Chippewa Economic Development Corporation

08/28/2026

Champagne Apples, Wildfires & Wisconsin

The newest episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast is out! Charlie sits down with Becky Mullane of Dixon's Apple Orchard Wedding and Event Venue to talk entrepreneurship, resilience, family, and the journey from New Mexico to Wisconsin.

Give it a listen! 👇

BEAR Discussions Podcast Join Charlie Walker and various special co-hosts as they travel throughout the Chippewa Valley for engaging, informative, and interactive BEAR Discussions. Part of our Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program, this podcast gives entrepreneurs a platform to share their...

08/27/2026

Few stories illustrate entrepreneurial resilience quite like the Mullane family and Dixon's Apple Orchard Wedding and Event Venue.

After a devastating wildfire and flooding forced the family to leave their longtime orchard in New Mexico, they chose to fall forward—bringing their Champagne Apple to Chippewa County and rebuilding from the ground up.

Their story is a powerful example of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship in action.

Read the full story:

Few stories better illustrate entrepreneurial resilience than those of the Dixon's Apple Orchard owners-the Mullane family. Dixon's Apple Orchard has a long history in New Mexico and was once one of the state's most recognized apple-growing operations. The orchard was located near Peña Blanca, nort...

08/26/2026

Great episode! If you missed it, be sure to check it out and hear the latest conversation from the BEAR Discussions Podcast.

Podcast Episode · BEAR Discussions · August 21 · 40m

08/25/2026

Small businesses in the Chippewa Valley: $3,000 in grant funding is available!

Royal Credit Union is offering a $3,000 Small Business Grant to help entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses launch, grow and invest in their future.

Eligible businesses must:
• Be owned by an RCU member or someone who qualifies for membership
• Be pre-launch, a startup, or established within the last three years
• Be located in Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Trempealeau or Taylor County

Funding can help support startup costs, equipment, technology upgrades and other meaningful investments in your business.

Application deadline: October 1, 2026

Learn more and apply:

Apply for Royal Credit Union’s $3,000 Small Business Grant. We’re supporting startups and early-stage businesses with funding to grow, invest, and strengthen local communities.

08/13/2026

🔥🐻And that's a wrap on Bear at the Orchard 2026! We had an amazing turnout of support for all our fantastic entrepreneurs that pitched their businesses.

A HUGE Thank You again to all our Ambassadors, Judges, Sponsors, Collaborators, Investors, and the Entrepreneurs that came out to celebrate the growing entrepreneurial spirit of the Chippewa Valley!!

🏆Our Grand Prize Winner was Jose Lagunas Jr, Founder and Owner of Rockwell Home Management.
After years as a firefighter, paramedic and fire inspector- he's seen firsthand how small, preventable things in a home can quickly become life-changing for older adults. At times, arriving on scene would be someone who had been living alone and passed without anyone knowing. Those experiences stayed with him and made him realize there was a gap: families often don't need assisted living yet. They need someone to help catch the little things, stay connected and make aging at home safer. Out of that was born Rockwell Home Management - to help older adults remain safely and independently in the homes they love, while giving their families a little more peace of mind.

🙌Runner-Up went to 6Four Accord based in Cameron, WI. Owners DeAnna and Tyler Westphal have designed their business around the vision of a one-of-a kind destination with a simple idea in mind: bring people together, create meaningful experiences and give people a place to slow down and connect. 6Four Accord is a four-season establishment featuring a tap house, food, outdoor activities and Reindeer Hill- where visitors can meet and learn about their reindeer herd.

🎉Congratulations to all of our standout founders and entrepreneurs this year- your innovation, determination, and vision for impact made Bear at the Orchard 2026 a huge success and so unforgettable!

08/12/2026

It’s here!! Bear at the Orchard 2026 and we can’t wait to see you!

Starts at 4:00pm

It will be a beautiful evening to connect, collaborate and continue to support the entrepreneurial spirit in the Chippewa Valley!

08/11/2026

Meet our Ambassadors: Victoria Thayer, CPA is the Owner/Founder of Novii CPA, and we are excited to have her join us as one of our Ambassadors at this year's BEAR at the Orchard pitch event.

Victoria brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in accounting, business strategy, and helping entrepreneurs better understand the financial side of running a business.

Beyond the numbers, Victoria understands that entrepreneurship is about much more than spreadsheets and financial statements. It's about taking risks, solving problems, pursuing ideas, and having the right people in your corner along the way. Her practical approach and commitment to supporting local businesses make her a valuable resource for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

We are thrilled to have Victoria as a trusted resource and Ambassador at the 2026 Bear at the Orchard!🌳🐻

08/10/2026

We are officially SOLD OUT- and we couldn't be more excited!🙌

We can't wait to see everyone Wednesday, August 12th at Dixon's Apple Orchard and Wedding Venue in Cadott, for what is truly one of the most unique networking and pitch events in Western Wisconsin!

To everyone that grabbed a ticket- THANK YOU! We'll see you in the orchard! 🐻🍎

08/06/2026

Have you heard? August 12th is BEAR at the Orchard in Cadott, WI. The entrepreneurial pitch event of the year- trust us, you're going to want to be there!

Picture this:

🎤Bold entrepreneurs pitching their ideas in a fast-paced competition
🤝Meaningful connections with other business-minded professionals in an orchard setting
🍎An atmosphere that feels anything BUT like another stuffy networking event

BEAR is where big ideas get put to the test - and the energy builds as the evening goes on. Whether you're a business owner, investor, community supporter, aspiring founder, or someone who loves seeing great ideas come to life...

👉Register today to secure your spot to be part of the action.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bear-at-the-orchard-tickets-1993478064554

08/05/2026

🎤🐻Today is the last day to Apply to pitch your business at the 2026 BEAR at the Orchard Pitch Showcase! The application closes tonight at Midnight.

Through BEAR 2026, we're creating a platform for second-stage businesses to connect with investors, statewide support organizations and local Ambassador resources including:

🔥Integrated Design Solutions
🔥SBDC
🔥Regional Business Fund
🔥SCORE
🔥Fidelis Advisors
🔥novii cpa
🔥Vision Point Capital
🔥Bakke Norman
🔥WEDC
🔥Western Dairyland EOC
🔥UW-Extension

The goal is to support and shine a light on growth-minded companies who are already doing the work- and give them the opportunity to position themselves for their next stage.

⏰Apply by 11:59pm tonight.

Click Here for the Link!
https://chippewa-wi.com/wp-content/uploads/BEAR-2026-Application.pdf