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Volume 7, Issue 35, Jan 13, 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
 Closed January 1st

In this issue:
 • EC City Council: Work sessions on BIDs, tourism
 • Volunteers sought for homeless point-in-time count
 • Spring election: 7 candidates for 5 EC City Council at-large seats
 • Passenger rail progress to be highlighted at Jan 21 meeting
 • Wisconsin Legislature begins 2025-26 session
 • 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 "+"

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.
• Friday, Jan 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education 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.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Celebrating the Chamber's 110 Years
   This year marks a monumental milestone for the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce—our 110th birthday! To kick off this exciting year, we’re thrilled to unveil a fresh new look with an updated website, reflecting our brand-new 110th birthday logo. Also see our new Business Advocate masthead above.
   The celebration kicks off at our 110th Annual Meeting, Eau What a Night, on Thursday, January 30th, at the new Sonnentag Center. Join us as we honor our past, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to an even brighter future.

Also for your calendar...
 • 2025 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
 • Business Solutions Summit - Wednesday, Feb 26

EC City Council: Work sessions planned about Business
Improvement Districts, potential Tourism Commission
   The Eau Claire City Council meets this week with a relatively light agenda for its Public Hearing and Legislative Sessions, but with important Council Work Sessions related to critical local economic partnerships.
   Tuesday's Legislative Session agenda includes approval of a contract with Western Dairyland to provide $500,000 towards the purchase or remodeling of a building for the planned Day Resource Center (pages 73-76 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below), and reports from committees including the Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning and Community Engagement (pages 61-71) and the committee related to the upcoming evaluation of the City Manager (page 72).
Work sessions on Monday and Tuesday
   Work Sessions are less formal City Council meetings, usually following a scheduled meeting, for purposes of education or exploring a topic that affects the City or might be brought forward for future legislation.
   After Monday's Public Hearing, the Council will have a work session led by Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg about Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which are entities created by business owners in a particular geographic area to voluntarily tax themselves to fund various improvement activities. The City has four BIDs that cover areas around South Barstow Street, North Barstow and the Mayo area, West Grand Avenue near the Courthouse, and Water Street. The Work Session will include a review of the purposes, activities, and concerns of the local BIDs and their relationship with the City.
   Tuesday's Work Session is noted on the agenda as follows: "the Council will convene in the Council Chamber for a work session to discuss the potential creation of a tourism commission for the City of Eau Claire," led by Finance Director Kitzie Winters and Assistant City Attorney Jenessa Stromberger. Visit Eau Claire (VEC) currently serves as the City's designated Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). VEC also provides tourism promotion for Altoona, Osseo, the Town of Union, and the Town of Wheaton.
   Last Monday, VEC Executive Director Kenzi Havlicek provided an update to City Council members and invited members of the Chamber's Executive Committee about tourism and its economic impact. Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism figures show that for 2023, the most recent year full data is available, tourism generated $284.6 million in direct spending in Eau Claire County with a total economic impact of $459 million.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Jan 13, Public Hearing Agenda Packet (34 pages)
 • Tuesday, Jan 14, Legislative Session Agenda Packet (134 pages)
    Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
    City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
    Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
    City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
More information and city news...
Economic Impact of Tourism in WI and Eau Claire (Visit Eau Claire)
DECI DIVISION: Nonprofit Downtown-Boosting Group Officially Separates from City (Volume One)
City of Eau Claire to adopt final version of new zoning codes by summer (Leader-Telegram)
City to spend $225K on water study to ensure smooth water operations in future (Leader-Telegram $)

Volunteers sought for Jan 22 point-in-time homeless count
   As further collaborative efforts get underway in the Eau Claire area community to address homelessness, a key twice-yearly data milestone is scheduled to take place the night of Wednesday, January 22. 
   Volunteers are being sought to join staff and volunteers from local homeless shelters and community organizations to conduct the biannual count of homeless individuals in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson counties.
   Known nationally as the Point-In-Time Count, the activity is intended to provide a statistically reliable, unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness during a designated period twice each year. The data collected during the count is included in the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) that is provided to the U.S. Congress. Homeless information is also reported to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, and is utilized to develop the Housing Inventory Chart for the Balance of State Continuum of Care.
   Representatives from Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Hope Gospel Mission, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, Catholic Charities, and Bolton Refuge House will be joined by dozens of community members when they begin canvassing at 11 p.m. on January 22nd. They will be looking for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, providing outreach and assistance, and obtaining information necessary for the count.
   Additional volunteers are needed, both in the city of Eau Claire and in rural areas. Prospective volunteers may call Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 or register online at westerndairyland.org/count.
More information:
July 2024 Point-in-time data (Western DairyLand)
Eau Claire Community Leaders Unite to Address Homelessness with New Collaborative Approach (News release)
Community-Wide Collaborative Forms to Address Homelessness (Volume One)
New task force created to address homelessness in Chippewa Valley (WEAU 13 News)

Spring Election: 7 candidates for 5 EC City Council seats
State races focus on Supreme Court, Supt. of Public Instruction
   The January 7 filing deadline for the April 1 non-partisan Spring Election revealed that there will be 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 Ward 3 seat in Altoona.
   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 +)
Chippewa Falls school, city election filings in the books (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD board member steps down, board talks next steps for filling vacancy (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD School Board Accepting Applications for Vacancy (WEAU 13 News)

More local stories...

