https://www.momentumwest.org Momentum West News Feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 16:57:06 +0000 en-US https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68947/st-croix-valley-home-builders-association-nails-momentum-wests-top-talent-initiative-award https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68947/st-croix-valley-home-builders-association-nails-momentum-wests-top-talent-initiative-award Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The idea behind Build My Future Wisconsin is to do just that; give high school students the opportunity to spend a day in the construction industry during a hands-on, interactive showcase held at the St. Croix County Fairgrounds in Glenwood City.For around two and a half hours, participants experience everything... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68826/eevy-ivy-overs-whimsical-renovation-grabs-top-honors-from-momentum-west https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68826/eevy-ivy-overs-whimsical-renovation-grabs-top-honors-from-momentum-west Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Strolling down N. Bridge Street, it’s impossible not to feel a surge of happiness as you peer through the windows of Eevy Ivy Over Flowers, Framing and Gifts. Quirky, punchy floral arrangements popping with color surrounded by a thoughtful curation of unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list are... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68813/beyond-business-retention-young-professional-awardee-envisions-a-thriving-chippewa-valley https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68813/beyond-business-retention-young-professional-awardee-envisions-a-thriving-chippewa-valley Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 As a lifelong resident of the Chippewa Valley, Adam Accola’s motivation is rooted in a deep commitment to the area that shaped him. Sure, he wants to see the region survive. But he also wants to see it healthy, robust… a thriving community where future generations can live, work, and raise... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68797/uwrf-study-shows-university-has-295-million-annual-impact-on-regions-economy https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68797/uwrf-study-shows-university-has-295-million-annual-impact-on-regions-economy Mon, 17 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2026 Economic Impact Study* shows that, by a conservative estimate, UWRF generates approximately $295 million in annual economic output for Pierce and St. Croix counties, accounting for 4% of the region’s gross domestic product.“The surrounding community and its members contribute immeasurably to the success of... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68799/graski-seeks-to-keep-bakerysmall-and-personal https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68799/graski-seeks-to-keep-bakerysmall-and-personal Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Amery is a community built on hard workers and big dreamers. This is especially true for one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the area, Katlin Graski. One week before she graduated from Amery High School last May of 2025, Graski kicked off her dream of owning a bakery, opening Kate... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68801/an-orchard-full-of-opportunity-cultivating-connections-under-the-apple-trees https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68801/an-orchard-full-of-opportunity-cultivating-connections-under-the-apple-trees Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 On a warm August evening in Cadott, Wisconsin the Chippewa Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow roots in one of the region’s most picturesque settings. Under the canopy of Dixon Orchard’s apple trees, the CEDC’s Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) in the Orchard event drew more than 100 attendees for... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68800/uwstout-polytechnic-announces-budget-proposals-to-build-state-workforce-next-generation-of-businesses https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68800/uwstout-polytechnic-announces-budget-proposals-to-build-state-workforce-next-generation-of-businesses Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 UW-Stout Polytechnic Chancellor Katherine Frank joined Universities of Wisconsin Regent President Kyle Weatherly, UWs Interim President Renée Wachter and other university leaders today to announce budget proposals focused on building Wisconsin’s workforce and the next generation of businesses.The Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin proposals represent new initiatives from the... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68795/a-new-milwaukee-garden-gives-youths-a-place-to-learn-connect-and-look-out-for-each-other https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68795/a-new-milwaukee-garden-gives-youths-a-place-to-learn-connect-and-look-out-for-each-other Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Last winter, a vacant lot between West Concordia Avenue and North 12th Street in Milwaukee was buried in snow waiting to become a community garden. Now, hundreds of children from We Got This Milwaukee are spending their summer making each plot flourish and using the garden as a safe haven... