CV Airport gets two proposals for air service contract
Current federal EAS contract for Sun Country flights up for renewal
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission will hear details and discuss two proposals it has received for providing passenger air service under the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
The EAS contract is currently held by Sun Country Airlines, who took over the contract in December 2022 after the previous carrier, SkyWest (operating as United Express), announced it was pulling out of 29 EAS markets because of the pilot shortage. The two-year contract ends later this year, so the USDOT opened the opportunity for proposals for the service.
Sun Country has proposed continuation of its contract, which provides several weekly flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and seasonal direct flights to Ft. Myers, Orlando, and Las Vegas, all using Boeing 737 jet aircraft. The other proposal comes from SkyWest, the United Express carrier that pulled out two years ago, offering to provide 12 round trips per week between Eau Claire and Chicago O'Hare.
Under Sun Country's current contract, the airport has fewer weekly departures, but its ridership surpassed 50,000 passengers in 2023 for the first time since 2004. In its proposal, Sun Country says it will increase total annual flights by 28% and expects to achieve a 9.4% decrease in subsidy per passenger. SkyWest proposes to operate its flights to O'Hare with 50 seat CRJ regional jets.
The EAS program was created under airline deregulation to provide federal subsidies, with some cost limits, to guarantee passenger air service to communities who would otherwise lose it. Although the preferences of the airport and community are taken strongly into consideration, the final decision on which carrier gets the contract is made by US DOT.
More information:
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission
• Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 a.m., Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Agenda
SkyWest proposal (SkyWest)
Sun Country proposal (Sun Country)

Western Dairyland hosts meeting to discuss
Day Resource Center
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council and Hope Gospel Mission hosted a public information meeting last Tuesday to detail plans for a potential Day Resource Center in downtown Eau Claire to help individuals experiencing homelessness, and to get public input in its site selection process.
Western Dairyland would own the proposed building. It would be operated by Hope Gospel Mission. The City of Eau Claire has allocated federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to assist with the funding, and is considering provided a site on city-owned land. So far, $850,000 in funding has been committed among Western Dairyland, Mayo Clinic Health System, the City of Eau Claire, and a private donor. Total cost of the project is currently estimated at $6.2 million.
According to a summary of the project on Western Dairyland's website, "The Day Resource Center would provide comprehensive homeless services and year-round daytime shelter from extreme weather. These services would be provided by Hope Gospel Mission in a modern facility with expanded hours. Bathrooms, showers, storage areas and congregate meeting spaces will be available to anyone in need. The building will include expanded offices for homeless programs operated by Western Dairyland EOC: Housing First, Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention, Homeless Assistance Program for Youth, Family Shelters, and Housing Stability. Additional space will be available to local businesses and community organizations serving the homeless community."
Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg spoke at the June 18 meeting and provided a list of six potential city-owned sites. The city initially proposed the parking lot at Main and Farwell streets, but after adjacent and other businesses raised concerns about specific issues with that location, the Eau Claire Plan Commission recommended against a request to declare it excess land to move it forward.
A preferred site is expected to be determined within the next few weeks, and a decision on the feasibility of the project made in August. Officials plan a public survey in July to get additional input. If a city-owned site is selected, the decision would need to be approved by the City Council.
The June 18 meeting was recorded and the video can be accessed at the link below.
More information:
Video: Day Resource Information Meeting (Western Dairyland, YouTube, 1 hr, 16 mins)
Eau Claire Community Day Resource Center (Western Dairyland)
Readiness Planning Study Case Summary (Western Dairyland)
Potential city-owned sites (City of Eau Claire)
Partners Searching for Day Center Site to Serve the Homeless (Volume One)
Community partners discuss day resource center proposal (WEAU 13 News)

Next Eggs & Issues: Understanding the downtown homeless issue
The Chamber's next Eggs & Issues breakfast on July 19 will focus on the issues surrounding homelessness as it relates to downtown Eau Claire. It will include points of view from Western Dairyland, Hope Gospel Mission, the City of Eau Claire, downtown businesses, and homeless advocates.
Event and registration information:
Eggs & Issues: Understanding the downtown homeless issue
• Friday, July 19, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar

