{{CFirstName}}, you are receiving this e-newsletter because you have shown interest in public policy issues. Contact us if you don't want to receive future issues.

Volume 8, Issue 1, May 19, 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-4:30p, Friday 8a-12n
 

In this issue:
 • Passenger train update meeting Monday evening
 • Momentum West plans housing forum
 • State gets new fiscal estimates as budget process continues
 • National and economic stories
 • 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: Parking and the downtown EC experience
   Along with the significant development and growth in downtown Eau Claire over the past two decades has come growing pains, including what to do about parking. The City commissioned a comprehensive downtown parking study last year, and is now in the midst of determining whether and how to implement its various recommendations. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll hear the latest from Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg on how business and community feedback are being incorporated into decisions scheduled to be made soon by the City Council. We'll also touch on other key aspects of the downtown experience for visitors, businesses, and residents, including the new Street Ambassador program. 
• Thursday, June 19, CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register  

Next Eggs & Issues topics...
• Legislative Breakfast - Thursday, July 24
• Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, June 9
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
 
 

Passenger Train update meeting tonight
Bringing trains to Eau Claire - What's the status?
   A longtime goal of the Chamber and area community leaders has been the establishment of rail passenger service to West Central Wisconsin, including likely stops in Eau Claire, Menomonie, Baldwin, and Hudson, to link the region with the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
  Two current studies underway as part of a federal funding pipeline, enacted in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, would take service planning to the next step. They envision an Eau Claire-Twin Cities frequent regional service, as well as through service Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-Eau Claire-Twin Cities.
   The West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition is holding an update meeting for the public tonight. The meeting will provide information about the current status of service planning, economic benefits of the potential train services, get input from attendees on their travel preferences, and what has to happen next to bring trains to reality. The meeting is also timely because the State of Wisconsin is currently drafting its 2025-27 biennial budget, which will need to include funding to ensure the state's rail programs continue.
More information:
Passenger rail update: West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
 • Monday, May 19, 6:00-7:30 p.m., CVTC Business Education Center,
    620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire
    In person: No pre-registration required.
    Virtual: Click here to register to receive the Zoom link

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar

City of Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, May 19, 6 p.m. Meeting information 

Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, May 19, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m. Meeting information 

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, May 22, 6 p.m. Meeting information 
 
 

Momentum West plans Housing Solutions Forum
   Momentum West, the regional economic development organization, has announced a Housing Solutions Forum coming up in Eau Claire on Tuesday, June 10. The event will include a series of interactive conversations focusing on innovative best practices, community development ideas, and updates on efforts from throughout the region. It will begin with a Keynote address by Kurt Paulsen, Professor of Urban Planning, UW Madison. Topics covered include: A discussion of land trusts, cooperative models, TIF, WHEDA programs; Housing related efforts at the State Capitol; Work within the counties and communities in the region; and a Housing Toolkit Overview. The conference is sponsored by DairyLand Power Cooperatives; Host sponsor CVTC; and supporting sponsors WHEDA, Market & Johnson, Chippewa Valley Home builders Association, and WEDC.
More information:
Housing Solutions Forum
 • Tuesday, June 10, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., CVTC Energy Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

More local stories...
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
Eau Claire homeless shelter likely to stay open for the summer (Leader-Telegram $)
Chancellor: UW-Eau Claire graduates are ‘aspirational difference-makers’ (UWEC)
Chancellor Schmidt honored at CCEDC banquet (Leader-Telegram $)
EC City council votes in support of film, TV production incentives; what is it? (Leader-Telegram $)
Assembly committee approves bill to form State Film Office (WisBusiness.com)
How Eau Claire native Bon Iver gradually (but radically) transformed his hometown (Good Info News Wire)
City of Eau Claire transforming 93 acres of land into pollinator-friendly landscapes this year (WQOW News 18)
Crews work to install new artwork for 2025 Sculpture Tour (WQOW News 18)
Eddy Street Bridge closure delayed until June (WEAU 13 News)
ClearSky Health announces plans to build new rehabilitation hospital in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
New rehabilitation hospital to open in Eau Claire in mid-2026 (Leader-Telegram $)
Hospital group seeks $10 million loan assistance from Chippewa County (Leader-Telegram $)
Community members celebrate 50 years of Hmong in the U.S. (WEAU 13 News)
Local event tackles immigration misconceptions, fears, and concerns (Leader-Telegram $)

City of Eau Claire - Citizen opportunities to serve
   Nearly 200 people serve the City on Boards, Commissions and Committees. These groups advise the City Council on various areas. The City Manager's Office maintains a Resource Bank made up of city residents interested in serving on boards, commissions, or committees. The primary qualifications are an interest in participating in City government and a willingness to work with others to help address the needs of the community. Citizen Resource Bank (City of Eau Claire)
 
