Business - Pierce County Journal

Rosa Magnus is ready to hit it out of the park as the new River Falls Chamber CEO.

New Chamber CEO using fundamentals in business & batting

The River Falls Chamber of Commerce had the official ribbon cutting for the brand-new River Falls' business, D-BAT, this past week. Whether it was extra focus of the cameras, the over-sized scissors, … more

By Greg Peters | 4/22/25

Waystone Coffee Co. on Walnut Street in River Falls is one of the businesses involved in Seasonal Spotlight, pairing with Oxheart Farm for fresh spinach and yogurt.

Seasonal Spotlights pairs local restaurants, farms to offer seasonal dishes

Earth Fest 2025 may be a one-day event, but the goal is for the impact of the day to last significantly longer. One way is through the Seasonal Spotlight initiative, pairing local food service stops … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/22/25

New River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau CEO Rosa Magnus introduced herself, thanking the gathering at the State of the Chamber breakfast, sponsored by the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, April 10 at Westwind Supper Club.

River Falls Chamber celebrates community, vision at ‘State of the Chamber’ breakfast

The River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual State of the Chamber breakfast on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the West Wind Supper Club, bringing together local business leaders, … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 4/17/25

Community members spoke for about an hour April 8 about the proposed Isabelle Creek Solar Project in Hartland.

Residents push for sunset on Isabelle Creek Solar Project

TOWN OF HARTLAND — About 100 area residents had the Hartland Town Hall bursting at the seams to oppose the proposed Isabelle Creek Solar Project during the April 8 monthly town meeting. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/16/25

D-BAT has 180 franchised locations across the U.S. Prescott-native Nate Kochendorfer opened his D-BAT just over two weeks ago in River Falls.

D-BAT now open for business

RIVER FALLS – Prescott natives Nate and Jes Kochendorfer packed up their things and moved their family south to Lincoln, Neb., for Nate's job in 2017. Nate is in the oil and gas refining … more

By Greg Peters | 4/16/25

The West Wind Supper Club is this year’s River Falls Rotary Club Burger Battle, with the West Wind Double Royale.

West Wind crowned Burger Battle champion

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Rotary Club recently crowned the winner of its annual Burger Battle competition. Congratulations to the West Wind Supper Club for taking home the win with their … more

4/9/25

Wood’s Maple Orchard in Elmwood is a multi-generation syrup family. Steve Wood (left), Courtney and Jake Wood (middle) and Jason Wood (right).

Wood’s Maple Orchard keeps family tradition alive with maple sugar, syrup production

ELMWOOD — Wood’s Maple Orchard is operated by a multi-generation syrup family, and they have worked hard to become an award-winning producer when it comes to both maple syrup and maple … more

By Andrew Harrington | 4/9/25

The NCAA DIII Women's National Hockey Tournament in River Falls this past weekend had an approximate local economic impact of $300,000.

Frozen Four brings fever pitch to local businesses

RIVER FALLS – After winning his second national title in as many years, UW-River Falls Head Women's Hockey Coach Joe Cranston said senior forward Bailey Olson is the hardest working player he's … more

By Greg Peters | 4/2/25

Kenneth Olson became the 4000th customer connected to high-speed fiber-optic internet service through SwiftCurrent Connect on Monday, March 17.

SwiftCurrent Connect reaches 4,000th fiber broadband connection

ELLSWORTH – SwiftCurrent Connect, a leader in delivering high-speed fiber broadband, proudly announces the completion of its 4,000th fiber broadband connection, marking a significant … more

3/27/25

Steve Pfeiffer is the new Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of First National Bank of River Falls.

First National Bank of RF announces new Senior VP-CFO

RIVER FALLS – First National Bank of River Falls (FNBRF) is pleased to announce Steve Pfeiffer as its new Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Pfeiffer joined FNBRF on February … more

3/19/25

ALCIVIA cut its ribbon at the Hager City rail loading terminal March 12, opening its doors to area farmers to tour and learn about the facility.

Grain to train: ALCIVIA opens new grain terminal

HAGER CITY — ALCIVIA’s long-awaited 40-acre grain rail loading terminal with 3.9 million bushels of storage space was unveiled to the area’s farmers March 12, showcasing an … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/19/25

my Radunz, Ellsworth, was elected to NCBA’s Region III Federation of State Beef Council’s Vice President position.

Ellsworth beef producer named VP of Federation of State Beef Councils

The 2025 Cattle Industry Convention was recently held in San Antonio, Texas, and a number of Wisconsin cattle farmers attended to participate in Beef Checkoff programs and meetings. Checkoff … more

3/19/25

Ridge Breeze public financing up in the air after backlash

Ridge Breeze’s application for $18 million in public financing through the Public Finance Authority is up in the air following public backlash and questions about what the money would be used … more

3/19/25

St. Croix EDC announces the Scale-Up Challenge

ST. CROIX COUNTY – The St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC), in partnership with the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center and the UW-River Falls Small Business Development … more

3/13/25

PPCS staff Becky Bradburn (left) and Barb Bee (right) presented Neil Kline of the Family Resource Center of St. Croix Valley with a $1,000 check to support their Special Events and Play & Learn series.

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services awards first quarter grants

ELLSWORTH –Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) recently awarded first-quarter grants to local non-profits. The Pierce Pepin Cares board approved $2,000 through the Federated Youth … more

3/13/25

Through our Panther Pride Pumps initiative, 3¢ from every gallon purchased at the Consumers Cooperative/Cenex store in Ellsworth will be donated to support the school district.

Consumers Cooperative fuel pump program to support Ellsworth schools

ELLSWORTH – Consumers Cooperative Oil Company (Consumers Cooperative) is excited to announce a new partnership with the Ellsworth Community School District, reinforcing its commitment to … more

3/13/25

The Pierce County Journal received first place for its government reporting at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest.

PCJ honored at Wisconsin Newspaper Association banquet

MADISON – The Wisconsin Newspaper Association honored the work of newspapers across the state during its 2024 Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet on Friday, March 7, 2025 at The … more

3/12/25

Midwest author to speak on effects of ‘factory farms’

BAY CITY – At 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) members and other locals are speaking with Minnesota author and farmer’s daughter Sonja Trom … more

3/12/25

Artist Randi Hoyt created a mural at The Garage Bikes + Brews honoring Liv Cycling founder Bonnie Tu, in honor of Women’s History Month.

RF businesses showcase Women’s History Month

RIVER FALLS – If there is one thing River Falls is known for, besides the Kinnickinnic River, it’s a supportive and welcoming business community. This month, local businesses in the City … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/12/25

Riders stop at the Nauti Hawg in Hager City during a previous Flood Run.

Flood Run back for 60th year, moves to three-day event for historic ride

The Flood Run has become one of the most popular motorcycle riding events, spanning the Minnesota and Wisconsin border as far north as Hudson and south as Winona. The route has been renowned for its … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/12/25