UWEC breaks ground on Science & Health Sciences Building
$340.3 million project will be a catalyst for local economy, serve as incubator for advances in sciences and rural healthcare
One of the Chamber's most significant policy goals was celebrated this past Thursday, when State and local officials came together on the UWEC campus for the groundbreaking for the $340.3 million Science and Health Sciences Building.
“Our audacious vision, our commitment and our persistence have literally transformed the face of this campus and this community in ways that will outlast all of us,” said Chancellor James Schmidt during the public ceremony on Thursday afternoon. He said the project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Universities of Wisconsin, the state of Wisconsin, Mayo Clinic Health System and the University Relations and Facilities teams.
2024 Chamber Board Chair Andy Neborak of Impact Advertising spoke at a special luncheon the same day, highlighting the impact of the project to the local economy, and Chamber President and CEO Dave Minor was one of the speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony. Minor was in the leadership group that threw the first shovels of dirt, and Chamber past and present board members and staff also took part in the groundbreaking.
“When the chancellor came to the chamber board and said, ‘We need help advocating for this building,’ we looked beyond the academic purpose,” Minor said. “We looked at how it is going to transform this community that we can’t totally envision today. We made sure Madison never lost the vision and the concern that we had that this building needs to built here and needs to be built now.”
Among other speakers at the groundbreaking were former Governor Tommy Thompson, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, Mayo Clinic Health System Regional VP Rick Helmers, Mayo Clinic Director of Innovation Dr. Tim Nelson, UWEC Student Body President Sam Consiglio, and State Building Commission Member State Rep. Robert Wittke. Video highlights
State capital funding for the building faced several challenges, with the first phase approved in the 2019-21 budget, but left out for 2021-2025. As a top priority for the 2023 Chippewa Valley Rally and on the Chamber's Business Issues Agenda, the final phase of funding was approved in the 2023-25 state budget.
At the luncheon, current and former members of the area legislative delegation each spoke briefly about their bipartisan efforts that were ultimately successful, including State Sens. Kathy Bernier, Jesse James, and Jeff Smith; and Reps. Jodi Emerson, Karen Hurd, Clint Moses, Warren Petryk, and Rob Summerfield.
Construction on the 330,000-square-foot building is expected to continue through 2026, with the building opening sometime in 2027. Miron Construction Co., headquartered in Neenah with an office in Eau Claire, is the general prime contractor. The five-story building will replace the outdated Phillips Hall, built 61 years ago. The new building is designed to accommodate the types of research, teaching and collaborations that have defined the university for decades. It will serve 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.
Rural Health Innovation Alliance, Sonnentag Center
The local community will also benefit from two other significant UWEC initiatives, the recently-announced Rural Health Innovation Alliance and the soon-to-be-completed Sonnentag Center.
The Rural Healthcare Innovation Alliance will assemble health care providers, entrepreneurs and other partners to find solutions to improve health care delivery in rural areas. Launched with with Chicago-based Health Equity Innovation Partners, the three-pronged goal is to improve rural health care access and outcomes while reducing costs. It aspires to make the Chippewa Valley region the epicenter for testing innovative care models and global technology solutions for rural health care delivery, which, if successful, could become a national model.
2024 will also see the completion of the Sonnentag Center, which will be the largest indoor event venue in northwestern Wisconsin. The complex will include the Sonnentag Event Center, a 104,900-square-foot major event facility with a total capacity of 5,000; the John & Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse, an 81,300-square-foot space featuring a 100-yard artificially turfed field; the UW-Eau Claire Center for Health and Wellbeing, a 14,200-square-foot facility with a view of the Chippewa River; offices for Blugold Athletics, and a new Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center. A ribbon cutting is planned for September.
More information:
Groundbreaking celebrates start of Science and Health Sciences Building construction (UWEC)
Video: Science Hall Groundbreaking highlights (UWEC, YouTube, 3:13)
People react to Science and Health Sciences Building groundbreaking (UWEC)
'An audacious imagining:' UWEC breaks ground on new Science and Health Science Building (Leader-Telegram $)
Ground is officially broken for new UWEC Science and Health Sciences building (WEAU 13 News)
UWEC Science Building breaks ground (WQOW News 18)
UW Eau Claire breaks ground on new science building (WKBT News 8000)
UW-Eau Claire announces creation of Rural Health Innovation Alliance (UWEC)
The Sonnentag: Northwest Wisconsin's Premier Event Facility (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)

Status of the local healthcare crisis...

