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Note: This is an abbreviated version of the Business Advocate. Chamber VP Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers is on vacation this week.
Chamber & CVTC Business Community Breakfast
Honoring our past & celebrating our future. Join us at CVTC's Business Education Center to engage in insightful discussions and hear from President Sunem Beaton Garcia as she shares an update from the college. Explore how CVTC’s programs prioritize student success. Then tour the Health Education Center and discover how CVTC's health programs are evolving and growing to match the needs of our community and the workforce.
• Tuesday, Sep 12, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register (Registration deadline Sept. 7)
Making a Difference: Your Voice in Local Government
At this fast-paced, informative workshop, you’ll get the lowdown on how area local governments in Eau Claire County work. Learn about how city, county, and school districts are organized; how decisions get made; and how you can get involved. This event is co-sponsored with the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association and the Realtors Association of Northwest Wisconsin.
• Thursday, Sep 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Chamber offices, WNB Conf Room
Click here for details and to register
Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast
With the 2023-25 state budget now enacted, but with many key state issues still pending, we've invited members of the State Assembly and Senate who represent the Chippewa Valley to join us for an update and to answer questions submitted by participants. We'll get a recap and perspective on how key regional economic priorities fared in the budget, and discuss still-pending issues like childcare, potential tax cuts, etc.
• Friday, Sep 29, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
Local Candidate Training Workshop
If you've ever considered running for a local elected office, or just wondered what's involved, make plans now to attend this workshop. You'll learn which offices will be on the ballot in the Spring 2024 election and the basic details of filing and running for office. You'll also have a chance to hear what it's really like to run and to serve from a panel of current and former city council, school board, and county board members.
• Wednesday, Oct 11, 8:30-11:30 a.m., REALTORS® Assn of NW Wisconsin
Click here for details and to register
Also for your calendar:
• Thursday Sep 21, Bravo to Business Awards
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-4:30p, Friday 8a-Noon
Lobby Hours: Mon-Thu 9a-3p, Friday 9a-Noon
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Chamber "Bravo to Business" Award finalists named
Winners to be announced at September 21 event
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the highly anticipated 2023 Bravo to Business Awards, an annual event that recognizes and celebrates exceptional achievements in the local business community.
The awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at The Florian Gardens Conference Center, will highlight the remarkable contributions of businesses that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a commitment to the growth and prosperity of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley.
The finalists for the Bravo to Business Awards represent a diverse range of industries and sectors, each making a significant impact on the economic landscape of Eau Claire. These businesses have been selected based on their outstanding performance, community involvement, and commitment to ethical business practices.
The 2023 Bravo to Business finalists are the following:
Business of the Year: 50+ employees
• Minnesota Wire & Cable
• Royal Credit Union
Small Business of the Year: 1 – 50 employees
• Atmosphere Commercial Interiors
• Bauman Associates Ltd.
• Cowboy Jack’s
• Ferguson’s Orchards
• Natural Health and Allergy
Emerging Business of the Year
• Green Fleet
• Natural Health & Allergy
• Wisconsin Makers Market
Resilient Business of the Year
• Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
• REACH – Regional Enterprises for Adults & Children
Young Professionals Best Place to Work
• Ayres Associates
• Bauman Associates Ltd.
• Chippewa Valley Technical College
The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges from diverse professional backgrounds. These judges carefully reviewed the nominations and conducted thorough assessments to determine the finalists in each category.
The winners of the 2023 Bravo to Business Awards will be unveiled during the awards ceremony on September 21st, where attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding businesses and connect with fellow business professionals. The event promises to be a memorable evening of networking, inspiration, and community support.
More information:
Bravo to Business Awards
• Thursday, Sep 21, 5:00-9:00 p.m., The Florian Gardens
Click here for details and to register
More local stories:
Public Meetings Calendar
EC Event District to retain parcels it planned to sell to city (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire sues over PFAS contamination (Leader-Telegram $)
Chippewa Valley Multicultural Festival held in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Menomonie Market Co-op expanded Eau Claire location opening date October 11 (News Release, Menomonie Market Co-op)
New Route of the Day: Sun Country between Eau Claire and Las Vegas (Air Service One)
2024 Eau Claire County Budget
County 2024 budget website
Online survey: 2024 EC County Budget
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ICYMI:
UWEC, Mayo leaders discuss the impact of UWEC’s Science & Health Sciences Building and community partnerships
Area business leaders gathered at the Chamber's Eggs & Issues breakfast on August 18 to learn about the next steps and opportunities created by the partnership between UWEC and Mayo Clinic Health System and the long-sought construction of the UWEC Science & Health Sciences Building.
The guest panel included James Schmidt, Chancellor, UWEC; Dr. Richard Helmers, Regional Vice President, Mayo Clinic Health System – Northwest Wisconsin; Dr. Tim Nelson, Regional Director of Research and Innovation, Mayo Clinic Health System; Mike Carney, Assistant Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Program Development, UWEC; and Carmen Manning, Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences, UWEC.
The partnership with Mayo actually began more than five years ago and was recently renewed for another ten. Schmidt and Nelson noted that significant benefits have already been realized from specific undergraduate research projects. Along with other partners, UWEC and Mayo also received a $9.4 million Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation that will have a significant impact on regional rural healthcare. The County Materials Complex now under construction on West Menomonie Street is also a major project underway driven by key partnerships.
The Science and Health Sciences Building was among the top policy priorities of the Chamber in this year's legislative session, where completion funding was received in the capital budget, along with funding for UW-Stout's Heritage Hall renovation. In a recent Op-Ed in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, the leaders of the three Chippewa Valley Chambers of Commerce noted the far-reaching impact of the projects.
"The inclusion of two local UW System building projects in the recently enacted state budget – UW-Stout’s Heritage Hall renovation and UW-Eau Claire’s new Sciences and Health Sciences Building – is great news because both projects are set to deliver benefits to our region and Wisconsin that will far exceed their cost. The public investment in each of these projects will strengthen our regional economy, address workforce shortages, accelerate productive partnerships with businesses, and even help secure the very future of the universities themselves," said the column, signed by Ashley DeMuth, Chief Executive Officer, Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center; David Minor, President & CEO, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce; and Allyson Wisniewski, President, Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
The narrative expressed appreciation for "the tenacity of our bipartisan Chippewa Valley legislative delegation, working in both of their party caucuses to secure inclusion of funding for the projects through the Joint Finance Committee, passage by the Assembly and Senate, and the signature of Governor Tony Evers."
Friday's Eggs & Issues was attended by some of those legislators, including State Senator Jesse James (R-Altoona), Representatives Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) and Warren Petryk (R-Town of Washington), and former Republican State Senator Kathy Bernier.
Thank you to our panel, attendees, and Chippewa Valley Technical College for serving as our host venue for this informative event.
The Chamber's next Eggs & Issues will be a Legislative Breakfast on Friday, September 29, with legislators from the Chippewa Valley invited to talk about the outcome of the state budget and current issues of interest to the region. Click here for details.
More information:
Leaders discuss new UWEC science and health sciences building after budget approval (WEAU 13 News)
It Seems to Me: Local UW projects will have far reaching impact (Chippewa Valley Chambers, Leader-Telegram)
Workforce Innovation Grant (UWEC)
UWEC Science & Health Sciences Building (UWEC)
County Materials Complex (UWEC)
UWEC Facilities Projects (UWEC)
Princeton Review honors UWEC, River Falls (Leader-Telegram $)
More state and regional stories:
Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin; 8th annual contest kicks off (Fox 6)
UW-Platteville, UW-Parkside to furlough staff amid budget shortfalls (The Cap Times)
Opinion: One thing not up for debate in Milwaukee: Joe Biden won Wisconsin in 2020 (Former Congressman Reid Ribble and former State Senator Kathy Bernier, Journal-Sentinel $)
"Homeless to Harvard" - Liz Murray to keynote WMC Business Day on Oct 19 (WMC)
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National and economic stories:
Rep. Van Orden announces passing of oldest daughter (WEAU 13 News)
Home sales fall again in July, as supply drops to near quarter-century low (CNBC)
Economic updates (US Chamber of Commerce)
New Zealand’s Legalization of Incremental Housing Is Bearing Fruit (Strong Towns)
The Flip Side: Collection of Right and Left viewpoints on national issues
COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)
Mark your calendar:
Chamber & CVTC Business Community Breakfast
• Tuesday, Sep 12
Making a Difference: Your Voice in Local Government
• Thursday, Sep 14
Bravo to Business
• Thursday, Sep 21
Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast
• Friday, Sep 29
Local Candidate Training Workshop
• Wednesday, Oct 11
Workforce Solutions Summit
• Wednesday, Nov 15
Eau What A Night: The Chamber's 109th Annual Meeting
• Wednesday, January 24, 2024
30th Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024
Public Meetings Calendar
Click the link above for the our regularly updated schedule of public meetings.
Thanks for reading this issue of Business Advocate. If you have comments or questions, contact Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, at 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org
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