Recent News

Why a World-Class Medical Manufacturing Company Calls Dunn County Home

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

EirMed is a leading manufacturer of custom designed and engineered medical devices intended to improve patients’ lives. Located in Dunn County, they have an array of capabilities and use them to find solutions that often elude others. Their expertise is integrated into the creation of advanced medical devices for the following markets:  biotechnology, cardiovascular, dentistry, diagnostics, diabetes care, disposables, drug delivery, ear/nose/throat, emergency, home health care, in vitro, IV therapy, neurology, nutrition, ophthalmic, orthopedic, patient mobility, pharmacy, respiratory, spinal, surgical devices and equipment, sports medicine, urology, wound care, and more. They have chosen to do their manufacturing in Dunn County. We...
What Does it Take to Build a Culture of Environmental Stewardship?

Friday, August 31, 2018

Over 115 years ago Andersen Windows was founded on the banks of the St. Croix River. Having a desire to preserve this scenic waterway, and the beauty of the area, Andersen was born with environmental stewardship in mind. You could say that they were into sustainability before sustainability was cool. It’s just part of who they are. Still, the company realized that there was more they could do to reduce their energy usage, water consumption and waste. In 2013, they decided to tackle the issue and created some rather bold goals for doing so. Five years later, they are on...
Andersen Corporation Supports DEDC

Monday, August 27, 2018

The Anderson Corporation produces high-quality products and has a stellar reputation. Their windows and doors are sold throughout the country and North America. You can find them in homes, commercial buildings and public facilities like schools. You may even have them in your home. In Menomonie, the Anderson Corporation has a logistics and distribution center where they package their products for shipping and delivery. With a large distribution network throughout North America, this logistics center has become a hub of activity and a large employer in our community. We are privileged to partner with such an innovative and community-oriented company. You...
Innovator Supports the Community

Monday, August 20, 2018

Rajiv and Swati Lall are innovators who have achieved great success through their company, Vets Plus. They have an in-house technical team that has developed innovative formulas for pet treats that are made to human grade pharm standards. By creating science-based solutions to improve the wellbeing of animals throughout the world, the company has shown how you can make quality animal food that can improve the health and performance of animals. Now, they are giving back to the community. The Lalls have made a major donation to UW-Stout that is being used to upgrade the equipment in their science lab. The...
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The Right Opportunity to Grow a Career in Dunn County

Friday, August 17, 2018

Jesse Jenson, AVP/Ag & Commercial Lender for Independence State Bank, is building a career in Dunn County by serving the local business and agricultural community. Jesse assists customers in finding the right loan products that fit their operation’s needs. “Every operation, whether it’s a dairy farm or a retail store, will more than likely have a financing need. My goal is to always be the bridge that supports them along the way, so they can reach the goals they set out to achieve” said Jesse. Coming Home to Dunn County Prior to working for Independence State Bank, Jesse was employed for another...
Fairmount Minerals is Growing in Wisconsin

Monday, August 13, 2018

FairmountSantrol is a major employer in Dunn County and throughout Wisconsin. They are passionate about the environment and sustainability. They leverage innovation and technology to produce goods with minimal impact to the environment. They are a provider of sand-based products and high-performance sand used by the oil and gas industry in addition to working with companies involved in building products, water filtration, sports, recreation and glass markets. Now, they are growing. Thanks to a recent partnership with Cardinal FG and Anderson Windows they will be creating more sand/window products. This is an excellent opportunity for residents of Dunn County to apply...
Pickle-Lovers Wanted

Monday, August 06, 2018

Nothing beats the first bite into a cool crunchy pickle. If you love pickles, visit Picklefest in Boyceville. Held August 18th – 20th, this is an annual event that attracts pickle-lovers from all over the state. You can learn more about this fun festival by emailing Tillie at jamie058@centurytel.net. The village of Boyceville has more than Picklefest. There will be a variety of events held this summer at the municipal airport and even when there are no scheduled events, there is plenty to do in this charming village. With around 1,000 residents, this is the type of place where you can...
Chamber celebrates Leadership Menomonie graduation

Friday, August 03, 2018

On May 17, the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce held the 2017-2018 graduation for Leadership Menomonie at Pinewood Golf Club and Restaurant. Graduates completed nine full-day sessions, studying a wide variety of topics including education, business and industry, heritage, arts and tourism, media, government and law, health and human services, agriculture and environment. They also participated in networking and teambuilding activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership. The participants also completed service learning group projects that consisted of the following partnerships in the community. Continue to full article
MN: All Aboard: Plan Calls for Passenger Rail Between St. Paul and Eau Claire

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Earlier this spring, a group of boosters gathered in Eau Claire, Wis. -- heralded by some as an emerging "mini-Portland" -- and agreed on just what was missing from the western Wisconsin city's renaissance: passenger rail. They not only have a plan to restore long-dormant rail service to St. Paul's Union Depot, they insist it can be privately financed, too. The bold idea may seem far-fetched given the travails of publicly bankrolled transit projects in the Twin Cities, such as the $2 billion Southwest light-rail line. But the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, an Eau Claire-based nonprofit group of representatives from business,...
Expanded program draws future industrial mechanics

