Chamber Newsletter - March 2023 | |
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Chamber Chat with Amanda
Dear Chamber Members,
Please save this date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The School District of Black River Falls, the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce and Department of Workforce Development are planning a Career and Job Fair at the Lunda Community Center in the Field House.
The Career and Job Fair will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. High School students and job seekers will be invited to attend throughout the day. The Black River Falls School District will provide lunch for people running a booth.
The objective of the Career and Job Fair is to provide an opportunity for you to connect with future employees and leaders in our community. We are hoping to help raise awareness of your business and career field to students. We also hope to provide the opportunity for you to recruit job seekers for current and future open positions. We recognize we have workforce needs in our area and are committed to partner with you to help you connect with students and job seekers. We encourage you to tailor your booth to provide experiences to engage students and job seekers such as:
- Hands on experience/simulation/demonstration
- Samples of the tools, machines, programs, that are used within your business
- Interactive options such as a Day in the Life video or power point
- Information on schooling needed, career options, skills required, etc.
The School District of Black River Falls is striving to provide students with a wide variety of experiences in various work places as part of their Academic and Career Plan. We hope to provide another opportunity for you to connect with future workers and grow their knowledge about your career field.
If you are interested in participating, please register for a booth using the link below. Please submit registration by April 21st to be included in the publicity and promotional materials for this event!
https://www.blackrivercountry.net/career-fair-and-community-wide-job-fair/
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Chamber. Together we build business, create community and promote tourism.
Sincerely,
Amanda Gunn
Executive Director
Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
www.blackrivercountry.net
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Take the 7 Rivers Alliance Speed Test | |
One of the challenges we have in our region – particularly in our rural parts – is a lack of high speed or broadband internet access. That issue became very clear during the early months of the pandemic when students were unable to connect to schools from home.
The Federal Communications Commission in 2015 set the minimum broadband speed standard as 25 megabits per second for downloading files and 3 megabits per second for uploading. The FCC says 26.4% of rural American lack broadband access compared to 1% for urban Americans.
The 7 Rivers Alliance has partnered with the eight other Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Organizations and Regional Plan Commissions to form a strategic partnership to help bring reliable broadband to the most unserved and underserved parts of the state.
This collaborative effort will promote regional broadband speed testing, a crowdsourced internet speed test implemented by GEO Partners, a Minnesota-based company that focuses on enabling cost effective planning and deployment of broadband. Access to this technology was made possible through a grant from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), together with a pilot program supervised by New North's Region of Economic Development, funded in part by a grant from the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
Citizen’s National Broadband Map recently added Wisconsin to its expanding list of 16 state participants.
7 Rivers Alliance will work with our regional partners at the county and local level to provide training and access to the mapping data. We will also encourage as many folks as possible to take the speed test.
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Annual Dinner
Three area businesses and a non-profit organization were honored with awards at the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Monday, March 6, 2023 at Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan.
Northwood Vet Service LLC received the 2022 Business of the Year Award (less than 20 employees), Theisen’s Home-Farm-Auto received the 2022 Business of the Year Award (more than 20 employees), Riverside Nutrition received the 2022 Emerging Business of the Year Award (open in our area 5 years or less) and Jackson In Action received the 2022 Service Organization Award.
Congratulations to all of the award winners!
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2022 Business of the Year (less than 20 employees) - Northwood Vet Service LLC | Front: Amanda Spangler and Mackenzie Underwood. Middle Row: Dr. Caitlyn Dierks, Logan Lossman, Dr. Emily Wood, Amy Stoker, Dr. Jaime Clark-Streff, Robert Streff. Back Row: Sonja Ulness, Ruth Wise, Diane Fredrickson, Hannah Abley, Teagan Kubaskie and Jason Wood | |
Business of the Year (more than 20 employees) -
Theisen's Home Farm Auto
| Mitch Klepper Regional Manager, Kariss Keller Store Manager and Joe Williams | 2022 Emerging Business of the Year - Riverside Nutrition | Owners Samantha Windsor & Emily Bunde | 2022 Service Organization Award - Jackson In Action | Amy Gunderson, Dawn Jacobson, Kathleen Clemons, Jeff Polzin | |
All-Abilities Playground Project Contributions
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Room Tax Commission made contributions to the All-Abilities Playground Project. All-inclusive playgrounds help create meaningful play environments for people of all ages and abilities while benefiting physical health, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive and communication development.
| Chamber staff and board members presented a check to the All-Abilities Park Project Committee. From left - Kathy Kopp, Jordan Nortman, Stephanie Nortman, Amanda Gunn, Vee Price and Brianne Massman. | Amanda Gunn and Norm Stoker from the Jackson County Room Tax Commission present a check to Stephanie and Jordan Nortman from the All-Abilities Park Project Committee. | |
Business After 5 Openings
We have one open date for Business After 5 in 2023!