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68791/meeting-a-childcare-need-in-northern-wisconsin https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68791/meeting-a-childcare-need-in-northern-wisconsin Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 In Northern Wisconsin, parents often face a seemingly endless shuttle: they work in one community, have their children in school in another, and find the only available daycare in still another.Remodeled daycare room at Shine Bright in Coleman.Andrea Schaut knew the routine all too well, so she decided to do... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68792/wisconsin-economic-summit-to-highlight-opportunities-for-shared-economic-growth-and-strategic-investments-for-the-future https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68792/wisconsin-economic-summit-to-highlight-opportunities-for-shared-economic-growth-and-strategic-investments-for-the-future Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The 2026 Wisconsin Economic Summit, sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), will explore how businesses and communities in our state can strengthen their competitive advantages, invest in talent and innovation, and create a more prosperous economy.This year’s summit, “Determination to Dream,” is set for Sept. 30 to Oct... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68798/northwood-tech-grads-deliver-strong-workforce-outcomes https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68798/northwood-tech-grads-deliver-strong-workforce-outcomes Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Employers across northwestern Wisconsin continue to express overwhelming confidence in graduates of Northwood Technical College, citing strong skills, workforce readiness and educational quality, according to the latest employer satisfaction findings.At the statewide level, employers reported that: 97% were satisfied with technical college graduates’ education, 96% would hire a Wisconsin Technical... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68802/the-apprenticeship-revival https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68802/the-apprenticeship-revival Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The past 2025-26 school year was a milestone marker for the Badger State. For the first time ever, single-year youth apprenticeship participation soared past the 12,000-student mark — the most in the United States. That’s also a 7% increase over the previous year, which had been the state record.Those Wisconsin... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68794/africa-trade-mission-aimed-to-deepen-state-ties-with-niche-cocoa https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68794/africa-trade-mission-aimed-to-deepen-state-ties-with-niche-cocoa Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 During the recent WEDC trade mission to Africa, state officials sought to deepen the economic ties between Ghana’s Niche Cocoa and Wisconsin.The trade mission took place July 20-25, featuring diplomatic meetings with local officials in both Ghana and South Africa as well as visits with African businesses and institutions and... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68803/menomonie-area-chamber-begins-looking-for-its-own-new-ceo-as-demuth-accepts-ec-position-will-follow-dave-minor-after-his-nineyear-tenure https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68803/menomonie-area-chamber-begins-looking-for-its-own-new-ceo-as-demuth-accepts-ec-position-will-follow-dave-minor-after-his-nineyear-tenure Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 After nearly a decade guided by the strong leadership of President & CEO Dave Minor, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has announced who will lead the business advocacy organization into its new chapter: Ashley DeMuth.Inside the Eau Claire Chamber office downtown, where the announcement was formally made on... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68793/gov-evers-wedc-celebrate-investments-in-hundreds-of-wisconsin-businesses-nonprofits-organizations-and-communities https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68793/gov-evers-wedc-celebrate-investments-in-hundreds-of-wisconsin-businesses-nonprofits-organizations-and-communities Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), today announced that in fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30, 2026, WEDC invested $229 million in 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, supporting hundreds of local businesses, nonprofits, partner organizations, and communities throughout the state. The investments are supporting... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68796/birth-of-a-ballpark-rfbc-proves-if-you-build-it-they-will-come https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68796/birth-of-a-ballpark-rfbc-proves-if-you-build-it-they-will-come Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Hudson River Rats manager Chris LaBreche and River Falls Fighting Fish general manager Josh Eidem were being interviewed on the Fox 9 Town Ball Tour broadcast from First National Bank of River Falls Field last Wednesday night, when LaBreche recalled the first time Eidem talked about building a ballpark in... