Recent News

Broadband in 2020: The Momentum West Region is Telecommuter Forward!

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Momentum West region is comprised of several Telecommuter Forward! certified communities. These communities have demonstrated a commitment to supporting telecommuters through the installation of fiber and ready access to fast internet speeds. As a result, the region has become home to a growing number of telecommuters working for corporations throughout the country - all from the comfort of home. The ready availability of broadband can be attributed to a partnership between local telecommunications companies, cooperatives, local government and the state. Telecommunications companies and cooperatives have heavily invested in broadband and government grants have helped to pay for a portion o...

DUNN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Friday, January 03, 2020

The Dunn County Economic Development Corporation is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. Dunn County (pop. 44,617) is a micropolitan statistical area located in west central Wisconsin. Responsibilities include promoting the economic growth and stability of Dunn County and its communities, maintaining effective relationships with current and potential public and private sources of funding for the EDC's operation, maintaining contact with EDC stakeholders and officials from federal, state, and local agencies and for profit and non?profit organizations to cement mutually advantageous relationships, encouraging and working with both in state and out of state businesses to expand, develop, or relocat...

Energy producers account for $20 billion economic impact

Friday, December 13, 2019

An advocacy group backed by utilities and trade groups in the state is touting the $20 billion annual economic impact associated with Wisconsin energy producers. Fair Rates for Wisconsin’s Dairyland was created in 2015 with funding from organizations such as Alliant Energy, We Energies and WPPI Energy, as well as Dairyland Power Cooperative, the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, the Wisconsin Laborers District Council and others. Read full article.

Governor Evers: Brookings/ITIF proposal would significantly boost funding for Wisconsin tech leaders

Monday, December 09, 2019

Report calls for 10-year, $100 billion federal Investment in “heartland” tech centers MADISON, WI. – Governor Tony Evers urged Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to give careful consideration to a new proposal that would provide up to $100 billion in the next decade to fund technological entrepreneurship and innovation in so-called “heartland” states. A report released jointly by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) notes the growing economic gap between a handful of highest technology, highest R&D “superstar” metropolitan areas, mostly located on the east and west coasts, and the rest of the country. Read ful...

New bar and grill Diablo Blue set to open at former Rehab location

Friday, December 06, 2019

Business partners Michael Creviston and Paul Wilkes felt downtown Menomonie was missing something regarding its bar scene. They wanted to a create a place that is equally a home for locals, as well college students. Creviston and Wilkes, with their years of experience in the entertainment and bars and restaurants industries, have opened Diablo Blue at 631 Broadway Street S., once home to the bar Rehab. Read full article.

State’s aging population impacting health care workforce; Higher-paying occupations supporting job growth

Monday, December 02, 2019

Patients in Wisconsin are spending more time in hospitals after more than a decade of declining hospital stays, according to Ann Zenk, vice president of workforce and clinical practice at the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In a recent interview, she highlighted results of a health care workforce report from WHA, noting the impact of the state’s aging population is starting to become apparent. Read full article.

WITC scholarships given to three Menomonie graduates for spring semester

Monday, December 02, 2019

RICE LAKE — Three WITC students from Menomonie received scholarships for the spring semester. Mackenzie Fyre, who studying early childhood education received the New Richmond Community Child Care Scholarship. Emily Hawkins is also studying early childhood education and she received the WITC—New Richmond Staff Scholarship. Nursing student April Simmons was given the Judy Rogers Whiteman Memorial Scholarship. Read full article.

Mission Wisconsin team profile: Andy Wentworth

Sunday, December 01, 2019

The goal of the Mission Wisconsin initiative is to connect military personnel and families separating from service with the opportunities Wisconsin has to offer, whether that’s quality education, a fulfilling career, a welcoming community or any support they need as they move into the next phase of their lives. Like any mission, it couldn’t happen without boots on the ground—the Mission Wisconsin team. We recently sat down with Andy Wentworth to hear what being part of the Mission Wisconsin team means to him. Andy served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and is a Wisconsin native, working at the Wisconsin Economic Developmen...

Menomonie High School looking to offer embedded business management associate's degree through CVTC

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Students at the Menomonie High School could soon have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree while in high school. The district is working on an embedded associate’s degree program through Chippewa Valley Technical College, Brian Seguin, director of instruction, assessment and 4K programing, said at Monday’s School District of the Menomonie Area Board of Education meeting. Read full article.

New online tool to help businesses set up internships

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The UW system is unveiling a new online tool kit to help businesses set up internship programs with UW schools. At a meeting, UW System President, Ray Cross, spoke about the importance of setting up internship programs in order to meet the state's workforce needs. Representatives with the WEDC say the new online resource will help employers grow their businesses. Read full article.

