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Housing Preservation
Feb 16 2023Dave Armstrong of Barron County Economic Development (via zoom), Aaron White with the City of Eau Claire Economic Development, and Charles Walker with Chippewa Economic Development hosted a Momentum West panel discussion. The discussion focused on possible community based solutions in housing and their importance to Business Expansion and Retention...

Employers are now able to apply for the latest round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Up to $2 million in funding is available to employers who demonstrate a critical need for skilled workers and are seeking training grants to develop and implement a...

Wisconsin AI Summit
Feb 12 2023Join us for the Wisconsin AI Summit as we learn from state, federal and military AI/ML experts about emerging needs for smart data products. You will learn about emerging innovation needs, funding opportunities and key resources that you can access as you develop your smart data solutions. Companies and early-stage...

Virtually all of the 2022 University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduating class had either landed jobs or were continuing their education by the end of last year, according to First Destination Survey results that measure students’ post-graduate employment.
For the survey, the 2022 graduating class refers to UWRF graduates from...

The Rice Lake City Council will revisit the first reading of an amendment to an ordinance related to the Tourism Commission, and discuss possible changes and rebidding of the Senior Center improvement project when it meets on Tuesday.
Tourism Commission
Mayor Justin Fonfara had proposed at the council’s...

Medical Center opens in New Richmond
Feb 8 2023In 2017 the St. Croix Crossing bridge opened connecting Stillwater, Minnesota, with New Richmond. With that connection came an avalanche of new opportunities.
The New Richmond Medical Center broke ground in May 2022 and is the latest in a series of new professions and commercial developments in the...

Teaming up to address shortage of caregivers
Feb 8 2023Several local entities are partnering together to help address the caregiver shortage.
Barron Area School District and Northwoods Technical College have partnered to host a CNA class during the school day for college credit. Eight people can take the class at a time, and the first class will be...

The evening included revealing plans for new websites for the Chamber in the coming year.
This year’s award winners were:
Ambassador of the Year: Krista Paulus of Security Financial Bank.
Citizen of the Year: Terry McAleavey of Family Fresh Market.
Non-Profit of the Year: Hope for...

Weld Among Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
Feb 7 2023Terry Weld, who will end his term as Eau Claire City Council president in April, was named Public Employee of the Year by the chamber for embodying “personal and professional development qualities that contribute to the spirit of progress between the public and private sectors.”
Past recipients of the...

Each time Bee Vang sees expressions of wonder on her students’ faces when they have a new experience, she feels hopeful for their future.
“When I see that look in my students’ eyes, when they get to experience something they’ve never done before, I feel like we’re doing our...

CF residents react to new museum
Feb 3 2023Gary Betts walked around the displays at the Chippewa Area History Center on Friday and marveled at the collection of tools used to harvest trees during the area’s rich history in the lumber industry.
“I think it’s amazing,” Betts said of the museum, which opened its doors on Friday....

Students at an Altoona elementary school had an opportunity to get hands-on learning at a STEAM Museum experience Tuesday.
St. Mary’s Elementary turned its Parish Hall into a learning experience focused on not only STEM topics, but also in creative arts.
Read here for the complete article.

A fire won’t stop the music in Osceola.
After a fire destroyed the building that housed Red Bird Music store last week, the community has rallied to support owner Bob Brace and Jessica Turtle, owner of the Natural Heritage Art Centre – an organization located next-door to Red Bird...

From the backyard of a home in Minneapolis to a suite at Banbury Place in Eau Claire, a pizza shop started as a pandemic project has gained popularity.
“I was an out of work chef during the pandemic, the height of it, the shutdown,” said Jakob Paulsbud.
Read...

Marketing is a crucial part of economic development. However, many economic developers do not have any professional training in the marketing industry. That’s where help from an agency like Golden Shovel comes in.
Audrey Anderson, Director of Marketing & Communications for Golden Shovel Agency, has earned a dual certification...

A new store opened in Eau Claire that offers hair products for specific hair needs.
“Legacy is very important to me. Starting a place where people can come an get their hair care products. Especially because Eau Claire doesn’t have that type of space for us to go,” said...

A little town in western Wisconsin delivers happiness by the slice. There are a lot of reasons to visit the little village of Stockholm, but none more delicious than the homemade pie that’s made here. You’ll find it in the Stockholm Pie and General Store and you’ll enjoy every single...

This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Mike Semmann, vice president of government affairs for the Wisconsin Grocers Association.
The discussion ranges from inflation and supply chain impacts on prices to efforts to address the workforce shortage.
Read here for the complete article.

You may have walked or driven through downtown Eau Claire recently and wondered what's up with the construction at the old Pedals Music store on South Barstow. Wonder no more: Dotters Books, a local women-owned bookstore, will be moving from its original location on Hogeboom Avenue to the newly renovated...

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary employment estimates for the month of December 2022, which showed Wisconsin added 900 nonfarm jobs over the month and 60,000 jobs over the year.
The data also showed that Wisconsin's unemployment rate dipped...

Wisconsin voters will be asked to weigh in on whether childless, able-bodied adults should be required to search for work in order to receive public assistance.
The state Assembly voted 62-35 to place the question on the April 4 ballot as an advisory referendum — a vote that is...

Focus on Physicians 2022
Jan 16 2023Meet some of the noteworthy medical professionals dedicated to keeping your family healthy.
Read here for the complete article.

Now open for carry-out at its new location – what was once home to Water St. Deli & Grocery – foodie fans of California Tacos are anxiously awaiting indoor eating to become available. having opened up for carry-out on Jan. 2, the family-owned eatery is planning on moving in tables...

The head of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce expects energy inflation this year will hurt manufacturing and agriculture.
Kurt Bauer, president and CEO of WMC, says higher energy prices could “very well tip the U.S. into a recession” in 2023. His prediction was included in the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s latest...