What's Going On January 29th, 2026

Jackson County Forestry & Parks

Trail Updates

JACKSON COUNTY ATV/UTV TRAILS.

Trail update 1/15/2026

Snowmobile trails have very minimal snow cover and are glare ice. We do not recommend riding at this time.

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. This may change if snowmobile conditions drastically change and they become unrideable.

West side trails remain CLOSED.

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

Current ATV, UTV & Motorcycle Trail Conditions

Current Snowmobile Trail Conditions

Chamber Member Job Postings

Looking for a career change? Check out our Chamber Member job listings!

Click here to view Member Job Listings

Business After 5

Did you know that Business After 5 isn't just for business owners or managers? If you work for a Chamber member business, YOU are a member too!

Whether you’re in sales, admin, operations, or the front desk, you are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Why should you come?

🍕 Free Food & Drinks: Great snacks and beverages on the house.
🤝 Low-Stress Networking: Meet your neighbors in a relaxed, social setting (no pressure!).
👀 Behind-the-Scenes Access: Get a tour of local businesses you drive by every day.
🎟️ Prizes: Enter to win door prizes and giveaways.

Grab a coworker and come say hi at the next event. We’d love to see new faces!

Scholarship Opportunities

We are pleased to share that several new scholarship opportunities are currently accepting applications. These programs are designed to support students in achieving their academic goals. We encourage all eligible candidates to review the criteria and apply before the deadlines!

View Scholarship Opportunities

2026 Annual Dinner Meeting & Awards

More Info & Registration

This Weeks Member Events & Announcements

If you know an outstanding woman in Jackson County who has made a meaningful impact in our community, please consider nominating her for the 2026 Women in History recognition. Use the link below to complete the nomination form, including a letter of recommendation that highlights the nominee and her volunteer service to Jackson County. Full details and instructions are provided within the form. If you would like a paper copy of the form, please stop by the Interfaith office at 1451 Tyler Street. Let's celebrate the women who make a deep impact in our community. https://jcivc.org/women-in-history

Some of our local Black River Falls dancers are competing as soloists in the Starz Dance Competition in the Wisconsin Dells on January 30th and 31st. A live stream will be available to watch all day at this link: https://starzdancecomp.com/TopShot/livestream/

Anyone who would want to watch in person admission is free! The competition is at the Wilderness Resort Convention Center, 511 E Adams St, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.

Community Education Classes

Ceramic Jewelry Fun (Ages 18+)

Come and create fun ceramic necklaces or keychains. Each participant will be able to create 5 handmade works of art. Discover simple techniques for shaping, stamping, and glazing to make each piece uniquely yours. No experience needed. Pieces will be fired and ready for pickup approximately two weeks after class.

LOCATION BRF High School, Entrance 10, Room 10

2/4/2026

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

$15

Enroll Today at https://brfparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=97

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Clay Fairy Doors (Ages 8+)

Bring a touch of magic to your garden or home with your own handmade clay fairy door! In the first session, students learn clay-building techniques to design their doorway. After the piece is dried and fired, the second session focuses on glazing and adding color. A whimsical, imaginative project suitable for all artistic levels.

LOCATION Red Creek Elementary, Door B1 Entrance, Room 618

2-session class: 2/6/2026 and 2/13/2026

5:30 PM-6:30 PM

$15 for 2 sessions

Enroll Today at https://brfparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=95

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Watercolor 101 (Ages 18+)

Learn all about watercolor and gouache in this fun class. Participants will be shown watercolor techniques and create a painting of their very own to take home!

LOCATION BRF High School, Entrance 10, Room 1

3/4/2026

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

$10

Enroll Today at https://brfparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=90

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Knitting 101 (Ages 16+)

Start your knitting journey by learning foundational skills such as casting on, forming knit stitches, and maintaining even tension. Participants will complete a simple potholder project while gaining confidence with yarn and needles. A warm and encouraging environment makes this class perfect for first-time knitters. Students will be responsible for bringing a size 8 knitting needle and 4-ply yarn of their choice.

