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Volume 7, Issue 36, Jan 20, 2025
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis. 
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

In this issue:
 • City and County seek legal opinion on unstructured homeless drop-offs
 • Leinenkugels seek to buy back closing brewery
 • Passenger rail progress to be highlighted at Jan 21 meeting
 • April election: Seven candidates for five EC City Council seats
 • Presidential inauguration today
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Tackling Our Childcare Challenges
   The availability and affordability of childcare has become an increasingly acute issue for employers, families, and childcare providers. It has inhibited the ability of families to take full advantage of employment opportunities and for employers to have full access to the potential talent pool. At this session of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at the challenges involved and hear about potential policy solutions. Panelists include Julie Stoffel, Director of Engagement and Community Outreach, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association; Krystina Schumacher, Administrator/Director, Little Star Daycare, Altoona; Claire Lindstrom, parent lead, Raising Wisconsin; Neil Kline, Executive Director, Family Friendly Workplaces; and Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Withee), a member of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee.
• Friday, Jan 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Next week...
Eau What A Night - The Chamber's 110th Annual Meeting
   Join us as we honor our past, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to an even brighter future.
• Thursday, Jan 30, 4:30-9:30 p.m., The Sonnentag Center
    Click here for details and to register

Eggs & Issues: Washington Insights from the US Chamber
   How will the new players in Washington impact business and the economy in the Chippewa Valley? With the new Administration and Congress in place, and a continuing resolution expiring in March, John Kirchner from the US Chamber will provide us insights into the new power structure in DC. Learn what issues are getting the most attention, and how the US Chamber is advocating for a positive business climate. John Kirchner is Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce.
• Friday, Feb 21, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
    A unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance, representing the Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire Chambers of Commerce. In these first months of the new year, the Legislature is tackling the 2025-27 biennial budget, which sets the spending and priorities for the state over the next two years. 
   At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. This year's topics will include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Plus, we'll express thanks for previous regional priorities enacted during the past two years.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Tuesday: Passenger rail update meeting
Jan 21 - West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
   As Wisconsin's newest passenger train service racks up strong ridership, demonstrating the demand for passenger train service in the region, the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition will provide updates on state and local projects at its annual meeting in Eau Claire on January 21. The meeting will be in-person at the CVTC Business Education Center, with a hybrid remote option also available.
   The prospects for bringing passenger rail service to West Central Wisconsin have advanced significantly in the past year, with two studies in the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program that are part of the pipeline to establish new train services under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
   At the January 21 meeting, you'll learn the value passenger trains will bring to improved mobility and our economy, and get updates on regional studies and projects. Presentations will include:
 * Keynote from Jim Mathews, President, Rail Passengers Association, Washington, DC, with an outlook on the political landscape in Washington and valuable information about the ROI  passenger trains provide in return for public support.
 * An update on the Eau Claire-Twin Cities corridor study from the Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission; including comments from HDR, the consultant completing the Step 1 Scoping Study; AIPRO, the trade association for potential train operators; and host railroad Union Pacific.
 * Updates from Wisconsin DOT and Minnesota DOT on their passenger rail programs; from Ramsey County, MN, owner of St. Paul Union Depot; and from Dan Bilka, All Aboard Northwest, about potential new long distance service to the Pacific coast.
More information:
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
 • Tuesday, Jan 21, 8:30-11:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    In-person attendance: No charge or pre-registration required
    Remote attendance via Zoom: Click here to pre-register
Rail Coalition meeting info and website
Eau Claire-Twin Cities passenger rail project on track (The Business News)
Gov. Evers, Sen. Baldwin, WisDOT, Amtrak Celebrate $38.6 Million Federal Investment in Wisconsin Passenger Rail Service (Office of the Governor)
Amtrak secures more than $38M in federal funding for Twin Cities Borealis line (Journal-Sentinel +)
How Do Freight Trains Figure Into More Amtrak Service in Milwaukee? (Milwaukee Magazine)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Jan 21, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Jan 23, 6 p.m. Meeting information

City of Eau Claire and EC County seek Attorney General legal opinion on unstructured drop offs of homeless individuals
   News Release - A letter jointly authored by Eau Claire County Corporation Counsel Sharon Mcilquham and Eau Claire City Attorney Steve Nick is seeking the legal opinion of Attorney General Josh Kaul, regarding custodial transports outside territorial jurisdiction.
   According to the letter, “Law enforcement officers are making custodial transports outside of jurisdiction to drop off unhoused individuals in neighboring communities without a receiving facility, without probable cause, and we believe without lawful authority.”
   The letter states this practice has become too common and puts the transported individual and the public at risk. The letter also states this is not a unique issue facing Eau Claire.
   Not limited to unhoused individuals, the letter shares that those at the center of custodial transports are known to need mental health treatment, have AODA struggles, or have a history of criminal behavior. Furthermore, these individuals are left without treatment, without a facility or without shelter.
   Corporation Counsel Mcilquham and City Attorney Nick ask that Attorney General Kaul “opine on the scope and proper use of law enforcement authority for custodial transports outside of territorial jurisdiction to aid law enforcement officers in serving the public within legal bounds and to protect the civil rights and safety of those transported…”
   Chief Matt Rokus, of the Eau Claire Police Department, shared the following statement regarding the letter:
   “The practice of transporting people experiencing homelessness to Eau Claire, absent a warm hand-off to services, is harmful and not in the best interest of the person facing hardship. Oftentimes these individuals commit crimes immediately after arriving, which victimizes Eau Claire residents. Our Police Officers have been injured when the transported person becomes resistive and combative. We are seeking an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office on the appropriateness of this troubling practice.”
   The letter includes examples of incidents reported in Eau Claire over the last several years. Click here to read the letter
More information:
'Illegal, improper, unprofessional': Eau Claire police chief and attorney speak out against homeless drop offs by neighboring counties (WQOW News 18)
State leaders react to homeless drop offs in Eau Claire by other law enforcement agencies (WQOW News 18)
Atty Gen Kaul discusses officer-involved shooting and homeless dispute in CF visit (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire City leaders and outside agencies respond to letter for state AG to address "drop-offs" of homeless people (WEAU 13 News)
Menomonie Police Department gives more details about incident in letter to Attorney General Kaul (WEAU 13 News)
Durand chief defends bringing homeless woman to Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Forcible extradition of homeless people must end (Leader-Telegram Editorial $)

