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Volume 7, Issue 32, Dec 23, 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-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p
Dec 24: 7:30-12; Closed Dec 25 & Jan 1

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Still time to get Chamber Bucks - redeemable at almost 300 local businesses.
Chamber open until 5 p.m. Monday and until Noon on Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas Day.
Click here to view Seasons Greetings from the Eau Claire Chamber crew

In this issue:
 • Eau Claire Community Leaders Unite to Address Homelessness
    with New Collaborative Approach
 • Local Civics Bee now open for Middle School students
 • United Express flights are back at EAU, Sun Country Ft. Myers starts Jan 31
 • Three area legislators appointed to Joint Finance Committee
 • Federal Government shutdown averted
 • 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: Tackling Our Childcare Challenges
   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. At this session of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at the challenges involved and hear about potential policy solutions.
• Friday, Jan 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
    A unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance, representing the Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire Chambers of Commerce.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Also for your calendar...
 • 2025 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
 • Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30 
 • Business Solutions Summit - Wednesday, Feb 26

Eau Claire Community Leaders Unite to Address
Homelessness with New Collaborative Approach
   The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire County Department of Human Services, and the Eau Claire City-County Health Department have joined forces to lead a community-wide collaborative effort to address homelessness. Key leaders from local organizations, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and those with lived & living experiences have come together to align efforts, build trust, and create meaningful solutions to one of our community’s most urgent challenges.
   Homelessness impacts individuals and families across Eau Claire, creating ripple effects throughout the community. Solving this complex issue requires collective action and innovative thinking. An initial meeting of community leaders on December 18 established a strong foundation for collaboration by uniting diverse groups to work together in new and effective ways.
   “We recognize that past efforts to address homelessness have faced challenges, often due to misalignment and a lack of shared vision,” said David Minor, President/CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. “This new cooperative approach is about resetting the conversation and building the relationships and strategies needed to create sustainable change.” 
   Minor continued, “One of the catalysts for this initiative was the more than 500 community members who attended the local September showing of "Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness" a documentary that highlighted communities that have made significant progress in reducing chronic homelessness.” The film was brought to the area through the efforts and funding of the Pablo Foundation, the Pablo Center, the Eau Claire Community Foundation, and the UW Eau Claire Center for Racial & Restorative Justice, C.C. We Adapt and Home for Good. Among the communities on which the documentary focused was Milwaukee County, where housing administrator James Mathy has led a coordinated effort to implement a successful housing-first approach.   
   The collaborative held an initial leadership meeting on December 18, where Mathy joined the local leaders to begin the collaborative's focus on four key objectives:

1. Building a shared understanding of Eau Claire’s current reality for those experiencing homelessness, informed by data, frontline perspectives, and lived experiences.
2. Exploring the benefits of collaboration to create solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and impactful.
3. Developing a shared vision for what this cooperative effort is working to achieve, ensuring that voices of those with lived experience are central to shaping the strategy.
4. Committing to a new way of working together through a unified and actionable plan to address homelessness in Eau Claire.

   “Homelessness is not just a housing issue, it’s a public health issue, a workforce issue, and a community-wide challenge,” said Elizabeth Giese, Director, Eau Claire City-County Health Department. “By working collaboratively, we can tackle this from all angles, ensuring a more comprehensive and compassionate approach.”
   This gathering represents the start of a new chapter in Eau Claire’s efforts to address homelessness. It’s about moving beyond isolated efforts to embrace a collective, solutions-driven approach.
   “We’re bringing leaders to the table—business leaders, service providers, and, most importantly, those with firsthand experience of homelessness,” said Angela Weideman, Director, Eau Claire County Department of Human Services. “By listening, learning, and committing to work together, we can create a brighter future for everyone in our community.”
   The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Human Services, and the Health Department are united in their commitment to this collaborative approach. Together, they are calling on all sectors of the community to join this effort, knowing that a stronger, more inclusive Eau Claire benefits everyone.
   As this is a true community-wide collaboration, we want to be clear that this is only the first step in what we hope will be long-lasting community collaboration. Engaging the service providers and other key individuals is a crucial step that will come later. People with living and lived experience will be included and essential in these conversations. We hope this meeting has set the stage to work collaboratively and hold each other accountable.
More information:
Eau Claire Community Leaders Unite to Address Homelessness with New Collaborative Approach (News release)
New task force created to address homelessness in Chippewa Valley (WEAU 13 News)
Eau Claire County community leaders to collaborate to address homelessness (WQOW News 18)
Community collaboration aims to address homelessness (Leader-Telegram )
Call to Action: ‘Beyond the Bridge’ Film Screening Prompts Discussion on Addressing Homelessness (Volume One)
Public-private partnership helped drive Milwaukee’s unsheltered homeless population to lowest in the nation (BizTimes)
New Documentary Highlights Milwaukee’s ‘Housing First’ Homelessness Strategy (Urban Milwaukee)
Our View: Homelessness collaboration has potential (Leader-Telegram editorial)
Column: What the City of Eau Claire Has Done to Address Homelessness (Billie Hufford, Volume One)