LOCATION Red Creek Elementary, Entrance Door B1, Room 203

3-Session Class: 2/19/2026, 2/26/2026, 3/5/2026

5:00 PM-6:30 PM

$25 for 3 sessions

Enroll Today at https://brfparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=92

Wisconsin Economic Development Center Small Business Development Grant Business Plan & Pitch Contest

Turning Ideas into Action

Application Deadline:

February 13th at Noon

Email entries to jon@mrrpc.com

Applicant can submit a plan for any stage business (idea to existing)
Business must reside in a County served by MRRPC (Buffalo, Crawford, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Trempealeau or Vernon)
Business must have less than 24 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees
Business Plans must include information on these 8 topics (Executive Summary, Company Description, Market Analysis, Organization & Management, Product & Services, Marketing & Sales Plans, Financial Projections and any supporting information)
Business Plan submitted must be 25 pages or less (pdf or word docs please)
Contest info can also be found at mrrpc.com and you can call 608-785-9396 or email jon@mrrpc.com if you have questions

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!

Unleash your inner superstar! Join Sunset Tavern for Karaoke Nights every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday from 9:30 PM until close with your creatively dressed karaoke host Derek.

Cold beer, awesome mixed drinks and amazing atmosphere.

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.

Harvest of the Month - Jackson In Action.

Each month we highlight a different fruit or vegetable and provide fun facts and recipes. Increasing knowledge of different types of produce has been shown to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

Current and past Harvest of the Month information can be found on our website: https://www.jacksoninaction.org/harvestofthemonth

Black River Falls Public Library

Legal Action of Wisconsin offers Free Civil Legal Aid to low-income individuals and families at the Black River Falls Public Library on the second Tuesday of each month. These sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the library's Small Conference Room. Qualified attendees can receive assistance with various civil legal issues, including housing and tenant problems, public benefits like Social Security or FoodShare, consumer issues, and family law for domestic abuse victims.

For more information, you can contact Legal Action of Wisconsin at 855-947-2529 or the library at 715-284-4112.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Jackson County is hosting "ADRC Access Hour" throughout 2026 to help residents learn about available county services. These sessions take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Black River Falls Public Library. Each month features a different program specialist. If you cannot attend the scheduled hour, you can make an appointment by calling 715-284-3978.

Western Dairyland Business Center

Start A Small Business in 8 Steps

Tuesday, February 17 | 6 - 7 PM
Tuesday, March 17 | 6 - 7 PM
Thursday, April 16 | 6 - 7 PM
Tuesday, May 19 | 6 - 7 PM
Tuesday, June 23 | 6 - 7 PM

Simple, Not Easy: Hiring & Building Winning Teams

Thursday, February 26 | 12 - 1 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: FREE

Speaker: Ashley Bender, AMK Cleaning and The Kelektiv

Simplify to Scale: Creating a Marketing Plan That Works For You (Not the Other Way Around)

Wednesday, March 25 | 12 - 1 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: FREE

Speaker: Hailey Krajewski, The Copy Shift

Business Ownership 101 (free, in-person event in Eau Claire)

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM Central

Location: Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

23rd Annual Women's Business Conference

Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 2026

Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire WI

Registration will start on Memorial Day 2026

PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS

Sponsor inquiry via info@successfulbusiness.org

More info & to register!

Are you thinking about starting your own business in Western Wisconsin? We can help you write a business plan, create financial projections, and apply for a loan or grant.

FREE SERVICES FOR NEW & EXISTING CHILDCARE BUSINESSES

Assistance with creating a business plan and financial projections
Answer questions on the different regulation types
Feedback and review of policy handbooks
Navigating the regulation process (including background checks, fingerprinting, applications, educational requirements, etc.)
On-site consultation on setting up your childcare environment
Technical assistance around health & safety requirements
Access to resources and grant opportunities

FREE COUNSELING

Grant Opportunity

New Wisconsin Fast Forward grant now available

A new grant opportunity is available from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development. Under the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) program the grant opportunity funds innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs in all industry sectors.

Key features of the program:

Grants are available to companies of any size in all industry sectors.
Award amounts range from $5,000 to $400,000. A consortium of employers may apply for more than $400,000.
Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the grant award amount is required.
Grantees must complete training of at least 85% of the contracted number of trainees.
At least 65% of trainees must be placed in positions with placement partners in the grant application that require skills taught in the training.
At least 75% of incumbent trainees must receive increased wages.

Applications are due by 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

Find additional information or apply on the WFF website.

Advertise with us!

Contact our office for advertising opportunities! (Reminder- Each member gets a free ad for 2025)

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

CONNECT WITH US