Chamber Newsletter - August 2018
Volume 23 - Issue 8
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Chamber Chat with Amanda
Gemütlichkeit!
The spirit of friendliness and good cheer is just around the corner as the 12th annual Black River Area Oktoberfest takes place Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018.
This festival has continued to grow and is one of the of the area’s most popular fall celebrations. The festival will take place inside the Animal Arena at the Jackson County Fair Park again this year. This gives us a weatherproof spot for craft vendors, food and entertainment.
Scheduled events include a car show – which is getting bigger every year, children’s games and inflatables, medieval knight demonstrations and, of course, plenty of music, food and fun.
We made some big changes in the past few years with this festival, which continues to draw larger crowds and an overwhelmingly positive response. We invite your business to help us continue to make Oktoberfest a bigger and better family event that is absolutely free to attend. Sponsorship forms were mailed out earlier this month. You can also
CLICK HERE to view the various sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsors will get prominent mention in Oktoberfest posters circulated prior to the event and also during the event. Sponsors will also be listed on the website. Volunteers are also welcome.
While we have suggested sponsorship levels, any contributions are appreciated. Help us spread the spirit of friendliness and good cheer as we work hard to make this a large community and regional event.
Sponsors so far include Sand Creek Brewing, Black River Falls Downtown Association, Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, Gross Motors of Black River Falls, Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls, Miller’s Antiques & Auction Company, Scholze Ace Home Center, Co-op Credit Union, Community Dental, Riverside Auto Sales, Norgaard Agency, Black River Chiropractic Clinic, Hoffman Construction Company, Leon Country Floors & More, Toybox Rides, Black River Memorial Hospital, D&S Manufacturing, Jackson County Bank, Rotary Club of Black River Falls and ITBEC Southwest.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, please return the sponsorship form to our office no later than Friday, September 21
st
.
If you have any questions, contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 715-284-4658, toll free 800-404-4008 or email
chamber@blackrivercountry.net
.
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
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The 2018 Black River Area Menu Guides are now available! If you would like some for your business or lodging facility, stop in our office and pick them up or give us a call and we can deliver them to you!
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Calling all photographers! We need new photos for the 2019 Black River Country Visitor's Guide and for our website. We are looking for all types of photos - scenery, wildlife, ATVing, snowmobiling, skiing, paddling, fishing, etc.
We will pick one photo to be used as the main cover shot for the 2019 Visitor's Guide. The person who submits the winning photo will receive $50 in Chamber Bucks and will receive photo credit in the guide. Any photos used on our website or inside the guide will also be given photo credit. Please submit photos no later than August 31st to:
chamber@blackrivercountry.net.
Photos MUST be sent in high resolution. Contact us with any questions. This year's cover shot was taken by Heidi Tubbs.
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Events 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 and we will gladly pick them up at your business!
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Photo courtesy of JoDee Brooke/Banner Journal
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) celebrated Aptiv’s grand re-opening with a Ribbon Cutting August 9. Located off Red Iron Road, Aptiv’s mission is to provide a spectrum of innovative support for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live more independent lives. Pictured from left, Chamber Director Amanda Gunn, Chamber Ambassador Wendy Trautsch, BRF Administrator Brad Chown, Aptiv Employment Specialist and Chamber Board Member Scott Johnson, Aptiv President/CEO Mary Kessens, Aptiv participant, Chamber Ambassador Michelle Kapfer, Aptiv Development Director Andy Parish, Aptiv Service Leader Bethany McAlister, Aptiv staff Meredith Jensen and (front) Aptiv participant.
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First Fruits Common Market
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Photo courtesy of Lori Jayne Carlson/Banner Journal
A ribbon cutting was held August 10 at First Fruits Common Market. Owners Michelle and Brandon Harvieux (center) had the honor of cutting the ribbon with family members, employees and Chamber representatives in attendance. First Fruits Common Market is located at 25 South 1st Street in Downtown Black River Falls. They carry everything from local produce and natural, fresh and organic products and bulk items to fresh mini donuts, gourmet popcorn and daily lunch wraps.
