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Volume 7, Issue 43, Mar 10, 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

In this issue:
 • Chippewa Valley Rally rescheduled to April 22
 • Chamber releases EC City Council candidate videos, questionnaires
 • EC City Council: Fireworks re-vote, trash work session
 • Commonweal releases 2024 annual market report
 • Marquette Poll: Voters don't know State Supreme Court candidates
 • 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 "+"

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Housing and Zoning
  The cities of Altoona and Eau Claire are both undertaking significant overhauls of their zoning codes. We'll get an update from both cities on the status of those initiatives, hear industry perspectives on their anticipated effects on the local housing market, and consider other factors affecting local housing supply and affordability. Altoona Planning Director Taylor Greenwell and Eau Claire Planning Manager Ned Noel will provide details of zoning changes underway, followed by a panel discussion with Brendan Pratt, Mayor of Altoona; Aaron White, City of Eau Claire Community Development Director; Paul Holzinger of Holzinger Homes, representing the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association; and Shannyn Pinkert of Property Shoppe Realty, President of the Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin. We will also get comments about the role of state legislation from Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-67), a member of the Assembly Committee on Housing & Real Estate and Executive Director of the Barron County EDC.
• Friday, Mar 14, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register

Chippewa Valley Rally rescheduled for April 22
   The 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally was postponed last week because of the winter storm warning issued for Tuesday night and Wednesday. The new date is Tuesday, April 22.
   Each year, the Rally brings over 100 business and community leaders to Madison to advocate for state policy issues important to the Chippewa Valley economy. It's organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce. Click here to see the 2025 Issues.
   With the new date, some registered participants are now unable to attend, so registration has been reopened. If you're available on April 22 and want to have an impact on state policies, plan to join us.
• Wednesday, Apr 22, Madison
   Click here for details and to register

Spring Non-Partisan Election
• Tuesday, April 1, Polls open 7a-8p, Early voting weekdays Mar 18-28
   MyVoteWI (what's on your ballot, voter registration, find your polling place)
   2025 EC City Council Sit-Down Interviews (Eau Claire Chamber, YouTube)
   EC City Council Candidate Questionnaire responses (Good Govt Council)

Also for your calendar...
• Morning Momentum - Thursday, Mar 13
• Apprenticeship 101: What Employers Need to Know - Tuesday, Apr 8
• Chamber/UW-Eau Claire Business Community Breakfast - Wednesday, Apr 9
• National Civics Bee - Local Competition - Saturday, Apr 12
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15

Eau Claire City Council: Fireworks vote reconsideration, trash
work session, closed session on Visit Eau Claire contract
   The Eau Claire City Council meets on Monday and Tuesday this week. The Monday Public Hearing includes planned sidewalk, curb, and gutter projects at 25 locations, and a discussion of a proposed resolution urging Congress to protect programs like Medicaid and Medicare from dramatic cuts. (See the Monday Agenda Packet linked below).
   At its Tuesday Legislative Session, the Council will act on those issues, as well as a vote to reconsider the acceptance of a donation from Festival Foods for planned July 4 Fireworks displays in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The latter item failed to pass at the Council's February 25 meeting, when a 5-4 vote in favor lacked the full six votes required to pass (see page 15 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below).
   After Monday's meeting, the Council plans a work session on trash operations to be led by Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg. After its Tuesday meeting, the Council "may go into closed session to consider negotiation terms for a renewed contract with Visit Eau Claire."
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Mar 10, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (11 pages)
 • Tuesday, Mar 11, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (75 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)
Eau Claire City Council debates the future of the city’s annual fireworks show (WEAU 13 News)
City to revote on Fourth of July fireworks show after resolution to fund it fails (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire City Council considering urging Congress to protect Medicare (WQOW News 18)
City of Eau Claire looking ahead to possible changes of transit routes (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire Street Ambassadors program starts March 1 (Leader-Telegram $)
ARPA Funds Help Bring Street Ambassadors Program to Downtown E.C. (Volume One)
City Council approves fiscal stability committee resolution (WQOW News 18)
Construction on Eau Claire PFAS filtration building currently on schedule (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire responds to questions about federal funding it receives and potential impacts if funding ever becomes unavailable (WEAU 13 News)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Mar 13, 6 p.m. Meeting information

