News and Media

Ten Mile Creek, if approved, would go online in 2029The Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, a proposal for an up-to-650-megawatt solar photovoltaic project set to be located in central and eastern St. Croix County, has come under stiff criticism from local residents.More than 200 individuals attended a listening session held...Continue Reading

For a topic that University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Clinical Assistant Professor of Teacher Education Jennifer Sisum has become familiar with, there is certainly a challenge that rural communities face with a shortage of educators.While she said it's not necessarily a new problem for communities, it does seem like something that...Continue Reading

Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz thanked the board Tuesday for his support and their collaborative efforts during his seven-year tenure leading the county.Scholz gave a “state of the county” address in his final county board meeting before retiring next month. The three finalists to replace him will be interviewed next...Continue Reading

We sincerely thank all of our CEDC investors who attended our first entrepreneur showcase in 2025; its success was truly remarkable. Special thanks to KYMA and their team for hosting us at their facility, allowing community leaders to discover the innovative manufacturing they bring to our community. We are fortunate...Continue Reading

The second session of the Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century series, held today at the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) campus in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, spotlighted the transformative potential of Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning. Organized in collaboration with the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), Wisconsin Procurement Institute...Continue Reading

Our annual Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll is all about numbers. Here are some of the biggest ones that show how much our readers take part in the poll.165,203Total number of votes cast in the Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll, which ran online Nov. 19 to...Continue Reading

Barron Electric Cooperative donated $1,000 to both the Barron County 4-H Program and the Washburn County 4-H Program.Through 4-H, youth have the opportunity to complete hands-on projects in areas of interest, which include art, health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement. “We are proud to support programs that help young people...Continue Reading

The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 110th annual meeting Thursday by giving out awards, as well as by receiving one.The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents presented the Regents Business Partnership Award jointly to the Chamber of Commerce and UW-Eau Claire “in recognition of their ongoing collaboration...Continue Reading

As major companies in the state seek to advance and leverage new technologies, panelists at a Wisconsin Technology Council event stressed that innovation can come from anywhere.Speaking yesterday at the Tech Council luncheon in Madison, Rockwell Automation Innovation Program Manager Krystal Thibault said organizing events like hackathons and innovation challenges...Continue Reading

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development today released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment and unemployment statistics for metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for December 2024.In brief, the nonseasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin shows:Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary December 2024 unemployment rates increased between 0.1 and...Continue Reading

What does it take to turn a small-town dream into a nationally recognized success story? How do you seize opportunities, stay true to your roots, and make a lasting impact on your community? These are the questions Bob Jacquart, CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products, the parent company of Stormy Kromer,...Continue Reading

Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) is proud to announce that CESA 11 has earned a silver-level certification as a Family Friendly Workplace, recognizing the agency's commitment to supporting its employees and their families."CESA 11 is committed to creating a supportive environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally," said...Continue Reading

Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) proudly reaffirms FNC Bank's status as a Gold-Level Certified Family Friendly Workplace. This prestigious recognition highlights the bank’s ongoing commitment to fostering a family-oriented environment that supports both the personal and professional well-being of its employees.“The ‘Family Friendly Workplace' Gold Level Certification reaffirms what we at...Continue Reading

From new academic programs supporting workforce development in Wisconsin and the Midwest to new university centers focused on innovations in AI and sustainability, strengthening relationships with industry partners and the community, and celebrating student research and athletic victories, UW-Stout – Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University – is paving the way for graduates...Continue Reading

The thought of hundreds of middle school students descending upon Chippewa Valley Technical College doesn’t faze Anne Weber and Maggie Meyers a bit.In fact, they welcome it.Weber, a student recruitment coordinator, and Meyers, an admissions advisor, both for CVTC, said preparing for life after grade 12 isn’t just a high...Continue Reading

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) grants to help address the state's demand for skilled workers. Employers of all types and sizes across Wisconsin are eligible to apply for funding to train skilled workers.The WFF program supports innovative local and regional...Continue Reading

Broadband expansion is a transformative force for rural communities in Wisconsin, and the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is dedicated to supporting this important initiative. CEDC several years back formed a Chippewa broadband expansion committee whose aim is to improve internet access for rural areas in Chippewa County.As of January...Continue Reading

OEM Fabricators, Inc., a Wisconsin based manufacturer with three locations and a Certified Family Friendly Workplace, has been searching for a solution to increasing dependent care costs for their Team Members.“We’ve seen dependent care become an increasing issue for our Team Members, both for children and elderly parents,” said Abby...Continue Reading

Small businesses throughout Wisconsin can now receive free advice and training thanks to a new partnership between the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office for Business and Entrepreneurship.The Main Street Bounceback Technical Assistance and Training Program will provide small businesses – with less than 500...Continue Reading

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced that about $1 million in expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward funding is available to Wisconsin school districts to help train students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and construction, filling critical workforce needs.Grant amounts will range from $5,000 to $100,000 and will be...Continue Reading

Researchers and industry are working to address the challenge of rising energy needs linked to AI and data centers amid concerns around environmental impacts and strain on the energy grid.UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Energy Institute recently hosted a discussion on this topic, which highlighted the soaring energy requirements linked to increased reliance...Continue Reading

One of the top challenges for downtown advocates is finding sustainable funding for the breadth of projects and programs needed to support a thriving downtown. Many traditional funding sources are limited in what they can fund or are inherently unreliable for capital planning. For example, grants often fund programs but...Continue Reading

After a presentation by Kelly Shipley, Government Affairs and Public Policy Director with Brightspeed, at its Jan. 8 meeting, the Barron County Executive Committee unanimously gave its endorsement to a Public Service Commission application for bringing broadband to unserved or underserved communities in the county.Funding is sought through the PSC's...Continue Reading

If you’ve shopped, dined, celebrated, been entertained, or even just strolled in downtown Eau Claire during the past 23 years, you’ve probably heard of Downtown Eau Claire Inc. – also known as DECI. Yet unless you’ve been a member of DECI, you might not know exactly what it is or...Continue Reading