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Lori's Hair Salon & Special EFX Spa
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Photo courtesy of JoDee Brooke/Banner Journal
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest member - Lori’s Hair Salon and Special EFX Spa with a ribbon cutting August 17. Owners Lori Elmore (center, r) and Krissi Pralle (center, l) opened their partnership in the former depot building on Roosevelt Road in Black River Falls. Pictured with the new business owners are Chamber Director Amanda Gunn (far right) and Chamber office manager Kathy Kopp. Elmore and Pralle opened their doors to customers in July.
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BJ's Airport Bar and Grill
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Photo courtesy of Lori Jayne Carlson/Banner Journal
The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony August 18 at BJ's Airport Bar and Grill during their grand opening celebration.
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DOJ Awards District School Safety Grant
District schools will be undergoing safety upgrades after an $83,368 award from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) School Safety Grant program.
Attorney General Brad Schimel announced 81 schools and school districts will receive $4,771,686 from the first round of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) School Safety Grant program.
“We have no greater responsibility than providing safe school environments, free from violence,” said Attorney General Schimel.
Local upgrades will begin as soon as possible, some before school begins.
The School District of Black River Falls was awarded a grant in the amount of $83,368.
"We will be installing additional cameras to provide more complete video coverage within and around our buildings. These additional funds will strengthen our partnerships with the Black River Falls City Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department by allowing for instant notification should a situation arise. The enhancements to our PA systems within the buildings, paired with our safety plans, will be an excellent communication tool to assist everyone should an incident happen," said Shelly Severson, superintendent.
The grant allows the district to continue work that began after a successful November 2014 referendum. At that time, all schools upgraded to secure entrances.
We are lucky to have the supportive community agencies that we do. The safety of our students is paramount to everything else that we do!" said Severson.
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Pictured at the award ceremony from left, BRFSD Director of Business Services Jill Collins, Attorney General Brad Schimel and Representative Treig Pronschinske.
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BRMH Breaks Ground on a $14.3 Million Expansion
On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, Black River Memorial Hospital broke ground on an expansion that will include many needed changes. Several service areas will be improved with changes such as:
· Expansion of the Rehabilitation Department that will provide more room for occupational and physical therapy as well as room for occupational health.
· Pulmonary and Respiratory services will be moved to the first floor, near the entrance, for patient convenience.
· A new X-Ray system will be added to Diagnostic Imaging. This will provide better service to patients in the emergency department and allow better access for employers who need this service.
· The Surgical Services area will add a second procedure room and more pre-op and post-op rooms.
· On-call rooms and an updated conference room will be added for physicians.
· The Urgent Care area will be given a separate entrance in addition to more space for expansion of services to meet future needs of the community.
· There will be a complete renovation of the kitchen. This will be the first renovation the kitchen has experienced since 1968. The cafeteria will see an updated floor plan, expanded menu selections, and increased capacity for customers.
· The lobby registration area will be remodeled to improve patient privacy and the gift shop will also be renovated.
Ten years ago marked the last major renovation and much has changed in the healthcare industry since then. Mary Beth White-Jacobs, BRMH Chief Executive Officer stated, “Healthcare is delivered very differently than in the past. Procedures that used to require multiple nights in the hospital are now performed on an outpatient basis.” She added, “This project is a significant investment in the future of healthcare in our community.”
Chief Finance Officer, Matt Streeter, project manager for the expansion stated, “Patients want to get their care locally. With the growth of BRMH, we will be able to continue to provide the state-of-the-art, excellent care our community expects without increasing costs to the patient.” Streeter explained that the hospital is in a very stable financial condition and for the past 10 years has been saving money for future expansion. The entire cost of the project will be covered by this savings.
All hospital services will not be disrupted throughout the process. Construction is set to begin August 13 and will continue through spring 2020.
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BRMH leadership and the board of directors attended a ground-breaking ceremony celebrating a $14.3 million dollar hospital expansion. Shown left-right is the Senior Leader team, Dr. Esteban Miller, Melissa Bergerson, Matt Streeter, Holly Winn, Mary Beth White-Jacobs and board of directors including Kathy Potter, Shelly Severson, Elliott Garvin, Brad Chown, Dr. Nick Kitowski, Tim Kunes and Ellen Moldenhauer.
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Federation Co-op Unveils New Logo
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Customer appreciation events are always fun, but when you combine them with a brand new look for your company, it makes them even better.