Eau Claire City Council
Monday's Public Hearing and Tuesday's Business Agenda include rezoning to allow for a 39 acre residential development west of Juniper Place and north of Prairie Lane including single family, twin homes, and multi-family as proposed by Wurzer Builders (see pages 4-37 of the Monday agenda packet linked below). The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval. There will also be a public discussion Monday evening on the 2025-29 Capital Improvement Plan and a Council Work Session about it after Monday's meeting.
• Monday, June 24, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (39 pages)
• Tuesday, June 25, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (199 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)
Other city-related stories:
Eau Claire considering new sustainability staff position, bird-safe glass ordinance (WQOW News 18)
City updates status of Dewey Street Bridge ahead of its reconstruction (WQOW News 18)
Mayo Clinic sues City of Eau Claire over property taxes (WQOW News 18)
Mayo Clinic files lawsuit against City of Eau Claire over taxes (WEAU 13 News)

Altoona Plan Commission Special Meeting
Includes public hearing for the preliminary plat, Whitetail Woods
• Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. Links to agenda and info
Altoona City Council
• Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m. Links to agenda and info

Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announces membership
The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative has announced that membership is now available for individuals and physicians. According to a news release:
"After substantial research and input over the last several months, the Cooperative announced that it is moving forward with building a non-profit independent community hospital governed by a local board and accountable to the people of our region, not to management teams outside of our region. The Cooperative’s new hospital will be cost-effective for local employers, will be open to all qualified physicians in the region, and will accept all government payors, including Medicare and Medicaid."
Membership in the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is now open to residents in the 15-county Chippewa Valley region. Members will vote to elect a local Board of Directors by early Fall.
More information:
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative now accepting community and physician members (Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative opens membership (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative now accepting community and physician members (WQOW News 18)

More healthcare-related stories...

Feasibility study planned for new hospital in Chippewa County (Leader-Telegram $)

Plans announced for the millions of dollars donated to HSHS Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s (WEAU 13 News)

New federal grant sends more OBGYNs to train in rural areas (WPR)

In case you missed it...
Podcast: Leaders discuss Recovery Task Force pause,
future of local healthcare
The Co-Chairs of the HSHS Prevea Recovery Task Force joined Chamber President and CEO Dave Minor for the Chamber's "Talking Po!nt" Podcast to reflect on efforts over the past four months to respond to the closures of HSHS hospitals and Prevea Clinics in the area. Dr. Bill Rupp, Retired Mayo CEO, and Jerry Jacobson, President Northwestern Bank, review the efforts and successes of the task force, explain the decision to pause its work, and the future of healthcare as it affects the Chippewa Valley.
Minor was also recently interviewed by Spectrum News 1's "In Focus" program about the status of local healthcare.
Talking Po!nt EP 6: Pausing the HSHS/Prevea Recovery Task Force
Audio: Click here to listen (Eau Claire Chamber, 28:06)
HSHS Prevea Healthcare Task Force pauses operations (Eau Claire Chamber)

More local stories...

Blugolds AD shows off The Sonnentag (WQOW News 18)

Green Fleet Founder Named Momentum West Entrepreneur of the Year (Volume One)

Chippewa Valley Free Clinic’s Longtime Director to Retire (Volume One)

Hope Village on verge of reaching fundraising goal, will begin building workforce housing units (Chippewa Herald +)

High Bridge Added to State Landmark List (Volume One)

RCU Foundation gifts Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation $150K for the Market on River (Leader-Telegram $)

Xcel Energy begins project to enhance safety, longevity of Menomonie hydroelectric dam (Leader-Telegram $)

Life Story: Celebrated Speaker Mike McKinley (Leader-Telegram $)
Video: Mike McKinley on Johnny Carson (YouTube, 5:34)

State and regional stories...

Home affordability hits all-time low in May, WRA reports (WisBusiness.com)
May 2024 Wisconsin Real Estate Report (WRA)
Paths forward: Can manufactured housing, adaptive reuse move the affordable housing needle? (APG Wisconsin)
NBA champion Devean George brings modular housing manufacturing to north Minneapolis (KARE 11)
Pandemic rent inflation is still working its way through the economy (Axios)
Home Prices Hit a Record High (Wall Street Journal)

World Relief webinar:
How immigrants shape our economy: Separating myths from real impact (World Relief)
• Thursday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. Click here to register
Chippewa Valley FAQs (World Relief)

Immigrants rights advocates, Madison chamber, say Biden’s actions address state labor shortage (WPR)
Thousands in Wisconsin could benefit from new immigration rules (The Cap Times)

Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a challenge to governor’s 400-year school funding veto (AP)

Almost all of Wisconsin could have access to broadband by 2030, PSC chair says (WPR)

Forward Janesville welcomes new CEO, highlights the city’s growing community (15 WMTV)

Milwaukee County Exec Crowley Approves Funding for Franklin Affordable Housing (Urban Milwaukee)

Milwaukee Schools financial consultant ‘making good strides’ (WPR)

La Crosse Regional Airport welcomes new director (WKBT News 8000)

Joe Gow's UW-La Crosse faculty hearing concludes, decision on his tenured role 'as soon as practicable' (Wisconsin State Journal +)

Crews move 400-ton apartment building in downtown Madison (15 WMTV)

Federal appellate panel sends Michigan Enbridge pipeline challenge to state court (AP)

Election updates...

