Eau Claire City Council Updates
City Council Vacancy
This evening, City Council will vote for a fourth time to select a candidate to fill the vacant seat. Last Monday, City Council postponed the decision after taking three consecutive split votes. Each vote ended with the same 5 votes for Joyce Orth and 3 for Shelley Janke. A majority vote of 6 is necessary to proceed. Learn more about the two candidates below.

• Shelley Janke

• Joyce Orth

Read more...
Eau Claire City Council postpones filling vacant seat after three votes (WQOW)
City Council pushes back vacancy appointment again after no majority vote (Leader-Telegram)

EC Chamber speaks in support of proposed Manufacturing Facility
On Monday, 4/27 the City Council discussed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Development Agreement with ABF Ingredients North America Inc. regarding support of a new manufacturing facility in the Gateway Northwest Industrial Park.
The project represents about $270 million in overall capital expense, including $56 million in guaranteed taxable value. The company, operating as Ohly, is a global leader in yeast-based ingredient production used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, vegan foods, and animal nutrition.
The City's proposed support includes two components: infrastructure improvements funded through TID #15, including the extension of Venture Drive and utilities, and a $5.6 million development incentive to offset construction costs. Of that incentive, $1.4 million would be paid in installments following Phase One construction benchmarks, with the remaining balance structured as pay-as-you-go funding tied to future phases and tax revenue generation. All incentives are performance-based and contingent on the company meeting agreed-upon milestones.
This project is expected to create approximately 90-100 jobs across three phases, with wages ranging from $24-$60 per hour. City staff and financial consultants have confirmed the proposal meets state TID requirements and aligns with City policy. Utility capacity has also been evaluated, with no anticipated impact to existing systems.
The City Council will vote on this item at tonight's meeting (4/28).
Read more...
ABF Ingredients eyes Eau Claire for $270 million manufacturing campus (WQOW)
Eau Claire City Council hears presentation on a potential $270 million development (WEAU)
Eau Claire City Council heard public comment on $270 million global manufacturing facility (WQOW)
EC City Council to vote on major project (Leader-Telegram)

City Manager Contract Renewal
The City Council will also vote on the renewal of City Manager Stephanie Hirsch's employment contract. You can find the Agenda here.

More information:
Upcoming Eau Claire City Council Meetings
• City Council Legislative Session, Monday April 28, 4p.m. Agenda
• Council Public Hearing, Monday, May 11, 6p.m.
• Council Legislative Hearing, Tuesday, May 12, 4:00p.m.
Click here to send an email to all City Council members
Click here for individual contact information for each City Council member
Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire, YouTube channel)
City of Eau Claire Public Notices (City of Eau Claire)
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
Comprehensive Plan website (City of Eau Claire)
Housing Opportunities Commission (City of Eau Claire)

Also meeting this week and next...
• Plan Commission, Monday May 4, 6:00p.m.Altoona Meetings

• Police and Fire Commission Meeting, April 30, 5:00p.m.

Wisconsin Competitiveness Report: What Does it Mean for Your Business?
• Wednesday, May 20, 7:30-9:00a.m.
• Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center (29 Pines Travel Center)
Join us for a timely and high-impact event as Kurt Bauer, President & CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, presents the newly released
Wisconsin Competitiveness Report—a data-driven blueprint for securing our state’s economic future.
Wisconsin is at a crossroads. A shrinking workforce, rising costs, regulatory burdens, and other economic pressures are creating real challenges for employers, families, and communities across the state. For business leaders in the Chippewa Valley, these trends directly impact your ability to attract talent, manage expenses, and remain competitive in a regional economy that depends on growth and innovation.
In this engaging presentation, Kurt Bauer will break down what’s holding Wisconsin back, why it matters to your business, and—most importantly—the practical, ready-to-enact solutions that can help move our state forward. Backed by real economic data and the collective voice of the business community, the report offers insights every Chippewa Valley business leader needs to help shape policies that keep our region—and our state—positioned for long-term success.
Exclusively for Chamber members, connect with peers facing similar challenges, access unique insights to power your advocacy, and contribute to shaping policies that protect and grow your business – benefits that establish members as leaders in regional economic growth.  Co-sponsored with the Eau Claire Area Chamber and the Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitor Center, members of all three Chambers are invited to attend. 
• Find the Wisconsin Competitiveness Report here

Conversation with regional developers: How do you build homes affordably?