That is what the folks at Federation Cooperative discovered when they unveiled their new logo at the Hixton location July 22. Federation Cooperative was established in 1929. There have been different logos in the past, but the new logo replaces one that was 30 years old. The logo launch by CEO Keith Holm set the stage for celebrating, as trucks featuring the new logo were driven in by Fred Meyer and Chase Wegman. Adding to the festiveness, all employees in attendance wore t-shirts with the new logo.
Over 300 people were on hand to enjoy food, carnival games, Bingo, meat raffles and 50/50 raffles.
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Rotary presents Service Above Self Honors
Since 1995, the Rotary Club of Black River Falls has presented individuals and organizations with the Service Above Self Award to honor their significant contributions to the Black River Falls area. Criteria used to select recipients include volunteer activities, financial donations toward community projects, economic development activities, assistance given to members of the community and more. Regardless of the type of contribution made, the candidate must have improved the quality of life for the residents of the Black River area. The candidates must also exhibit high ethical standards in the conduct of their vocation. Rotary has honored over five-dozen individuals and organizations from the area.
On August 13, Barb Pfaff received the Service Above Self Award for her work at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Her passion for animals is evident in the dedication shown in helping the hundreds of pets she cares for every year. In addition, Barb has worked tirelessly to raise funds for a new shelter that will replace the existing outdated facility.
The Black River Area Community Band received the Service Above Self Award for their twenty years of performing for the Jackson County area. Their commitment to music has benefitted many through performances at area festivals, parades, and other area celebrations. The band has provided scholarships to students and funds to help the Alma Center and Black River Falls middle and high schools bands.
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Barb Pfaff accepts her Service Above Self award from Charles Betthauser, past Rotary president.
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Lance Rohloff, director for the Black River Area Community Band accepts their award from Barb Brower, Rotary board member.
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BRF School District Looking to Increase Internship and Apprenticeship Opportunities
The School District of Black River Falls would like to increase internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students in our area. Career Coordinator Ryan Johnson can meet face-to-face with employers, help coordinate and support interns and apprentices in local businesses and assist with finding and developing training opportunities for student workers. If your business would be interested in having student interns/apprentices, contact Tom Chambers at 715-284-4324 ext 2001 or by email at Tom.Chambers@brf.org or Ryan Johnson at 715-284-4324 ext 6511 or by email at ryan.johnson@brf.org.
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Thank you to the Jackson County Fair Board for hosting the August Business After 5 event that took place on Wednesday, August 1. Guests were treated to delicious fair food that included Brenda's Frybread, FFA shakes and mini corn dogs. We had a great turnout and everyone had a wonderful time!
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Black River Memorial Hospital employees clockwise from left, Matt Streeter, Mary Beth White-Jacobs, Michele Koch, Barb Brower, Katie Schmidt and Amy Yaeger enjoyed Business After 5 at the Fair.
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Clockwise from left, Fair Board President Roger Castle, Bruce Hunter, Chamber Board Vice President Woody Meyer and Dean Taylor from Farm Urban Realty at Business After 5.
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Join us for our next Business After 5 event at JC Financial Partners' new office on Wednesday, September 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be a Ribbon Cutting at 5:15 p.m.
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7 Rivers Alliance Updates
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Inspire Program
The Inspire 7 Rivers initiative links education and industry to help students and job seekers achieve their goals and address communities' workforce development needs. The Inspire 7 Rivers platform is a safe way for students to connect with potential employers and career coaches. Inspire 7 Rivers is launched in school districts within Black River Falls, Holmen, Tomah, Hillsboro and Blair-Taylor, and over the next three years the program will expand to include school districts throughout the entire 7 Rivers Region.
The Inspire program is now up to 93 employers and 67 coaches that collaborate with over 1,000 active students.
Our determination to increase employers involved with the program has not slowed down. Our team continues to communicate about the benefits of the program to local organizations. If you or any employer is interested in learning more please email Jeff at
jeff@7riversalliance.org or click on the picture below.
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Internship and Apprenticeship Workshop - September 19 from 9:00 a.m. until Noon
The 7 Rivers Alliance, Cooperative Educational Service Agency #4 and Viterbo University are co-sponsoring a workshop focusing on internships and apprenticeships. This workshop will include presentations and panel discussions with local experts, employers and employees. The workshop will focus on the importance of internships and apprenticeships in today's labor markets. These critical experiences allow young adults to gain exposure in a variety of career paths that lead to skilled workers entering our workforce. Cost to attend is $25 ($30 after September 1) and lunch is included.
