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Happy New Year! The Chamber office will be closed on Friday, January 1.
In this issue:
• Day Resource Center opens today
• Eau Claire Chamber posts Director of Governmental Affairs position
• WisDOT survey about passenger train service
• Federal and economic stories
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 "+"
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32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance representing
the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce
This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. Topics include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. This year's trip will be important to strengthen relationships with legislators, express thanks for accomplishments, and highlight issues that still need attention.
When you join us, you'll spend a productive day taking part in issue briefings, small group meetings at legislative offices, a keynote luncheon, and networking with others from our area who are interested in state government policy. You'll also be invited to online pre-event briefings to help you be prepared for a effective day in Madison. And don't worry if you've never participated before. Our legislative office meetings will be led by experienced previous attendees.
Event information:
• Thursday, February 19, Madison
Click here for details and to register
Eggs & Issues dates for 2026
Topics will be announced soon, but be sure mark your calendar to join us on these dates in early 2026: Friday, Jan 23; Friday, Feb 27; and Friday, March 13.
Also for your calendar...
• 2026 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 15
• Wisconsin National Civics Bee - Essays due by Feb 3
• Eau What A Night: Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Feb 12
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Day Resource Center/Community Haven House
open at new location today
Western Dairyland, Hope Gospel Mission mark start of operations
For the first time, effective today, December 29, Eau Claire will have a seven-days-a-week, year-round daytime resource center for unhoused individuals.
"Our mission is to provide respectful, responsible and effective solutions to help individuals emerge from homelessness as productive, healthy people," notes Hope Gospel Mission in explaining the purpose of the site. "We want each guest to feel that they are welcome here and they can find help here. Day Resource Centers are lifelines-not just a shelters. We offer stability, dignity and pathways to recovery."
The new location is owned by Western Dairyland Equal Opportunity Council, with the Community Haven House/Day Resource Center operated by Hope Gospel Mission. As a permanent location vs. the previous temporary site, it will be open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Organizers say there are at least 28 partners involved in the project, with the goal of providing services in one place to help individuals out of homelessness. The facility is located at 1 Better Way, formerly 610 Gibson St., with the street recently renamed east of Dewey.
The "One Better Way" capital campaign is underway to raise the rest of the $6.4 million goal for the center.
More information:
Community Haven House Starting 12/29 - New Location 1 Better Way, Eau Claire (Hope Gospel Mission)
Day Resource Center Project Overview and Capital Campaign (Western Dairyland)
Video: Community Haven House/Day Resource Center (YouTube, 5 min.)
Community Haven House in the Day Resource Center begins operation today (Leader-Telegram $)
Day Resource Center nears completion as opening day set for new Haven House (WQOW News 18)
'This Isn't The Only Way, But It's One Better Way': An Update On Eau Claire's First Day Resource Center (Volume One)
More local stories...
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
C.V. Health Cooperative Aims To Offer Full Service At Interim Facility By Next Summer (Volume One)
$1.3M project to include path along Birch and McKinley Streets in Eau Claire County (WEAU 13 News)
City of Eau Claire to waive bus fare for secondary students, riders under 18 starting Jan. 1 (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire talks winter weather response, alternative street parking compliance issues (Leader-Telegram $)
JONAH held candlelight vigil for lives lost to homelessness (WEAU 13 News)
CVTC to help address manufacturing gaps in nation wide initiative (Leader-Telegram $)
Saron returning to lead CF school district (Leader-Telegram $)
CFAUSD names Sun Prairie admin as new superintendent (WQOW News 18)
Dr. Brad Saron named Superintendent of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (WEAU 13 News)
Northwestern Bank’s Jerry Jacobson retires after 47 years in community banking (WEAU 13 News)
Podcast: Jerry Kuehl interviews incoming Northwestern Bank CEO, Tracey Smiskey and incoming President, Jamie Leibrandt (Northwestern Bank, 28 mins.)
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Eau Claire Chamber posts Governmental Affairs job opening
Current director Scott Rogers retiring after 12 years
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has posted its open position of Director of Governmental Affairs. The move comes after the announcement earlier this month that Scott Rogers, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs, will retire at the end of February.
"This position leads the Chamber’s public policy and community relations work, builds strong partnerships with elected officials and education leaders, and helps advance a strong pro-business climate that supports our region’s economic growth," states the Chamber's purposes of the position in the job posting.
Rogers is one of two announced candidates for the position of Eau Claire City Council President in the April 7 election. Also running is former City Council Member Jeremy Gragert.