June 14
If you are interested in hosting a Business After 5, please contact our office! We do have openings in 2024 also!
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2023 Black River Country Visitor Guide
The 2023 Black River Country Visitor Guides are done and ready for distribution! Stop in at the Chamber office to pick them up or give us a call and we will deliver them to you. Below is a sneak peek at the cover!
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Free Ad in the Weekly E-Newsletter for all Chamber Members
We are once again offering a free ad in the weekly e-newsletter to all Chamber Members in 2023. We would like to help promote your business as much as we can in 2023 with a free ad. We will insert the ad into the weekly e-newsletter and we will schedule a Facebook post on our page with your ad too. Just send your ad to: chamber@blackrivercountry.net and let us know when you'd like us to run it in the weekly e-newsletter. Ad sizes are 8.5x11. Please let us know if you have any questions!
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Member Job Postings
If your business or organization is hiring, send us information and we will get it added to the member job postings section on our website.
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Events and Press Releases to Share
Please send us information on any upcoming events your business or organization is hosting. We will get them posted to the calendar on our website and in the printed calendar we distribute at our office. We also share many different events on our Facebook page!
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Brochures, Rack Cards and Business Cards
Make sure to drop off a supply of your brochures, rack cards and business cards at the Chamber office. Help us help your business by passing along information to both our out-of-town visitors and to local residents who come to the Chamber. If you can't make it to the office, give us a call at 715-284-4658 and we will gladly pick them up at your business!
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Where is the Loving Cup Trophy? | |
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As the Historian in the Black River Falls Public Library-Jackson County History Room, Mary Woods has read through hundreds of newspapers and printed off numerus articles that she felt needed further research. One of those articles pertained to the presentation of a Community Service Award by the Black River Falls Chamber of Commerce. The article appeared in the May 25, 1955, Banner Journal. It stated, “A magnificent 14-inch Loving Cup will be awarded by the Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner meeting June 6 to the “MOST USEFUL AND OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THIS AREA.” It further stated that this Loving Cup has been provided by B. H. Piepmeier, President of the Community Telephone Company of Wisconsin. Mr. Piepmeier’s instructions are that the cup is to be awarded each year, for the next 10 years, by a popular ballot vote from all in attendance at the annual dinner meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. It is up to all in attendance at this meeting to pick the man or woman who has been the most useful and outstanding citizen of this area during this last year.”
The article further noted that the cup may be kept by the recipient for six months. It must then be displayed in the collection office of the telephone office for six months prior to its award the following year. Each recipient of the cup for the next ten years will have his or her name engraved on the cup and in addition will be given a special full-sized replica drawing of the cup for his or her permanent keeping. At the end of the 10 years the cup is to become the property of the Public Library for reference and safekeeping.
Woods shared the article with History Room Volunteer Sarah Larkin who enjoys researching newspapers on BadgerLink.net. Sarah found several articles pertaining to the Loving Cup and she and Woods compiled the list of the ten recipients. The first recipient was Alma Gebhardt followed by Duane Hoffman-1956, Marty Marquardt-1957, Louie Gardipee-1958, Robert Mills-1959, Al Larson-1960, B. H. Piepmeier-1961, Rufus Dimmick-1962, Clifford Ristow-1963 and William Wilcox-1964.
Following the presentation to Wilcox in April 1964, The Banner Journal stated that the award completes the 10 names which are permitted on the cup and the cup is now to be retained by Mr. Wilcox for six months and then to be donated to the City Library for records and safe keeping. Each recipient has been given an exact duplicate drawing of the cup which can be kept in a frame for their posterity.
With much emphasis placed on the final home for the Loving Cup, Woods noted that the cup is not at the current library and in checking with Jackson County Historical Society President Bruce Thayer he does not remember seeing the cup in the Carnegie Building the home of the library until April 1995.
Perhaps someone has seen the cup at their place of business or maybe a family member of one of the recipients may know where it is at. Until then, the location of this most coveted Loving Cup remains a mystery that Woods and Larkin hopes can be solved. Anyone with information may contact Woods at the History Room, 715-284-4112 #3 or email her at m.woods@wrlsweb.org.
