Chamber Connection Volume 25 | Issue 2 | Quarter 2 | 2022
STATE TO SELL EXCESS LAND
After many years of discussions, the State has listed excess Northern Center property for sale. This has been a priority of the City of Chippewa Falls and the Chamber for more than 20 years. At that time, we asked the state to consider selling the unused state land north of Hwy 29 and south of Park Avenue. Years later after many meetings, emails and phone calls, five parcels of the land has been put up for sale. This would not have been possible without the assistance of the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance (Eau Claire, Menomonie and Chippewa Falls Chambers of Commerce) and the many lobbying trips they put in. After those trips, the Department of Administration (DOA) started seriously meeting with City of Chippewa Falls officials about the land. The strength of the Alliance is the unified voice that we bring to Madison about the issues important to our region. Our local state legislators, Senator Kathy Bernier and Representative Rob Summerfield, helped us navigate the process and led our area legislators to advocate for the land to be sold. “The City and Chippewa Chamber have worked in partnership for a very long time to make this project happen. Our first trip to Madison to discuss this with the Department of Administration was in 2001 with then Mayor Virginia Smith, Chamber President Mike Jordan and City Planner Jayson Smith. This is a big victory for the city that the land will be put back on the tax rolls,” said Mayor Greg Hoffman. “We look forward to significant development on this property adjacent to the Hwy. 29/178 corridor.” The City and Chamber will continue to work with the DOA to address the remainder of the parcels that are deemed excess state land.
February 23, 2022 the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance traveled to Madison to discuss issues important to our region with state legislators and officials.
Map displaying the land available for sale. Please note: this map does not show the exact parcels of land, it is solely meant to show the approximate location of the land that is now available for sale.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Willie’s RV Amy Dachel 8234 State Highway 64 Bloomer, WI 54724 (715) 568-4947
The Alliance Parker Talbot 5510 Nobel Avenue, Suite 200 Fitchburg, WI 53711 (800) 223-4139
River Jams Jeannine Carruth 2940 109th Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 861-3041
Sid Harvey’s Family Diner Bryce Ploeckelman 704 E Grand Avenue Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Indigo Waters Holistic Therapies & Retreats Kim Pomeroy 1120 122nd Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 703-3354 Mullen, Schlough & Associates S.C. Mike Mullen 619 North Bridge, Street, Suite 100 Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 828-4780 Karl’s Bar-B-Express - Eau Claire Karl Hartkemeyer 1410 S Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701 (534) 444-3123 NorthLakes Community Clinic Monica Johnson 425 Prairie View Road Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 861-7901 Chippewa River Business Park Mike Knopps 925 W River Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 861-3885 Kristin K Designs Kristin Verhaagh Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 828-2737 Dylan’s Dairy Linda Flater 120 Main Street Cornell, WI 54732 (715) 239-6997 Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute Foundation Mark Beckfield 1308 Bob Brown Avenue Altoona, WI 54720 (715) 579-8579 Come to the Lighthouse LLC Tina Putney Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (763) 219-9462 2
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Classic Real Estate Gene and Linda Hurt Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715) 828-4366 Vault Business Group LLC Randi Ann McVinnie Eau Claire, WI 54701 (715) 216-5981 SEEK Careers/Staffing Kristina Barnier 1610 S Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701 (715) 832-1000 The Family Radio Network, Inc Gerald Fenske 1227 Menomonie Street, Suite E Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 679-4547
RIBBON CUTTINGS
WISSOTA DOCK CHIPPEWA FALLS
LEINIE LODGE PILOT BREWERY CHIPPEWA FALLS
PLAY SPACE CHIPPEWA FALLS CHIPPEWA FALLS
INDIGO WATERS HOLISTIC THERAPIES & RETREATS LAKE HALLIE
THE WILLOW EVENTS & CATERING CHIPPEWA FALLS
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
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NETWORKING & EDUCATION April 25 @ Sleep Inn & Suites
April 8 @ Chippewa Falls Area
May 23 @ Connell’s Supper Club
McDonell Area Catholic Schools
Sponsors: 29 Pines & River Country Co-Op Sponsor: Connell’s Supper Club
June 27 @ Wissota High Shores Supper Club
Sponsor: Cobblestone Hotel and Suites & Wissota Chophouse
Chamber of Commerce Sponsor:
May 13 @ Riverfront Park Sponsor: Trust Point
June 17 @ Riverfront Park Sponsor: Hookd Promotions
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Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber has a Tourism branch that focuses on attracting DID YOU guests to the Chippewa County for KNOW? sporting events, overnight stays, and day trips.
