout had about 50% in-person classes, they are reflectin...
Lisa Bruhn talks with Wayne Lautsbaugh of Crescent Meats about starting and maintaining a business, meat packing, farming, and more!
Read full article.
Mitigate the Risks of Supply Chain Disruption
Jun 18 2021If the recent pandemic has taught business leaders anything, it’s that solid readiness planning through diversification and data analysis can reduce the impact when a crisis hits. Nearly half of operations leaders surveyed in the recent PwC US Pulse Survey indicated that reducing supply chain disruptions is “very important.” But few companie...
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As we get to the other side of the pandemic, businesses are reopening and scrambling to hire people. However a worker shortage in Wisconsin is making that tough.
In April 2020 the unemployment rate was 14.1 percent, but by April of this year it was down t...
MADISON, WI. June 18, 2021 – Twelve downtown businesses from Main Street and Connect Community programs from around the state are a little closer to launching their ideas after being named finalists in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) first Downtown Pitch Contest.
Chef Pam’s Kitchen in downtown Waukesha, which placed first in the competition, will receive $10,000 toward the creation of ...
The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation [CCEDC] is holding their 27th Annual Meeting at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on August 27, 2021 from 11:45 am until 1:45 pm. This year’s Annual Meeting is themed “Back in the Saddle” and will be an opportunity for the organization to showcase its wor...
Adapting to a New Workplace Ecosystem
Jun 17 2021Agile work is increasing due to the pandemic. Having experienced some of the benefits of working from home — such as reduced commutes, increased ability to balance work and life, preferred space to execute individualized focus work, etc. — more office workers are going to expect flexibility in where the...
Kathryn Feuerhelm works for Cooperative Educational Service Agency 11. Based out of Turtle Lake, CESA 11 encompasses all or major portions of Barron, Burnett, Dunn, St. Croix, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and Washburn counties as well as portions of Buffalo, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Rusk and Sawyer counties.
What is your role?
I work ful...
With pent-up demand for growth coming to fruition amid the nation’s economic recovery, speed to market has become more critical than ever for companies in expansion mode. For decision-makers at businesses considering a new location, states capable of streamlining the selection process stand to gain a significant leg up o...
After one of the toughest years on record for the nation’s more than 30 million small businesses, one thing is certain—the American dream is alive and well. Those who weathered the storm pivoted to meet the moment: 95% of owners adapted their businesses in some way, and 50% launched ne...
Starting a new job can be a daunting task, which is why having someone to help navigate the tasks and expectations involved can be helpful. At Quality Roofing in Marshfield, Steve Lopez has undertaken the role of mentor to many new hires.
Now with the official title of Translator/Foreman/Trainer, Lopez entere...
CCEDC’s Charlie Walker talks with Deb Leslie, a recent retiree of Workforce Resource Inc., about workforce development, finding your passion, being a great connector, and seeing every opportunity present.
“If not me, then who?” -Deb Leslie
Read full article.
A Renewed Focus on Workforce Diversity
Jun 15 2021While 2020 will certainly be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic, the year also turned out to be transformative on the diversity and inclusion front (D&I). While much of the world sat socially distanced in their homes, we watched as our fellow Americans expressed outrage and grief over the gaps i...
With the rapid increase in natural gas production and over two million miles of natural gas pipelines throughout the U.S., many corporate officials expect accessing gas infrastructure and service to be simple. Unfortunately, many prime industrial sites lack adequate pipeline infrastructure, and project managers have found it increasingly difficult an...
How to find new investors for your Opportunity Zones before it's too late - Opportunity Fund directories, financial advisors, LinkedIn, and old-fashioned networking.
Opportunity Zone legislation passed in 2017 and the incentives provided in the legislation are not going to go on forever. Savvy economic developers will take advantage of thi...
RIVER FALLS -- The College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, in partnership with the City of River Falls, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and the River Falls Economic Development Corporation, welcomes Sheri Marnell as the new director of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center.
Marnell, o...
So it finally looks like we’re gonna have a real summer. One of those honest-to-goodness, jam-packed, can’t-get-enough Chippewa Valley summers that we all know and love so much. And wow, at this point... we all deserve it. With that in mind we put together the Best of Summer issue you have in you...