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Fern Helbling Scholarships | |
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This year, the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce (BRACC) will be awarding Fern Helbling Scholarships. Fern Helbling was a local registered nurse who passed away Dec. 21, 1999. It was her wish that the interest earned from part of her estate be used to benefit local scholars.
The Fern Helbling Business Scholarship is awarded to a male or female student enrolled in a four-year college. The student must be at least a college sophomore in good standing. Students must currently be taking at least six credits and enrolled in a business curriculum.
A second scholarship is the Fern Helbling Women’s Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to women 25 years of age or older who are enrolled in a two or four-year college and currently taking at least six credits.
Both scholarship applications require a current degree audit or class schedule and an un-official transcript that reflects GPA. Requirements for both scholarships state the student must be a Jackson County resident.
Applicants must have good moral standards, an unquestionable reputation and be able to provide three character references. The students will be required to submit an essay on their goals and plans for achieving those goals.
The applicants may apply and receive more than one scholarship during undergraduate years. In 2023, the maximum scholarship amounts in each category will be $2,000.
Application forms are available to download on our website. Applications are also available at the BRACC office located at 120 North Water Street, Black River Falls, or can be emailed to the applicant. The application and attachments must be returned to the BRACC no later than May 26, 2023.
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A ribbon cutting was held March 4 to celebrate the grand opening of Dunkin' in Black River Falls. Those in attendance were: Front row: Rylea Lindow, Laura Lindow, Andrea Durst, Brianne Massman, Veronica Price. Back Row: Jordan Nortman, Amanda Gunn, Casey Brown, Nicole Knight, Jane Tande, Traci Lloyd, Skylar Henton, Melissa Lechner, Joe Williams. | |
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Boys & Girls Club Junior Youth of the Year Gala
The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year event is coming up on April 20th! This signature event brings together all six Clubs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley, celebrating their Junior Youth of the Year! It is the event of all events, in which you hear from the youth that the clubs serve, in roles of leadership and learning.
There is still time to support the event! You can sponsor a table, attend as an individual, support the Silent Auction or volunteer!
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Jackson County Residents Urged to Take Broadband Survey
Do you need better internet access? Can you spare 2 to 3 minutes to take a short survey?
The Jackson County Broadband Workgroup is collaborating with the Ho Chunk Nation to collect data that will be needed for future grant applications to improve internet service. This effort needs the help of all residents.
Visit the Jackson County website at https://www.co.jackson.wi.us/ From the top menu, click on “Broadband” and then click on “Broadband Survey.”
“This is an important step for preparing Jackson County to access future federal and state funds,” stated Jeffrey Amo, County Board Chairman. “Wisconsin will receive at least $100 million in federal funds, and we want to position the county to be successful in getting our share.”
Paper copies of the survey are available at the County Clerk’s office. Please call 715-284-0268 for information.
The Ho-Chunk Nation applied for and received funding through the USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge Grant. The grant has authorized the Nation to partner with the townships of Komensky and Brockway within Jackson County to provide equitable broadband solutions to residents and businesses in these areas. Mark Leonard, Executive Director of Administration states, “The Ho-Chunk Nation is excited to work with our neighboring communities in advancing technology within these rural areas.”
Improved internet service and access to broadband is vital for the economic health and growth of our area. The Jackson County Broadband Workgroup is continuing to reach out to internet service providers and Town governments to plan for future rounds of grant funding to fill gaps in service.
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New Event - Walk to End Alzheimer's® | |
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The Alzheimer's Association is excited to announce a new venue for their area walk. Starting in 2023, Veterans Park (Black River Falls) will host the new Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in Black River Falls on Sunday, September 17.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, nearly 3,000 people in Jackson, Monroe and Clark counties will be living with Alzheimer’s or dementia by 2030. Save the date for this event to raise awareness and funds to #ENDALZ.
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All-Abilities Playground Project at Lunda Park | |
Dementia Friendly Community Initiatives of Jackson County | |
Dear Community Member,
As the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, and is projected to grow exponentially over the next thirty years, the Department of Health Services (DHS) has developed a statewide initiative to make Wisconsin as Dementia Friendly as possible. A Dementia friendly community is one that builds infrastructure to support and take responsibility for enhancing the beneficial effect of services for those living with dementia and their caregivers. This can be accomplished through promoting the awareness that a dementia diagnosis does not mean the person affected can no longer continue with their daily activities. In fact, studies have shown that people with dementia want to continue to be a part of their community, enjoy their regular daily lives and maneuver around their community safely and conveniently.