Commonweal releases 2024 annual market report
Multi-family housing vacancy rate increases from 1.21% to 3.18%
   Commonweal Development released is 2024 annual market report on February 26, anticipated each year to provide a snapshot of the local market for office, retail, industrial, and multi-family space, including vacancy rates and other fundamentals.
   “Industrial continues to be the strongest of the sectors, with a very low vacancy rate, excluding the one large vacancy in the market (HTI/TDK),” Ryan Erickson, director of brokerage services for Commonweal, told Volume One. Overall, he said the Eau Claire area is a strong regional market across all sectors.
   One notable statistic was the increase in the multi-family housing vacancy rate from the extremely tight 1.21% in 2023 to 3.18% last year. While a significant change driven by an increase in supply, the rate is still below what many housing experts consider balanced.
   The report also comes as the Wisconsin Department of Administration recently released long-term population projections showing Eau Claire County among the top areas for expected growth in between now and 2050, against the backdrop of an overall decline in Wisconsin's population. 
More information:
Click here to read the full report (NAI Commonweal)
Recent Market Report Points to Continued Growth, Development for Eau Claire (Volume One)
Updates on 10 Residential Developments in Eau Claire (Volume One)
305 housing units to come with approval of the Sevens residential development (WEAU 13 News) 
WDOA Releases Updated Population Projections (West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission)
Wisconsin’s population expected to decline by nearly 200K residents come 2050  (WPR)
Report: Slowing Down - Wisconsin's Waning Population Growth (Forward Analytics)
Our View: Population projections are cause for optimism (Leader-Telegram editorial $)

Local healthcare stories...
New Health Co-op to Evaluate St. Joseph's Facility, Moves Forward With New Hospital Plans (Volume One)
River Valley Architects chosen to build hospital in Lake Hallie (Leader-Telegram $)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announces architect for Lake Hallie hospital (WEAU 13 News)
Aspirus completes purchase of land for new CF hospital (Leader-Telegram $)
Aspirus closes on land purchase for new Chippewa Falls hospital (WQOW News 18)
Aspirus Health finalizes land purchase in Chippewa Falls (WEAU 13 News)
NorthLakes Community Clinic announces consolidation of services at new Rice Lake location (WEAU 13 News)
Evers visits Chippewa Falls, discusses health care (Leader-Telegram $)

More local stories...
Northern Wis. State Fair's Executive Director, Rusty Volk, Announces Jan 1 Retirement (Volume One)
Northern Wisconsin State Fair Director Rusty Volk to retire (Leader-Telegram $)
EC County coming out ahead with winter snow removal budget (Leader-Telegram $)
Alumni, business award recipients named at CVTC Gala (CVTC)
Express unveil new scoreboard at Carson Park (Leader-Telegram $)
Willow Inn & Suites now open (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa-Eau Claire Metropolitan Planning Organization seeks input on transportation (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa County launches transportation safety study (Leader-Telegram $)

April 1 Spring Election
EC City Council: Chamber sit-down video interviews and
candidate questionnaires now available
   Wisconsin voters go to the polls on Tuesday, April 1, for the Spring Nonpartisan Election, including statewide races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Superintendent of Public Instruction, and local elections for city councils, town boards, school boards, and local judgeships. To see what's on your ballot, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or find your polling place, go to MyVote.WI.gov
   Locally, there are seven candidates for five open At-Large Eau Claire City Council seats, including incumbents Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Joshua Miller; along with newcomers Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, Ethan Reed, and Philip Swanhorst. Incumbents Kate Felton and Roderick Jones are not seeking reelection. 
   The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources to help voters make informed choices. We conducted five-minute sit-down video interviews with each candidate, and our Good Government Council provided a written questionnaire answered by all seven candidates.
Click these links:
2025 EC City Council Sit-Down Interviews (Eau Claire Chamber, YouTube)
EC City Council Candidate Questionnaire responses (Good Govt Council)

