UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH 3, 5–8 PM
2026 STEAM Night
Chippewa Falls High School 735 Terrill St, Chippewa Falls
MARCH 27, 7:30AM–9:30 AM
Legislative Speed Dating
The Egg Break 2621 S Prairie View Rd, Chippewa Falls
APRIL 20, 11:30AM–1 PM
Economic Forecast
29 Pines Conference Center 1080 W River St, Chippewa Falls
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
MAY 11-15, 5–7:30 PM
Training Within Industry (TWI) Job Methods
CEDC - 770 Technology Way, Chippewa Falls
MAY 15, 7–9:30 AM
CEDC Annual Meeting
The Crescent | Eau Claire Event District 5775 20th Ave, Eau Claire
MAY 15,10 A.M.–5 PM
CEDC CHARITY CLASSIC GOLF OUTING
Whispering Pines Golf Course
24700 County Highway X, Cadott
As winter comes to a close, our team at CEDC is focused on the momentum building beneath the snow. New projects are advancing, entrepreneurs are testing ideas, and employers are planning their next phase of growth in the Chippewa Valley. This season has underscored that even in the coldest months, our region’s economic engine keeps moving, powered by collaboration, ingenuity, and a shared commitment to building what comes next.
The mission of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation is to ignite and sustain economic growth in the Chippewa Valley by strengthening the county’s competitive position and facilitating investments that create jobs and expand opportunity. Every day, that mission shows up in practical ways. We support companies evaluating expansion, help entrepreneurs navigate resources, and align partners around talent, infrastructure, and quality of place.
As we transition from winter into spring, we see a landscape of opportunity taking shape across Chippewa County. Expansions are under consideration, new ventures are emerging from our entrepreneurial pipeline, and community partners are leaning in on workforce and infrastructure solutions. Whether in boardrooms, on shop floors, in co working spaces, or at community events, these efforts are laying the groundwork for the next wave of investment and innovation in our region.
In the months ahead, CEDC will continue to serve as a ready resource for businesses, industries, entrepreneurs, and the workforce pipeline, connecting projects to sites, capital, and strategic partners. From supporting site selection and business expansion to advancing initiatives that strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem, our focus remains on translating ideas into action and action into measurable economic impact for Chippewa County.
We invite you to stay engaged as we close out winter and step into a new season of possibility. The work underway today is setting the stage for a more dynamic, resilient, and innovative Chippewa Valley - can’t wait to see you on May 15th!
BEAR SHOWCASES ELEVATE GROWTH
CEDC’s Business Expansion, Attraction, and Retention (BEAR) strategy comes to life through our BEAR Showcases, where we highlight the companies and partnerships shaping Chippewa County’s future. These showcases celebrate employers that are expanding, hiring, innovating, and investing locally, sending a clear message: Chippewa is a place to raise a family and grow a business.
A BEAR Showcase is a public-facing platform—through articles, events, and features—that demonstrates how local investments translate into jobs, innovation, and workforce development. Recent showcases included visits to Golden Calf Company and the Cadott Technical Education Center, both shining examples of how education and industry collaboration strengthen our region.
The Cadott Technical Education Center, a 29,000+ sq. ft. facility, gives students hands-on experience in high-demand trades while connecting curriculum to local industry needs. By providing real-world skills and career pathways, the Center strengthens the regional talent pipeline, preparing students for careers in manufacturing, construction, and technical fields.
Golden Calf Company in Bloomer shows how local manufacturing and innovation drive economic growth. Founded in 2010, the company produces Calf Hero colostrum pasteurizers, colostrum bags, and tube feeders, exporting across North America and beyond. By staying rooted locally while competing globally, Golden Calf creates jobs, supports agriculture, and demonstrates the value of community-centered business investment.
BEAR Showcases strengthen business relationships by making employers feel seen, valued, and supported in front of leaders, peers, and investors. If you’re interested in hosting a showcase, contact us at staff@chippewa-wi.com— we’d love to schedule you!
READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT: STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
In today’s fast-moving economy, relationships matter more than ever, especially with the professionals who influence where companies choose to invest and grow. CEDC, building and maintaining those relationships is not optional. It is essential.
In 2026, CEDC made it a priority to strengthen connections with national and regional site selectors to ensure Chippewa remains visible, competitive, and prepared for future opportunity. Business attraction rarely happens by chance. It is the result of consistent outreach, clear messaging, and being present in the rooms where investment decisions begin.
This proactive approach was on full display as CEDC recently attended the Next Move Group Site Selection Conference, a national event that connects economic development organizations directly with the consultants who guide corporate expansion and relocation decisions. Participation in forums like these keeps us on the radar when new projects are being evaluated and ensures our region remains part of the national conversation about growth.
Beyond visibility, these conversations provide valuable insight into what companies are prioritizing today. Workforce readiness, energy, infrastructure, housing, broadband access, and site readiness consistently top the list. By engaging directly with site selectors, developers, and engineering firms, CEDC gains firsthand knowledge of emerging trends and evolving expectations. This insight allows us to refine local strategies and position Chippewa to meet real world business needs.
Attracting investment does not happen from a brochure or website alone. Site selectors and corporate leaders also want to see communities in action. They want to tour available properties, evaluate infrastructure, meet local leadership, and experience the workforce and quality of life firsthand. When CEDC organizes and hosts a site visit, statistics become tangible. Industrial parks can be walked. Transportation access can be assessed. Redevelopment opportunities can be visualized.
