Ashland Area Development Corporation

10/01/2026

What a month! 💚

Now that October is here, we want to say thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate 25 years of the Ashland Area Enterprise Center throughout September!

From sharing stories and memories to opening our doors for tours and bringing together businesses, organizations, partners, and friends of the Enterprise Center, it was a wonderful month looking back at where we’ve been and ahead to what comes next.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Enterprise Center’s story over the past 25 years. Here’s to the years ahead!

09/29/2026

Join us from 5:30–6:30 p.m. for Choosing a Business Structure, presented by Carla Smith of Smith Law.

LLC, LLP, S-Corp, C-Corp—there are a lot of options when it comes to registering a business. Carla will break down the different business structures and talk through what entrepreneurs should consider when deciding which one makes sense for their business.

📅 Tonight, September 29
⏰ 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Ashland Area Enterprise Center, 422 3rd St. W., Ashland

RSVP: https://www.ashlandareadevelopment.com/rsvp09292026.html

09/24/2026

A pretty special way to celebrate 25 years. 💚

Today, the City of Ashland officially proclaimed September 24, 2026, as Ashland Area Enterprise Center Day, recognizing 25 years of supporting businesses, creating opportunities, and contributing to our community.

Thank you to City of Ashland, WI for recognizing this milestone, and to all of the businesses, partners, community leaders, and individuals who have been part of the Enterprise Center’s story over the past 25 years.

Here’s to 25 years—and what comes next!

09/21/2026

This six-week course begins this Wednesday, September 23, right here at the Ashland Area Enterprise Center!

The Be Strategic program gives entrepreneurs a chance to meet other entrepreneurs, think about where their business is headed, and build a strategic plan for the future.

There’s still time to apply before the program begins Wednesday! Check out the post below for more information. 👇

Applications are closing soon!

If you've been thinking about applying for our Be Strategic program in Ashland, now's the time.

Over six weeks, you'll build a strategic plan for your business, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and leave with practical tools to help guide your next stage of growth.

📍 Ashland, WI
📅 Starts September 23

➡ Apply today: https://efund.tfaforms.net/f/BeStrategic_Ashland_092326

Scholarships are available for qualifying participants thanks to our partners at Ashland Area Development Corporation, Boreal Waters Community Foundation, and Xcel Energy.

09/14/2026

Lightning Storm Graphics has been growing since 2020—and we’re proud to have been part of their journey!

As Lightning Storm Graphics grew, DeJay and Kelsie came to AADC for support. From business planning and the Be Strategic program to grant funding and additional resources, they’ve continued learning, planning, and finding new ways to grow their business.

Today, they create everything from signs and vehicle wraps to apparel, custom hats, decals, and more for customers throughout the region.

Thanks, DeJay and Kelsie, for sharing your story—and for the reminder that sometimes the best first step is simply making the call.

09/11/2026

UW-Superior Center for Continuing Education is offering an in-person, three-part QuickBooks Online workshop series this September!

Designed for small business owners, bookkeepers, and entrepreneurs, the series will cover how to use QuickBooks Online to better understand and manage your business finances.

📅 Wednesday, September 16 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
📅 Tuesday, September 22 | 10–11:30 a.m.
📅 Thursday, September 24 | 10–11:30 a.m.
📍 1401 Tower Ave., Superior
Cost: $139 for all three sessions

Please note: The sessions are designed as a series and cannot be taken individually.

Space is limited, but a waitlist is available if the workshops fill up.
Learn more and register:

This hands-on, three-part workshop series is designed for small business owners, bookkeepers, and entrepreneurs who want to better understand and manage their business finances using QuickBooks Online. Whether you're brand new to the platform or looking to deepen your skills, each session builds ess...

09/10/2026

to 2020, when Spark- Student Pathways to Adventure, Resilience & Knowledge moved into the Ashland Area Enterprise Center!

SPARK, an after-school program for middle and high school-aged students, first reached out to AADC in late 2019 after more than sixty middle schoolers showed up for its fall opening across the street at Presbyterian Church. It quickly became clear they needed more room.

SPARK initially asked about using temporary space where students could ride BMX bikes and skateboards. At the time, part of the Enterprise Center was an empty warehouse stacked with pallets. When Carver asked when they’d like to start, the answer was, “How about this afternoon?”

It didn’t happen quite that fast, but in 2020, SPARK began leasing space in the south end of the Enterprise Center, giving the program room to grow and serve hundreds of kids each year.

Today, that once-empty warehouse is home to a skatepark! Come see how the space has changed at our Open House on Thursday, September 17, from 1–3 p.m. and check out what’s happening throughout the Enterprise Center.

We’re proud to have SPARK as part of the Enterprise Center’s story. 💚