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Chamber Newsletter - February 2018
Volume 23 - Issue 2
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Chamber Chat with Amanda
It's been a busy year at the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce and we're looking forward to the rest of 2018. Please join us for the 2018 Annual Chamber Dinner on Monday, March 19 at Castle Hill Supper Club as we highlight our 2017 accomplishments and preview what's to come.
Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the program at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $30/person. The cost for a corporate table with 8 reservations is discounted at $225. Register by March 2 to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Chamber Buck that will be given away the night of the banquet!
As in previous years, the Chamber will announce the Business of the Year Award, the Customer Service of the Year Award and the Service Organization of the Year Award. Dinner reservation and nomination forms were mailed the end of January. The forms are available for download on our website. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 2. The winners will be announced prior to the event and will receive recognition in the local media in advance of the event, at the dinner, and throughout the year. Self-nominations are encouraged.
We will be holding a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and we will play a quick round of the game "Heads or Tails". We are looking for donations to add to our silent auction and for dinner sponsors. Please consider these inexpensive opportunities to advertise your business and help the Chamber with the dinner costs.
Dinner reservations will be accepted through the day of the event. Please send forms to BRACC, 120 N. Water Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615, fax to 715-284-9476, or email to [email protected]. If you have questions, contact our office at 715-284-4658.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Chamber. Together we will build business, create community and promote tourism.
Amanda Gunn
Executive Director
Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
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Business After 5
Members enjoyed food, beverages and conversation during the event
**PLEASE NOTE** We won't be having a Business After 5 event in March. The next one will be on Wednesday, April 11th at Black River Memorial Hospital.
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Chamber News
2018 Black River Country Visitor's Guides
The 2018 Black River Country Visitor's Guides are currently being printed. They will be ready for distribution soon. We will have cases available at our office and we will send an email when they are delivered to our office. Here is a sneak peek at the beautiful cover!
Our New Website is Almost Done
The new website is almost done and looks fantastic! We are hoping to go live with it in March. Vision Design Group has done a wonderful job with the design. We just had our first training session and it is very easy to navigate and is much easier for us to update on the back end. We will send an email to all members when we launch the new site.
Brochures, Rack Cards and Business Cards Needed
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 and we will gladly pick them up at your business.
Goody Bag Items Needed
Throughout the year, we put together goody bags for our Karner Blue race, new teachers, hockey tournaments and other events. We are asking businesses to donate goody bag items. If you have items such as pens, magnets, key chains, coupons, etc that you would like to donate, give us a call. It is a great opportunity to advertise and promote your business!
New Phone System Installed
We recently had a new phone system installed at the Chamber office. Thank you to Justin Dougherty from Dynamic Audio & Video for all his hard work getting the new system up and running. The old phone system was 12 years old and it was difficult to update. The new automated system gives callers the option to listen to trail conditions during regular business hours and it gives the option to select which person you would like to talk to or leave a message for.
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Career & Job Fair
Career Fair and Community-Wide Job Fair will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018!
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, Department of Workforce Development and the Black River Falls Middle School are planning a Career Fair and Community-Wide Job Fair at the Black River Falls Middle School. We appreciate your partnership on this day to help grow your current and future work force.
The schedule for the day will be:
10:30pm-12:30pm -
8th Grade Career Fair
12:30pm-1:00pm -
Lunch for Employers
1:00pm-5:30pm -
Community Wide Job Fair
*The School District will provide lunch and snacks for all folks running a booth.
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Chamber Member Business Briefs
A Ribbon Cutting was held at Black River Memorial Hospital's Medical Records and Financial Services Building
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting February 8th to celebrate the opening of Black River Memorial Hospital's new Medical Records and Financial Services Building located on 8th Street near the hospital.
Front row (l-r) Barb Brower, Amy Yaeger, Gina LaFaunge and Matt Streeter.
Back row (l-r) Scott Johnson, Kathy Potter, Brad Chown, Dave Meyer, Kyle Kovacevich and Amanda Gunn
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Ho-Chunk Gaming Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting
Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, February 14 focusing on the hotel expansion. The hotel expansion includes 123 new rooms. Executive Manager Greg Garvin said the that not only will the hotel expansion boost the local economy, but it will also create more jobs. Currently there are 342 employees working for Ho-Chunk Gaming and that number will reach 400 when they are fully staffed. Last year, Ho-Chunk Gaming served 700,000 visitors from all over the United States and three countries.
The goal this year is to serve one million visitors.
Cutting the ribbon. Front row l-r: Miron Construction VP & COO
Tim Kippenhan,
Miron Construction Project Superintendent Rick Seeley, Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett, Hill International Project Manager Harry Corken, Hotel Manager Lani Blackdeer, Executive Manager Greg Garvin and Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Business COO Rob Reider. Back row: Illusionist Matthew Teague and District 1 Ho-Chunk Nation Legislator Hinu Smith.
Miron Construction VP & COO Tim Kippenhan, Ho-Chunk Gaming Executive Manager Greg Garvin, Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett and Black River Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Gunn at the Grand Opening.
