By James Hanke and Chris Hardie
The only thing predictable about change is that we can predict it will happen. We can either fight it and be frustrated, or embrace it and be motivated. It’s the latter in play that led to a new partnership between 7 Rivers Alliance and CEDA that has the potential for enormous and beneficial change for western Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, and southeast Minnesota.
Chris Hardie, the CEO of the 7 Rivers Alliance since September 2017, has joined the ranks of CEDA. He will continue in his existing role, but will have access to the resources and tools of CEDA. “We are extremely excited to have Chris join the CEDA team and to provide the 7 Rivers
Alliance enhanced services above and beyond the great work Chris has done for the organization for the last eight years,” said James Hanke, CEDA’s COO. “7 Rivers is an important part of the economic development ecosystem in the Coulee Region, and CEDA is absolutely thrilled to provide a win-win-win proposition for the 7 Rivers Alliance, CEDA and for Chris as well,” Hanke continued.
The 7 Rivers Alliance was formed in the early 2000s by a group of regional business and government leaders in the Tri-State area who believed that collaborative economic development was critical to the region’s future. The premise and mission of the Alliance is providing leadership and solutions to economic development and community development challenges. The Alliance will remain an independent entity, with its own board of directors, strategic plan and budget.
Hardie was the director of the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce from 2015-2017 and prior to that worked for more than three decades in regional newspapers, including serving as executive editor of the River Valley Newspaper Group. He also is a freelance columnist and recently published the book “Back Home: Country Tales Through the Seasons.” He and his wife Sherry own and operate Brambleberry Winery in West Salem, WI.
Hardie said he looks forward to becoming part of a professional organization that he has worked with and been familiar with for many years. “I have worked with CEDA staff members in Houston and Fillmore counties over the past few years and am excited about the opportunity to tap into the professional expertise of CEDA to better serve the 7 Rivers Alliance area,” Hardie said.
Having lived in Western Wisconsin for more than 55 years, Hardie said he has seen the difference in communities who are focused on being proactive with their community and economic development aspirations. “While I bring a nontraditional background into the world of economic development, I enjoy bringing people together with the goal of making their communities stronger and better places to live and work,” he said. “CEDA has done that for years and together we can make a difference.”
Hardie said the 7 Rivers Alliance has recently hosted a series of business roundtables in the region and key challenges that emerged include access to housing, a quality workforce and childcare. “I know that I can bring expertise from CEDA to help with these challenges,” he said.
Please help CEDA welcome both the 7 Rivers Regional Alliance and Chirs Hardie to the CEDA team! Chris can be reached at Chris@7riversalliance.org
An exciting opportunity to connect with other rural stakeholders, CEDA’s Annual Meeting will be held on July 31, 2025 at Visions Event Center near Winona, MN.