While a shovel hitting the dirt makes for a great photo, the real story of economic development starts years before the first press release is ever drafted.
Today’s announcement that ABF Ingredients (ABFI) has selected Eau Claire for a new $274 million state-of-the-art facility is the culmination of years of quiet, behind-the-scenes work by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC), City of Eau Claire, along with regional and state partners.
This project, which includes a new facility for Ohly, an ABFI business, and the creation of 90-100 high-paying jobs, didn’t happen by accident or a random dart thrown at a map. It is the result of a multi-year recruitment effort involving:
Relationship Building
Cultivating long-term trust with ABFI leadership to ensure Eau Claire was the right fit for their North American expansion.
Site Development
Meticulous planning and preparation of 70 acres in our local business park to ensure the land was ready for a project of this scale.
Policy Navigation
Helping the company understand and navigate local policies and planning processes well before the development agreement was approved.
Strategic Recruitment
Aligning regional infrastructure and workforce strengths with ABFI’s specific needs in the biomanufacturing sector.
The Work Behind Economic Development
For local economic development organizations, like the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation, the work is often done in the shadows. The finish line for the recruitment phase—the site selection and acquisition—is simply the starting line for the actual construction and development of the project.
“This project demonstrates exactly how economic development works,” says Luke Hanson, Executive Director at the Eau Claire Area EDC. “Our local/regional team and partners lead much of the heavy lifting on the front end—the prep work, the recruitment, and the advocacy—to ensure that when a company is ready to grow, Eau Claire is the only logical choice. We are thrilled to welcome ABFI and Ohly to the region.”
Looking Ahead
The development will be executed in three phases over several years, reinforcing the Chippewa Valley’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and biotechnology.
While this announcement marks a major milestone, the EDC’s mission continues. We remain dedicated to the ongoing work of recruiting, developing, and advocating for a thriving, competitive Eau Claire area.
About ABF Ingredients & Ohly
ABF Ingredients is a global leader in specialty ingredients for the food, health, and pharmaceutical sectors. Ohly, a core ABFI business, is a premier supplier of yeast derivatives and culinary powders. The new Eau Claire campus will serve as a hub for their North American expansion.
About the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation
The Eau Claire Area EDC is a non-profit, public-private partnership missioned to advance local prosperity through business and job growth. Visit www.eauclaire-wi.com for more information.