2025 Spring Newsletter by CEDC

VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 4 | SPRING 2025

2025 CHARITY CLASSIC

TEE OFF FOR A CAUSE

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally

MAY 11 - MAY 17, 2025

Economic Development Week

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025

CEDC 2025 Annual Meeting

Eau Claire Event District: The Crescent | 5775 20th Ave, Eau Claire WI 54703

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025

CEDC Charity Golf Outing

Whispering Pines | 24700 County Highway X, Cadott, WI 54727

CEDC ANNUAL MEETING

Join us on Friday, May 16, for CEDC’s Annual Meeting and Charity Golf Outing as we celebrate Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy: Communities are the Core! This event is a great opportunity to connect with business and community leaders, learn about local economic initiatives, and support a meaningful cause.

The Annual Meeting will be held at The Crescent in Eau Claire, featuring updates from CEDC and a keynote speaker. Following the meeting, the Charity Golf Outing will take place at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Cadott, with proceeds benefiting the Jayna Kelley Memorial Foundation.

EVENT SCHEDULE

• 7:00 AM – Networking & Breakfast

• 8:15 AM – Speaker & Annual Meeting

• 10:30 AM – Golf Outing

Tickets: $30 | Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Visit the Charity Golf Outing event page for registration and sponsorship details. We look forward to a day of meaningful discussions, networking, and community engagement.

REGISTER HERE

https://chippewa-wi.com/event/2025-annual-meeting/

LEGISLATIVE SPEED DATING

Over 40 business and community leaders gathered at the 3rd Annual Legislative Speed Dating event, hosted at the Eggbreak Café in Lake Hallie. Organized by CEDC, the event followed the classic speed dating format, allowing legislators to rotate between tables every six minutes to discuss key issues with attendees. This unique event provided a structured dynamic opportunity for direct engagement between local stakeholders and Wisconsin Senate and Assembly officials.

“Conversations on economic development, infrastructure, and policy concerns impacting the Chippewa Valley were discussed. “ stated CEDC Advocacy Chair, Lona Cook “Speed Dating provided a vital platform for local businesses to voice their concerns directly to decision-makers, ensuring that the region’s priorities are heard.”

Other major topics discussed included local healthcare initiatives, energy infrastructure

improvements, Modernized Tax Increment Financing (TIF) laws, funding for the County HWY M Bridge, the creation of a deal fund to support local economic projects, and concerns surrounding the Stanley Correctional Institution.

Legislators in attendance included Senator Jesse James, Senator Romaine Quinn, Senator Jeff Smith, Representative Rob Summerfield, Representative Dave Armstrong, Representative Karen Hurd, Representative Christian Phelps,

Representative Jodi Emerson, Representative Clint Moses, and Brian Westrate, representing Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s office.

A special thank you to EggbreakCafé for hosting and providing a fantastic breakfast, and to all attendees and sponsors for making our Legislative Speed Dating a success!

TADVANCING HEALTHCARE ACCESS:

CEDC TOURS ASPIRUS HEALTH FACILITY AS PLANS FOR NEW HOSPITAL PROGRESS

he Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) Board of Directors meeting was hosted by Aspirus Health in Stanley, WI. The meeting positioned the Board in gaining firsthand insight into Aspirus’s organization, their current Stanley operations and their future Chippewa Falls expansion plans. CEDC Board members were given a tour, and discussed workforce recruitment, patient services, and innovative healthcare approaches. Aspirus is set to construct a new hospital in Chippewa Falls, using its existing facilities as a model for the region’s next-generation healthcare infrastructure.

The development of the new Aspirus hospital is progressing rapidly thanks to our community and its leader’s pro-business attitude:

• LAND ACQUISITION FINALIZED: In February 2025, Aspirus Health completed the purchase of 22.1 acres on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, across from Fire Station No. 1.

• ACCELERATED CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE: Initially planned for a fall 2026 opening, Aspirus is now exploring methods to expedite construction, with a potential opening within 18 months.

