GrowthArea ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

www.eauclaire-wi.com

SPRING 2012

INSIDE: Economic Development Strategy...2 ● Contracts and Projects...2 ● Banbury Place...3 ● The Idea Challenge...3

EAU CLAIRE AREA

VerveThe Spirit of Small Business

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SELECTIVE COUNTERTOPSWhen designing a kitchen or workspace, a key focal point of the design is the countertop. But must a person surrender the beauty of a countertop to its functionality? One local company believes that a custom-designed countertop can be both attractive and functional.

Selective Countertops, LLC provides custom-designedcountertops for commercial and residential customers in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.

Starting operations in 2007, Selective Countertops has called the Chippewa Valley Innovation Center (CVIC) its home since early 2008. The business has 11 employees, including the company’s founders Tim Heinbuch and Nate Olson.

Heinbuch and Olson became acquainted while working for another company. The pair decided to enter a business partnership and create Selective Countertops, LLC.

“When our former company closed, they wanted Tim and I to stay on board in different positions,” said Olson. “But this is something we really wanted to do. People would tell us daily that we were crazy for doing this in a struggling economy, but our

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BUSh BROThERS RECEIVES PARAgON AwARD

The EDC awarded Bush Brothers & Company the 2012 Paragon Economic Impact Award in early February. This marks the 11th year that the Paragon award has recognized contributions of local businesses to the regional economy.

The Paragon Award is given annually to a local business that demonstrates excellence and positive economic impact in the Eau Claire area and is selected through a nomination process held every December. The award is sponsored by RCU, which was the first recipient of the Paragon Award. Bush Brothers was nominated for the award by Lynn Thompson, CEO of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative.

Many people are familiar with Bush Brothers’ marketing of its secret family recipe, but few actually know that the recipe was developed at the Augusta, WI facility. Along with this contribution to consumers’ tables across the United States, the company has been making great contributions to the local economy. Bush Brothers has created 24 jobs during the past three years and invested millions of dollars into building projects and capital equipment. Along with investing in facilities and equipment, Bush Brothers is also committed to investing in its employees by providing training and continuing education.

Owner Tim Heinbuch applying end caps to countertops.

Bush Brothers & Company staff holding the Paragon Award Left to Right: Mark VanKampen, Nate Kuenkel, Nancy Haldeman, Joe Breid, Brian Strauch, Jean Finger

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E A U C L A I R E A R E A E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P O R A T I O N w w w . e a u c l a i r e - w i . c o m S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

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ThE DNR IS LOOkINg fOR YOUR INPUT!The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is conducting a comprehensive review of existing environmental rules affecting small business. The goal of the review is to help identify rules that may be out dated or hinder small business job creation and small business growth. The DNR will use the results to recommend rule changes that will comply with the intent of the statutes for which they were created. In some cases, the DNR may recommend modifications to the statutes themselves.The DNR invites area small businesses to share suggestions. Here is a true opportunity to provide direct input about specific rules affecting your business. You can submit information by going to the following web link http://dnr.wi.gov/business/rulesreview.html

SELECTIVE COUNTERTOPS (CONT.)thought was the opposite. We thought if we can make this work now, just think about the possibilities when the economy starts to recover, which we already see signs of.”

Selective Countertops products include a wide variety of laminate, solid surface, and cultured marble countertops, as well as a quartz-based countertop called Cambria. The company uses a CNC machine to cut countertops, which means that customers can have products customized to nearly any shape and size to fit their needs. The business can also provide installation for all of its products.

Selective Countertops hopes that its business will continue to grow, not only for laminate countertops but also its Cambria products and any other products it may choose to offer in the future.

“One of our main goals this year is to move into our own facility,” said Olson. “We are in the process decision-making of getting pricing right now. We are excited to see what this year brings!”

3 YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEgY INTRODUCEDIn January, the EDC board of directors adopted a three year economic development strategy. This document identifies specific measurements for the EDC to accomplish during 2012-2014 as well as provides a roadmap on how the organization will achieve these outcomes. The document was introduced to the area business community at the EDC Annual Luncheon in February. If you would like to receive a copy of this plan, please contact the EDC.

Implementation of this plan is already underway, with year-to-date progress on selected measurements displayed in the chart below. A new page on the EDC website is in development to communicate this information going forward.

In order to continue to expand the EDC’s organizational capacity to develop the local economy, the board and staff will be working to recruit new EDC investors over the coming months. This fall, current investors will be asked to consider increasing their investment in the organization.

Measurement Jan – March Goal – Year 1Idea Challenge Applications

23 100

Private Sector Investment

$51.3 Million $20 Million

Jobs Announced 26 333

715.834.0070

Plank Enterprises

In late January, Plank Enterprises announced it would be creating 22 new jobs at its facility on the north side of Eau Claire. The EDC assisted Plank Enterprises in both the state and City of Eau Claire application processes, helping to leverage public and private finding.