More local stories...

City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)

End of an era: Hourly workers at Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls finish their final shift (WPR)
Dick and Jake Leinenkugel make pitch to keep brewery open (Leader-Telegram $)
Leinenkugel brothers offer to buy brewery (WEAU 13 News)
Leinenkugel Brothers Say Molson Coors Won’t Consider Their Attempt to Buy Brewery (Volume One)

Blugold Real Estate 'invited to consider purchasing' HSHS Sacred Heart building site (Leader-Telegram $)

Aspirus details size, features of new CF hospital (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire's paved trail system brings in millions for local economy (WQOW News 18)

Eau Claire County to receive FEMA grant for construction of saferoom (WEAU 13 News)
Hillcrest Estates to receive grant-funded storm shelter (WQOW News 18)

County's number of arrests spiked in 2024 (Leader-Telegram $)

Collaboration between Stout, UWEC focuses on impacting medical packaging (Leader-Telegram $)

Candidate emerges for CF third district seat (Leader-Telegram $)

Farm Technology Days raises $145,000 (Leader-Telegram $)

In memoriam: Minnesota Wire CEO Paul Wagner (Minnesota Star-Tribune +)

Spring Election: 7 candidates for 5 EC City Council seats
State races focus on Supreme Court, Supt. of Public Instruction
   The April 1 non-partisan Spring Election will feature seven candidates for the five at-large Eau Claire City Council seats on the ballot. With three incumbents seeking re-election to the three-year term, there will be at least two new faces on the Council in April.
   Incumbent City Council members Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Joshua Miller filed for reelection, joined by newcomers Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, Ethan Reed, and Philip Swanhorst. Current Council members Kate Felton and Rod Jones are not running for reelection.
   There are also five district representatives and the City Council President who make up the 11-member body. Election of each category is staggered, with district representatives most recently elected in 2024, and the City Council President seat up next in 2026.
   For other local races, there are no contests for the two School Board seats up each in Altoona and Eau Claire, and no contested races for the three Altoona City Council seats on the ballot. In fact, no candidate filed for the District 3 seat in Altoona, which will be decided by write-in.
   The Eau Claire Area School District will also be filling a vacancy on its Board of Education created in December with the resignation of Board Member Josh Clements. Interested individuals may file an application for appointment to the seat by Jan 20. Click here for details.
High-profile state races
   Both statewide races this Spring are expected to attract a lot of attention and spending, especially that for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Current Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, considered part of the liberal wing of the court, is retiring. Squaring off in April will be Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel.
   Three candidates filed to run for Superintendent of Public Instruction, including incumbent Jill Underly, Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright, and education consultant Brittany Kinser. In this case, there will be Primary on February 18 to narrow the choice to two candidates.
   Judgeships on our local ballots are unopposed, including District 3 Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Stark, and Eau Claire County Branch 2 Judge Doug Hoffer.
   Watch for more election information from the Chamber as election dates draw nearer.
More information:
Spring 2025 non-partisan election (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Crawford, Schimel set to square off in another high-profile Wisconsin Supreme Court race (WPR)
Ballots are set for Wisconsin Supreme Court, school superintendent, local races (Wisconsin State Journal +)
3 candidates file paperwork to run for state superintendent of public instruction, prompting February primary (Journal-Sentinel +)
ECASD board member steps down, board talks next steps for filling vacancy (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD School Board Accepting Applications for Vacancy (WEAU 13 News)

State and regional stories...

Wisconsin Legislature website (Wisconsin Legislature)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally (Mar 5, Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)

Republican challengers start to line up as Gov. Tony Evers considers 2026 run for 3rd term (Journal-Sentinel +)

Representative Phelps celebrates inauguration in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)

Wisconsin Supreme Court hears case on how the DNR regulates pollution from businesses (Channel 3000)

Wisconsin’s median home price up $148K in past decade (In Business Madison)

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce More Than $141 Million in Quarterly Aid Payments for Local Roads and Communities (Office of the Governor)

‘This model is not sustainable’: Advocates call for more public funding for the arts in Wisconsin (BizTimes)

These property management companies operating in Wisconsin are facing Department of Justice suit, here's why (Journal-Sentinel +)

Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers cautiously optimistic as hiring woes start to diminish (Fox 11 News)
Report: Fewer Businesses Report Trouble Finding Workers (WMC)

Wisconsin banks going into 2025 with mix of hope and hesitation, report shows (WisBusiness.com)

Boom to bust? What’s behind the recent spike in craft brewery closures and acquisitions? (BizTimes)

Minnesota Democrats ask state Supreme Court to resolve state House power struggle (AP)