CF business plans expansion into business park

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A business in downtown Chippewa Falls is preparing to move into a new manufacturing facility in the Lake Wissota Business Park, as the local company continues to see growth.

The Chippewa Falls City Council approved a rezoning request Tuesday for property in the business park along County Highway I. The land adjacent to the highway had been zoned for commercial use, but was rezoned for light industrial use.

“There was no conflict with that,” said Mayor Greg Hoffman. “That’s what that land is there for, to put up buildings.”

The Council also discussed a developer’s agreement with the company during closed session.

Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation executive director, said that when the business park was established, the goal was some small commercial businesses would open there along the north side of the highway.

“With the closure of HSHS (hospital), the traffic count out there has dropped,” Walker said. “It’s just best (for the land) to be put into lots that aren’t for commercial use.”

The name of the company has not been released yet; it is referred to as “Chippewa County Project Edge” in closed session minutes.

“It’s an exciting project,” Hoffman said. “It’s a good company and they are looking to expand. There could be additional jobs.”

Hoffman said the company is acquiring a 3.5-acre parcel.

“We’re hoping to get it wrapped up in the next month or so,” Hoffman said. “We have an understanding.”

Walker said they have been working with the company for about a year to get them into their new location.

“They’ve been around a while, and they are growing fast,” Walker said. “Lake Wissota Business Pak is a perfect opportunity for a business to expand; it’s why it was established, to help existing businesses.”

Hoffman agreed that it’s great to see the project nearly complete, and another spot filled in the business park.

“We’re fortunate we are able to keep growing and developing it,” Hoffman said.

The 200-acre Lake Wissota Business Park was set up by the County Board in March 2000. The county then borrowed $1 million from the State Trust Fund to develop the park and paid off that debt in 2005. The City of Chippewa Falls built a number of roads through the industrial area. Businesses located there include Chippewa River Industries, General Beer Northwest distributing company. the Mills Fleet Farm distribution center, Star Blends animal feed processing plant, Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries, Mason Cos., and VES, which designs ventilation systems for barns and agricultural buildings. There are fewer than 50 acres left in the park for development.

Other project discussedThe Chippewa Falls City Council also discussed “Chippewa County Project Northern Lights” for a potential development in the TID district 7, which is near the NorthRidge Center (Chippewa Mall) and the Dominos. That discussion also took place during the closed session.

Hoffman couldn’t comment Wednesday on how that project is going.