More information:
Job posting: Director of Governmental Affairs (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Spring non-partisan election:
Jeremy Gragert Is First Candidate For E.C. City Council President (Volume One)
Scott Rogers Announces Retirement From Chamber, Campaign For E.C. City Council President (Volume One)
State and local offices on the Spring election ballot (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
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Have you traveled by train in Wisconsin?
WisDOT wants to hear about your experience, and whether
you'd use a train serving Eau Claire
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is asking people who have ridden Amtrak trains in Wisconsin to rate their experience, and to assess what service improvements they'd like to see. Among the questions is whether you would use train service to Eau Claire, Green Bay, or Madison. Those cities are currently without trains, but the subject of expansion studies currently under way. Click the link below to take the survey:
Amtrak Midwest experience survey (WisDOT/Amtrak)
More state and regional stories...
Wisconsin lawmakers discuss both rural hospital and special education funding at Eggs and Issues (WEAU 13 News)
Transportation Projects Commission advances US 53 Eau Claire and I-94 Waukesha County project studies (WisDOT)
Gov. Evers, WHEDA Award $2 Million in Grant Funds for Housing Assistance to Wisconsin’s Most Vulnerable Populations (Office of the Governor)
Gov. Evers, WHEDA award $2M in housing assistance grants, including the Chippewa Valley (WEAU 13 News)
Bill would reverse wedding barn event restrictions (The Center Square)
Bipartisan bill could ease restrictions on alcohol at wedding barns (WEAU 13 News)
Lawmakers target Wisconsin's 'F' grade for human trafficking laws (Journal-Sentinel +)
4 times Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans worked together in 2025 (The Cap Times)
The 6 big Wisconsin political stories to watch for in 2026 (Journal-Sentinel +)
Senate President Mary Felzkowski confident GOP will hold majority in 2026 (Wisconsin Examiner)
Control of Wisconsin government truly up for grabs in 2026 (The Cap Times)
In a crowded field for governor, here are each of the candidates' one big idea (Journal-Sentinel +)
GOP candidates running for governor talk Trump, $40M primary fundraising goal (WPR)
How rising property taxes in Wisconsin could shape the midterm elections (WPR)
Wisconsin property taxpayers will see largest increase since 2018 (Wisconsin Examiner)
Audit finds that nearly $900M of WisDOT funds were miscalculated (The Center Square)
WisDOT fixes accounting error found in audit of state financial report (Wisconsin Examiner)
Award-winning Verona superintendent urges fixes to state funding (The Cap Times)
Wisconsin tech colleges viewed favorably by majority in new survey (The Cap Times)
Broad majority of Wisconsin bank CEOs believe economy is ‘good’ — but none say it’s ‘excellent’ (WPR)
More buildings are using mass timber. Could it boost Wisconsin’s forest industry? (WPR)
Dane County housing prices up again in 2025, listings show (The Cap Times)
New Dane County population projections see growth accelerating (The Cap Times)
As Harley employees ordered back to office, company plans renovations (Journal-Sentinel +)
Madison-based Civic Media buys WNOV and Milwaukee Courier (BizTimes)
Livasu, a new development in Sheboygan County, reimagines life with dementia (Journal-Sentinel +)
Shawano County mill reopens, easing strain on timber processing across the Northwoods (WPR)
La Crosse launches next step for ARP housing funding (WEAU 13 News)
Jerry Apps, Wisconsin's great rural storyteller, dies at 91 (Journal-Sentinel +)
EC Chamber to host Wisconsin Civics Bee® for middle school students
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its role as Wisconsin’s official State Partner for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee®, a nationwide initiative that encourages middle school students to build civic knowledge, engage with local issues, and become active participants in their communities. The Chamber will host the Wisconsin State Competition in Eau Claire at South Middle School on May 9th, 2026.
The National Civics Bee® begins with an essay competition open to all students residing in Wisconsin in grades 6-8, whether they attend public, private, charter, virtual, or homeschool environments. Students are invited to identify a local issue they care about, explain its importance, and propose a solution. The top 20 essay finalists from across the state will advance to the live competition in Eau Claire, WI. Finally, the state champion will advance to the National Competition in Washington D.C., in the fall of 2026.
The essay submission portal is now open, and entries will be accepted through February 3rd, 2026.
More information:
Wisconsin National Civics Bee® (Contest information, link to entry portal)
Eau Claire Chamber Invites Families and Community Members to Support Wisconsin’s State Competition for the 2026 National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
2026 Wisconsin State Civics Bee to happen at South Middle School in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
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