Drum group Little Thunder performed at the Grand Opening.
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BRMH Receives Award for Workplace Excellence
Each year, Black River Memorial Hospital (BRMH) surveys staff to get feedback on being an employee at BRMH. The results are then compared to other healthcare facilities across the nation.
As a result of the excellent survey results, BRMH has once again earned the Workplace Excellence Award by Bivarus, a healthcare consulting company. The award is given to healthcare organizations that show they communicate well and involve employees. The survey results must also show that the employees are very committed to their work and think highly of their leadership.
Rob Stapel, human resources director said, "It is truly an honor to work with the medical staff and employees of Black River Memorial Hospital. Earning this recognition nine times tells us that the processes we have in place make this a great place to work."
Bivarus works with hundreds of clients around the country to improve healthcare. Measures in both employee and leadership surveys place BRMH in the top 10-20% of healthcare organizations.
BRMH was also recognized as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare in 2017, ranking 5th in the country.
Accepting the Workplace Excellence Award for the organization are BRMH staff members, (l-r) Organization Development Director-Leah Johnson, Volunteer Services Director-Cindy Clark, Human Resources Director-Rob Stapel, HR staff-Gerti Johnson and Erica Perz, Clinical Educator-Nancy Engebretson and Employee Health Nurse-Linda Olson.
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Wood Sales & Service Earns Distinction as One of the Top Cub Cadet Dealers in America
Wood Sales & Service, Inc., local dealer of Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment located in Black River Falls, recently earned distinction as one of the top 71 Cub Cadet independent retailers in America for 2017. Wood Sales & Service received recognition for this achievement during an exclusive trip to All-Inclusive Dreams Las Mareas Resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Wood Sales & Service has been selling and serving Cub Cadet equipment, including lawn and garden tractors, zero turn riding mowers, utility vehicles, snow throwers and more for 10 years. They have earned distinction as top 71 dealer eight times.
"The team at Wood Sales & Service works hard all year round and they do it to provide quality products and services to their community and provide for their employees. They are at the top of their game because they treat their customers well and value their employees. That shows in the growth of the business year over year." said Roy Keating, vice president and general manager of Cub Cadet. "With 1,300 dealers across the country, it's quite an accomplishment to be a top-performer. We are thankful for all they do and pleased to offer them this recognition of a job well done."
Harvey and Diane Wood accepted the recognition on behalf of Wood Sales & Service. "We are so thankful to our loyal customers and our incredible team for another great year with Cub Cadet," said Harvey Wood. "The new products Cub Cadet brought out this last year and a little cooperation from Mother Nature made the past year a lot of fun. We are looking forward to another good year ahead."
Presenting the award for Top 71 Cub Cadet Independent Retailers to Harvey and Diane Wood (center) is Roy Keating (l), vice president of Multi-Channel Sales and Rob Moll, chairman and CEO of Cub Cadet.
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New Members
Merrillan Café & Bait Shop
400 N. Washington Street
Merrillan, WI 54754
Phone: 715-333-9200
Facebook: MerrillanCafe
Open Mon 5 am -1pm and Tue-Sun 5 am to 7 pm. Homemade soups, daily specials and great food! We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also have many ice cream flavors, pies, caramel rolls, and danishes. Call ahead orders welcome! Located on the ATV Trail.
First Nations Community Financial
206 S. Roosevelt Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284
First Nations Community Financial is a state chartered not-for-profit Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
We are so much more than just a loan! First Nations Community Financial provides opportunities for members of the Native Community. It also makes available financial education and coaching, credit counseling, technical support and other programs and services exclusively for Community members. First Nations Community Financial currently partners with the Ho-chunk Nation and Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency to provide a wide range of financial products and services for the Communities and its members. Nationally, about 68 Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) exist in Indian Country. However, First Nations Community Financial is unique because it is the only Native CDFI that puts all its financial services to serve more communities than any other.
Cinco De Mayo
New location opening soon at:
109 Main Street
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone 715-284-5001
The area's leading restaurant serving Black River Falls and surrounding area since 2010. We specialize in authentic Mexican food, fresh ingredients, drinks, catering and much more. For your next Mexican meal, visit Cinco De Mayo in Black River Falls.
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7 Rivers Alliance News
Regional economic development program reports progress
A three-county economic development effort launched in 2017 has already made significant progress in several initiatives identified as priorities.
The Stronger Economies Together (SET) program implemented by the 7 Rivers Alliance for Jackson, Juneau and Monroe counties - with support from UW-Extension, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and USDA Rural Development -- held several regional planning meetings in 2016 and 2017 before announcing the initiative.
The plan outlined four primary goals with related objectives and strategies.
- Develop critical infrastructure to facilitate the attraction and expansion of businesses in high-wage industry sectors by increasing access to broadband and developing a regional transportation system for workers.
- Provide students with better access to workplace readiness programs to improve the region's pool of prepared labor.
- Reduce barriers to workforce attraction and retention by increasing access to childcare and affordable housing.
- Create a regional brand that better promotes and unifies the region's tourism economy.
