UWEC Science Building groundbreaking will be June 13
Will strengthen regional economy, build upon healthcare innovation
UW-Eau Claire will hold a public groundbreaking ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, for the long-sought Science and Health Sciences Building.
With the final funding approved last year in the 2023-25 state budget, the $340.3 million project will provide contemporary research and education for students in high-demand STEM fields, continue UWEC's tradition as a national leader in undergraduate research, and become a catalyst for talent and workforce development for northwestern Wisconsin. The project includes a significant partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System.
More information:
Groundbreaking: UWEC Science and Health Sciences Building
• Thursday, June 13, 1:30 p.m. UWEC Campus (west of library) Calendar details
Science and Health Sciences Building (UWEC)
Miron Construction awarded bid for UW-Eau Claire science college (The Daily Reporter +)
Other UWEC-related stories:
UW-Eau Claire announces creation of Rural Health Innovation Alliance (UWEC)
An update on the Sonnentag: facility hires, awaits a summer opening (Leader-Telegram $)
Sonnentag Center One of the Things Blooming This Summer in the Valley (Volume One)
Sonnentag Center Will Be Home to Arena Football Team in 2025 (Volume One)

In case you missed it...

HSHS Prevea Healthcare Task Force pauses operations (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
2 months after hospital closures, Eau Claire area task force ends work (WPR)
HSHS/Prevea Recovery Task Force pauses operations (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Task force pause is a moment to reflect (Leader-Telegram Editorial $)

More healthcare stories...

OakLeaf Clinics Adds Urgent Care clinics in Chippewa Falls and Menomonie (OakLeaf Clinics)

Chippewa County to construct new morgue (Leader-Telegram $)

Western Dairyland to hold Day Resource Center
Community Meeting on June 18
Registration requested to ensure seating
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council will hold an informational community meeting to discuss a proposed Day Resource Center in downtown Eau Claire on Tuesday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.
During the meeting, staff from Western Dairyland EOC and Hope Gospel Mission will provide an update on the preliminary plans to build a Day Resource Center which would bring together a variety of services to assist unhoused and housing insecure members of the community.
Staff from the City of Eau Claire will be present to provide information about city-owned properties which could be used for the project.
The meeting is open to the public and time will be available for comments and questions. An online survey will be made available after the meeting. For more information, contact Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 or info@wdeoc.org.
More information:
Informational meeting: Day Resource Center
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
  • Tuesday, June 18, 5:30-6:45 p.m. L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Click here for more information and to reserve a seat

Meeting this week...

Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, June 10, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (69 pages)
• Tuesday, June 11, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (247 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)
Trash study may inform city about what to do with trash collection (Leader-Telegram $)
City assessor to reach out to property owners for interior review (Leader-Telegram $)
Plan Commission supports rezoning for revitalized Regency Inn & Suites (Leader-Telegram $)
Consultant looks to address Eau Claire parking (WEAU 13 News)
Work gets underway on Menomonie Street roundabout, pedestrian tunnel coming next (WQOW News 18)
City Council to consider $500,000 grant request to replace dead trees (WQOW News 18)

Altoona Plan Commission
• Tuesday, June 11, 5:30 p.m. Links to agenda and info
Altoona City Council
• Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m. Links to agenda and info
Altoona Parks and Rec aim to complete final projects at Perseverance Park by summer's end (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire Chamber announces strategic partnership
with Mission Workforce Alliance
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Mission Workforce Alliance (MWA), a dedicated initiative aimed at integrating transitioning service members into the local workforce. This collaboration marks a significant commitment to addressing the workforce challenges facing the region while supporting veteran transition into civilian careers.
Mission Workforce Alliance, operated by the Middleton Chamber of Commerce Foundation, connects businesses with highly skilled veterans, offering a rich pool of talent in fields ranging from IT and engineering to project management and finance. With over 250,000 service members transitioning annually, this partnership provides Eau Claire businesses exclusive access to a diverse and capable workforce ready to meet the demands of today’s industries.
Eau Claire Chamber’s collaboration with MWA not only aims to fill the growing number of vacancies but also supports Wisconsin’s broader economic development strategy. By welcoming veterans into its community, Eau Claire strengthens its workforce with individuals renowned for their leadership, technical expertise, and dedication.
More information:
Eau Claire Chamber announces strategic partnership with Mission Workforce Alliance (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Chamber partnership seeks employment for veterans (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce joins veteran hiring initiative (WQOW News 18)

