Recent News

Pets in Motion is Giving Injured Pets a Second Chance

Monday, August 19, 2019

Terry Kufner has been treating people for 39 years. As an orthotic and prosthetic technician at Winkley Orthopedics, a family-owned business since 1888, he has specialized in helping people to recover from injuries and to avoid surgery whenever possible. Twenty years ago someone called the office asking if they could make a leg for a goat. That’s when the idea for Pets in Motion was born. Pets in Motion gives injured pets a chance to live in comfort and run freely after suffering an injury. Terry’s typical patient is a dog who has suffered an ACL-type injury on their back leg. Whe...

Schmit Prototypes is a Homegrown Success Story

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Schmit Prototypes is a nationally known, full-service prototyping company with production capabilities, serving clients across the United States from their location in Menomonie, Wisconsin. This local success story began in the mid-1970s when Mark and Mike Schmit began making prototypes out of their garage. In short order, they moved into the UW-Stout incubator where the business benefited from local support. Continuing to expand, Schmit Prototypes quickly needed a permanent facility and moved into the Menomonie Industrial Park where they have continued expanding. In 2018, they broke ground on an additional 44,976 square feet of space, totaling 80,236 square feet. The expansio...

Campus job lands UW-Stout grad career opportunity in NYC

Friday, June 14, 2019

Connect app carries events, student org & campus life info Working on Connect, University of Wisconsin-Stout’s student community platform built in CampusGroups software, had led one student to employment at the company in New York City starting Wednesday, July 3. Megan Luedke, graphic design and interactive media major who graduated May 4, worked for the Memorial Student Center design team when the university switched information platforms to UW-Stout Connect. The app is a resource for all aspects of campus life, including department and student organization events, bus routes, dining options, ride share, student accounts and more. Read full article.

Could Wisconsin be the 'Silicon Valley of Water'? UW campuses trying to make it happen

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Could Wisconsin establish itself as the “Silicon Valley of water”? That’s what the University of Wisconsin System is trying to do with the launch of a Freshwater Collaborative that will bring together its 13 campuses into a first-of-its-kind research hub focused on water topics. Individual campuses would distinguish themselves as experts in specific fields, come up with solutions, train the next generation of researchers and possibly recruit more students amid a decline in enrollment. Whether the launch begins July 1 or later is in the hands of the state Legislature because college officials say they cannot start the initiative without money fro...

UW-Stout engineering students help automate box frame production

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

At the L.E. Phillips Career Development Center near downtown Eau Claire, about 275 employees make dozens of products and provide services in 10 departments. Thanks to a project with School of Engineering students at University of Wisconsin-Stout, the center’s woodworking department soon will have a better way to make one of those products — box frames for queen-size beds. Over the past 18 months, three groups of UW-Stout students have designed, built and automated a system that will be safer for employees and could help CDC produce about twice as many box frames a day. Read full article.

Menomonie school board discusses future of STEM certificate, five-year plan

Monday, June 10, 2019

The Menomonie school board approved a five-year strategic plan, which includes a goal of offering a STEM certificate at the Menomonie High School in the 2019-2020 school year. MHS students could earn the certificate — which would focus on science, engineering, technology and mathematics — by completing STEM courses, student activities with a STEM focus and finishing a STEM-related capstone project, director of instruction Brian Seguin said in May. The board hasn’t approved the STEM certificate; it first discussed the proposal at a May meeting. Read full article.

Wisconsin to be designated as a Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone

Tuesday, June 04, 2019

State is the first in the nation selected by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to assist National Guard and reserve members’ spouses in finding jobs MADISON, WI – Wisconsin has been designated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the first Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone in the nation, focusing on National Guard and reserve members’ spouses, state officials announced. Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zones (MSEEZs) are an initiative of the Chamber Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program, with a goal of reducing the economic impact of military spouse unemployment and underemployment on military families. The zones promote collaboration among local and national employers...

Businesses invited to apply for 2019 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Awards

Saturday, June 01, 2019

Nomination deadline is July 15 for awards recognizing Wisconsin’s minority, woman and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses MADISON, WI. – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is seeking nominations for the 2019 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Awards, which recognize outstanding Wisconsin businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans. The nomination deadline is Monday, July 15. The online nomination form and more details can be found at MarketplaceWisconsin.com. Small and large businesses will each be honored in two categories: the Outstanding Business Award, which recognizes established businesses that have demonstrated the capacity to grow over the past five years and have plans for continued expansion, and the Risin...

WEDC awards $150,000 grant to support new food and beverage talent outreach program

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

FaB Wisconsin to implement statewide talent attraction and development initiative Milwaukee, WI. – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded a $150,000 grant to Food and Beverage (FaB) Wisconsin to support the organization’s Talent Outreach Program (TOP) Initiative, a new project designed to promote talent outreach and development in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Read full article.