Several local legislative races will have primaries on Aug 13
With the June 3 filing deadline, its now known which candidates are formally seeking legislative seats in Wisconsin this year. Among six key area State Assembly districts, that includes primaries on August 13 for the right to appear on the November ballot featuring two local Democratic races and three local Republican races. All 99 Assembly districts are on the ballot this year, but only the even-numbered State Senate districts, where Senators serve a four-year term.
Has your district changed? All new maps now in place.
As a result of new legislation passed last year, the 2024 election features all new legislative districts, with significant changes taking place locally and throughout the state. To see what district in which you now vote, see the link below to access the interactive map on the Legislature's web site. Check the boxes at the upper left to select Assembly, Senate, and/or Congressional Districts. Zoom in to find your location and your district.
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature)
Local Assembly candidates
Here are the candidates who have filed for local seats. I-Incumbent. Where there are two candidates from the same party, the August 13 Primary will determine who appears on the November 5 ballot for that party.
District 67. Republicans: Dave Armstrong, Rice Lake (I-drawn in by new maps), Jimmy Swenson, Barron; Democrat: Jeffrey Foster, Colfax.
District 68. Republicans: Rob Summerfield, Bloomer (I-drawn in by new maps), Clifford Taylor, Ladysmith; Democrat: Richard Pulcher, Lublin
District 69. Republicans: Karen Hurd (I-moved in from former 68), Lori Voss, Abbotsford; Democrat: Roger Hills, Stanley; Independent: Joshua Kelley, Greenwood
District 91. Democrat: Jodi Emerson, Eau Claire (I); Republican: Michele Skinner, Altoona
District 92. Republican: Clint Moses (I-drawn in by new maps); Democrats: Caden Berg, Chippewa Falls; Joseph Plouff, Menomonie
District 93. Democrats: Nickolas Butler, Fall Creek; Christian Phelps, Eau Claire; Republican: James Rolbiecki, Town of Washington (Incumbent Republican Warren Petryk is not seeking reelection after serving seven terms.)
Statewide Legislative races
Wispolitics.com has been tracking the new districts and candidate filings. To see who has filed in other parts of Wisconsin, see the links below:
2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
2024 Wisconsin State Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Assembly members facing primary challenges (WisPolitics.com)
Incumbent lawmakers facing no major party opposition (WisPolitics.com)
Congressional Primary
In the 3rd Congressional District, three Democrats, Rebecca Cooke, Eau Claire, State Rep. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point, and Eric Wilson, Eau Claire, are seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden, Prairie du Chien.
Here's who is running for Congress in Wisconsin (The Cap Times)

Chamber election information to come
The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides investors with candidate information to help them make informed decisions. Watch for details as the election dates draw closer.

Who’s running in Wisconsin’s 2024 legislative primaries (Wisconsin Examiner)

One-on-One: Eric Hovde says inflation, health care are the biggest issues this election (15 WMTV)
One-on-One: Sen. Baldwin says reproductive rights, economy, are the biggest issues this election (15 WMTV)

Eric Hovde and Rep. Van Orden visit dairy farm (WEAU 13 News)

Trump declares ‘I love Milwaukee’ after reportedly using the word ‘horrible’ for the RNC host city (AP)
Takeaways from Donald Trump's Wisconsin campaign rally (Journal-Sentinel +)

Third Ward Cheers ‘Beerpartisanship’ During RNC (Urban Milwaukee)

What history can teach us about combating disinformation problems of today (WPR)

Madison school leaders set to ask voters for 'unprecedented' funding (The Cap Times)

CNN debate stage set with Trump and Biden going head-to-head June 27 (CNN)

National and economic stories...

May retail sales rise 0.1%, weaker than expected (CNBC)

U.S. Senate passes bill to support advanced nuclear energy deployment (Reuters)

Mike Rowe sounds alarm over 'scary' trade worker shortage: US on 'verge of not being able to make stuff' (Fox Business)

Food for thought...

This election season, America needs civic role models (Hans Zeiger, The Fulcrum)

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

Mark your calendar:

Eggs & Issues
• Friday, July 19
• Friday, Aug 23

Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5

Business After Hours
• Monday, Aug 12

Partisan Primary Election
• Tuesday, Aug 13

"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Wednesday, Oct 23

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