Community Orgs Entrepreneurship Networking
Entrepreneurship Can Be A BEAR. That's Where The CEDC Comes In.
The Chippewa Economic Development Corp. goes to bat for our entrepreneurial ecosystem – here's how
So, you have a business idea. More than that, you have the foundation to that business idea laid out, primed for pitching to potential investors and the community at large – but how do you get in front of the right people to do that?
Enter, the BEAR Pitch Competition, hosted by the Chippewa Economic Development Corp. (CEDC).
Held annually in August, the BEAR Pitch Competition literally sets the stage for local entrepreneurs to make their pitch and potentially move beyond the startup phase. As CEDC President and CEO, Charlie Walker, explained, “the event blends founder-investor matchmaking, peer learning and a competitive pitch showcase.”
That platform is just one of the many levers part of CEDC’s entrepreneurial-support toolkit and is build out of an initiative CEDC launched nearly twenty years ago: the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program.
Through the BEAR Program, small business-focused events like the BEAR Pitch Competition and the HATCH Pitch event pave the way for the Chippewa Valley’s up-and-coming economic visionaries – complemented by more opportunities through the CEDC.
"Many businesses operate behind the scenes, even though they employ residents, invest locally and anchor our tax base. Showcasing local success stories builds community pride and reinforces the message that our area is a place businesses can grow; innovation is happening here; and local companies are worthy of celebration and support."
CHARLIE WALKER
CEDC PRESIDENT & CEO
WHAT’S THE BEAR PROGRAM ALL ABOUT?
The BEAR Program is the cornerstone of CEDC’s economic development strategy. Numbers don’t lie; existing business expansion accounts for 70% of local job creation, and by prioritizing support for those businesses, BEAR delivers cost-effective growth.
“Through proactive visits, education and high-visibility events, CEDC’s BEAR strengthens retention, drives expansion and helps build a resilient local economy,” Walker said.
BEAR VISITS
Over the past year, CEDC held over 40 face-to-face site visits with local business leaders, aiming to identify challenges and opportunities in real time. The top local issues? Finding “Right fit” workers, continued healthcare costs increases, attainable housing, childcare credits, impact of new technologies such as AI, supply chain issues and tariff impacts are concerns for businesses.
EDUCATIONAL & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
CEDC regularly hosts “Lunch & Learn” workshops, limited to a select number of participants, to improve connections and offer additional education on relevant topics. Last year, eight of these events were held, connecting local businesses and entrepreneurs with new resources and new colleagues.
AMPLIFICATION THROUGH PODCASTING
Going on year six, the BEAR Discussions podcast continues to be an innovative component of CEDC’s BEAR Program.
“At its core, the podcast provides local entrepreneurs and employers with a platform to share their stories in their own words,” Walker said.
Guests openly discuss the realities of running a business in the Chippewa Valley, including growth decisions and workforce challenges, leadership lessons and long-term goals.
“Hearing directly from local business leaders builds trust in the organizations’ work and increases understanding of what economic development looks like on the ground,” Walker said. “The BEAR Podcast helps demystify economic development by focusing on real people and real experiences rather than policies or technical language alone.”
BEAR DISCUSSIONS PODCAST HIGHLIGHT
Episode #609: "Cultivating Purpose: Vets, Vines & Vision"
Join hosts Charlie Walker and cohost Ron Haas, President of the Stanley Chamber of Commerce, on the BEAR Discussions Podcast as they sit down with retired U.S. Army veteran Dan Osborn, owner of Wisconsin Veterans Farm & Winery in Cornell, Wisconsin. Tune in to hear his journey from military service to building a unique agritourism and winery business rooted in purpose, community, and veteran empowerment right here in Chippewa County.
PUBLIC SHOWCASES
The BEAR Showcases are events held throughout each year, offering another opportunity and platform for local entrepreneurs to share their stories, face to face, with the community.
Over the past year, eight showcases were held, attracting over 140 attendees.
“These matters because many businesses operate behind the scenes, even though they employ residents, invest locally and anchor our tax base,” Walker said. “Showcasing local success stories builds community pride and reinforces the message that our area is a place where businesses can grow; innovation is happening here; and local companies are worthy of celebration and support.”
POLICY SOLUTIONS & ADVOCACY
Of course, policy and advocacy are significant pieces of the pie as well, and the CEDC strategically influences those areas through the aforementioned programs and more.
The BEAR Program, overall, acts as both a connector and problem solver.
“Many of the most common challenges identified through BEAR visits, such as workforce availability, infrastructure capacity, permitting timelines, access to capital and regulatory compliance, are directly influenced by legislation and government programs,” Walker said.
“CEDC’s legislative advocacy is an essential extension of the BEAR program because many of the issues businesses face are shaped by public policy decisions made at the local, state, and federal levels.”
The CEDC advocacy team consistently meets with and hosts visits with state and federal elected officials, literally bringing our state’s policymakers face-to-face with folks in the Chippewa Valley.
CEDC specifically aims to influence policies that support workforce and talent development; improve transportation, utility and broadband infrastructure, streamline permitting and regularity processes; and expand access to state and federal economic development programs.
Whether you are an entrepreneur or have been letting an innovative idea sit on the back burner, the next time you need local support – think CEDC. From the ground up, CEDC ensures local employers and entrepreneurs have a voice in the policies that shape their work and the community’s future.
“Businesses are more likely to stay and invest in communities where they feel heard and supported,” Walker said, “and that’s exactly what the CEDC specializes in: listening to our local industries and entrepreneurs and acting in their best interests.”
Chippewa Economic Development Corp.
Phone: (715) 723-7150
Email: staff@chippewa-wi.com
Address: 770 Technology Way, Chippewa Falls
Website: chippewa-wi.com
Facebook: @ChippewaEconomicDevelopmentCorp
LinkedIn: @ccedc