Wednesday, August 01, 2018

Earlier this year, Channer Schutts was back home in Menomonie and looking for a new direction to take. It was at a party where he ran into his fellow 2017 Menomonie High School graduate Evan Bauer that he found the answer. Channer, a big young man with a solid build, was a football star on the offensive and defensive lines back in the day, but a semester at St. Cloud State didn’t work out and he needed a reset. “I wanted some kind of schooling, but wasn’t sure what. I was at a party and Evan was there and he referred...
STEM Learning in K-12

Monday, July 30, 2018

In Wisconsin, we are always looking towards the future. It is widely known that future jobs will involve a great deal of science, technology, engineering and math. Preparing students for these opportunities in STEM is critical both from an exposure standpoint and for their future job prospects. They need to be able to think along these lines and to identify early if these are fields they wish to go into. With STEM learning in our public schools, they can. Northern Wisconsin STEM is working with educators to ensure that students have the opportunities they need to learn and grow. By hosting...
Workers are the new weapon as states go to extremes in the battle for business

Monday, July 30, 2018

Forequarter restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin, has managed to pull off a rare feat. Not only has it has stayed in business for six years, it is also still routinely referred to as trendy. On a recent visit, people were already showing up for dinner by 5:00 p.m. on a weeknight. Business is good, said owner Jonny Hunter, but it could be so much better. “We’re not open as much as we want to,” he said. The restaurant is open only for dinner, and it is closed on Sundays. Hunter said he would love to do more, if only he could staff the...
The economies of every US state and DC, ranked from worst to best

Friday, July 27, 2018

The US is a massive, complex economy, and so too are the component economies of the 50 states and Washington, DC, that make up the whole. Business Insider combined six measures of labor-market and general economic health for all the states and the District of Columbia. They are the unemployment rate, job growth, per-capita GDP, GDP growth, average weekly wages, and wage growth. By putting all those on a common scale and combining them, we came up with an overall score for each state's economy. 10. Wisconsin Wisconsin's April 2018 unemployment rate of 2.8% was tied for fifth-lowest among the states and DC, and its...
HOOKED ON A FEELING: UNIQUE EXPERIENCES HELP FILL WISCONSIN’S TALENT PIPELINE

Thursday, July 26, 2018

By all measures economists use to assess the quality of life a place offers—job availability, cost of living, commute times, recreation, etc.—Wisconsin stacks up pretty well. Very well, in fact. Problem is, people don’t consult economists when choosing the best place to pursue their passions. As CEO of NEWaukee, I devote my professional life and much of my personal life to promoting Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a career and lifestyle destination. My pitch has very little to do with the metrics you find in national rankings of “best places to live” and everything to do with what it feels like...
30 years of the Wisconsin Main Street Program

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

As we prepared to celebrate Wisconsin’s downtowns for #WIMainSt Day, we also celebrated 30 years of the Wisconsin Main Street program. Check out this video on what makes this program so special!
Scholarships for College

Monday, July 23, 2018

Chippewa Valley Technical College is now offering income eligible, hardworking students the opportunity to go to college for less. The Promise Scholarship can help to pay for your education, making it affordable to earn the skills necessary to enter the workforce and get a good paying job. It is designed for high school students who have a record of academic success. If this sounds like you, why not apply? It could save you a lot of money and make college far more affordable. You can learn more about the scholarship and how to apply for it by registering on the College’s...
WEDC, UW-Eau Claire launch marketing campaign to encourage out-of-state alumni to ‘come home’

Friday, July 20, 2018

UW-Eau Claire is one of nine higher-education institutions joining  state’s first-ever campaign featuring graduates who have chosen Wisconsin as their career destination Eau Claire — The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire today unveiled a new marketing campaign aimed at encouraging alumni of Wisconsin colleges and universities to pursue their personal and professional goals in Wisconsin. The campaign includes social media ads that link to videos featuring the perspectives of young people who have studied in Wisconsin and landed their dream jobs here, either right out of school or after leaving the state and deciding to return here. Continue to...
HR Training for Your Business

Monday, July 16, 2018

Every business owner and manager should have some basic knowledge when it comes to human resources. The HR practices of managers and owners can help a company to operate smoothly or it can lead to issues. HR laws are strict and it is easy for companies to be out of compliance by making very simple mistakes or not documenting things appropriately. Unfortunately, most people do not have the knowledge necessary to even know what they should be doing, let alone meet compliance standards. This opens businesses up to liability but it doesn’t have to be the situation with yours. By undergoing...
Learn Real-World Skills at UW-Stout

Monday, July 09, 2018

Do you want to earn a degree but hate the idea of going to college without learning the skills you need for real life? If you were the kid in class who always asked, “how will I ever use this?” then the Polytechnic University at UW-Stout is right for you. They combine a liberal arts degree with applied learning to create an environment where students learn critical thinking and how to apply what they learn in the classroom. With hands-on learning experiences incorporated into the classroom, the University is making it easier for students to earn the degree they need...
What’s a Fab Lab?