NETWORKING & EDUCATION
You are invited to the 2022 Oktoberfest Logo Unveiling!
Each year, the Oktoberfest Planning Committee selects one logo from the many submitted by local community members. All submitted logos must include this year’s date, “19th Annual”, the Oktoberfest Banner Logo, a maple or oak leaf, and a Bavarian Checked pattern. The rest is in the imagination of each artist. This year, we will be gathering at Northwestern Bank to watch as 2021 Festmeister and Festmeisterin, Jerry and Mary Kuehl, reveal this year’s winning submission. If you join us, you can meet the winning artist and be a part of the festive fun! If you have an idea for a future logo, contact ofest@chippewachamber.org to be put on the list to receive the rules when our 20th Anniversary Logo Contest opens up.
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
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GET INVOLVED!
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Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
GET INVOLVED!
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
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MEMBER 2 MEMBER NEWS Charter Bank is proud to announce that six employees were promoted from within. They are proud of the committment their employees have shown to their valued customers over the years, and are pleased to have the opportunity to promote from within their organization. The six employees are: Melissa Carlson, Carla Leuck, Stephanie Morken, Chad Plath, Danny Pohnl, and Craig Severud. Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association is excited to welcome Taylor Schneider as their new Membership & Marketing Coordinator. Taylor is a recent UWEC grad with a degree in communications and a minor in graphic design. Community Foundation of Chippewa County awarded $20,000 in grants from the ResponseRecovery-Rebuild Fund to nonprofits and public charities who directly serve the Stanley Community and those impacted by the tornado on December 15, 2021. Eau Claire Express Baseball Team was sold to a Chippewa Falls family who will be taking over ownership of Eau Claire’s collegiate baseball league team. Partners of the Toycen Baseball Club will be up to bat next as the new owners of the Eau Claire Express Baseball Team of the Northwoods League. Goodwill NCW President and CEO Chris Hess was named to Goodwill Industries International’s (GII) Executive Council of the Conference of Executives and will serve on Goodwill Industries International’s Board of Directors. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. announced that after 8 wonderful years running the show at Leinenkugel’s, Dick Leinenkugel has decided it’s time to kick back with a Summer Shandy and let someone else lead the charge. In 2023, they will raise their glass to a 6th generation Leinenkugel, Tony Bugher, as the new President of Leinenkugel’s. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin announces new board member, Heather Kretz. Heather joined the Market & Johnson team in May 2021 as their Employee & Organizational Development Manager. Heather has 18 years of experience with higher education organizations serving in admissions, recruitment, communication, and leadership goals. Mid-State Truck Service, Inc. President and CEO Jon Vandehey and Owner and COO Tom Vandehey were named the 2021 IC Bus Dealer of the Year at the recent IC Bus Dealer meeting. This annual award recognizes the top performing dealership while considering leadership roles within the industry and the dealer’s community. Machine Tool Camp a local CNC manufacturer with clients throughout North and South America, is celebrating their new, larger location at 1233 International Dr., Eau Claire. Market & Johnson, Inc. is excited to announce the addition of five new partners to their ownership team. Justin Geissler, Kasey Lemke, Mike Shea, Patrick Sullivan, and Tyler Swanson joined the current ownership team of Dan Market, Mike Seichter, Kevin Renley, and Jason Plante.
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Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association, Inc. is pleased to congratulate their Executive Director, Rusty Volk, for being named one of this year’s Wisconsin Association of Fairs Friend of the Fair. Royal Credit Union: •
Royal is proud to congratulate John Sackett for being elected to serve a three-year term on the Credit Union National Association Board of Directors. Sackett has been a Royal Credit Union Member for over 45 years and has served on Royal’s Board of Directors for 40 years. He is the first volunteer elected to the CUNA Board.
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Annouces the promotion of Emily Lau to Regional Director of Branch Operations. Lau joined Royal in 2010 as a Teller and progressed to Member Account Representative, Branch Team Lead, Branch Supervisor, and most recently held the role of Branch Manager II of Eau Claire South Office.