New: Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic opening in new location soon

Monday, November 11, 2019

Eau Claire (WQOW) – Those who rely on Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic for eye care will soon be able to see their doctor again. Last week, a fire broke out at the clinic causing $4.4 million in damage and leaving the building unusable. Heidi Jarecki, co-owner of the clinic, told News 18 they have secured a temporary location at 1110 Oakridge Drive in Eau Claire. That is back behind HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and Marshfield Medical Center. Read full article.

WEDC announces deputy secretary and chief operating officer

Friday, November 08, 2019

Current deputy secretary is taking senior position with JP Cullen Sam Rikkers has joined the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as deputy secretary and chief operating officer (COO), the organization’s secretary and CEO, Missy Hughes, announced. Rikkers, who is currently strategic economic initiatives director at the Department of Administration (DOA), will succeed Tricia Braun. Braun is leaving WEDC to join Wisconsin-based JP Cullen, where she was recruited as a strategic hire to work primarily with the commercial contractor’s industrial client portfolio. Read full article.

Startup innovations seen as key to fixing ‘broken’ health care system

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Kristine Seymour, a partner with Michael Best Strategies, says startup innovations could be key to fixing what she sees as a broken health care system. “My experience is, there’s a recognition of people who are in health care, that the way we reimburse and the way the system works is broken and we need to change that,” she said yesterday at the Early Stage Symposium in Madison. “I think digital solutions in health care are one way to do that.” The annual conference is held by the Wisconsin Technology Council to spotlight and connect startups, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. Seymour spoke a...

New DOR business development unit to support WEDC strategy

Sunday, November 03, 2019

Revenue Secretary Peter Barca says a new business development unit at DOR will support the WEDC’s economic development strategy. “We’re trying to augment what WEDC is doing,” Barca told WisBusiness.com in a recent interview. He says the new Business Development and Government Relations unit, or BDGR, has the support of the state’s regional economic development groups and Gov. Tony Evers. Barca says the unit will complement the guv’s statewide economic development initiative, which calls on agencies to collaborate to drive growth in all 72 counties. Read full article.

New expansion in Menomonie will create 199 jobs

Sunday, November 03, 2019

MENOMONIE, Wis. (WEAU)— A Menomonie manufacturer is expanding its facilities and is expected to create 199 jobs over the next three years. Vets Plus Inc. who is a manufacturer and distributor of animal health and nutrition products, is expanding their facilities on Stokke Parkway and Domain Drive. The company says the Stokke Parkway site expansion added 30,000 feet and will result in 139 full-time positions. The Domain Drive site will be renovated and adding 60 new positions. Read full article.

Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for National Science Foundation business grant success rate

Saturday, November 02, 2019

Wisconsin ranks second nationally in the success rate of businesses applying for National Science Foundation (NSF) business grants, underscoring the strong support health and life science startups in the state receive in their commercialization journey. Read full article.

Craft Distilleries Become Key To Wisconsin Tourism

Friday, November 01, 2019

Tasting Rooms For Craft Spirits Can Be A Draw In Small Communities The business of craft distilling is growing in Wisconsin and in some communities, Wisconsin-made vodka, whiskey and other spirits are becoming a crucial part of a marketing pitch to tourists. Speaking on WPR’s regional talk show "Route 51," Sara Brish, of the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the creation of the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective, which promotes Portage County distilleries as well as breweries and wineries, has led to an increase in the region’s hotel stays and visits to local attractions. Read full article.

Wisconsin school districts encouraged to apply for Fab Labs Grants

Friday, November 01, 2019

WEDC expects to award grants to 30 districts; deadline is Dec. 12 The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is now accepting applications for the fifth year of its Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program, which provides funding to help public schools build or expand fab labs. The grant program supports hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases for instructional and educational purposes in fab labs. Fab labs are high-tech workshops with the latest equipment, including computer-controlled manufacturing components such as 3D printers, laser engravers and computer numerical control routers. Read full article.

Virtual Spec Building Places Businesses Near Major Corporations

Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Expanding businesses that are looking to be close to the Twin Cities, yet far enough away to enjoy affordable real estate and a low cost of doing business, will benefit from a location in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Located on Interstate 94, the main corridor connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago metropolitan areas, Menomonie provides businesses easy and convenient access to major markets, from a beautiful and affordable location. The Menomonie Dunn County Wisconsin Virtual Spec Building makes it even easier to make the move. Designed as a solution for businesses looking to build quickly, the virtual spec building provides the best o...

Take the Survey! Let Us Know Your Thoughts on Public Transportation Today

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Your voice matters! Take this quick s urvey and let us know what would work best for you! The Commute to Careers Program is an initiative aiming to strategically increase public transportation and make getting to work easier and more convenient in the Menomonie Area. It should take less than 3 minutes to complete. Do it today! Take the Survey Online! OR Call (715) 232-4009 to learn about more options to easily take the survey!

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...

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...

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