• SUSTAINABLE BUILDING INITIATIVES: The hospital will incorporate geothermal energy systems and be solar-ready, aligning with Aspirus Health’s commitment to environmentally responsible infrastructure.

• ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY IMPACT: Aspirus is prioritizing local materials and contractors to support the regional economy. The organization has also joined the CEDC, reinforcing its commitment to the local business community.

This project is essential in restoring emergency and inpatient services lost after the HSHS closures, ensuring that residents no longer need to travel long distances for critical care. This new hospital represents more than just a medical facility, it’s a significant investment in Chippewa County’s health, economy, and future. CEDC will continue to work alongside healthcare providers, local government, and business leaders to ensure that the region’s healthcare infrastructure remains strong and accessible.

B.E.A.R. LUNCH & LEARN

CEDC B.E.A.R. (Business Expansion and Retention) lunch and learns are a valuable tool for our small businesses in several ways. They create a platform for Chippewa entrepreneurs and small businesses to learn from external experts and to share knowledge, ideas, and insights on important topics that can help spark innovation and foster a business culture of continuous learning.

The recent BEAR (Business Expansion and Retention) Lunch & Learn, hosted at the CEDC office, offered local business leaders’ valuable insights into SBA 504 financing—a key tool for business growth and expansion. The session featured industry experts Mike Dieckman of WBD Inc. and Jacob Bauer of Security Financial Bank, who shared their knowledge on how SBA 504 loans can help businesses purchase real estate, acquire equipment, or secure funding for expansion.

A highlight of the event was the interactive Q&A session, where business owners asked questions, address challenges, and receive personalized advice from the experts. As attendees enjoyed a healthy lunch from Chippewa Family Restaurant, they discussed longterm advantages of the program, real-world success stories showcasing the impact of SBA 504 financing, and tips for confidently navigating the loan application process.

CEDC remains committed to providing valuable educational resources, networking opportunities, and financial guidance to support the growth and success of local business expansion.

COLLABORATING FOR IMPROVED MANUFACTURING

With the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC), Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), and CVTC -CEDC helped organize and promote the “Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century” series. All of us knows that collaboration and sharing best practices in manufacturing leads to greater innovation, higher productivity, cost reductions, and improved product quality for our local manufactures. We all work to fosters a positive, adaptive culture where continuous improvement and mutual support are prioritized, benefiting both our local individual manufacturing companies and the broader industry as well.

This second session of the “Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century” series, was held at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, delved into the transformative power of AI-powered vision inspection systems. Manufacturing professionals gathered and were eager to explore how AI-driven automation can drive operational efficiency.

Dr. David Ding, Professor and Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Management, led an in-depth discussion on how AI-powered machine vision systems can revolutionize quality control and defect detection. Leveraging advanced techniques such as pattern recognition, image segmentation, and deep learning, these systems can achieve up to 99% accuracy in detecting defects like scratches, misalignments, and assembly errors—challenges that traditional human inspections often miss.

By the end of the session, attendees left with actionable strategies for implementing AI-powered vision systems, including selecting the right hardware, optimizing workflows, and fostering continuous learning processes to ensure the successful integration of AI into their operations.

PROMOTING THE BDO ZONE

Jim Lane, Editor of TheDigest, hosted and moderated a webinar that explored the investment potential of BDO Zones. With a focus on two regions rich in biomass resources and strong industrial infrastructure the webinar featured Aryn Garswood, Head of the BDO Zone Initiative and three invited panelists. Jenalee Waring, Economic Development Officer at Flagstaff County, Alberta, Charlie Walker, President/CEO, and Casey Hedrington, Economic Development Specialist, from the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) were panelist providing BDO Zone experience.

Walker and Hedrington discussed The BDO Zone Initiative and how it serves as a risk assessment tool, helping to evaluate the suitability of Chippewa County for biobased investments. Zones are rated on a scale, with an “A” rating indicating a low-risk environment for investors, reflecting a high level of stability and sustainability.