Security Financial Bank announces the appointment of Mark C. Oldenberg to succeed Paul Rudersdorf as president of SFB effective January 10, 2022. Rudersdorf will continue to serve as CEO of SFB as well as CEO and President of SFSC until he retires at the end of 2022 at which time Oldenberg will assume those responsibilities. Wendel announces Mike Scott has joined the Five Bugles Design team. An Emergency Services Specialist, Mike has over 38 years of experience in Public Safety, including experience as a volunteer firefighter, police officer, deputy sheriff, and career fire chief. Have something to share? Send your press releases and announcements to erin@chippewachamber.org.
The Chippewa Chamber welcomes Erin Smith as the Communication + Marketing Manager. Erin graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing. She is taking everything she learned at school and is helping our GO Chippewa County tourism marketing efforts as well as creating Chamber communications, everything from our quarterly newsletter to the new GO Chippewa County Tik Tok. While originally from Minnesota, she calls the Chippewa Valley home and can’t wait to help grow the Young Professional group. Make sure to say hi when you meet her at any of the Chamber networking events.
MEMBER SNAPSHOT ABSTRACT & TITLE Associate Title Company, LLC Gowey Abstract and Title Company, Inc. Knight Barry Title Legends Title Services ACCOUNTANTS Brandner & Bauer LLP CliftonLarsonAllen HOOPS, Inc. HP&A Solutions Mazorol and Associates, LLC Nohre & Co. CPAs Thompson & Falkenberg CPA’s LLC William Jensen, CPA SC Wipfli LLP Zander & Associates, Inc. ADULT DAY CARE Grace Lutheran Communities Adult Day Services ADVERTISING & MEDIA Ivy Media, LLC ADVERTISING AGENCIES Chippewa Valley Newspapers Hookd Promotions iHeartMedia Litho Specialists STOKES|HERZOG Marketing + Consulting
ADVERTISING DIRECT MAIL Minuteman Press Rooney Printing ADVERTISING SPECIALITIES A to Z Embroidery & Screen Printing Big Buck Savers Blue Ribbon Awards, Signs & Engraving Dean & Associates, Inc. Gator Garb Promotions Impact Advertising Mid-West Digital Marketing Smiskey Designs AGRICULTURE Chippewa Valley Grain Transport Custer Farms, Inc. Darrow Farms Niblet’s Apple Shed Rooney Grain Star Blends, LLC Wisconsin Farmers Union
The objective for this survey is to be the definitive source of base compensation information for commonly recognized jobs in our reporting area. Many of the jobs at your organization will be covered here, however, you probably will have some jobs that do not fill any of the descriptions, and should therefore NOT be reported.
AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS & SYSTEMS Benedict Sales & Service Hovland’s, Inc. Kurth Sheet Metal, Inc. Trane Building Services AIR TRANSPORTATION Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
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RENT THE
LEINIE LODGE CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI
LEINIE LODGE
BEER GARDEN
PILOT BREWERY
THE BARN
Rent the Entire Lodge for Private Events
Cozy Outdoor area with Seating + Firepit
Industrial Indoor space with a Private Bar
Rustic & Beautiful Outdoor space
200 GUESTS
60 GUESTS
45 GUESTS
200 GUESTS
WEDDINGS
REHERSAL DINNERS
CORPORATE MEETINGS
WEDDING CEREMONIES
CONFERENCES
BRIDAL SHOWERS
REHERSAL DINNERS
VOW RENEWALS
FAMILY REUNIONS
GROOM’S DINNER
BIRTHDAYS
GRADUATION PARTIES
CORPORATE MEETINGS
BABY SHOWERS
BRIDAL SHOWERS
FAMILY GATHERINGS
CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE
CUSTOMER/EMPLOYEE APPRECIATIONS
ENGAGEMENT PARTIES
PICNICS
Access to our outdoor bar + tables provided for catering
Seating arrangements available in rounds, 6ft table & pub tables + AV equipment
Must provide your own seating
HOLIDAY PARTIES Tables & linens provided for catering
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Tiffany Thompson at tiffany.thompson@molsoncoors.com | 715.720.6350