{{CFirstName}}, you are receiving this e-newsletter because you have shown interest in public policy issues. Contact us if you don't want to receive future issues.

Volume 7, Issue 9, July 15, 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-4:30p, Closed Fridays in July

In this issue:
 • CV Airport Commission recommends SkyWest
 • Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic announce combination
 • Health Alliance releases new Community Health Assessment
 • Election, state and regional stories
 • 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 for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Understanding the downtown homeless issue
   The purpose of this month's program is to shed light on the issues surrounding homelessness as they relate specifically to downtown Eau Claire. Our panel will seek to address these key questions: Who are the individuals experiencing homelessness that we see downtown and what are the issues they face? How does it affect downtown businesses, residents, and visitors? What measures are being considered and pursued to address these issues? Finding answers is challenging, but we hope this program will add clarity as the community wrestles with these questions. Participating in the discussion will be Chris Hedlund, Program & Education Director, Hope Gospel Mission; Katie Hulbert, Housing & Family Services Director, Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council; Billie Hufford, Project Management Coordinator, City of Eau Claire; Erin Klaus, Co-Owner, Tangled Up in Hue; and Julian Emerson, journalist and community advocate.
 • Friday, July 19, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Related...
Western Dairyland seeks public input on potential Day Resource Center
   Survey open through July 20. Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council has opened a new survey for public input as it works with partners to detail plans for a potential Day Resource Center in downtown Eau Claire to help individuals experiencing homelessness. Click here to take the community input survey (Western DairyLand)
More information:
Resource Center planning information page (Wisconsin Dairyland)

Eggs & Issues: Washington Update with the US Chamber
   Hear the latest on federal policy issues and their impact on business from John Kirchner, Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce. Get the insights into what's really happening in Washington that you won't see in the media, and a preview of what's at stake for the business community in the fall election.
 • Friday, Aug 23, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

All upcoming 2024 Eggs & Issues programs

CV Airport Commission recommends SkyWest
Current federal EAS contract up for renewal
   At its meeting last Monday, the Chippewa Valley Airport Commission voted to recommend the proposal from SkyWest Airlines for the renewal of the airport's federal Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy contract. 
   The EAS program was created under airline deregulation to provide federal subsidies, with some cost limits, to guarantee passenger air service to communities who would otherwise lose it.
   The EAS contract is currently held by Sun Country Airlines, who took over the contract in December 2022 after SkyWest (operating as United Express) announced it was pulling out of 29 EAS markets because of the pilot shortage. The two-year contract ends later this year, so the USDOT opened the opportunity for proposals for the service.
   In response, Sun Country proposed to continue its contract and SkyWest proposed coming back into the market with 12 United Express round trips per week to Chicago O'Hare.
   The Airport Commission made its decision Monday after meeting in closed session with both airlines. The Commission described its decision in a news release:
   "Two proposals were received including a proposal from the Airport’s incumbent carrier, Sun Country Airlines. The decision was difficult given the phenomenal service and nonstop destinations offered by Sun Country. Their commitment to the region and willingness to partner with the Airport during challenging times is greatly appreciated."
   “'On behalf of the Airport Commission, we can’t thank both carriers enough for their interest in our community,' said Airport Commission Chair, Bill Hilgedick. 'After careful review of all available information, the majority of Commissioners felt that SkyWest Airlines would be best positioned to serve the most local passengers given their breadth of connectivity over the course of the contract.'"
   According to the release, "The next step is to receive approval from the US DOT, who makes the final decision on Essential Air Service contracts. We are hopeful the US DOT will expedite their decision-making process to allow passengers to plan. We will keep the public informed as soon a final decision by the US DOT has been made."
More information:
Essential Air Service Frequently Asked Questions (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport)
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Commission Supports SkyWest Airlines Essential Air Service Proposal (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport news release)
DOT Community Preference Letter (Chippewa Valley Airport Commission)
About the Chippewa Valley Airport (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport)
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport accept SkyWest's proposal (Leader-Telegram $)
Airport Commission Votes in Favor of Skywest Airlines (WEAU 13 News)
Airport commission supports SkyWest's return to Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (WQOW News 18)
Our View: Airport commission made the right call (Leader-Telegram editorial $)

