What's Going On February 26th, 2026

2026 Annual Dinner Meeting & Awards

The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce will hold an Annual Dinner & Awards on Monday, March 2nd, at Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan. Join us for an evening of celebration as we highlight achievements from 2025 and preview what’s to come in 2026.



The event will kick off with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the program at 7:30 p.m. The price is $35 per person. The price for a corporate table of eight is discounted at $250.



Continuing our tradition, we will announce the recipients of the annual awards, recognizing excellence in various categories. These include Business of the Year (less than 20 employees), Business of the Year (more than 20 employees), Emerging Business of the Year (operating in our area for 5 years or less), and Service Organization of the Year. 

As part of the evening’s festivities, we will be hosting a Silent Auction, a 50/50 raffle, and the entertaining ‘Heads or Tails’ game, offering a chance to win a prize. We appreciate your support and invite you to contribute by donating items for the Silent Auction or sponsoring the dinner and royalty. This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight your business while helping to make this event a success.

The Black River Area Chamber of Commerce (BRACC) is proud to announce the distinguished recipients of its 2025 Annual Awards. These honors recognize the outstanding contributions, growth, and community dedication of local businesses and organizations. The winners will be officially celebrated at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet on Monday, March 2, 2025, at the Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan. This year’s honorees represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s economy, from specialized local tradespeople to global manufacturing leaders.

2025 Business of the Year (Less than 20 employees): Sunrise Custom Builders

Operating in Black River Falls since 2002, Sunrise Custom Builders is recognized for its transition from a local startup into a seasoned fixture of the regional construction scene. Owned and operated by Jeffrey Smith and Tom Byrns, the company is lauded for its "tradesman-led" model, providing direct, on-site oversight and high-end craftsmanship. Beyond their building projects, they are noted for consistent pro bono work, including donating labor for the Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers facility and providing paid mentorship opportunities for local high school students.

• Also nominated in this category: Revolution Coffee and Legacy Trees.

2025 Business of the Year (More than 20 employees): Nelson Global

Established in 1939 and opening its Black River Falls plant in 1946, Nelson Global has grown into a global leader in engineering and manufacturing. The Black River Falls facility employs approximately 80 team members and recently celebrated a milestone of over 505 days accident-free. The organization is a pillar of community support, with employees volunteering for Project Christmas, the Trail of Terror, and monthly grocery deliveries to homebound residents.

• Also nominated in this category: Black River Health and Fourth Generation Trucking.

2025 Emerging Business of the Year: St. Croix Hospice

St. Croix Hospice is honored for its vital role in providing compassionate care to the community during difficult times. Their local caregivers provide 24/7 expert hospice services directly to patients in private residences, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities throughout Jackson County and the surrounding area. The organization is recognized for its holistic approach, which includes emotional and spiritual support for families, respite care, and bereavement services.

• Also nominated in this category: Luxe Beauty Lounge, Love on Your Home, Sunset Lumi Sunless Tanning X Endless Jewelry, and Northwoods Neat Cleaning LLC.

2025 Service Organization of the Year: Black River Falls Lions Club

Chartered in 1937, the Black River Falls Lions Club is nearing 90 years of active service to the community. With 47 active members, the club focuses on humanitarian projects including vision screenings, hunger relief, and environmental initiatives. In the 2024-2025 period alone, members recorded over 1,223 volunteer hours and typically donate between $15,000 and $20,000 back to the community annually.

• Also nominated in this category: Children's Wisconsin, Jackson County Ag Society, Jackson County Historical Society, Black River Falls United Methodist Church, and Jackson County ATV Association.

BRACC New Member Spotlight

(NEW OWNERS) Badger Flag Pole & Monument

N6731 County Rd A Black River Falls WI 54615

(715) 284-2798

 https://www.badgerflagpolemonument.com/

A full-service flagpole and monument dealer located in Black River Falls, WI. Their team handles everything from sales to installation and maintenance. 

