The CCEDC, as part of their “Moving Forward” Strategic Planning Session program, sponsored a branding workshop at the CCEDC offices on December 15th, 2009. The plan and resulting initiatives were coordinated by the Voltedge, a consultant company from Madison Wisconsin, through a contract by CCEDC and Momentum West to present information and facilitate a branding discussion.

            The presentation included an overview of branding and brand development examples. Participants include a wide array of entities, including area Chambers of Commerce, Concerned Citizens Chippewa, CVTC, and local government officials throughout Chippewa County. Everyone worked on activities that helped to identify the county’s market strengths. The event concluded with a discussion of “next steps”

            The CCEDC together with the Voltedge Group kicked the session off by as part of an effort to strengthen the economic development of Chippewa County and utilizing the event to update the CCEDC Five Year Economic Development Strategic Plan. This county-wide plan facilitated by the CCEDC in 2007 in conjunction with local governments, businesses and organizations, details future economic development opportunities for our area and is the cornerstone of the CCEDC work plan.

            Janet Ady, “President of Voltedge, noted support of the meetings collaborative nature. “I was truly delighted to see the involvement of so many talented individuals from the Chippewa County who gave input in the meeting,” she said. “it shows well for CEDC that so many community members would attend  the meeting when the weather is below the twenty degree mark.”

            “The strategies outlined in the plan allow us to capitalize on our assets to diversify the economy and position Chippewa County as a leader in economic development. To do that we will need constantly review and update it because the local economy is always changing and we need to make sure our plan of work is in line with the growing trends.” Stated Neil Mathwig, Chairman of the CCEDC.