Related:
Eau Claire City Council requesting help from upper levels of government to address growing homelessness (WEAU 13 News)
Homelessness during the winter months in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Service providers discuss causes as city's homeless population grows (Leader-Telegram $)
'It’s just trying to survive:' Trying to break the cycle of homelessness (Leader-Telegram $)
Hope for the future as city services aid the homeless (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin’s rural homelessness crisis and the fight to do ‘more with less’ (Wisconsin Watch)
City of La Crosse moving daytime warming center to La Crosse Public Library (WKBT News 8000)
State taps new programs to fund three Milwaukee affordable housing projects (BizTimes)
Gov. Evers, WHEDA Award $2 Million in Grant Funds for Housing Assistance to Wisconsin’s Most Vulnerable Populations (Office of the Governor)
DHS Announces Innovative Medicaid Housing Benefit (News release)
Medicaid: Housing Support Services Medicaid Benefit (Website details)

National Civics Bee for middle school students
now open with Eau Claire regional competition
1st Step: Essay portal now open with Feb 4 deadline
   The Eau Claire Chamber is one of the regional hosts sites for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Bee. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round of civics essay competition. The competition begins with a 750-word civics essay where students are asked to identify a community issue and propose how they could help improve it. In each region, the top 20 essays will be selected to advance to a live event, with Eau Claire's planned for April 12. The portal for essay submissions is now open, with a deadline of February 4, 2025. Click here for details.
More information:
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Launches 2025 National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
DeLong Student Wins First-Ever Wisconsin Civics Bee (Volume One)
National Civics Bee submission entry opens up for local students (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Civics bee offers great opportunity for students (Leader-Telegram editorial)

SkyWest United Express O'Hare flights are back at EAU
Seasonal Sun Country flights to Ft. Myers begin on Jan 31
   The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (CVRA) this month celebrated the return of daily United Express flights to Chicago O'Hare, operated by SkyWest under a new federal Essential Air Service (EAS) contract.
   SkyWest left the airport two years ago, along with a number of other EAS-suppported markets, citing the pilot shortage. At the time, CVRA was able to secure a new EAS contract with Sun Country to operate several weekly flights to MSP and seasonal flights to Ft. Myers, Orlando, and Las Vegas. When the contract came up for renewal this year, SkyWest reapplied, citing resolution of the pilot shortage. Although Sun Country sought to continue its contract, CVRA and US DOT ultimately decided the return of daily flights to O'Hare was preferrable. However, CVRA worked out an arrangement with Sun Country to operate twice-weekly seasonal jet flights to Ft. Myers beginning on January 31. Continuation of seasonal flight will be dependent up marketing success for the service.
More information:
Flight information (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport)
CVRA welcomes United Airlines back with ribbon cutting (WEAU 13 News)
United Express returns to Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (Leader-Telegram $)

More local stories...