Stout summer STEAM Experience camp also open for middle school students

Monday, May 13, 2019

A University of Wisconsin-Stout Summer STEAM Experience camp will welcome younger students this year for day camps. Sixth- and seventh-graders can take part in the summer youth camp in the following tracks: Industrial Design; Infinite World of Plastics; Sculpture Design; Wood is Good. Camp is Sunday, June 16, through Thursday, June 20, and has 13 tracks overall focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Younger students are welcome as day campers in the designated tracks. Students in eighth to 12th grade may choose to take part in the day camp or stay overnight on campus. Read full article.

Downtown, Chamber looking to sell building

Friday, May 10, 2019

The building that’s home to the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Menomonie, Inc. is on the market. CMS, LLC, or Chamber Main Street, owns the 324 E. Main St. building but is looking to sell, said Downtown Menomonie executive director Dustyn Dubuque. However, Downtown Menomonie and the Chamber of Commerce may not be moving, Dubuque said. Read full article.

Wisconsin’s GDP growth last year was best since 2010

Thursday, May 02, 2019

State had second strongest growth in Midwest Wisconsin’s real gross domestic product grew 2.5% in 2018, the second largest increase in the Midwest and the state’s strongest year of economic growth since 2010. The 2018 growth rate marks the first time Wisconsin’s real GDP has increased by more than 2% in a year since 2011. After two years of negative growth in 2008 and 2009, Wisconsin posted 3% growth in 2010 and 2.1% in 2011. From 2012 to 2017, the state averaged 1.3% annual growth. Wisconsin now ranks 17th in the country last year for economic growth. The U.S. economy as a whol...

Wisconsin venture capital funding up 90% in 2018

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

But capital invested in Milwaukee area falls Wisconsin startup investors were very active in 2018, driving a 90 percent increase in venture capital funding from 2017, according to a new report from Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association. The fourth quarter venture monitor shows Wisconsin saw a total of $254.3 million in venture capital investment in 2018, up 90.2 percent from $133.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The funding was split among 78 deals, up from 68 deals in 2017. But the Milwaukee area may not have contributed to the increase. The Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metropolitan Statistical Area saw 27 venture capital deal...

Local Wisconsin Main Street organizations recognized at 28th annual awards ceremony

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

WEDC salutes volunteers, staff for their efforts at event in Chippewa Falls MADISON, WI. – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) recognized the best downtown revitalization projects of 2018 at the 28th Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony held at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls. Mark R. Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, and other WEDC leaders were on hand to recognize the efforts by Main Street volunteers and staff for the historic preservation and downtown economic development efforts in Wisconsin communities. Read full article.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation names new communications director

Thursday, April 25, 2019

David Callender brings extensive experience in journalism, government relations and policy analysis MADISON, WI. – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has named David Callender as its communications director. Callender joins WEDC after serving as communications director for the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF), where he helped guide the merger of the Madison-based Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) with the Milwaukee-based Public Policy Forum (PPF) in 2018. He served as WISTAX’s communications director beginning in 2016. Read full article.

Consider diversifying with on-farm processing

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The Wisconsin Farmers Union and the University of Wisconsin-Extension sponsored a recent day-long seminar in River Falls — “Adding Value to Your Milk: Exploring On-Farm Dairy Processing.” Mike Travis is an agricultural educator in Pierce and Pepin counties for UW-Extension. He encouraged attendees to wipe the slate clean, to approach the possibility of on-farm processing with open minds. Although the task of on-farm dairy processing might seem daunting, he said there are statistical trends in food consumption that are opening the door to possibilities for small dairy producers. There has been a 500 percent increase in the presenc...

Wisconsin manufacturing: rich history and continued innovation attracts companies from around the globe

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Wisconsin is home to some of the world’s most recognized and forward-thinking brands, including Kohler, SC Johnson, Harley-Davidson, and Briggs & Stratton. Each a leader in its respective industries, these companies collectively have a track record of more than 500 years of innovation. They are among the manufacturers that have helped solidify Wisconsin’s reputation as a state with a legacy of leadership in the industry. Today, staying on top of—and even driving—trends such as Industry 4.0 is what keeps these and other Wisconsin manufacturers at the forefront of production and sustainability practices. Read full article.

UW-Stout among national leaders in game design, animation

Monday, April 15, 2019

Once again, University of Wisconsin-Stout has been recognized as a national and regional leader in the fields of game design and animation. Two organizations have released 2019 rankings of the best universities and colleges, and UW-Stout is near the top. In game design, Princeton Review ranked UW-Stout No. 21 in the nation for its undergraduate program and No. 16 in the nation for its Master of Fine Arts in design program. For both programs, UW-Stout was no. 1 in Wisconsin and the only school to make the top 25 in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Princeton Review, an educational services company, surveyed 150 school...

