Paragon Economic
Impact Award
All businesses in Eau Claire County or the City of Eau Claire are eligible to participate in this award program. Businesses may not nominate themselves.
Nominations for the Eau Claire Area EDC Paragon Economic Impact Award will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
- Community impact through new, quality job opportunities
- Recent or current expansion of an existing facility, the construction of a new facility, or substantial investment in capital equipment
- Impacting community by increasing the overall tax base
- Commitment to the continued education and training of its workforce
- Support or involvement in a broad range of economic development activities within the community
- Innovations in the development of new technologies and products
- Investment in the Eau Claire Area EDC
Selection Process
Submissions will be evaluated on the information provided on the nomination forms and the knowledge of the committee. Additional information will not be presented to the committee for review unless specifically requested.
The Paragon Economic Impact Award is presented to the winner at the Eau Claire Area EDC's Annual Luncheon in February.
2008 Recipient
MWCC has built a solid foundation on cutting-edge manufacturing processes, rapid design-to-delivery of custom interconnect solutions.
MWCC created 39 jobs in 2007; their Eau Claire facility employs approximately 117 people, with plans to add additional personnel to support its new defense division, Minnesota Defense. MWCC has recently expanded into an existing 60,000 square foot facility that provides additional opportunities for employment and defense business growth. This expansion has also enabled the City of Eau Claire to create a new redevelopment area that includes MWCC’s former facility.
MWCC has invested heavily in new technologies within the last three years, with numerous product patents or patents pending and approximately $5 million dedicated to research and development.
MWCC is also very involved in the local community, contributing to activities with Junior Achievement, Literacy Volunteers of the Chippewa Valley, United Way, and Eau Claire County D.A.R.E. Program, among many others.
"The Paragon Economic Impact Award reflects our ideals about building a meaningful business while giving back to the community, and to those who have secured our freedom," says Paul Wagner, Chairman and CEO.