May 14 panel discussion, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, first of a three part series on affordable housing efforts in the Chippewa Valley

Hosted by the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Chippewa Valley Home Builders, and the Eau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource Center, join us for a panel discussion detailing affordable housing in the Chippewa Valley. Struggles to find affordable housing marks a significant issue for our region, especially for nearly 40% of households that earn $50,000 or less per year. To address this issue, local developers and others who provide housing will discuss what they need to build more affordably at the first part of a three-event series, "Keys to Unlocking Affordable Housing."

The event will feature discussion by developers and others about their ideas for building homes more affordably, thereby increasing access to more people. Discussion will also include information about how to keep people in housing.

Event panelists include Cody Filipczak, co-owner of C&M Home Builders and Real Estate, Justin Held, owner of Rocket Construction and Property Minds, Tim Mather, executive director of West CAP, James Rolbiecki, property owner, and Christina Thrun, executive officer of Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association.

This session is focused on multi-family rentals, since low-income households most often can't afford a single-family home in the current housing market. Local housing leaders and the general public are encouraged to attend.

• 5-7:00p.m. on Thursday, May 14, Riverfront Room of L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire

Attendance is free

Eau Claire Chamber to host the State Competition for the National Civics Bee® , May 9
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 2026 National Civics Bee Statewide Competition on May 9 from 9-12p.m. at South Middle School. This exciting event will bring together some of the top student scholars from across Wisconsin, each selected as a statewide finalist for their outstanding civics knowledge and essay submissions.®
From across the state, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students submitted essays regarding complex issues their communities face, how they propose to fix those issues, and who they would work with. Organized through the U.S. Chamber Foundation, judges from across the nation reviewed the submissions and selected the top 20 to advance to our Statewide Bee.
During the live competition, students will test their understanding of civics through 20 quiz questions, followed by presentations of their essay ideas to a panel of judges. The event celebrates civic engagement, critical thinking, and the next generation of community leaders.
We invite the public to attend this event to join us in recognizing and supporting these exceptional students as they showcase their knowledge and passion for civics!
Learn more about the National Civics Bee®
Click here for a short video about the Bee

Other local and candidate coverage...
State Rep. Karen Hurd rerunning in 69th Assembly District (WEAU)
Jesse James named Village of Lake Hallie Chief of Police (WEAU)
State Sen. Jesse James to become next Lake Hallie Police Chief (Leader-Telegram)
Next steps after Augusta School District referendum fails (WEAU)
Overview and History of Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire Chamber, Brennen Bolopue)

Statewide stories...
Data center tax break could mean $2 billion in uncollected revenue for Wisconsin (WEAU)
Wisconsin's class of 2026 entering the workforce in the toughest job market since COVID-19 (WPR)
Wisconsin youth apprenticeship program sets enrollment record during National Apprenticeship Week (27 WKOW)
Limited number of flights at Mitchell Airport could hurt convention hotel plan (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
State Rep. Dean Kaufert to retire after nearly four decades in public service (Northeast Wisconsin)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted agriculture and farming roundtable (WEAU)
Wisconsin Bankers Association announces $50,000 in financial literacy, housing, and economic development grants (Wisconsin Bankers Association)
Gov. Evers: Wisconsin's youth apprenticeship program saw record-high enrollment (WEAU)

Thanks for reading this issue of Business Advocate. If you have comments or questions, contact Erica Bodden, Director of Advocacy at bodden@eauclairchamber.org