Marketing Wisconsin, incentives and immigration among recommendations in WMC workforce report

Friday, April 12, 2019

Future Wisconsin Project report includes 30 suggestions for state The Future Wisconsin Project unveiled a report with 30 recommendations for the state to address its workforce challenges, including continuing talent attraction campaigns, incentivizing people to move to the state and fostering more immigration. The project is an initiative of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Foundation. Kurt Bauer, president and CEO of WMC, said the project is meant to be a mechanism that brings together a range of stakeholders to address pressing issues in the state. Read full article.

Broadband is Available in Dunn County Thanks to Local Cooperatives and Communications Companies

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

West Wisconsin Telcom, Mosaic Telecom, and Ntec are some of the cooperatives working to ensure that Dunn County businesses, residents, students and telecommuters have the broadband speeds they need to succeed. Though broadband has gained in importance over the past decade, they have been investing in building out their networks since the 1980’s. Jim Kusilek from West Wisconsin Telcom noted that they began building fiber from their Elk Lake exchange to AT&T in Eau Claire in 1987 and have installed more than 1,100 miles of fiber since then. Scott Behn of Mosaic Telecom said, “We are all customer-based. If somethin...

UW-Madison produced more Ph.D. degrees than any other university in 2017

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

UW-Madison leads the country in awarding doctoral degrees, Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced. The National Science Foundation ranks universities based on the number of Ph.D.’s granted. UW-Madison came in first in 2017 with 844 Ph.D.’s, up from second place in 2016. The University of California-Berkeley came in second with 799 doctoral degrees, followed by the University of Texas, the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and the University of Michigan, according to Blank. Read full article.

UW-Green Bay To Offer New Water Science Degree In Fall 2019

Monday, April 08, 2019

New Undergraduate Degree Aims To Meet Growing Demand For Workers With Water Science Background Water is a hot-button issue. From an increasing population to aging infrastructure and climate change, its scope is enormous. Earlier this year Gov. Tony Evers called 2019 the "Year of Clean Drinking Water" and announced $70 million for water quality programs — which some say is a good step, but not nearly enough. Read full article.

Dunn County is a Telecommuter Forward! Certified Community Ready for the Future

Friday, April 05, 2019

Telecommuting may be the way of the future and if it is, Dunn County is ready. Thanks to the efforts of the Dunn County EDC, local stakeholders, cooperatives and broadband providers, Dunn County has been named a Telecommuter Forward! certified community. This means that Dunn County has made a concerted effort to promote telecommuting opportunities for existing and new residents. According to Global Workplace Analytics, working from home for non-self-employed people has grown by 140% since 2005. Additionally, approximately 20 to 25 percent of the workforce telecommutes at least part of the time. Of workers who do not telecommute, 80 t...

Wisconsin based organization helps women entrepreneurs start their own business

Thursday, April 04, 2019

FOX CITIES (WLUK) -- The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation is helping women all across the state, including Northeast Wisconsin start their own businesses. Read full article.

Wisconsin companies invited to take part in global trade venture to France and the United Kingdom in June

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Madison, WI. – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is inviting Wisconsin companies seeking to establish or expand their exporting efforts to participate in a global trade venture to France and the United Kingdom from June 15-26. The registration deadline is April 19. The week-long trade venture will include visits to Paris, London and Birmingham, which are markets of particular opportunity for Wisconsin companies. In each city, participating companies will be scheduled for customized business meetings with potential local partners selected specifically for their companies by Wisconsin’s authorized trade representatives in the markets, based on the company’s needs. Read full article.

Explore Value-Added Dairy - Three Learning Opportunities

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Have you thought about processing your own milk, cheese, yogurt or ice cream? How would you go about changing your business model, marketing and making your own product? Three workshop opportunities are available for farmers to explore these options this spring. Adding Value to Your Farm: Exploring On-Farm Dairy Processing will be offered 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27, at the Best Western, 100 Spring St., River Falls. It will feature the nuts and bolts of early business planning including processing practicalities, building a farm-based dairy business and advice from Wisconsin Farmers Union members who are making and marketing food product...

Vets Plus, Inc. Acquires Dairy Industry’s Merrick’s, Inc.

Friday, February 08, 2019

The acquisition of well-known dairy industry supplier Merrick's expands the Vet Plus portfolio and adds to its production capacity. Vets Plus, Inc., a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of animal health and nutrition products, announced that it has acquired Merrick’s Inc., maker of boluses, tablets, powders and electrolytes serving the production animal industry. The new entity, known as Merrick’s Animal Health, LLC, acquired Merrick’s assets effective December 14, 2018. It will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vets Plus, Inc., the Menomonie-based company founded in 1990 by Rajiv Lall. Vets Plus is an innovation leader in the global animal health industry, employing over 200 people a...

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