Eau Claire releases downtown parking study results with major changes recommended (WQOW News 18)
La Crosse could expand pay-to-park hours in downtown ramps (WKBT News 8000)

City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
City of Eau Claire announces new City Hall hours (WEAU 13 News)
City of Eau Claire planning to increase water rates in February (WQOW News 18)

Three Eau Claire County officials sworn in to office (WQOW News 18)

ECASD board member steps down, board talks next steps for filling vacancy (Leader-Telegram $)
ECASD School Board Accepting Applications for Vacancy (WEAU 13 News)
ECASD discusses academic performances, improvements with student demographics (Leader-Telegram $)

Businesses in downtown Eau Claire struggle during the holiday season. (WEAU 13 News)

UWEC holds commencement for first time in the Sonnentag (Leader-Telegram $)
Hundreds graduate at UWEC student commencement (WEAU 13 News)

Jump-Start Business Contest Wants to Give Your E.C. Biz a Leg Up (Volume One)
Applications for annual competition due Dec. 31

Eau Claire Transit system expects few hiccups for the rest of the winter season (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Transit plans for 2025 (WEAU 13 News)

Retiring Director Leaves Lasting Impact on Blugold Marching Band (Volume One)

Marshfield Clinic tackles negative income as hospital margins decrease statewide (Leader-Telegram $)

Chippewa County administrator Scholz accepts city manager job in Michigan (Leader-Telegram $)

Hope Village seeks to buy hotel, convert to low-income apartments (Leader-Telegram $)

LE Phillips treatment center in CF set to reopen in early 2025 under Lutheran Social Services (Leader-Telegram $)

New charter school awarded $1.5M grant, kicks off capital campaign (Leader-Telegram $)

Battery plant moving forward again in Chippewa Falls (Leader-Telegram $)

Three area legislators appointed to Joint Finance Committee
   The new session of the Wisconsin legislature that begins January 6 is coming into focus as legislative leaders make appointments to committees. Among those most significant to our area is the announcements that three area lawmakers have been appointed to the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC): State Senators Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron) and Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), and State Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Withee). They join Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) among the 16 total members of the powerful budget-writing committee.
More information:
New Faces and Leadership Changes in Wisconsin Legislature for 2025-26 Session (Hamilton Consulting; includes updated committee assignments as of Dec 20)

Area legislators preview new session
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally is March 5
   Seven area legislators joined the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce for the annual Holiday Legislative Breakfast this past Friday, December 20. More than 110 participants heard each of them describe what their priorities will be in the new session. Watch from more coverage of key issues as 2025 gets underway.
   The same three Chambers are organizing the 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally coming up in Madison on March 5, bringing a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities. Registration is now open.
More information:
Homelessness and mental health hot topics at Chamber event (Leader-Telegram $)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison Click here for details and registration

Outdoor recreation survey responses sought
   As part of the Rural Partners Network signature project to create an 8-county regional outdoor recreation destination development plan, the West Central Wisconsin and Mississippi River Regional Planning Commissions are asking for feedback from stakeholders, residents, and visitors. Everyone is welcome to fill out this survey. Completing this survey will help us understand the outdoor recreation needs and preferences of residents and visitors to Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, and Trempealeau Counties. Your input will play a vital role in shaping the future of outdoor recreation in our region.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation recently shared data that outdoor recreation contributed $11.2 billion dollars to Wisconsin’s GDP in 2023. While that is a record breaking number, it’s anticipated that 2024 may be even higher! The development of this plan supports rural economic development and small business opportunities with a cohesive effort to promote our region that already focuses on outdoor recreation.
Click here to take the survey

More state and regional stories...

State transportation funding system unsustainable, former secretary says (WisBusiness.com)

Proponents emphasize potential cost savings in renewed push for transmission line bill (WisPolitics.com +)

Gov. Evers Appoints Dr. Karen Hyun to Serve as DNR Secretary (Office of the Governor)

Evers knocks GOP move blocking funding for UW projects, including Madison engineering building (WisPolitics.com)

AT&T to discontinue traditional landline service in Wisconsin by the end of 2029 (WPR)

State-chartered credit unions log sound financial performance (Greater Madison In Business)

Amtrak Borealis: The Hype Is Real (Twin Cities Business)

Build it and they did come. Western Wisconsin sees big growth after new bridge. (Minnesota Star-Tribune +)