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In this issue:
• April 1 Election results
• Local Civics Bee competition Saturday, April 12
• Check out valuable apprenticeship opportunities
• Applications now open for Leadership Eau Claire
• 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 "+"
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31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Tues, Apr 22
This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. In these first six months of the new year, the Legislature is tackling the 2025-27 biennial budget, which sets the spending and priorities for the state over the next two years.
How it works
When you participate in the Rally, 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. And don't worry if you've never participated before. Our legislative office meetings will be led by experienced previous attendees.
At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. This year's topics include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Click here to see the 2025 Issues
Full information:
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce.
• Wednesday, Apr 22, Madison
Click here for details and to register
Eggs & Issues: State Budget Update
With a Democratic Governor and a Legislature controlled by Republicans, the process is underway to enact a biennial state budget before the July 1 deadline. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at the political state of play as the legislature's Joint Committee on Finance continues its deliberations. Among those who will provide insights into the forces at work will be Bill McCoshen, partner at Michael Best Strategies, and John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware.
• Friday, May 9, CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
Also for your calendar...
• Apprenticeship 101: What Employers Need to Know - Tuesday, Apr 8
• National Civics Bee - Local Competition - Saturday, Apr 12
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire North - Tuesday, Apr 15
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire Memorial - Thursday, Apr 17
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Friday, June 20
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Tuesday, April 1 Spring Election
Wisconsin voters went to the polls last Tuesday, with a competitive local race for Eau Claire City Council and competitive statewide elections for Wisconsin Supreme Court and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Here are the results:
Eau Claire City Council - 5 At Large Seats
The top 5 vote getters were elected to a 3-year term:
Larry Mboga (I) - 11,783
Nate Otto - 10,853
Joshua Miller (I) - 10,594
Charlie Johnson (I) - 10,366
Ethan Reed - 9,016
Mary Catherine Partlow - 7,482
Philip Swanhorst - 5,961
If you want to check out the priorities of the winners, click these links for our sit-down video interviews and their answers to our candidate questionnaire:
2025 EC City Council Sit-Down Interviews (Eau Claire Chamber, YouTube)
EC City Council Candidate Questionnaire responses (Good Govt Council)
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Susan Crawford - 55%
Brad Schimel - 45%
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Jill Underly (I) - 52.9%
Brittany Kinser - 47.1
Voter ID Requirement Referendum
Yes - 62.8%
No - 37.2%
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Come and be inspired
National Civics Bee - Local Competition
Join us for an exciting morning of civic engagement and competition at the National Civics Bee Local Competition! The top 20 middle school finalists will showcase their knowledge of civics in a live event as they compete for the chance to win cash prizes and advance to the State Civics Bee in June. Cheer on these bright young minds as they demonstrate their understanding of citizenship, government, and civic responsibility. Support the future leaders of our community in this engaging and inspiring event!
• Saturday, April 12, 9-11 a.m., DeLong Middle School
Click here for full details
Find out how apprenticeships can help with your workforce challenges
Apprenticeship 101 Workshop on April 8
Are you looking for innovative ways to build a skilled workforce and develop future talent? Join us for Wisconsin Apprenticeship 101, an employer-focused info session designed to simplify the apprenticeship process and help businesses understand how to leverage both Registered Apprenticeship and Youth Apprenticeship programs.
Hear directly from Registered Apprenticeship Staff and the Eau Claire Area Youth Apprenticeship Consortium as they break down the benefits, requirements, and financial incentives available to employers. Whether you're new to apprenticeships or looking to expand your workforce pipeline, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable next steps.
You'll learn how apprenticeship can address workforce challenges, understand the differences between Youth and Registered Apprenticeships, and get answers to your questions from industry experts.
Apprenticeship 101 Workshop
• Tuesday April 8, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Chamber offices
Click here for information and to register
High School Youth Apprenticeship Career Fairs April 15 & 17
The Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair offers an excellent opportunity to connect with motivated high school students seeking hands-on experience in their career fields. By participating, you can meet students who are eager to contribute to your organization and gain valuable professional experience.
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Nominate a Business for the 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards
Nominations are now open for the Chamber's 2025 Annual "Bravo to Business" Awards. They're designed to recognize the outstanding businesses that make Eau Claire thrive, celebrating excellence, innovation, and resilience in our local business community. Finalists will be honored and winners announced at the "Bravo to Business" Awards event this fall.
Anyone can nominate a business—or businesses can nominate themselves. Award Categories are: Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Resilient Business of the Year, and Young Professionals Best Place to Work.
More information:
2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards
• Nominations deadline: April 30
• Wednesday, November 5: Awards event
Click here for details and to nominate a business
Nominations Now Open for E.C. Chamber's Bravo to Business Awards (Volume One)
Leadership Eau Claire™ Accepting Applications for 2025-26
Application deadline Friday, May 30
The Chamber is currently accepting applications for its Leadership Eau Claire™ (LEC) Class of 2026. This immersive nine-month program is designed to equip both emerging and established leaders with the skills, connections, and knowledge to shape the future of Eau Claire. Through hands-on experiences, thought-provoking discussions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to key organizations, participants will:
- Strengthen their leadership skills with interactive workshops and exercises
- Engage in critical conversations about the challenges and opportunities in our region
- Build lasting relationships with a diverse network of community leaders
- Discover ways to get involved and drive meaningful change
Click here to apply
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Legislative Joint Finance Committee announces four
statewide budget listening sessions
As part of deliberations over Wisconsin's biennial state budget, the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance has announced four in-person hearings in April.
"As the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), we invite you to provide comments and input. You will also find this website to be a helpful tool when looking for upcoming budget hearings and other documents pertaining to the budget process," Representative Mark Born and Senator Howard Marklein said on the website announcing the hearings.
The listening sessions will be April 2 in Kaukauna, April 4 in West Allis, April 28 in Hayward, and April 29 in Wausau.
More information:
Statewide Budget Listening Sessions (Joint Committee on Finance)
Food for thought...
These Six Policies Will Make Your Town Housing Ready (Strong Towns)
Policies that can be implemented on a local level, meaning your place doesn’t have to wait for help from above to fight back against the housing crisis.
Urbanism for conservatives (Andy Boenau, Urbanism Speakeasy)
Rules, rules, rules. The planning department is in direct conflict with traditional values.
COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)
Mark your calendar:
• Apprenticeship 101: What Employers Need to Know - Tuesday, Apr 8
• National Civics Bee - Local Competition - Saturday, Apr 12
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire North - Tuesday, Apr 15
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire Memorial - Thursday, Apr 17
• 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Tuesday, April 22
• Eggs & Issues: State Budget Update - Friday, May 9
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Friday, June 20
• Golf Day in Eau Claire - Monday, Aug 4
• 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wednesday, 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
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