EC School Board to seek $18 million, four-year referendum
At its June 3 meeting, members of the Eau Claire Board of Education indicated they expect to seek a four-year, $18 million/year operating referendum to appear on the November 5 General Election ballot.
After debating a larger amount and potentially a longer time frame, the Board unanimously approved a question that would seek voter approval "to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $18,000,000 for the 2024-2025 school year and for each of the succeeding 3 school years thereafter, for non-recurring purposes to fund operating costs to ensure stability of educational programs, including elementary reading; behavioral and mental health resources for students; school safety; and sustain students to staff ratios.”
More information:
Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, June 3, Meeting and agenda info.
ECASD Referendum Committee information (ECASD)
ECASD finalizes referendum amount at $18M as November election approaches (Leader-Telegram $)

Candidates now set for Aug 13 Primary Election
Several local legislative races will have primaries
With last Monday's filing deadline, it is now known which candidates are formally seeking legislative seats in Wisconsin this year. Among six key area State Assembly districts, there will be 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. For example, most of the City of Eau Claire formerly was in Assembly District 91, but now parts of the City are split among Districts 91, 92, and 93. District 92 has changed completely and now includes the cities of Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and the portions of Eau Claire in Chippewa County.
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 Sen. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point, and Eric Wilson, Eau Claire, are seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden, Prairie du Chien.
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.

More election-related stories...

Wisconsin candidates hit filing deadline, setting stage for competitive November races (WPR)

With GOP maps out, Democrats hope for more legislative power in battleground Wisconsin (AP)

Donald Trump Jr. returns to Wisconsin to stump for Trump-endorsed congressional candidate (WPR)

Wisconsin attorney general files felony charges against attorneys, aide who worked for Trump in 2020 (AP)

Effort to convert the Bucks basketball arena into a political stage begins at Fiserv Forum (WTMJ)

Lawsuit could complicate absentee voting in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Watch)

Five takeaways from the state Democratic convention in Milwaukee (Journal-Sentinel +)

More state and regional stories...

Construction starting this month on Xcel hydroelectric dam in Menomonie (WQOW News 18)

UW Regent Bob Atwell resigns, clearing way for new appointee to serve (Journal-Sentinel +)

Gov. Tony Evers will ask for $800 million boost to UW system in next budget cycle (Wisconsin State Journal +)

WisDOT announces first round of electric charging stations (The Daily Reporter +)

$100M Wisconsin Investment Fund will focus on tech, biohealth start ups (WPR)

Wisconsin’s state-chartered credit unions report sound Q1 financial performance (Madison In Business)

Wisconsin bars and restaurants have recovered from the pandemic, hiring challenges remain (BizTimes)

For an answer to the housing shortage in northern Wisconsin, take a look upstairs (WPR)

Public weighs in on proposed pipeline reroute in northern Wisconsin (WPR)

Newly sworn-in Kenosha mayor optimistic about city’s future (WPR)

Marquette President Michael Lovell dies at 57, leaves legacy of love for campus, community (Journal-Sentinel +)

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley resigns (Journal-Sentinel +)

National and economic stories...

US hiring and wage growth picked up last month in sign of sustained economic health (AP)

U.S. adds a much-better-than-expected 272,000 jobs in May, but unemployment rate edges up to 4% (CNBC)

US job openings fall to 8.1 million, lowest since 2021, but remain at historically high levels (AP)

Private payrolls growth slows to 152,000 in May, much less than expected, ADP says (CNBC)

Biden’s new immigration executive order could tighten labor markets, but ease supply chain bottlenecks (CNBC)

Ford Rescues a Detroit Train Station as It Plots Its Own Future (New York Times +)

Fauci testifies on the origins of Covid-19 (CNN)

Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president (AP)

Food for thought...

Shortages and Spillovers: How People Misunderstand the Housing Crisis (Daniel Herriges, Strong Towns)

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

Mark your calendar:

Eggs & Issues
• Friday, June 21
• Friday, July 19
• Friday, Aug 23

Business After Hours
• Monday, June 10

Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5

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