New Chicago-Milwaukee-La Crosse-Twin Cities train posts strong ridership in its first month
Success bodes well for future service to Eau Claire
   Amtrak announced last week that the new Amtrak Borealis train that began service between St. Paul and Chicago on May 21 carried over 18,500 passengers in its first month, exceeding initial projections. The service operates daily as additional service on the route currently served by the Seattle-Chicago long-distance Empire Builder train. It was added with support from the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota to provide passengers with additional schedule options and to meet demand for passenger rail service.
   The nearest stops on the Borealis and Empire Builder routes to Eau Claire include Tomah, La Crosse, Red Wing, and St. Paul. Wisconsin DOT officials say they are working on a potential dedicated shuttle service between Tomah and the Chippewa Valley that would include guaranteed connections and through ticketing.
     The service expansion is part of continuing long-term effort by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to add frequencies and cities to passenger rail service in the state, including to Eau Claire. As part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Railroad Administration launched the Corridor Identification and Development Program, which creates a pipeline for new and expanded routes across the country. WisDOT has four corridors that have been accepted into the program and the regional Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission received a federal grant to pursue a regional corridor on the Eau Claire-Menomonie-Baldwin-Hudson-Twin Cities route. Strong ridership on new services like the Borealis bodes well for further expansion in Wisconsin, which would also include cities like Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Madison. 
   The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is among the organizations who support passenger rail expansion. For more information, contact Scott Rogers at rogers@eauclairechamber.org
More information:
Borealis Ridership Tops 18,500 in First Full Month: Amtrak and states impressed by positive response to new service (Amtrak news release)
Borealis & Empire Builder schedules, St. Paul-La Crosse-Tomah-Milwaukee- Chicago (Rail Passengers Association)
Chicago to Twin Cities Amtrak service tops 18,500 passengers in first month (BizTimes)
The success of the new Amtrak Borealis bodes well for other regional train routes. (Fast Company)
Leader of Chippewa Valley Rail Advocacy Group excited about new Twin Cities-Chicago service (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition)

Looking ahead...
Oct 25 Eggs & Issues to feature transportation initiatives
   The Chamber's October Eggs & Issues policy breakfast will focus on significant issues affecting our region's transportation modes, including WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson and other speakers. Mark it on your calendar and register now:
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit
 • Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register

Election updates...
 Republican National Convention - Milwaukee, July 15-18
 Wisconsin Primary Election: Tuesday, Aug 13
 General Election: Tuesday, Nov 5
 Register to vote, find what's on your ballot: MyVoteWisconsin
 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)
 Who’s running in Wisconsin’s 2024 legislative primaries (Wisconsin Examiner)

Milwaukee readies for RNC after Trump assassination attempt (WPR)
Sunday RNC review: Trump will appear at the convention on Monday (Journal-Sentinel +)

Authorities hunt for clues, but motive of man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump remains elusive (AP)
Questions Surround Attempted Trump Assassination (The Dispatch) 

Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor helped bring the RNC to Milwaukee. He’s ready for the spotlight. (WPR)  

Key takeaways from Biden’s NATO news conference: Insistence on staying in the race and flubbed names (AP)
Trump rally shooting upends Democrats' Biden crisis (Axios)

Wisconsin Elections Commission issues new guidance after Supreme Court brings back drop boxes (WPR)
Eau Claire County Clerk weighs in on absentee ballot drop boxes (WEAU 13 News)

State and regional stories...

Five Crisis Stabilization Facilities Now Open Across Wisconsin (DHS)
Regional mental health centers now open across Wisconsin (WPR)
A look at a new mental health facility in La Crosse (WEAU 13 News)

UW regents approve raises for 8 chancellors, set up bonuses for retaining freshmen students (AP)

Joint Finance Committee releases aid for communities losing 2-year UW schools (WPR)

Draft PSC report says Wisconsin’s major utilities on pace to meet emissions goals (WPR)

Wisconsin’s cannabis industry leafs out with new, legal products (The Cap Times)

'Pathways Home' gives six-month status update at La Crosse County Board meeting (WKBT News 8000)

Construction of Madison’s new homeless shelter to begin this month (The Cap Times)

Kwik Trip holds groundbreaking for new distribution center in DeForest (WXOW)

UW-La Crosse faculty committee votes to fire former chancellor Joe Gow after porn videos (WPR)

Milwaukee extends use of combined ‘festival line’ for downtown streetcar (BizTimes)

Milwaukee Arts Groups in Big Trouble (Urban Milwaukee)

MMAC report shows few positive trends in May (WisBusiness.com)

Just how ‘horrible’ is Milwaukee’s crime? A look at the midyear stats. (Journal-Sentinel +)

Superior businesses brace for billion-dollar Blatnik Bridge replacement (WPR)

Former Marshfield Legislator Bob Kulp found peace, repaired his marriage while opening a Northwoods Airbnb (AOL)

MSP ranked top airport in 2024 by Travel+Leisure survey (KMSP)

National and economic stories...

Inflation slows in May, with consumer prices up 3.3% from a year ago (CNBC)

US wholesale inflation picked up in June in sign that some price pressures remain elevated (AP)

Fed Chair Powell says holding rates high for too long could jeopardize economic growth (CNBC)

USPS increasing stamp prices for second time in 2024, by record-equaling amount (Fox Business)

Biden administration to tax foreign-made steel and aluminum imports routed through Mexico (AP)

Nato vows 'irreversible path' to Ukraine membership (BBC)

Food for thought...

Psst: It’s Not 2014 Anymore - The U.S. labor market has too few workers, not too few jobs. (Scott Lincicome, The Dispatch)

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

Mark your calendar:

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

Golf Day in Eau Claire
  • Monday, Aug 5

Business After Hours
 • Monday, Aug 12

Partisan Primary Election
  • Tuesday, Aug 13

Sonnentag Center Grand Opening
  • Thursday, Sep 12

"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