ECASD talks about high school athletics fields completed at Memorial, North (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD aims to boost students' post-secondary readiness (Leader-Telegram $)

Study indicates Chippewa Falls school enrollment will continue to decline (Leader-Telegram $)

Virtual visits to play an increased role as a part of Marshfield, Sanford merger (Leader-Telegram $)

Health Department says lengthening tick season may contribute to more cases of Lyme disease (Leader-Telegram $)

Chippewa County to assist Hope Village acquire motel (Leader-Telegram $)

Dunn County nears complete high-speed internet coverage for residents, businesses (Leader-Telegram $)

Report: Wisconsin population estimated to decline 200,000 by 2050
Eau Claire County projected to have 12.2% growth
   According to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the state is projected to decline slightly in population between now and 2050, but county-by-county projections estimate Eau Claire County would grow to 118,625 by that date, an increase of 12.2%.
More information:
Wisconsin's population is projected to lose nearly 200,000 people by 2050, report says (Journal-Sentinel +)
Link to Wisconsin Dept. of Administration estimates (DOA)
Wisconsin’s population expected to decline by nearly 200K residents come 2050  (WPR)
Trempealeau and Eau Claire among fastest growing counties in Wisconsin (WQOW News 18)

Wisconsin passenger rail projects move forward
Jan 21 meeting in Eau Claire: Updates on state and local projects
   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, 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire
    In-persona attendance: No charge or pre-registration required
    Remote attendance via Zoom: Click here to pre-register
Eau Claire-Twin Cities passenger rail project on track (The Business News)
Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission selects consultant to begin planning for new Eau Claire - Twin Cities Passenger Train (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition)
WisDOT studying possibility of adding more passenger rail capacity (WisBusiness.com)
Amtrak Borealis: The Hype Is Real (Twin Cities Business)
Amtrak ridership hit an all-time record high in 2024. Here are the Wisconsin numbers (Journal-Sentinel +)
Senator Baldwin helps secure over $38 million investment in Wisconsin Passenger Rail Service (WEAU 13 News)

Wisconsin Legislative begins 2025-26 session
   Following last November's election, the new two-year session of the Wisconsin State Legislature began last Monday, with a significant number of new faces. With all-new district lines, even re-elected incumbents are representing districts with significant changes in their boundaries.
   A new session brings with it the enactment of a two-year state budget, which will set the direction of spending priorities for state government. Democratic Governor Tony Evers continues in office, while Republicans continue to control both the State Senate and Assembly, but with smaller margins than in the previous biennium. Click the Wisconsin Legislature website link below to see the updated names and committee assignments for both the State Senate and Assembly.
Mar 5 Chippewa Valley Rally will bring regional priorities to Madison
   The 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce - will provide an opportunity for local business and community leaders to bring regional economic priorities to policymakers. It will take place on Wednesday, March 5. Mark your calendar and click the link below for details.
More information:
Wisconsin Legislature website (Wisconsin Legislature)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally (Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)
Wisconsin Legislature begins first new session after redistricting (WPR)
Vos reelected speaker as Legislature kicks off 2025-26 session (WisPolitics.com)
GOP lawmakers move quickly on effort to enshrine Wisconsin’s voter ID law (WPR)
Area Republicans promote voter ID constitutional amendment (Leader-Telegram $)
Republicans promise tax cuts as Wisconsin lawmakers are sworn in for 2025-27 session (WPR)
After failed attempts, Wisconsin lawmakers will try again to address PFAS (WPR)
Evers asks for referendum overhaul so citizens can vote directly on changing laws, Wisconsin Constitution (WPR)

More state and regional stories...

Wisconsin’s new electric vehicle tax sparks mixed reactions from drivers and advocates (WMTV)

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Celebrate Launch of First Federally Funded Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Office of the Governor)

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves Critical UW Projects (Office of the Governor)
UW-Stout receives $5.4 million in state construction dollars (Leader-Telegram $)

Some Wisconsin communities say they have too many ZIP codes. Congress might step in. (WPR)

New survey shows Wisconsin parents struggle to understand public school systems (WPR)

Superior explores second stories to alleviate housing shortage (WPR)

With financing closed, construction on Milwaukee luxury apt tower The Edison could start in spring (Biz Times)