Bruce Noll is one of the original members of the Polk County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) board of directors. Bruce serves as board treasurer, handling all finances for the corporation. He is a banker at Eagle Valley Bank in St Croix Falls, Wis.

Bruce is not only involved with the PCEDC but many other organizations within his local community. He is a founder of Youth Sports Unlimited, which is a joint effort by Luck, Frederic and Unity school districts to raise money for various youth sports activities such as hunter safety, girl/boy scouts or community sports teams. Over the past 26 years the organization has raised over $375,000. Bruce has also been a Unity Lion for more than 20 years.

He grew up on a small dairy farm outside of Alma, Wis. Bruce and his wife have lived in Luck, Wis. for the past 35 years. They have two grown children and four grandchildren. He enjoys golfing, singing, deer hunting and bird hunting. Bruce lso takes pleasure in raising and training bird hunting dogs.

He says the largest resource the PCEDC has to offer is the knowledge of the products available to local businesses and the ability to bring businesses together.

Schaffer Manufacturing, located in Milltown, Wis., specializes in metal fabrication. The company was established in 1993 in Luck, Wis. with a passion for customer service and state of the art manufacturing. Today, Schaffer Manufacturing has grown to be one of the most reputable metal fabricators in the country.

“At Schaffer Manufacturing we go above and beyond the expectations of the customer,” says Steve Schaffer, sales associate for Schaffer Manufacturing. “We are always striving to add as much value as possible to the customer, not just make parts. Whether it’s engineering support, recommending design changes, making prototypes, reverse engineering or working with our customers’ engineers to figure out the best way to manufacture something, we are always doing our best to go out of our way to make sure that they are getting the best possible product for the best price.”

Because of their diversified capabilities, Schaffer Manufacturing works with reputable global companies in several key industries including mining, construction, agriculture, information technology, quality testing equipment, snow removal equipment, ballistic targets, recycling equipment and dredging barges.

At Schaffer Manufacturing, their top priority is customer service and quality. The three main components of manufacturing, Schaffer says, are price, lead-time, and quality. When all three are equally exercised, it creates the ultimate customer experience.

“Any manufacturer can provide cost-effective services, but quality will always remain our top priority,” says Schaffer.  “That is the Schaffer way.”

SEPT. 19, 2011
NEW RICHMOND, WI

Adam Jarchow, an attorney with the Bakke Norman Law Firm with offices in New Richmond, Baldwin and Menomonie, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Polk County Economic Development Corporation in September.

Jarchow said he is pleased to serve on the board and assist with its mission of serving to build and maintain a strong economic base in Polk County.

“As someone who represents small businesses and municipalities in Polk County and greater northwestern Wisconsin, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that a well-functioning economic development organization can have on job creation,” said Jarchow.  “I am looking forward to the opportunity to help the EDC carry out its mission of growing Polk County businesses and jobs.”

A Clear Lake native, Jarchow practiced in a large Florida firm and with an international firm at its Minneapolis office before joining Bakke Norman. He and his wife, Barbara, live near Amery.

Jarchow has a background in finance, and said he especially enjoys helping business owners who have cultivated their own companies and are ready to sell or retire. He also works on mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, real estate transactions, private placement offerings, asset-based and real estate-based bank loans, workouts, entity formation and general contract negotiation and drafting. He also represents clients in the areas of bankruptcy, collections and creditor’s rights.

Jarchow’s business experience is an asset for his work with the Polk County EDC, says Thomas Schumacher, principal with Bakke Norman. “As the town attorney for St. Croix Falls and the village attorney for Luck, Adam has a range of knowledge and experience that benefits the economic well-being of Polk County and its business community,” said Schumacher.

Jarchow is the author of numerous municipal and business law alerts for the firm as well as a presenter at the firm’s legal topic seminars. After graduating with a degree in finance from the University of South Florida, Adam received his law degree from the University of Florida, where he was managing editor of its Law Review.

“The board of directors and I are very pleased and excited that Adam will be serving on the board for the Polk County Economic Development Corporation,” said Steve Healy, executive director of the PCEDC. “Adam will add the legal expertise to the board that we have not had in the past. With his legal expertise, his business experience and his sincere interest in building the economy of Polk County, he will add important depth to our board. As another Clear Lake native, I welcome Adam to the board and look forward to working with him.”

For more information on the Polk County EDC visit: www.polkcountyedc.com. Bakke Norman, S.C. provides a full range of legal services, including commercial business and real estate transactions, business, personal injury and intellectual property litigation, employment law, criminal and OWI defense, bankruptcy, elder law, and tax law. Clients include local to global businesses, corporations and organizations as well as individuals and families with needs ranging from personal matters to complex litigation.

For more information contact Bakke Norman at 800.328.5630, visit www.bakkenorman.com or email ajarchow@bakkenorman.com.

The Polk County Economic  Development Corporation is pleased to present Board Member, Eric Dueholm, who has been recognized as one of the ’40 Under Forty’ by the Mpls/ St. Paul Business Journal.  There is a lot of competition to be recognized for this award, and so Eric has a lot to be proud of for making the elite list.  Congratulations Eric!

Read more: Eric Dueholm – Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Eric Dueholm

Vice president
NAI Welsh

Age: 38

NAI Welsh Vice President Eric Dueholm, one of only a few LEED-accredited commercial brokers in the Upper Midwest, became interested in sustainability at a young age. Earth Day founder Sen. Gaylord Nelson was a family friend, and inspired Dueholm to become an advocate for environmental responsibility. Dueholm has taken that mandate seriously as he raises awareness of green building through self-conducted surveys, presentations and articles, even while racking up deals such as Caribou Coffee’s corporate headquarters.

As the economy has slowed commercial building, Dueholm’s team has focused on improving energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in building operations. He is also working on an eco-village development for Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20 families with a minimized impact on the environment.

— Rachel Keranen | staff writer

Read more: Eric Dueholm – Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

On Tuesday evening, May 10, 2010, the Polk County Economic Development corporation will host their annual Business Awards Banquet at the Amery Golf Club from 5:00 – 7:00.

Anyone having an interest in attending, can call our office at 715-405-7655 to register.

Cost: $15 per person

NEI Electric will be an exhibitor at the Renewable Energy & Resource Fair August 21 & 22.  NEI will present ways to conserve energy and lower your electric bills.  The Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Polk County Fairgrounds.  Plan to stop by to see their exhibit and other exhibitors and workshops on solar electricity, wind power, pellet stoves, alternative transportation, bio-fuels, sustainability, and more.  Food vendors, a Children’s Area, and a Saturday night barn dance add to the variety of informative, fun activities planned.

On Tuesday evening, May 18, 2010, the Polk County Economic Development Corporation hosted their Annual Banquet At the Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge in St. Croix Falls. NEI Electric, WESTconsin Credit Union, and the Village of Balsam Lake were recognized for their continued support and participation in the Polk County EDC.