"I am pleased to report that we have made excellent progress on many of these goals," said Chris Hardie, CEO of the 7 Rivers Alliance. "Our regional economic leaders in the SET area are committed to following through on these important initiatives."
A 10-person regional core team led the initiatives, including Steve Peterson of the Monroe County Economic Development Corp. and Terry Whipple of the Juneau County Economic Development Corp. Chris Hardie as the former executive director of the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, Matthew Kures and Gary Kirking of UW-Extension, Jennifer Kuderer of Wisconsin Economic Development Corp, and Carol Wetuski of USDA Rural Development.
Among the broadband initiatives are upgrades underway in various parts of the three counties, including the development of gigabyte speed industrial parks by LYNXX Lemonweir Valley Telecom in Camp Douglas, New Lisbon and Mauston.
A new bus route from La Crosse to Tomah commenced operations in October under the direction of the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, with discussions underway to expand the route to Cashton.
Various career exploration efforts are underway in the region, including the 7 Rivers Alliance Inspire program that connects employers and job coaches to high school students. The program recently launched in Jackson County with plans to expand throughout the region.
Various manufacturer tours were organized last fall by the Upper Mississippi Manufacturing Alliance and the Juneau County Economic Development Corp. Monroe County has launched a job initiative group to help improve the workforce pool in the county.
There are several childcare initiatives underway in the region in Jackson and Vernon counties. Juneau County recently conducted a housing study.
Hardie said the SET group is reporting its progress so far to the more than 100 regional stakeholders who helped to put together the plan through a series of public meetings. Additional work will continue throughout 2018.
7 Rivers Inspire Program
The 7 Rivers Alliance is pleased to announce that 51 employers have signed up to become community partners and 40 individuals registered as coaches for the Inspire Program! The Inspire portal is now "live" and is a part of the School District's Career Cruising career exploration platform.
The 7 Rivers Alliance is extremely thankful for the cooperation received from Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, the Black River School District, Western Technical College and the 7 Rivers employer community. When all the stakeholders are satisfied that the model is meeting initial expectations they will start to roll out the project throughout the remaining 16 districts in our region.
Please continue to encourage your friends and fellow employers, especially those in the Jackson County and surrounding communities, to sign up to help area students achieve their career exploration goals. The process is simple and takes minutes to complete. For more information visit http://www.7riversalliance.org
or
call 608-787-8777.
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WisConnect
Are you looking to increase your skilled talent pipeline?
An internship program is a fantastic way to begin that process. We want to introduce you to WisConnect - Your Source for Wisconsin Internships.
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Create a profile/marketing page for their business
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Post their internships for free
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Search for interns
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Access resources on creating or improving an internship program
Use WisConnect to develop a robust internship program and recruit interns to enhance your skilled talent pipeline.
Create a free WisConnect account to start your search for interns today. Once registered, you can build your employer profile to showcase and attract interns, post internships and search for qualified interns who meet your talent needs.
College students are joining WisConnect regularly.
Visit the site frequently to make new talent connections.
Note: If you have a JobCenterofWisconsin.com or Unemployment Insurance login, you can use your existing Username and Password when signing in on WisConnect.
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Miller's Antiques & Auction Company
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Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
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Gross Motors of Black River Falls
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Western Technical College
Western Technical College is offering a Critical Core Employee Skills Training Series at the Black River Falls Campus April 25th through May 30th. Training will be Wednesdays from 9:00 am until Noon. Topics include how to apply problem solving tools and strategies, adapting to change, effective listening and collaboration skills and much more! Space is limited. Register using promo code BRFCHAMBER to get $45 off your registration fee! For more information please call 608-785-9232 or email [email protected].
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Upcoming Events
If you have events or activities at your business or organization, please let us know and we'll add them to our calendar. To view the calendar of events, click
here:
2018 Business after 5 Calendar
March: No Business After 5 - our Annual Banquet will take place in March.
April 11: Black River Memorial Hospital
May 9: Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
June 13:
Theisen's Home-Farm-Auto
July: No Business After 5 in July
August 1: Jackson County Fair (Please note this will be the FIRST Wednesday of August)
September 12:
October 10: Brambleberry Winery
November 14:
Comfort Inn & Suites
December 5: Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
We have multiple openings for Business After 5 in 2019. Give us a call today to reserve your spot.
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2018 Chamber Board of Directors
President Robert Crampes, Land O'Lakes
Vice President Dave Meyer, WWIS Radio
Treasurer Sue Miller, Co-op Credit Union
Secretary Justin Dougherty, Dynamic Audio & Video LLC
Board Members C
harles Betthauser, Sherman Law
Karman Briggs, Western Dairyland
Brad Chown, City of Black River Falls
Candy Christianson, D&S Manufacturing
Kristin Franks, Edward Jones
Grady Gutknecht, Jackson County Board Rep
Tris Harris, Ho-Chunk Gaming-Black River Falls
Scott Johnson, Aptiv
Tamra Soto, Comfort Inn & Suites
Matt Streeter, Black River Memorial Hospital
Carrie Timp, Revolution BRF
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