Formed in 1993, the St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is a private non-profit organization which operates exclusively for the economic development of St. Croix County, Wisconsin and the respective cities, villages, and towns therein. SCEDC actively promotes and solicits the location of industry and business to St. Croix County. At the same time, the organization works to foster the expansion of existing companies and the successful start-up of newly formed ones. To achieve the foregoing, SCEDC relies on three primary sources of revenues - an annual grant from St. Croix County, annual grants from respective cities, villages, and towns in St. Croix, and membership fees from private sector partners such as banks, utility companies, contractors, and various manufacturing concerns located throughout the area. This combination of funding sources results in a successful collaboration of public and private sector partners for the SCEDC.
Annual expenditures are attributable to numerous initiatives relating to promotion, prospect development, retention, fund raising, or general management activities.
Because of its non-profit designation, SCEDC is an organization exempt from federal income tax purposes under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Up to nineteen individuals from all areas of St. Croix County serve on the corporation's board. SCEDC retains a full-time executive director as well as a part-time administrative assistant. The board meets monthly to conduct regular business and at the annual meeting in May, a new slate of officers and directors are elected.
The Business of the Year Awards Program recognizes outstanding businesses in St. Croix County.
The 2009 Business of the Year award winners are: NCCM Company (River Falls) as
Emerging Business of the Year;
Baldwin Telecom, Inc. (Baldwin) as
Small Business of the Year; and
Scientific Molding Corporation Ltd. (Somerset) as
2009 Business of the Year.
Additionally Ken Heiser, a Hudson banker, was named the inaugural recipient of St. Croix EDC’s Directors Award.
The annual Business of the Year Banquet was held on February 25, 2010 at the University Center Ballroom on the
University of Wisconsin River Falls Campus. Stand up comedian C. Willi Myles entertain guest after the awards presentation.
Award Winners: 2009 Business of the Year
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2009 Business of the Year winners (l to r) Brent Niccum, NCCM Company; Chetan Patel, SMC Ltd.; Larry Knegendorf, Baldwin Telecom, Inc.; and Director’s Award winner Ken Heiser, Associated Bank
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Site Visit Program - survey of random businesses to ascertain expansion plans and to identify and address issues that are barriers to successful business advancement.
Preparation and distribution of a bimonthly newsletter to county businesses and civic and opinion leaders;
In collaboration with Pierce County, distribution of a monthly Business Facts to the 2-county businesses and civic and opinion leaders;
Maintaining an inventory of available space for industrial, commercial, and office users;
Marketing St. Croix County to selective manufacturing firms to encourage them to relocate in the St. Croix area;
Removing barriers to economic growth in St. Croix County and enhancing community capability to foster growth;
Maintaining readiness to initiate and respond to industrial expansion and location opportunities;
Labor survey and employee skills assessment;
Identify important legislative issues and bring them to the attention of state and federal officials;
Partner with other organizations to enhance St. Croix County, such as: Forward Wisconsin, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, Governor’s Business Council, Small Business Development Center, WBD Finance, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, North West Manufacturing Outreach Center, I-94 Biz Network, St. Croix Valley Legislative Days, West Central WI Rail Coalition, Workforce Resource, St Croix Valley Employers Association, UW-Extension Office, SciTAC, St. Croix Valley Angel Network, Local Chamber of Commences, Local EDCs, UW-River Falls, WITC, CVTC, and more;
One-stop source for business assistance.