Equally important, these professionals can see collaboration in action. When company repre-
sentatives sit across the table from CEDC stakeholders, leaders, educators, workforce partners, and local business owners, they witness alignment and responsiveness. That level of coordination is often a deciding factor in competitive projects.
Companies are not simply investing in buildings. They are investing in people. Hosted visits allow CEDC to highlight strong partnerships with K 12 districts, technical colleges, and local government. These companies want to see that communities are investing in themselves not just hoping or waiting for someone else to do all the investing. Even when a specific project does not land immediately, these visits build long-term relationships. Site selectors remember communities that are professional, welcoming, and prepared. Future opportunities often return to places that made a strong impression.
As CEDC moves through 2026, one message continues to guide our efforts: Chippewa County is ready for growth. Through active engagement, strategic outreach, and strong local collaboration, we are ensuring that when opportunity calls, our community is prepared to answer.
In 2026, CEDC made it a priority to strengthen connections with national and regional site selectors to ensure Chippewa remains visible, competitive, and prepared for future opportunity. “
CATCH UP
On past episodes!
Listen to Episode 602
”New Beginnings, Limitless Horizons” -with Amanda Novak
Charlie uncovers a journey into entrepreneurship, running a people-first business, and staying true to values while building something meaningful.
The CEDC’s BEAR Discussions Podcast offers listeners an inside look at the people, ideas, and partnerships driving economic growth in the Chippewa Valley. Hosted by Charlie Walker, often alongside rotating co-hosts such as Lisa Bruhn, Karen Smith, or Ken Pearson, each episode features unscripted, real conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders. From navigating workforce challenges to launching startups, expanding operations, or adopting new technologies, the podcast captures the real-world experiences that define doing business in the region today.
BEAR Discussions goes wherever the story is, recording in offices, warehouses, and even on pontoons out on the lake. This traveling approach allows hosts to capture authentic, unscripted conversations in the environments where innovation and growth actually happen.
WHERE CAN I LISTEN?
Designed for business leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone invested in regional growth, the podcast highlights practical strategies, lessons learned, and opportunities for collaboration. Recent episodes have covered topics including precision manufacturing and AI in the workplace, innovative healthcare solutions for small businesses, and education and business partnerships that support workforce development. With new episodes released regularly on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, the series continues to be a go-to resource for staying informed on trends, challenges, and successes shaping the local economy.
Tune in to hear stories of innovation, adaptation, and resilience, demonstrating how collaboration across businesses, nonprofits, and education partners fuels growth in the Chippewa Valley. The BEAR Discussions Podcast captures the entrepreneurial spirit, shared vision, and community-driven momentum that continue to shape the region’s economic future, one unscripted conversation at a time.
If you want to be featured on the podcast or suggest a topic, reach out to Casey at staff@chippewa-wi.com
INVESTING IN PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE SHARPENING THE EDGE
CEDC is committed to keeping its team sharp, current, and operating to the highest professional standards because the quality of our staff directly shapes the quality of growth and opportunity in Chippewa County. As the county’s only full-time, professionally staffed organization focused solely on fostering capital and talent investment here, businesses and community partners rely on CEDC to bring up-to-date tools, data, and best practices to every project.
That is why CEDC continues to invest in professional development for its team. Recently, economic development specialist Casey Hedrington completed the Arizona Basic Economic Development Course in Scottsdale, an International Economic Development Council (IEDC)–accredited “Basic Course” that provides a comprehensive foundation in modern economic development practice. The course covers core topics such as organizing and managing economic development programs, business retention and expansion, real estate and infrastructure, finance, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and professional ethics, all taught through real-world case studies and practical exercises. As an IEDC-accredited program, the Arizona Basic Course also counts toward the requirements for the Certified Economic Develop-
er (CEcD) credential, recognized as the profession’s gold standard.
CEDC’s commitment to excellence is modeled at the top. President and CEO Charlie Walker is himself a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a designation earned through rigorous study, extensive professional experience, and a comprehensive examination process. By leading with this credential, Walker sets a clear expectation that CEDC will meet or exceed national standards of professionalism, strategy, and ethics in economic development. His example underscores the message that advanced training is not optional—it is essential to serving Chippewa County effectively.
For local employers, entrepreneurs, and communities, this focus on professional standards translates into better service and stronger outcomes. Training like the Arizona Basic Course equips CEDC staff to navigate complex projects—from business expansion and site selection to workforce and entrepreneurship initiatives—using tested strategies that reflect national best practices. CEDC’s investment in its people is, ultimately, an investment in Chippewa County’s long-term competitiveness, job growth, and quality of life.
MENTORSHIP AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK
The principle of “Give First.” is the idea that lasting ecosystems are built when people contribute without immediately asking, “What do I get in return?” That mindset is deeply aligned with how we approach economic development at CEDC. We know strong communities are built through partnership, trust, and shared vision. Our investors and stakeholders step up not for recognition, but because they believe in the future of the Chippewa Valley-they embody the Give First philosophy. They are more than financial supporters—they are collaborators, advocates, and champions of growth. Their support makes everything we do possible!
The “Give First” mindset shows up in volunteer leadership, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes work that fuels economic development. When businesses choose Chippewa, they’re choosing a network of partners invested in their success, ready to tackle challenges together.
Every dollar invested in our economic development multiplies through job creation, an expanded tax base, increased household income, and a stronger quality of life. Most importantly, it reflects belief in our community’s potential. At CEDC, we are grateful to work alongside partners who share our vision and commitment to building something that lasts. Below are some of those who “Gave First” to CEDC:
