Sonnentag celebrates grand opening
A weeklong celebration of the opening of the Sonnentag Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire took place last week, highlighted by a Chamber ribbon cutting on Wednesday.
The $122 million complex encompasses 226,000-square-foot and includes the main venue with seating up to 5,000, the indoor field house large enough for a full size football practice field, the Center for Health and Wellbeing, and the Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging & Sports Medicine Center.
“This project has far exceeded my expectations,” said John Sonnentag, who, along with his wife, Carolyn, donated cash and land valued at $70 millions to make the project possible. “Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with building this marvelous complex.”
Construction on the building started in spring 2022. The Sonnentags’ gift is the largest in university history and among the largest ever given to a regional public university in the country. UW-Eau Claire students, Pablo Foundation, the city of Eau Claire and Xcel Energy also were either financial or in-kind donors to the project.
“It has truly taken a cast of thousands to bring this magnificent facility to life, but none of us would be here this afternoon had it not been for the generosity of two amazing Blugolds,” Chancellor James Schmidt said. “The Sonnentags’ love for UW-Eau Claire and their desire to create wonderful opportunities for our students never wavered during this process.”
The Sonnentag will be a key driver for economic development, bringing new activity and investment into the Chippewa Valley, said Dave Minor, president and CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. The facility’s opening will offer new opportunities for events, conventions and partnerships from throughout the country.
“The Sonnentag Center really represents far more than just a building,” Minor says. “It’s a symbol of what we can do when vision meets opportunity, when education, business and community come together for a shared purpose. This facility will serve as the hub for sports, recreation, entertainment and innovation enhancing the quality of life here in the Chippewa Valley region.”
The building itself cost $98 million, according to Dan Market of Market & Johnson, who noted that construction included 375,000 man hours by more than 750 people.
Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Korinne Haeffel, director of U.S. market transformation and development for the U.S. Green Building Council, announced that The Sonnentag has received gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for its emphasis on environmental sustainability and its WELL Health-Safety Rating. The Sonnentag is the largest LEED gold-certified facility of its type in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the third largest in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
More information:
Sonnentags’ vision made new facility possible (UWEC)
Watch: Full video of The Sonnentag Grand Opening Ceremony (50:42, WEAU 13 News)
UWEC celebrates the completion of the Sonnentag, a facility a decade in the making (Leader-Telegram $)
Sonnentag cuts the ribbon in morning ceremony (WQOW News 18)
The Sonnentag hosts grand opening (WEAU 13 News)
The Sonnentag earns gold-level green building rating (UWEC)
The Sonnentag announces LEED certification (WEAU 13 News)

US DOT picks SkyWest as Eau Claire EAS carrier
Sun County flights to Ft Myers to return through April
The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) has issued an order selecting SkyWest Airlines to provide daily United Express flights at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU) under the Essential Air Service program for a three-year term.
Beginning in December 2024, SkyWest Airlines will provide a minimum of 12 roundtrip United Express flights per week from the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Flights will be operated utilizing a 50-seat CRJ200 aircraft and will be timed to ensure convenient connection opportunities within United Airlines’ vast network of domestic and international destinations at Chicago O’Hare.
Seasonal nonstop flights to Fort Myers, FL will continue for winter vacationers on Sun Country Airlines from January 31, 2025, through April 7, 2025. Passengers holding other Sun Country reservations should watch for emails from Sun Country.
“The US DOT decision to select SkyWest Airlines to serve our market will maximize connectivity to the world for passengers arriving and departing our region,” said Charity Zich, Airport Director. “We look forward to the return of daily scheduled service to our market while simultaneously welcoming the opportunity to continue the nonstop, low-cost flight options to Southwest Florida on Sun Country Airlines.”
More information:
U.S. DOT selects SkyWest Airlines to serve Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (WEAU 13 News)
US DOT chooses SkyWest to service Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (WQOW News 18)
CVRA prepares for transition to SkyWest (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: A great outcome for CVRA (Leader-Telegram editorial $)
Flights are getting more expensive again as airlines scale back their growth plans (CNBC)
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport receives $1M in federal funding for reconstruction project (Leader-Telegram $)

October Eggs & Issues features transportation
The Chamber's October Eggs & Issues will focus on transportation, with Airport Director Charity Zich as one of the speakers. Click the link below for information:
• Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit - Friday, Oct 25

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, Sep 16, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Sep 16, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Sep 17, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Vance in Eau Claire Tuesday, Walz visits Wausau
With Wisconsin a key battleground state, we can expect to see more visits from national candidates as the election approaches. Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance will appear at a rally at the Eau Claire Event District on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz visited Wausau for an event this past Friday.
More information:
JD Vance event ticket information (Trump campaign)
Sen. JD Vance Coming to Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Sen. JD Vance returns to Eau Claire on September 17 (WQOW News 18)
Vance returns to Eau Claire this week (Leader-Telegram $)
JD Vance heading back to Wisconsin Tuesday for campaign stop in Eau Claire (Journal-Sentinel +)
Walz finishes post-debate event blitz with Wisconsin rally (Spectrum 1 News)
Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz speaks with supporters in Wausau (WSAW)
Tim Walz visits a Ukrainian bakery, rallies volunteers in Wausau campaign stop (Journal-Sentinel +)

Getting ready for the November 5 election
Local voters in Wisconsin have outsized influence with the upcoming November 5 election. It's a critical state in the race for President, control of Congress and the US Senate, and a potential shake up of the state legislature.
The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources and information to help investors and the public learn about candidates and their positions on issues. Watch for full coverage of what's on the ballot locally as the election approaches.
Chamber election information available now:
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
Seasoned political observer John Frank talks with VP Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers about the key races on the ballot on November 5 and how your vote will have a big impact not only locally but nationally. Learn what's at stake statewide and in local legislative districts. Click here to listen (32:11)
Local Assembly Candidate Sit-Down interviews
The Chamber's Scott Rogers sat down with each candidate to learn more about their backgrounds, why they're running, and key issues they'd emphasize if elected. These videos cover Chippewa Valley area Assembly Districts 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, and 93. Click here to see the videos

Coming soon: Assembly candidate answers to the Chamber's Good Government Council Candidate Questionnaire.

Local Candidate Training Workshop
Presented by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, and Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley.
Although the current election focus is on political races for November 5, the timing of candidacy decisions and ballot deadlines mean that now is the time to consider candidacies for the April 2025 local elections. If you've ever considered running for a local elected office, want to help with a campaign, or just wondered what's involved, make plans now to attend this workshop.
Local Candidate Training Workshop
• Thursday, Oct 3, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Chippewa Valley Homebuilders Assn.
Click here for details and to register

More election stories...

ECASD talk about intention, reasons, addressing concerns with upcoming referendum vote (Leader-Telegram $)
Referendum information page (ECASD)

EC Chamber talks about government with local business at 'Your Role in Government' (Leader-Telegram $)

67 million watch Trump-Harris presidential debate (Axios)
Watch: Full ABC News presidential debate (1 hr, 52 mins, ABC)
Watch: WEAU political analyst John Frank recaps Harris-Trump debate (5:02, WEAU 13 News)
Trump Rejects Second Debate With Harris (Wall Street Journal +)
Fact-Checking the Harris-Trump ABC News Debate (The Dispatch)
Experts: How Harris and Trump’s plans could impact housing affordability (Bankrate)

Marquette Law School Poll of Wisconsin finds 52% of registered voters support Harris, 48% support Trump (Marquette Law School Poll)
Latest polling shows Harris edging ahead of Trump in battleground Wisconsin (WPR)
Marquette poll takeaways: Enthusiasm, Walz favorability, third-parties, independents (Journal-Sentinel +)

Thompson tells ‘UpFront’ he urged Trump to campaign in Dane, Milwaukee counties to win Wisconsin (WisPolitics.com)

Baldwin Rolls Out Bill to Provide Relief for Wisconsin Small Businesses Impacted by Warm Winters (WEAU 13 News)
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde tours Belmark in De Pere (WBAY)

In Peter Barca, Democrats hope a familiar name can break Bryan Steil's grip on Wisconsin seat (Journal-Sentinel +)

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a case on the future of the state’s elections leader (AP)

Former Wisconsin officials discuss restoring faith in elections (WPR)
Badger State Election Security - Former Members of Congress to Speak in La Crosse Oct 3 (LeaderEthics)
In private meetings and public town halls, Republicans and Democrats in Wisconsin and across US work to restore voter trust (Wisconsin Watch)

State and regional stories...

Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case with broad implications for PFAS cleanup (WPR)

Gov. Evers, PSC Announce Award of $27.8 Million under Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program (Office of the Governor)

Dairyland Power awarded half-billion dollar new ERA grant (Dairyland Power Cooperative)

WMC Announces 2024 Business Friend of the Environment Award Recipients (WMC)

Wisconsin dairy industry fights back as towns seek to curb CAFO growth (Wisconsin Watch)

Vibrant spaces create community in Wisconsin downtowns (WEDC)

130 products compete to be named the "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin" (WMC)

UW-Madison receives $75 million gift for new engineering building (BizTimes)

Madison City Council passes land use plans for west, northeast sides (The Cap Times)

Madison housing assistance for homeless people $100K over budget (The Cap Times)

Milwaukee residents blast city’s housing authority over living conditions (WPR)

Milwaukee County forges solution to $19M budget gap without service cuts, tax increase (Journal-Sentinel +)

New management firm looks to give Oshkosh Arena a fresh start (WPR)

The Mississippi River is running low again. It’s a problem for farmers moving beans and grain (AP)

National and economic stories...

Consumer prices rose 0.2% in August as annual inflation rate hits lowest since early 2021 (CNBC)
Annual US consumer inflation fell to 2.5% in August, a 3-year low (AP)

Americans’ inflation-adjusted incomes rebounded to pre-pandemic levels last year (AP)

Wholesale prices rose 0.2% in August, in line with expectations (CNBC)

More than 500 Business Groups from Across the Country Call on Washington to Avoid the Largest Tax Increase in American History (US Chamber of Commerce)

Nearly half of renters spend more than 30% of income on housing, Census Bureau finds (Fox Business)

Empty Downtowns Are Still Depleting Local Coffers (Governing)

Food for thought...

Make Your State’s Housing Affordable Forever With This One Weird Trick (Roshan Abraham, Next City) Vermont has successfully extended the affordability of housing financed by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits — and other states can follow suit.

Tariff Myths, Debunked (Scott Lincicome, The Dispatch)

COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)

Mark your calendar:
Eggs & Issues: Fall Election Outlook with Bill McCoshen
• Friday, Sep 27
Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Sep 30 (Rescheduled)
Candidates Energy Forum
• Monday, Oct 7
Business After Hours
• Monday, Oct 7
Legislative Candidates Meet-and-Greet
• Thursday, Oct 10
Business Day in Madison
• Thursday, Oct 17
"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Wednesday, Oct 23
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit
• Friday, Oct 25
General Election
• Tuesday, Nov 5
Economic Outlook Luncheon
• Tuesday, Nov 12
Eggs & Issues: Election Analysis with the Marquette Poll's Charles Franklin
• Friday, Nov 15
2024 Business Solutions Summit
• Wednesday, Nov 20
Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast
• Friday, Dec 20
2025 Human Resource Conference
• Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025

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