Business - Pierce County Journal

First National Bank of River Falls President and CEO Jeff Johnson will take over as chairman of the board for the bank.

New chairman for First National Bank of RF Board, same community focus

RIVER FALLS — After about nine years as chairman of the First National Bank of River Falls Board, Sandy Smith Wurm officially retired. Bank President and CEO Jeff Johnson will take over in the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/3/25

Joe Hines (left) and Dean Hines (right) have worked for 102 combined years at the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery.

‘We’ve only been taught one thing’: Hines brothers combine for 102 years worked at creamery

ELLSWORTH — With 102 years of hard work under their belts at the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Joe Hines is now enjoying retirement and his brother Dean Hines is winding down his career. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/2/25

The intersection of Broadway and Wall streets in Ellsworth’s East End is home to many businesses, including Danny Dunn’s, Broz, Hair Traffic Control, Hines Insurance Agency and Snowball’s Bar.

East End Redevelopment planning process underway

ELLSWORTH — East End’s future has long been discussed by Ellsworth village representatives, business owners and community owners, but now, a plan for the area’s redevelopment has … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/2/25

UW-River Falls SBDC team receiving their award: (from left): Program Specialist Kim Benoy, SBDC Center Director Katherine Fossler, Business Consultant Maren Valentine and SBDC State Director Gina Ferraro.

SBDC at UW-River Falls receives statewide honor

RIVER FALLS – The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-River Falls along with center director, Katherine Fossler, have earned statewide recognition for innovation, high-impact … more

6/26/25

Marlee May Erlandson was full of life and energy, bringing smiles to everyone she met during her short yet impactful life.

Marlee’s Bake Shop grand opening set for June 27

Many people in Ellsworth and the surrounding area are familiar with the delicious and detailed cookies baked by Josie Erlandson of Frosted Haven. Her next adventure, Marlee’s Bake Shop, is set … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/26/25

The Clare family has worked hard to take JM Watkins to the next level, and they are thrilled to be seeing things through.

Watkins Meats excited for what’s to come after opening new facility

PLUM CITY – JM Watkins Meats has put the finishing touches on its exponentially larger new facility at the corner of Highway 10 and County Road CC. They opened their doors to the public June 16 … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/25/25

Sarah Jenkins has been a realtor in River Falls since 2017, the last four years with Property Executives Realty.

Home is where the microphone is

When you walk into realtor Sarah Jenkins' office on Second Street in River Falls, it does feel like home. Her renovated office looks like a brand-new home from the outside, but on the inside, that's … more

By Greg Peters | 6/18/25

River City Stitch reveals brand new addition

The Prescott Chamber of Commerce usually holds their monthly "Coffee and Chat" at Ptacek's IGA in Prescott. "It's a time to come and chat with members and have some donuts and coffee,” … more

By Greg Peters | 6/11/25

Kim Johnson (left) of Basics for Local Kids received a $1,000 check presented by Donna Taranto (right), PPCS member relations representative, to support their mission of providing winter clothing to children.

Pierce Pepin Cares announces 2nd Quarter grants

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce the recipients of the Pierce Pepin Cares grants for the second quarter of 2025. Pierce Pepin Cares is funded by PPCS … more

6/4/25

Ridge Breeze Dairy is a Pierce County-based dairy farm owned by Breeze Dairy Group of Appleton.

Ridge Breeze Dairy highlights economic, environmental benefits of modern farming

PIERCE COUNTY - In celebration of Dairy Month this June, Ridge Breeze Dairy is recognizing the vital role of modern farming in strengthening Wisconsin’s economy, protecting natural … more

6/4/25

The St. Croix Economic Development Corporation’s newly elected board members (from left): Tom Loonan – President, Brian Hinz – Vice President, Neil Kine – Second Vice President and Scott Morrissette – Secretary-Treasurer.

St. Croix EDC elects 2025-2026 officers, welcomes new board members

ST. CROIX COUNTY – St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) held its annual meeting Wednesday, May 14 where the 2025–2026 officers were elected, and five new members were … more

6/4/25

Nearly 100 people took to the Bay City Village Hall to hear from GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin on the status of the contested case with Ridge Breeze Dairy regarding its expansion.

‘We aren’t giving up’: Residents continue to push back on Ridge Breeze expansion

Area residents gathered in Bay City to hear from GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) leaders on the contested Ridge Breeze Dairy expansion permit’s status and the latest news with … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/4/25

Melody Anderson and her teacher Kendyl Horn were very excited with Anderson’s first place win in the PPCS poster contest and her third place win in the statewide contest sponsored by WECA.

PPCS announces winners of electrical safety poster contest

ELLSWORTH — Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce the winners of its annual Electrical Safety Poster Contest. This year, students from across the region submitted an … more

5/28/25

Lauren Highfill greeted the crowd at the Pierce County Economic Development Corp. Annual Awards Breakfast.

Pierce County Economic Development Corp. honors local achievements at Annual Awards Breakfast

PRESCOTT - A packed house of community and business leaders gathered Thursday, May 15, at The Ridgetop in Prescott to celebrate the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) Annual … more

By John McLoone | 5/28/25

Joe Wieser (right) accepting the Robert E Yoakum Award, the highest honor of the National Precast Concrete Association.

Wieser Concrete celebrates 60 years: New processes but the same values

Wieser Concrete, a precast concrete manufacturer, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025, spanning three generations, tons of technology advancements and dozens of site additions. Current CEO … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/28/25

Dunkin Donuts owner Sahil Taneja has been in business in River Falls for two years. He learned from his 3-year-old son he's not selling coffee and donuts, he's selling smiles.

Life is a circle for Dunkin Donuts’ owner

River Falls Dunkin Donuts' owner Sahil Taneja has one simple rule he follows for business and life: "If you take care of people, then they will take care of you. Life is a circle." A donut is a … more

By Greg Peters | 5/28/25

(From left:) Jared Hines, Justina Lansing, and Phaedra Raethke have a new powerful business marketing tool... Jared's Magnum P.I.-style mustache.

Protect your crash with the ‘Stache’

ELLSWORTH – For most every huge corporation, business branding is big business. Billions of dollars are spent annually trying to focus an all-encompassing message connecting the company to its … more

By Greg Peters | 5/22/25

Quinn Motors donates funds to local fire stations for purchase of fire blankets Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – Quinn Motors of Ellsworth, a proud family business, is pleased to bring attention to the needs of the Ellsworth Fire and Spring Valley Fire Departments. For the past 14 years, … more

5/22/25

From 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 31, Healing Roots will host and help launch the new Change Resiliency Zone Masterclass, an empowering afternoon designed for local business leaders, teams, and individuals seeking to transform how they experience and lead through change.

River Falls roots deepen: Women-owned wellness businesses launch resiliency masterclass

RIVER FALLS – In a town known for its vibrant community spirit and thriving local businesses, two women-owned powerhouses—Healing Roots Wellness Center and The Shift Matters—are … more

5/22/25

A map of the proposed 75 MWac solar facility proposed for the Town of Hartland.

AES pushing for communication ahead of Isabelle Creek Solar permit application

TOWN OF HARTLAND — An AES proposal to bring a 75 MWac solar facility that would generate enough power to fuel about 18,000 Wisconsin homes annually to the Town of Hartland has faced community … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/14/25