Monday, July 02, 2018

Have you heard of the Fab Lab at UW-Stout? This is a digital fabrication laboratory. They were first funded through an educational program coming out of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms. Using open-source software and industrial-grade technologies, Fab Labs allow member-users to “define problems and prototype solutions.” In other words, if you have identified a problem with a piece of equipment, have a piece of art or furniture you want to create, or have an idea for an invention, this is the place to come. The Discovery Center FABLAB at UW-Stout is open to the public, so you don’t need...
Pitch Your Business Idea During HATCH 2018

Friday, June 29, 2018

Do you have the next great idea? Have you been working on a startup or have an idea for a business? If so, you could win the 2018 HATCH pitch contest. This pitch program gives local entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their idea, speak in front of business leaders, connect with investors, and gain exposure with a broader audience. Anyone with an idea for a new business is invited to apply to compete in one of the three local events. The winner will receive $2,000 to fund their idea! They also qualify to present at the regional finale and compete...
Firefighter and Law Enforcement Training

Monday, June 25, 2018

  Have you dreamed of serving the community as a firefighter or law enforcement officer? These are noble professions and ones that require a great deal of passion and training. You can receive that training at Chippewa Valley Technical College. They have programs that are designed to give people the skills they need to apply for and enter these professions. With this training on your resume, you will stand apart from other candidates that are applying fresh out of school. While on the job or location-specific training may still be necessary, these programs provide the foundation anyone would need to start...
Unique Opportunity for Students

Monday, June 18, 2018

Students attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout have an incredible opportunity to expand their skills and test out their ideas using the Discovery Center FABLAB. For anyone who considers themselves a problem solver, innovator or inventor, this lab offers the ability to test out ideas and build real prototypes. Students no longer need to feel stifled by the typical barriers with prototype creation. Hiring a manufacturer and raising money is no longer an issue. They can create a prototype of most things using the FABLAB’s technology and equipment. If you know someone who is in the middle of choosing a college to...
Buy Fresh from the Farmer’s Market

Monday, June 11, 2018

Visit the Menomonie Farmer’s Market to buy farm-fresh eggs, meat, and produce. You can even buy a loaf of artisan bread or homemade preserves. This is where you can go to find the most flavorful and fresh ingredients for your supper or to find something incredibly unique and delicious for a family picnic. You won’t get this quality or freshness at the grocery store because everything here comes straight from the farm to your basket. Located at Wilson Park and Raw Deal, they also have kids’ activities, entertainment and hot lunches, making this an afternoon that everyone in the family will...
Visit Beautiful Red Cedar

Monday, May 28, 2018

A rural town surrounded by rolling hills and vast farmland, the town of Red Cedar is a beautiful destination. Cyclists can enjoy the gorgeous views in the spring, summer and fall, while snowmobilers regularly visit for winter adventure. The town has a rich history and connection to the environment, something that is still evident today. Red Cedar is close to Menomonie for anyone needing additional services or activities, yet far enough away to maintain its own rural charm and quiet living. They are also only one hour from Minneapolis, making it possible to commute in for meetings or business activities. Learn more...
Business Training for Today

Monday, May 21, 2018

Improve your skills and perform better at work by leveraging the resources found at Chippewa Valley Technical College. They offer a variety of training programs and seminars including Business and Leadership Training, Human Resource Certification Preparation, Workplace Safety & Compliance Training, and more. Consider how much value you could bring your company by enhancing your skills or how increasing learning something new could make you a better candidate for jobs you are applying for. Taking the steps to expand your knowledge is incredibly easy. You only need to visit Chippewa Valley Technical College and sign up. You can explore their business...
Fortune names Xcel Energy among World’s Most Admired Companies for fourth year

Monday, May 21, 2018

Xcel Energy, headquartered in Minneapolis, has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies, the fourth consecutive year that the company has earned this distinction, ranking fourth this year as most admired electric and gas utility. Xcel Energy, a national leader in wind energy for more than a decade, is ranked highly for its innovation, social responsibility and long-term value when evaluated by peers at other utilities. The magazine surveys executives, directors and industry analysts about companies in their industry then ranks companies based on nine attributes: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality...
Mayo Clinic Health System offers volunteer opportunities

Friday, May 18, 2018

April 15–21 was National Volunteer Week. It was a good opportunity to recognize the volunteers who perform countless valuable services within our community. In 2017, 696 volunteers served nearly 79,000 hours at Mayo Clinic Health System sites throughout northwest Wisconsin, saving nearly $1.9 million, according to Jennifer Loew, director of Volunteer Services. “We have volunteers from many backgrounds, including retired professionals, teachers, stay-at-home moms, students and others,” Loew says. “For anyone who is looking for more meaning in their life, to connect with others in our community, learn a new skill or looking for a sense of purpose, volunteering is a great...
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