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Save the Date - State of the Region - November 14
State of the Region will be held on November 14th. Come see the presentation of our Executive Business survey of local leaders, keynote speakers and much more!
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Take the Executive Survey!
The 7 Rivers Alliance invites you to participate in this year's Executive Survey! The information collected in this survey will be analyzed and used to plan programs and services that help companies address challenges and barriers to growth. Essentially, this is an opportunity for you to tell the 7 Rivers Alliance how they can better serve you, your business, and the 7 Rivers Region as a whole.
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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation News
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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Launches Campaign to bring Alumni Back to Wisconsin
Wisconsin has some of the lowest unemployment numbers the state has seen in decades.
But despite those numbers, there is also a low numbers of workers in the workforce says the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
"We realized we needed to start attracting more workers to Wisconsin and the workforce shortage is real and it's what we hear as the number one concern from businesses across the state. So we really needed to be more aggressive and talking about Wisconsin's stories and the opportunities that are here," said WEDC Deputy Secretary and COO Tricia Braun.
The WEDC is launching a $6.8 million campaign, in part, to encourage alumni to stay in Wisconsin after school.
Carl Klemp is one of nine alumni telling their stories for the campaign.
Klemp lived in Virginia for a year after college before moving back to the area in 2012.
"I grew up in Caledonia, I pictured La Crosse as a big city, and then I went to a big city and realized that La Crosse is actually a better spot. It's a good mix of big and small. It's got enough amenities, it's got art, it's got all the things we enjoy to do, concerts, festivals," said Klemp.
Western Technical College is one of nine institutions across Wisconsin, including UW-Eau Claire, partnering with the campaign.
"We're doing our part as a college to help train that workforce, but we've trained so many that have chosen to cross the short border over to Minnesota. Maybe travel down to Iowa, maybe they thought Minneapolis was the right thing. And if we can connect with alumni and show them what their roots were and remind them how great it was where they grew up I think it's the perfect place," said Western Technical College President Roger Stanford.
The campaign will run through June 2019, and hopes to bring workers back to what Braun calls the best kept secret in the country.
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Made in Wisconsin
High-Quality Products from Hard-Working People
When something is produced in Wisconsin, it is a point of pride for those who had a hand in its creation. WEDC created a cost-free logo for businesses to use to proclaim their products' Wisconsin origin. The Made In Wisconsin logo can be adapted to reflect a company's production process.
Join the hundreds of companies who are already participating in the Made In Wisconsin program by filling out an application
here
!
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Something Special from
Wisconsin™
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Something Special from Wisconsin™ is a trademarked marketing program administered by the Division of Agricultural Development of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Founded in 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program has helped its members stand out above the rest. The program logo provides a quick and reliable way to identify genuine Wisconsin products and services at grocery stores, retail outlets, farmers' markets and restaurants throughout the state. Program members benefit from having a "Wisconsin" brand identity that consumers recognize as top quality and high value. Products showcasing the logo enjoy a strong competitive edge with consumers. Surveys indicate that over 70 percent of Wisconsin consumers are more likely to purchase a commodity made or grown in Wisconsin than one from outside the state.
Any business, no matter how big or how small, may participate. You can apply for approval to use the Something Special from Wisconsin™ logo if at least 50 percent of the value of your product or service is attributable to Wisconsin ingredients, production or processing activities.
Whether you market your products and services locally, regionally, nationally or internationally, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ logo brings recognition and credibility, building upon Wisconsin's reputation for providing the finest products and services available.
More information about the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program is available by emailing
datcpssfw@wi.gov.
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Find the talent your business needs! The second annual Coulee Region Job Fair will be held September 20, 2018 at the Omni Center in Onalaska. Register today for this premier hiring event, sponsored by the Workforce Development Board and partners.
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Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
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Miller's Antiques & Auction Company
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Gross Motors of Black River Falls
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2018 Business After 5 Calendar
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September 12: JC Financial Partners
October 10: Brambleberry Winery
November 7: Comfort Inn & Suites (
Please note this will be the FIRST Wednesday of November
)
December 5: Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
We have 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
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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
Charles 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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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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