Marquette Poll: Voters don't know candidates in key state races
   A new Marquette Poll released last week showed that many voters don't yet know the candidates in key statewide races, which include 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.
   The February 18 Primary narrowed the field for Superintendent of Public Instruction to incumbent Jill Underly and education consultant Brittany Kinser.
More information:
A month before the election, large percentages of registered voters lack opinions of candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court, state superintendent of public instruction (Marquette Law School Poll)
Marquette University Poll Released (Hamilton Consulting)
Poll shows many don’t know about Crawford or Schimel in pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race (WPR)
Donald Trump registers record intensity of pro-and-con public opinion in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)
Poll: Many voters remain undecided in high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race (Wisconsin State Journal +)

More election-related stories:
A group funded by Elon Musk is behind deceptive ads in crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court race (AP)
Who is Brad Schimel? Where Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate stands on voter ID, abortion, redistricting and more (Journal-Sentinel +)
Who is Susan Crawford? Where Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate stands on voter ID, abortion, redistricting and more (Journal-Sentinel +)
Bice: Elon Musk-backed political group is posting fake pro-Susan Crawford ads on Facebook (Journal-Sentinel +)
Democrats launch ‘People v Musk’ ad campaign in Wisconsin Supreme Court race (WPR)

Childcare advocates seek funding, plan legislative day
   The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and its related advocacy group, Raising Wisconsin, say they are seeking a state investment of $480 million in the next budget to provide "a significant long-term state investment in child care." The coalition is also planning legislative day in Madison on Wednesday, April 16, and is seeking participation in a business sign-on letter. For questions and more details contact Julie Stoffel, Director of Engagement and Community Outreach: jstoffel@wisconsinearlychildhood.org
More information:
Raising Wisconsin State Budget Ask (Raising Wisconsin)
2025 Child Care Advocacy Day, April 16 (WECA, Raising Wisconsin)

Chamber, Chippewa Valley Rally position on childcare
   Childcare is among the issues identified by the Chippewa Valley Rally as needing policy solutions. As part of the Workforce Development section, the Rally Issues Book includes the following statement:
   Address the childcare crisis. 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. What’s more, childcare providers are faced with a business model that makes it challenging to pay competitive wages and deal with regulatory hurdles. Covid relief funding has provided stopgap assistance to maintain some capacity, but is temporary and inadequate to provide a long-term solution.
   There is an urgent need for innovation on the part of the state to address the funding, business model, and regulatory oversight of early childhood care and education in ways that will effectively deal with availability, affordability, and accountability for quality and safety. This by necessity must address the business model for childcare providers, especially in their ability to attract and retain motivated, high-quality staff. 
   This issue has engendered much debate and potential legislation. We continue to encourage all parties to come together to provide meaningful and practical solutions to these issues. We also urge consideration of further incentives for employers and parents to help with child care expenses.

More childcare stories...
Business Leaders Talk Childcare with DC Capitol Hill (US Chamber of Commerce)
Panel says childcare access and affordability problems likely to get worse in June (Leader-Telegram $)
7 Workplace Challenges for 2025 (Gallup Workplace)
Child Care Remains a Major Career Roadblock for Working Mothers
Understanding America’s Labor Shortage (US Chamber of Commerce)

More state and regional stories...

Key Policy Divides Emerge Early in Wisconsin Budget Debate (Hamilton Consulting)
Vos wants tax cut guarantee before spending hike (The Center Square)
Wisconsin lawmakers, attorney general, push for ‘right to repair’ farm equipment (WPR)
Assembly Republicans signal openness to closing Green Bay prison (WPR)
Wisconsin lawmakers take on pharmacy benefit managers' 'predatory' practices (The Center Square)
Wisconsin bill would crack down on predatory practices by pharmacy benefit managers (WPR)

As Musk pours millions into Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Tesla files case that could reach justices (WPR)

Fewer than half of Wisconsin manufacturers say business climate heading in right direction (WPR)

Wisconsin DPI report highlights 'retention' as a root of ongoing staffing challenges (Leader-Telegram $)
DPI report shows Wisconsin’s education workforce is in crisis (WPR)

Ditching cars for rail, Wisconsin Amtrak passengers find accessibility (Wisconsin Watch)

Wisconsin Income Tax Cuts over the Last Decade have Resulted in Significant Tax Relief (Hamilton Consulting)

Milwaukee's 2% sales tax brought $200 million into city coffers in first year (Journal-Sentinel +)

New MPS Superintendent to Start Early (Urban Milwaukee)

The fastest-growing cities in the Twin Cities metro (Axios Twin Cities)