On December 14, 2023, The Idea Challenge, a local business idea competition, held the final pitch session for five finalists.  Heard by a panel of industry experts,Fitness & Strength Aquatics was named the winner and will receive $5000 to support the new business, thanks to a sponsorship by Northwestern Bank.  The $1000- Business Services Award went to Kate Felton, Eau Claire Outdoors. Fitness & Strength Aquatics plans to bring private swimming lessons and hydrotherapy services to Eau Claire with the innovative use of an endless pool system. According to founder and UWEC stu ..read more

October 23, 2023 (Eau Claire, WI) –   Mocktails, a new non-alcoholic canned cocktail, wins Startup 48, Eau Claire’s own business jumpstart competition weekend!  A group of UWEC students have been named the winning team of Startup 48. The business idea was launched on Friday night and the team worked all weekend, then provided a final business pitch on Sunday evening to a panel of local judges. The student founders of Mocktails, drafted a business plan and pitch which outlines hypothetically starting production and distribution of a unique, non-alcoholic cocktail. The busine ..read more

Ben Trachsel (EDC Board Chair) and Altoona Mayor, Brenden Pratt receive Community Cares Grant from Ashley for the Arts, to support River Prairie Festival – Celebration of Art, scheduled for May 13 in River Prairie Park. ARCADIA, Wis. – The Ashley for the Arts committee has selected the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) as the recipient of the 2022 Community Cares Grant. The EDC is a nonprofit, public and private partnership aimed to advance local prosperity through business and job growth. The project will focus on the expansion of live entertainment at the EDC’s annual ..read more

The Eau Claire Area EDC is proud to announce five local entrepreneur finalists who aspire to start or grow their business idea in the Chippewa Valley. The Idea Challenge is an annual unique business idea contest ran by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation. Applicants of the Challenge then are assisted by the Eau Claire EDC to take their idea and making it a reality. This is a free contest that accepts ideas, from local entrepreneurs, in any stage of development for any new product, service, or process. The Idea Challenge 2022 finalists are (in no particular order); Eau Claire ..read more

October 20, 2022 (Eau Claire, WI) –   UCo, a student work app, wins Startup 48, Eau Claire’s own business jumpstart competition weekend!  A group of UWEC Entrepreneurship students have been named the winning team of Startup 48. The business idea was launched on Friday night and the team worked all weekend, then provided a final business pitch on Sunday evening to a panel of local judges. UCo drafted a business pitch that connects college students with homeowners who need chores completed.  College students are looking for work, but need employment that provides flexibi ..read more

Silver Spring Foods, the world’s largest grower and processor of horseradish, has been announced as the 2021 Paragon Award recipient to recognize their positive impact on the economy in Eau Claire County. Silver Spring Foods was host to the wildly successful, 2021 Farm Technology Days.  Additionally, Silver Spring Foods has recently expanded production lines and entered into new product markets.  They’ve also continued to invest in innovative workforce solutions such as training and increased compensation including no cost health care premiums, a near-site healthcare clinic, wellnes ..read more

It takes real courage to start a business during a global pandemic. So much uncertainty in the market and spending patterns of customers could give an entrepreneur pause. The Eau Claire Area EDC is proud to announce five local entrepreneurs willing to take this challenge head-on. One of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation’s missions is to cultivate innovative thinkers and entrepreneurship. With use of The Idea Challenge, the Eau Claire Area EDC will help elevate five business ideas and help them launch or advance into the local marketplace. The Idea Challenge is an annual con ..read more

Over the Loam wins Startup 48, Eau Claire’s own business jumpstart competition weekend.  A group of UWEC Entrepreneur students have been named the winning team of Startup 48. The business idea was launched on Friday night and the team worked all weekend, then provided a final business pitch on Sunday evening to a panel of local judges.  Over the Loam will plan to sell four-season renovated teardrop campers and vans to fill the market demand to adults who want to travel in comfort and live the “van life”. Over the weekend, 37 individuals met at WIN Technology to begin a weekend-long ..read more

Photo Credit: Lee Butterworth 2019 Economy of Art Week begins on September 12, 2021. The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is excited to announce a series of events aimed to celebrate and recognize the impact that the Chippewa Valley art scene has on business development. The Economy of Art Week kicks off Saturday, September 11 with Pablo Center re-opening (after 18 long months) their doors for an Open House, then on Sunday, September 12 with River Prairie Celebration of Art festival, followed by the Economy of Art Gala at Pablo Center at the Confluence on the evening of S ..read more

    –WIN Technology Announced as 2020 Paragon Economic Impact Award Recipient WIN Technology has been announced as the 2020 Paragon Award recipient to recognize their positive impact on the economy in Eau Claire County. WIN Technology’s recent launch of the national live-stream, Perigon System, has proven a solution to so many businesses and non-profits, who have been required to pivot to virtual programming to stay connected with staff and customers. The Eau Claire Area EDC is proud to present the Paragon Economic Impact Award, sponsored by Royal Credit Union, to a local business t ..read more