 
State and regional stories...
New State Revenue Estimates (Legislative Fiscal Bureau)
Republicans say latest budget numbers show need for caution (The Center Square)
State lawmakers are working on the two-year budget. What is it, and why does it matter? (Journal-Sentinel +)
Federal funding cuts coincide with Wisconsin state budget plans (WPR)
Local childcare owner rallies for funding before traveling to Madison (Leader-Telegram $)
Sen. Testin: Circulating bill to recruit workers to Wisconsin (WisPolitics.com)
State Senate sends bill creating commercial courts to Evers (WisPolitics.com)
Gov. Evers tours Lippert Components in EC, touts training grants (Leader-Telegram $)
Evers, Lutnick clash over high-speed internet plan for rural Wisconsin (The Center Square)
Wisconsin Republicans stress unity at state convention amid infighting (WPR)
Top Wisconsin Republicans urge easing of party divisions. 'You're not going to win being disunified (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin Farmers Union names new executive director (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin judge pleads not guilty to helping a man evade federal immigration agents (AP)
Wisconsin's Kwik Trip tops USA TODAY's 10BEST lists for best gas station brand, food (Journal-Sentinel +)
Gov. Tony Evers seeks designation to help businesses in Douglas County as bridge is replaced (WPR)
Minnesota Budget breakthrough? What Gov. Walz and the Legislature did and didn’t accomplish (MinnPost)

Former Chamber Governmental Affairs interns: Where are they now? 
   With the UWEC spring calendar now concluded, the Chamber's 2024-25 Governmental Affairs Interns, Johnny Meagher and Gigi Galdamez, have finished a busy school year that including planning and executing the 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally. They also took time this spring to contact the Chamber's past interns to learn what they're doing now, and how their internships here informed or led to their future careers.
Click the link below to learn more:
Past Chamber Interns: Where Are They Now? (Gigi Galdamez and Johnny Meagher, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
 
 

National and economic stories...
Annual inflation rate hit 2.3% in April, less than expected and lowest since 2021 (CNBC)
Walmart warns it will raise prices due to tariffs (Axios)
Wisconsin coffee roaster warns of price hikes amid tariff uncertainty (WPR)
Small Business Tariff Update: What to Know Now (US Chamber of Commerce)
House GOP opposition torpedoes Trump's "big, beautiful bill" (Axios)
Trump’s big bill advances in rare weekend committee vote, but conservatives demand more changes (AP)
Sen. Baldwin discusses concerns over Medicaid, health care cuts (Leader-Telegram $)
Sen. Ron Johnson shows a willingness to buck Trump on taxes and spending (Journal-Sentinel +)
U.S. Chamber Commends Crucial Step Towards Permanent Extension of Pro-Growth Tax Reforms (US Chamber of Commerce)
How a California County Eliminated PFAS From the Water Supply (Governing)
Peace breakthrough unlikely as Putin declines to meet Zelenskiy in Turkey (Reuters)

Food for thought...

America Should Sprawl? Not If We Want Strong Towns (Charles Marohn, Strong Towns) Sprawl Doesn’t Build Wealth. It Consumes It.

Montana’s Housing Push Continues: ‘We Made It a Republican Issue’ (Jared Brey, Governing) The Montana Legislature passed housing policies that have eluded other jurisdictions, including increasing height limits, reducing parking requirements and permitting single-stair apartment buildings.

The Root of Our Dysfunction? Congress. (Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch)
Legislators have conceded too much power to the president, and judges are left to clean up the mess.

Why DOGE Failed (Eric Bohm, Reason)
Elon Musk promised $2 trillion in cuts but delivered only a tiny portion of that total. We asked seven policy experts to explain what he got wrong.

Mark your calendar:
• Business After Hours - Mon, June 9
• Eggs & Issues: Parking & the Downtown Experience - Thu, Jun 19
• Morning Momentum - Tue, July 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Thu, July 24
• Golf Day in Eau Claire - Monday, Aug 4
• Eggs & Issues: Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thu, Aug 21
• Eggs & Issues: The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Fri, Sep 19
• 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wed, Nov 5

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 
 
 
 
 
This email was sent on behalf of {{TCDisplayName}} located at {{TCADDRAddress1}}, {{TCADDRAddress2}}, {{TCADDRCity}}, {{TCADDRStateProvince}} {{TCADDRPostalCode}}. To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email contact {{TCDisplayName}} at {{TCEmailAddress}}.