Black River Child Care Center

725 N 8^th Street Black River Falls WI 54615

(715) 284-2238

https://www.facebook.com/BlackRiverChildCare

At Black River Child Care Center, we create a nurturing environment where your child’s curiosity can thrive. Care for children ages 6 weeks-12 years, Play-based learning, arts, and hands-on activities, and Safe, fun & enriching experiences every day.

Jackson County

307 Main St, Black River Falls

(715) 284-0201

 https://www.co.jackson.wi.us

Jackson County is a local government entity in west-central Wisconsin responsible for providing essential public services and administrative oversight for its residents and municipalities. Headquartered in Black River Falls, the County operates under an elected County Board of Supervisors and oversees key functions including public safety, health and human services, highway maintenance, land and water conservation, zoning and planning, veterans services, and judicial administration. Jackson County works in coordination with town, village, and state agencies to ensure responsible fiscal management, regulatory compliance, and effective service delivery to its communities.

Safe Ship Tomah

621 Superior Ave STE 1 Tomah WI 54660

(608) 372-9500

https://www.safeshiptomah.com/

Safe Ship Tomah  is your go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing and business service needs. Our team of dedicated, professionally trained experts understands the meaning of Super-Star Customer Care—we focus on saving you time and money by ensuring you get the right products and services at the right price—in a single, quick visit.

We can pack and ship [almost] anything to [almost] anywhere in the world, but shipping is only one way we can help to make your life easier. In addition to our pack and ship service, we are also Tomah's have 35 plus Local Craft and Gift Vendors.

Safe Ship Tomah is a one-stop-shop for dozens of business products and services that will allow you to do what you’re good at while we take care of the “other stuff” you need to succeed.

Trail Updates

JACKSON COUNTY ATV/UTV TRAILS.

Currently all Snowmobile Trails are closed due to the warm temperatures and detreating trail conditions. ATV trails are open. Trails will remain open as long as temperatures stay 28 degrees or colder.

UTVs are currently not allowed to ride the trails.

CAUTION! There will be logging activity along the snowmobile trail west of Waterbury Rd. Please ride with caution!

This Weeks Member Events & Announcements

Jackson County Women in History Program

March 4, 2026 2 pm

Join us as we celebrate the incredible women who make Jackson County such a special place. The 31st annual Women in History Program will be held at Interfaith Volunteers in Black River Falls.

https://jcivc.org/women-in-history

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Launch

March 4 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Join Great Rivers United Way as it launches Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – a FREE book-gifting program that mails kids birth-to-five an age-appropriate book every month – at the Black River Falls Public Library!

The Launch Party is FREE and open to the public. Families with children ages birth-to-4 years 9 months, who reside in ZIP code 54615, qualify to sign up for Imagination Library and are especially encouraged to attend!

Weekly Events

Rozario's

Trivia Night

Every Tuesday Night 7pm!!

It’s that time again. Tuesday trivia night. Come test your knowledge and enjoy great food.

McSweet's Irish Pub

Open Mic Night

Every Other Thursday 4-8pm!!



All singers and musicians welcome!

Sunset Tavern

KaraokeNight

Every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday from 9:30 PM until close.

Unleash your inner superstar! with your creatively dressed karaoke host Derek. Cold beer, awesome mixed drinks and amazing atmosphere.

Stag & Lion Pub

High Tea Night

Every Third Thursday

4-6pm

Black River Falls United Methodist Church hosts Dinner Church, a weekly community event providing a free meal every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Located at 100 North 4th St in Black River Falls, WI, the gathering is open to everyone and includes a brief "Gospel Moment" at 6:10 p.m. For those unable to stay and eat, carry-out options are also available.

The Lunda Community Center hosts a weekly Game Night every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.. This event is open to kids and adults of all ages and is free for members, while non-members can join for a $1 fee. Specific supervision policies apply: children under 8 must be supervised at all times, and a parent or guardian must remain in the center while kids aged 8–11 are in attendance.

Contact our office for advertising opportunities! 
(Reminder- Each member gets a free ad for 2026)

Black River Area Chamber of Commerce

120 N Water St

Black River Falls, WI 54615

715-284-4658

1-800-404-4008

chamber@blackrivercountry.net

www.blackrivercountry.net