The Lumber Exchange is proud to announce that CAMBA, the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, has joined as our inaugural First Light Partner.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to place, people, and purpose. CAMBA has long played a meaningful role in this region, and its presence within The Lumber Exchange adds to the spirit of connection and community that this space is being built to support.

‍What is a First Light Partner?‍

At The Lumber Exchange, we use the phrase "First Light" to describe those early hours when something begins to take shape. Before the coffee is poured. Before the lights flicker on upstairs. Before the doors open wide.

First Light Partners are the early believers. The ones who step forward while the foundation is still being poured. The ones who help shape the culture, character, and direction of the space before the paint dries.

CAMBA is exactly that kind of partner.

When The Lumber Exchange opens to the public in the summer of 2026, CAMBA will have a permanent presence in the space. Their team will office out of the building. They will host member meetings, partner collaborations, and community events. They will use the space to coordinate trail efforts and welcome the thousands of riders who visit Hayward each year. And in doing so, they will bring the energy of the trails into the heart of town.

‍A New Chapter, Right on Main Street‍

What makes this partnership so exciting is what happens when that legacy meets a place designed to connect people with each other and with the landscape around them.

The Lumber Exchange was built to support those doing meaningful work in the Northwoods. That includes remote workers, nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and creative professionals. It also includes the people who build and care for the trails, lakes, and public spaces that make this place what it is.

With CAMBA’s presence inside the building, trail users will have a home base in downtown Hayward. A place to learn about trail conditions. A place to grab a coffee and talk routes. A place to meet the people who make the ride possible.

The CAMBA team sees this opportunity as a way to more naturally integrate their work into the day-to-day life of the Hayward community. It creates a shared home for both planning and presence.

‍Looking Ahead‍

We believe partnerships like this are what will give The Lumber Exchange its staying power.

CAMBA is the first of many First Light Partners. More announcements are coming soon. Each one will bring a new voice, a new connection, and a new reason to believe in what is possible when good people build something together.

One idea, one trail, and one sunrise at a time.