Business - Pierce County Journal

The St. Croix Valley Innovation Center is located at 1091 Sutherland Ave. in River Falls.

St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center receives $2.2 million grant for expansion

RIVER FALLS – The City of River Falls and the River Falls Economic Development Corporation (RFEDC) have been awarded a grant of $2.2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic … more

9/30/26

New data shows St. Croix County businesses are resilient, optimistic while dealing with higher costs

As companies continue to face economic uncertainty, St. Croix County businesses are more economically optimistic and more likely to be hiring than other businesses across Wisconsin and the broader … more

9/24/26

Purina Hager City invites pet owners to help support domestic abuse survivors and their pets through the Purple Leash Project

HAGER CITY — Purina Hager City is inviting pet owners in and around Hager City to help support domestic abuse survivors and their pets through the Purple Leash Project. From Sept. 1 through Nov. … more

9/24/26

Pat Ptacek, owner of Ptacek's Family Market.

Ptacek's Family Market owner Pat Ptacek to speak at UW-River Falls Sept. 22

RIVER FALLS – The University Business Collaboration Center (UBCC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will host the first guest speaker in the 2026-2027 … more

9/16/26

Crossing Meadows residents (from left) Raymond Ronningen, Heather Duncan, Joyce Ronningen, Gaylen Bicking, Roxann Shoemaker and Melba Smith welcomed the new Ellsworth Kwik Trip to their neighborhood with a banner at the grand opening Thursday, Sept. 3.

GALLERY: Kwik Trip opens in Ellsworth!

The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new Kwik Trip, located at 558 W. Lucas Lane, with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Sept. 3. Speakers included CEO Scott Zietlow, State Sen. Rob Stafsholt, … more

9/9/26

Tae (Danielle Nyhus) and Danu (Edria Nyhus) are two fairies who specialize in bubble entertainment and face painting. The pair loves to bring magic wherever they go.

Find magic with The Wandering Wings

SPRING VALLEY – You’re never too old for a bit of magic. At least, that’s what Danu the Bubble Fairy and Tae the Berry Fairy of The Wandering Wings team thinks. The mother-daughter duo are … more

9/2/26

Briss Boutique is located at 107 N. Main St. Suite A in downtown River Falls.

Briss Boutique brings style to Main Street

RIVER FALLS – You don’t have to drive to the Cities to experience a unique boutique with quality clothing. Briss Boutique, owned and operated by Katie Brisson, is located at 107 N. Main St. Suite … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/2/26

WEDC Secretary and CEO John Miller (left) learns about plans for a new Plant Science Discovery Center during a visit to the UW-River Falls campus on Tuesday. Funding for the project was recently approved by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget. Also pictured l-r: Kurt Vogel, professor of animal welfare and behavior and director of the Humane Handling Institute; Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth and Brandt Berghuis, associate professor of crop science.

WEDC Secretary and CEO John W. Miller visits UW-River Falls

RIVER FALLS — Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO John W. Miller visited the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Tuesday, where he had an opportunity to learn about … more

9/2/26

Contested case petitioners and Midwest Environmental Advocate representative together after filing their challenge to the DNR permit for proposed Ridge Breeze expansion.

Judge sides with Pierce Co. residents in major victory in Ridge Breeze challenge

PIERCE COUNTY — Pierce County residents have won a major victory in their three-year fight to protect their water, homes, and farming communities from the consequences of Ridge Breeze Dairy’s … more

8/26/26

(From left): River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau employees Rillie Bartz, marketing & tourism manager, CEO Rosa Magnus and Collin Geraghty, event & member engagement manager.

River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau celebrates WI Chamber of Commerce Month

RIVER FALLS — Following an official statewide proclamation by Gov. Tony Evers recognizing September as Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism … more

8/26/26

Casey & Kayla Waltz and their two children will take ownership of Red Wing Ace Hardware at the end of September. They also own Waltz Ace Hardware in Ellsworth.

Waltz family to purchase Red Wing Ace Hardware

RED WING, Minn. — Casey and Kayla Waltz are honored to announce the purchase of Red Wing Ace Hardware, continuing a proud tradition of locally owned, community-focused service that began more than … more

8/19/26

Dr. Christopher Tashjian receives Live Better Community Service Award.

PPCS announces Live Better® Community Service Award winner

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce that Dr. Christopher Tashjian of River Falls has been named the recipient of the Live Better® Community Service Award. … more

8/19/26

Topher’s Brick Emporium, a business that offers all things LEGO, is coming to the Pierce County Fair in 2026.

LEGO stand to host television star builder

Corn dogs, carousels and LEGO? A new staple has arrived at the Pierce County Fair, Topher’s Brick Emporium, a one-stop shop for new, used, retired and popular LEGO sets. “A lot of the sets … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/26

Charity Lubich, PPCS VP Member Relations & Human Resources (left), and SwiftCurrent Connect Customer Relations Representative Donna Taranto (right), present Janice Ottman, Margy Balwierz, Kendall Vingva and Sophie Koch (left to right) of Staying Put Inc. with a $1,000 check to support their transportation necessities in Spring Valley and Elmwood areas.

Pierce Pepin Cares Awards $4,300 in Third-Quarter Community Grants

ELLSWORTH — Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Pierce Pepin Cares grants for the third quarter of 2026, awarding a total of $4,300 to four local … more

8/5/26

The Journal is a smaller tabloid size due to a change in printing plants, with more pages, but the same amount of content.

Honey, they shrunk the Pierce County Journal!

As you’ve already noticed, your local newspaper is a little smaller and more pages. Our previous printing partner closed as of July 31. Our new printing partner strongly encouraged us to … more

By John McLoone | 8/5/26

RF doing ‘due diligence’ on purchase of St. Croix Gas

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council gave staff the go ahead to do due diligence on the purchase of St. Croix Gas during the July 28 meeting. Utility Director Kevin Westhuis presented to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/5/26

The Geving-Keehr family operated Geving & Keehr Furniture and Funeral Service in Spring Valley for decades.

O’Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services acquires Keehr Funeral Home

SPRING VALLEY – On July 15, one of Spring Valley's longest-standing family businesses began a new chapter as Keehr Funeral Home became part of O'Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation … more

8/5/26

Robert “Bob” Loberg is celebrating 50 years in law and Loberg Law Office recently opened a new building in Crossing Meadows in Ellsworth.

Loberg’s 50 years in law have gone by in a flash

ELLSWORTH — Robert “Bob” Loberg of Loberg Law Office may not be born and raised in Ellsworth, but after spending his entire career in law in the village, he has become a cornerstone of the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/5/26

Representatives from volunteer groups who worked at Cheese Curd Festival received their checks July 23 at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce members’ luncheon.

Cheese Curd Fest gives more than $16,000 to volunteers

ELLSWORTH – To say Cheese Curd Festival takes a village is an understatement. Cheese Curd Festival, held the last weekend in June, wouldn’t be possible without the many volunteers who make … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/29/26

St. Croix EDC announces WEDC-Funded Small Business Development Grant recipients

ST. CROIX COUNTY — St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is pleased to announce the second round of recipients of its Small Business Development Grant (SBDG), a program designed to … more

7/29/26