Community members in Jackson County have joined forces to provide this education, support and outreach to area businesses to enhance the support of those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in our community. For the convenience and efficiency of your business, training takes approximately thirty minutes. The trainer will travel to the location of your choosing, provide all materials, conduct a verbal presentation and answer questions. The information provided will outline what Dementia is, how to recognize it, why being a dementia-friendly business fits into the larger picture of a dementia-friendly community and how to better serve a person who may be suffering a symptom associated with the disease. Our program can enhance your company’s policies and procedures.
We recommend that at least 50% of the staff are trained, which includes managers. Going forward, we request that new employees receive the training as part of their orientation process. After completion of initial training, you will receive the “Purple Angel” window cling (pictured above) and the Dementia Friendly Toolkit for use in the orientation process. The toolkit is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and can be viewed at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dementia/communities.htm. We recommend applying the symbol to all entrances so that customers can identify the business as a safe and supportive environment.
Training is always FREE. There will be no cost to you or your business at any time. We also will not ask for money at any time. Please contact Emily Reitz, the Jackson County Dementia Specialist, to set up your training. She can be reached by phone at 715-284-3978. You can also email ADRCJC@co.jackson.wi.us.
A dementia friendly community is a place where it is possible for the greatest number of people with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to live a good, enriching life. Together we can make Jackson County that community!
We look forward to working with you in the future!
The Jackson County Dementia Friendly Coalition
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With rising energy costs this winter, businesses can benefit from Focus On Energy's financial incentives and programs for energy efficiency/renewables by lowering their energy costs, supporting local contractors, and improving infrastructure all while promoting sustainability that customers value. For more information visit: https://focusonenergy.com/community-economic-development | |
Wisconsin Help For Homeowners | |
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020. | |
Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center | |
Are you thinking about starting your own child care business? Apply for our $2,500 start-up grant.
Right now, there are three children for every available child care opening in our communities. With uncertain school schedules and closures this academic year, families of essential workers are struggling to secure safe care for their children. You can help by opening your home to children in need and becoming a part-time or full-time child care provider today!
If you have any questions, please contact the Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center at 715-836-7511 or info@successfulbusiness.org for more information.
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Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission Revolving Loan Funds | |
The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission with $1,050,00 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). The RLF is designed to assist small businesses (under 10 employees) most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with short-term, fixed rate, low-interest working capital loans. | |
7 Rivers Alliance Updates | |
U.S. Small Business Administration | |
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
The SCORE chapter that services the western and north central region of WI has a number of different mentors that have expertise in certain areas of business (marketing, social media, bookkeeping, etc). Additionally, SCORE mentors can help a business owner update or create a business plan. Learn more at https://centralwisconsin.score.org/.
Area Contact -
Lisa Taylor
Outreach and Marketing Specialist
Wisconsin District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration
Cell: (202) 407-3299
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2023 Business After 5 Schedule | |
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March: No Business After 5
April 12: Security Financial Bank
May 10: Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
June 14: OPEN
July: No Business After 5
August 9: Riverside Nutrition
September 13: Cell.Plus/US Cellular
October 11: Falls Florist
November 8: Reflections On Water
December 6: Chamber Holiday Party
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2023 Chamber Board of Directors | |
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President - Justin Dougherty, Dynamic Audio & Video LLC
Vice President - Jack Taylor, Taylor Media
Treasurer - Jordan Nortman, Coldwell Banker River Valley, Realtors®
Secretary - Brianne Massman, Lunda Community Center
Board Members
Casey Brown, Ho-Chunk Nation Representative
Keith Brown, Clearview Realty
Crystal Byrns, Wal-Mart
Miranda Chandler, Co-op Credit Union
Bill Laurent, Jackson County Board Rep
Melissa Lechner, Security Financial Bank
Laura Lindow, Reflections on Water
Dana Olson, Black River Country Bank
Veronica (Vee) Price, Norgaard Agency
Nichole Sullivan, School District of Black River Falls
Jane Tande, Keller Williams Realty
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Nicole Knight - Office Assistant
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Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
120 N Water St
Black River Falls, WI 54615
715-284-4658
www.blackrivercountry.net
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