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Volume 7, Issue 20, Sep 30, 2024
 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 2024 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-4:30p, Friday 9 a.m.-Noon

This is an abbreviated issue of the Business Advocate. All members of the Chamber staff are out of the office today at our annual Golf Day in Eau Claire, postponed from the original August date that was rained out. We'll be back to a full edition on October 7. 

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 for Van Orden event (tomorrow)!
3rd District Congress: Chamber events with Van Orden, Cooke
   Join us for two valuable opportunities to discuss federal issues of importance to the business community with Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is finishing his first term and running for reelection to Congress as the Republican candidate, and Rebecca Cooke, the 3rd District Democratic Candidate. (Note: The Chamber does not endorse candidates but provides investors with opportunities to learn about their views on issues of importance to the business community.) 

Breakfast with Derrick Van Orden, 3rd District Congressman
•  Tuesday, October 1, 8:00-9:00 a.m. (Continental breakfast provided)
    Chamber offices, WNB Conference Room 101 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register - PLEASE REGISTER BY 4 PM MONDAY

Lunch with Rebecca Cooke, 3rd District Congressional Candidate
•  Friday, October 11, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (Light lunch provided)
    Chamber offices, WNB Conference Room 101 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register 

Candidates Energy Forum
A discussion about energy issues with the area's state legislative candidates.
 • Monday, Oct 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m., The Florian Gardens
   Click here for information

Legislative Candidates Meet-and-Greet
An in-person opportunity to meet the candidates. Invited: All Legislative candidates in area Assembly Districts 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, 93.
• Thursday, Oct 10, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Eau Claire Public Library
    Click here for details No charge to attend. No pre-registration required. 

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Oct 7
• "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wednesday, Oct 23

Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Transit
   This timely program dives into the future of transportation for the Chippewa Valley. As our economy continues to grow, what roles will key modes of transportation play in providing access and mobility for the community and our workforce? Panelists include Debby Jackson, Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin; Charity Zich, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport; Dave Solberg, Eau Claire Deputy City Manager; Ty Fadness, Eau Claire Transit; and Scott Rogers, Eau Claire Chamber and West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition.
 • Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Oct 1, 7 p.m. Meeting information

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.
State Assembly - all new districts
   The 2024 Election features all new districts for the Wisconsin State Legislature, with all 99 Assembly Districts and even-number Senate Districts on the ballot this fall. The two Senate Districts most closely associated with the Chippewa Valley, District 23, represented by Jesse James (R-Altoona), and District 31, represented by Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) are not up for reelection until 2026.
   The Chamber has assembled candidate information for six local Assembly Districts - 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, and 93 - including brief sit-down video interviews, a candidate questionnaire on business issues, and an in-person meet-and-greet opportunity.
Has your district changed?
   To check to see which is your Assembly District for this fall's election, click this link for the map, and enter your voting address:
Who are my legislators? (Wisconsin Legislature map)
  To register to vote, find your polling place, request and absentee ballot, or see what's on your ballot, click on the following link:
MyVoteWI (MyVoteWI)

Local Assembly Candidate Sit-Down video interviews
   The Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs, 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.
Click here to see the videos

Good Government Council Candidate Questionnaire
   The Good Government Council (GGC) is a subcommittee of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee dedicated to encouraging voter participation and providing members of the business community with non-biased information about candidates’ positions on important issues. Click the links below to see candidate answers to our Fall 2024 Legislative Questionnaire:
District 67 - Rep. Dave Armstrong (R), Jeff Foster (D)
District 68 - Rep. Rob Summerfield (R), Richard Pulcher (D)
District 69 - Rep. Karen Hurd (R), Roger Halls (D)
District 91 - Rep. Jodi Emerson (D), Michele Skinner (R)
District 92 - Rep. Clint Moses (R), Joe Plouff (D)
District 93 - Christian Phelps (D), James Rolbiecki (R)

Legislative Candidates Meet-and-Greet - October 10
   An in-person opportunity to meet the candidates. In a format similar to a parent-teacher conference or a reverse job fair, each candidate will be assigned a table where they can greet voters and answer questions. Invited: All Legislative candidates in area Assembly Districts 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, 93. This event is co-sponsored by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley, the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau, and the League of Women Voters of the Chippewa Valley.
Legislative Candidates Meet-and-Greet
• Thursday, Oct 10, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Eau Claire Public Library
    Click here for details No charge to attend. No pre-registration required.