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68297/st-croix-health-has-broken-ground-on-its-new-hospital-south-of-highway-8 https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68297/st-croix-health-has-broken-ground-on-its-new-hospital-south-of-highway-8 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 St. Croix Health has broken ground on its new hospital south of Highway 8 in St. Croix Falls, marking the start of construction on a 100-acre campus designed to replace the aging facility and position the health system for decades of growth.Parking shortages, aging infrastructure, and limited space for expansion... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68305/business-101-at-three-neighborhood-lemonade-stands https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68305/business-101-at-three-neighborhood-lemonade-stands Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Now that the Dairy Month promotions of June have passed, Wisconsin's 1.27 million milk cows can relax and go about their daily routines. Bring on real summer activities. July means neighborhood lemonade stands and they represent Free Enterprise 101 and the Basics of Entrepreneurship rolled into a couple hours of... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68302/city-of-eau-claire-looks-to-buy-230acre-parcel-for-175m https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68302/city-of-eau-claire-looks-to-buy-230acre-parcel-for-175m Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The City of Eau Claire intends to purchase over 230 acres of land along County Highway EE –  within the Town of Union in Eau Claire County – for $1.75 million.As shared in the City Council agenda packet for the Tuesday, July 14 meeting, the City plans to sign a... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68298/dream-to-destination-how-6four-accord-is-creating-the-chippewa-valleys-newest-agritourism-experience https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68298/dream-to-destination-how-6four-accord-is-creating-the-chippewa-valleys-newest-agritourism-experience Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 What began as an entrepreneurial vision and opened it’s doors in October 2025 -6Four Accord is quickly becoming one of the Chippewa Valley’s most unique destinations. Nestled just outside Cameron, Wisconsin, 6Four Accord is redefining what it means to visit a unique gathering place. More than a reindeer farm, it... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68303/cheteks-stardust-drivein-theater-lights-up-once-again https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68303/cheteks-stardust-drivein-theater-lights-up-once-again Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Drive-in movie theaters are fewer and further between these days, and after Eau Claire’s Gemini Drive-In shuttered in 2015, the next closest outdoor movie destination became Chetek’s Stardust Drive-In Theater (995 22nd St.).Longtime owner Nicholas Meyer (not to be mistaken with Volume One publisher, Nick Meyer), alongside his family, saw... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68295/scholarship-supports-internship-opportunities-for-uwriver-falls-political-science-and-international-studies-students https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68295/scholarship-supports-internship-opportunities-for-uwriver-falls-political-science-and-international-studies-students Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 In 2023, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Political Science Professors Moira Lynch and Davida Alperin (now retired), recognized a need.“Political science and international studies majors recognize the important value of completing an internship while earning their degree at UWRF,” Lynch said. “Internship opportunities bridge the gap between the educational and professional... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68294/lakeshore-college-summer-camp-introduces-children-and-teens-to-handson-indemand-jobs https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68294/lakeshore-college-summer-camp-introduces-children-and-teens-to-handson-indemand-jobs Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 In mid-June, roughly a dozen young teens wearing white chef coats lined up at stations inside a classroom resembling a real industrial kitchen.They gingerly cut slices of avocado, cucumber and mamenori — soy paper — before finally using a bamboo sheet to roll the ingredients into a log of sushi.Their... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68292/dont-go-it-alone-navigating-global-expansion https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68292/dont-go-it-alone-navigating-global-expansion Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Global expansion can feel like a gamble or a shot in the dark—but with the right support, it can feel strategic and intentional. This was the message of a panel at Summerfest Tech that highlighted the resources Wisconsin offers for home-grown companies looking to expand internationally and, on the other... https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68301/royal-credit-union-tractor-supply-co-add-to-chippewa-crossing-growth https://www.momentumwest.org/news-and-media/p/item/68301/royal-credit-union-tractor-supply-co-add-to-chippewa-crossing-growth Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Over the past two weeks, two incoming developments have been announced for the growing commercial corridor off of Chippewa Crossing Boulevard and Hwy 29.The first, Tractor Supply Co., shared its groundbreaking plans for a 21,930-square-foot “prototype store” at 715 Chippewa Mall Dr., Chippewa Falls – which required the purchase of...