Super Vitamin D, LLC

Super Vitamin D, LLC is among the newest tenants in the NanoRite Innovation Center. The EDC helped Ted Schwarzrock, president and chief operating officer of Super Vitamin D, find a facility that allowed the company to continue testing its product without a lengthy delay in creating their own wet lab space.

Super Vitamin D has also been named as a Qualified New Business Ventures by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The EDC assisted the company with the application for this certification which makes its investors eligible for a 25% tax credit on the amount they invest. Super Vitamin D is developing a transdermal patch for Vitamin D.

Fiberstar Bio-ingredient Technologies, Inc.

Fiberstar Bio-ingredient Technologies, Inc has recently announced that it is locating its R&D lab at NanoRite Innovation Center. Brock Lundberg, out Chief Technology Officer of Fiberstar Bio, chose the location because it provides the equipment needed to move the company’s research forward, and offers a quality venue to bring customers and vendors. Fiberstar Bio creates product additives from natural plant materials. The company’s corporate offices are located in River Falls, WI.

Chippewa Valley Innovation Center

The EDC has signed a contract with the Chippewa Valley Innovation Center (CVIC) to provide a variety of professional services. The EDC provides administration of CVIC’s operations and finances, coordinates the leasing of its space, maintains relationships with its current and prospective tenants, and is developing a marketing plan that aims to optimize use of the CVIC facility.

CONTRACTS AND PROjECT UPDATES

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IDEA ChALLENgE fINALIST wINS BIg AT SXSw CONfERENCE2011 Idea Challenge finalist Jeremiah Isaacson was a grand prize winner in the “Big App on Campus” contest sponsored by Windows Phone at the South by Southwest Conference in Austin, TX held in March.

Isaacson, UW-Eau Claire student, won $1,500 in The Idea Challenge last year for his PictureMe Universe mobile app, which he will continue to develop in the coming months. Isaacson is currently working with the EDC to develop a launch strategy for PictureMe Universe.

At the SXSW conference, Isaacson took home $15,000 for his Ninja Fruit app for Windows Phone, competing against students from 19 other schools. Entries were judged on how the app took advantage of Windows Phone features, how unique and innovative the app was, and whether or not people would likely download the app. Two students received $15,000 grand prizes and the two apps with the most “likes” on Facebook received $2,500 as a People’s Choice award.

Ninja Fruit is a game from the perspective of Green Lime, a fruit seeking revenge on human ninjas who have been slicing up his fellow fruits. In the game, the user slices flying ninjas and uses throwing stars to hit targets.

You can download the free Ninja Fruit mobile app for yourself here: www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps

ThE IDEA ChALLENgE hIghLIghT VIDEOThis video highlights commentary from the 2011 The Idea Challenge competition finalists and judges.

wELCOME TO OUR NEw INVESTOR • L.E. Phillips Career Development Center

715.834.0070

BUSh BROThERS (CONT.)

The EDC is kicking off a campaign to market Banbury Place as the ideal location for digital data storage. The mailer will be sent via direct mail to key companies and site selectors across the nation.

The campaign highlights Banbury Place’s ability to use the Wisconsin Independent Network’s existing state-of-the-art data center with local IT support. Additionally, the mailer features Banbury Place’s Building 17, a former warehouse well-suited for a container data center. The campaign mailer also highlights a variety of business and personal benefits for locating in Eau Claire.

If you are interested in more information this campaign, call the EDC at 715.834.0070.

At the award ceremony, Bush Brothers announced plans for a $60 million investment into the expansion and equipment of its Augusta facility. The EDC played an integral role in filling out applications for state assistance with the project. Governor Scott Walker has also announced the company is eligible for up to $1.5 million in Economic Development Tax Credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to assist the company’s expansion.

“For 50 years the Augusta plant has supported the Bush Brothers brand by producing high quality products every day,” said Joe Breid, Director of Operations of the Augusta facility. “We are appreciative of the recognition and support provided to us by the EDC, the Augusta community and the Eau Claire County area.”

More information about the Paragon Award is available on the EDC website, www.eauclaire-wi.com.

Scan with your smart phone to visit the site. http:/goo.gl/RVMzn

BANBURY PLACE DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIgN

IDEATHE

CHALLENGEThink: New, Different, Better

GOT A NEW PRODUCT IDEA?

wE CaN hElP TakE IT To maRkET!www.theideachallenge.com

Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation101 N. Farwell Street, Suite 101P.O.Box 1108Eau Claire, WI 54702ec.info@eauclaire-wi.comwww.eauclaire-wi.com715.834.0070

Brian Doudna, Executive DirectorGwen Southard, Business Development DirectorAngela Niska, Marketing ManagerPam Haller, Project ManagerTarissa Moss, Graphic Design InternNick Hogan, Marketing Intern

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