The webinar also highlighted the competitive advantages of BDO Zones, underscoring Chippewa County and Flagstaff County as leading destinations for biobased investment due to their abundant biomass resources, robust infrastructure, and shovel-ready sites. Attendees learned that Chippewa County, Wisconsin, is particularly attractive for bioproducts and bioenergy ventures, boasting a large supply of corn stover—an abundant, low-risk feedstock. The county’s “A” rating from the BDO Zone Initiative gives investors confidence in the long-term availability of biomass feedstock and the stability of the region’s resources.

In addition to biomass availability, Chippewa County stands out for its logistical advantages. Casey Hedrington, Economic Development Specialist at CEDC, emphasized the region’s investment potential: “Chippewa County is in the middle of two Tier-1 markets—we’re between Chicago and Minneapolis, giving us excellent market access. The New Auburn Industrial Site has rail spurs on site, threephase power, plenty of incentives, and all the water, sewer, and electric access needed for large-scale development.” Moreover, Chippewa County provides attractive financial incentives to support new and expanding industries.

With a strong biomass supply, advanced infrastructure, and ready-to-build industrial sites, Chippewa County continues to position itself as a top-tier location for biobased investment. The BDO Zone designation reinforces its potential to attract bioenergy, biochemical, and biomanufacturing projects looking for a secure, resource-rich environment.

STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS IN CHIPPEWA COUNTY

At CEDC, we believe showcasing local businesses is essential for fostering economic growth, attracting investment, and strengthening our community’s identity. Promoting local enterprises not only supports entrepreneurs but also enhances tourism, inspires future business leaders, and keeps our regional economy thriving. When we celebrate and support our businesses, we build a stronger, more connected community. That’s Why we established the Showcase Program.

CEDC’s latest Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcases were held at KYMA Batteries and Valley Sports Academy (VSA). These state-of-the-art facilities hosted over 40 community leaders who gathered to learn more about these thriving businesses.

In February attendees were treated to lunch, followed by an engaging presentation from KYMA, an innovative energy storage startup. Frederik van Heerden, of KYMA, provided an enlightening overview of the dynamic energy landscape,

delving into major industry trends, historical milestones, and forthcoming challenges. He also shed light on KYMA’s decision to establish operations in Chippewa Falls, emphasizing the area’s robust talent base in manufacturing, welding, and assembly as pivotal factors in their selection process.

Alongside an overview of the energy market, KYMA highlighted its cutting-edge battery storage solutions. This included a comprehensive exploration of KYMA’s products and their key components, a live demonstration showcasing the capabilities of its energy storage technology, and an insightful Q&A session that offered a glimpse into KYMA’s development journey and vision for the future.

KYMA’s dedication to advancing energy technology perfectly complements CEDC’s mission of attracting and nurturing innovative businesses in the region. Through events like this showcase, CEDC reinforces its role as a catalyst for growth by fostering connections between en-

trepreneurs and the essential resources, skilled talent, and supportive community they need to succeed.

In March, VSA hostedthe Collaborative Entrepreneur Showcase at their facility.

After breakfast, attendees had the opportunity to tour VSA’s state-of-the-art sports training facility, discover innovative business ventures, and connect with other entrepreneurs. Brian Seubert, owner of VSA, gave an engaging presentation on the company’s history, its mission, and its plans for future growth.

As part of CEDC’s Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) initiative, the Entrepreneur Showcase plays a vital role in strengthening local businesses, encouraging collaboration, and supporting the next generation of innovators. By bringing together visionaries and industry professionals, the event helps fuel knowledge-sharing and community engagement— key elements of a thriving business ecosystem.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our top investors whose support made it possible for us to host a range of impactful events highlighted in this newsletter. Your commitment to advancing our community’s growth and success is deeply appreciated.