Podcast: Leaders discuss Recovery Task Force pause,
future of local healthcare
The Co-Chairs of the HSHS Prevea Recovery Task Force joined Chamber President and CEO Dave Minor for the Chamber's "Talking Po!nt" Podcast to reflect on efforts over the past four months to respond to the closures of HSHS hospitals and Prevea Clinics in the area. Dr. Bill Rupp, Retired Mayo CEO, and Jerry Jacobson, President Northwestern Bank, review the efforts and successes of the task force, explain the decision to pause its work, and the future of healthcare as it affects the Chippewa Valley.
Minor was also recently interviewed by Spectrum News 1's "In Focus" program about the status of local healthcare.
Talking Po!nt EP 6: Pausing the HSHS/Prevea Recovery Task Force
Audio: Click here to listen (Eau Claire Chamber, 28:06)
HSHS Prevea Healthcare Task Force pauses operations (Eau Claire Chamber)

More healthcare stories:
Video: In Focus - Economic ripple of western Wisconsin's health care shake up (Spectrum News 1, 5:39)
Video: In Focus - NorthLakes Community Clinic expands into Eau Claire area (Spectrum News 1, 7:24)
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 $)
Partisan gridlock leaves millions in state funds for Wisconsin communities unspent (Wisconsin State Journal +)
OakLeaf Adds Urgent Care Facilities in C.F., Menomonie (Volume One)

Western Dairyland to hold Day Resource Center Community Meeting on Tuesday
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 on June 18 seeks to inform community about Day Resource Center (Leader-Telegram $)

DeLong Middle School student wins Wisconsin Civics Bee
2nd and 3rd place winners from Colfax, DeLong Middle Schools
Rya Mousavi, a student at Eau Claire's DeLong Middle School, has been named the first-ever Wisconsin Civics Bee champion. Rya competed against seven other finalists from around the state on stage on Friday, answering Civics trivia questions and presenting portions of her submitted essay.
The competition, the first-of-its kind in Wisconsin, was organized by the WMC Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, encouraging students to share ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics.
Earlier in the year, students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades were invited to compete in regional bees, hosted by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Racine Area Manufacturers & Commerce, and the Wausau Chamber of Commerce. Winners of the regional bees participated in the state finals. The Eau Claire Chamber invited students in our region to compete in the Wausau competition.
2nd and 3rd place finishers also from area
Rya won a $1,000 cash prize for the victory, and will represent Wisconsin in the inaugural National Civics Bee national championship in Washington, D.C., in the fall for a chance to win prizes worth more than $50,000. Megan C. from Colfax Middle School and Elissa K. from DeLong Middle School placed second and third, respectively, and earned cash prizes as well.
“Congratulations to Rya and all of the other finalists for making Wisconsin history,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “We’re thrilled to partner with other chambers to build enthusiasm for civic engagement and United States history through this competition.”
More information:
Eau Claire Area Student Named Wisconsin Civics Bee Champion (WMC)
Eau Claire area student named Wisconsin Civics Bee champion (WEAU 13 News)

Meeting this week...

Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, Jun 17, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information

Eau Claire Plan Commission
2024 Work Plan
• Monday, June 17, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. Agenda packet

More local stories...

Eau Claire County Tourism Shattered Record in 2023 (Volume One)
Chippewa Valley sees record tourism in 2023 (WQOW News 18)
Wisconsin tourism industry sees second straight year of record-breaking numbers (WPR)

Eau Claire to partake in 24th annual celebration for Juneteenth (Leader-Telegram $)

Badger Boys State celebrate in UWEC's last Zorn Arena event, recognize 50-year volunteer (Leader-Telegram $)

Eau Claire One of 150+ U.S. Cities Celebrating ‘Make Music Day’ (Volume One)

Technician trainer Craig Von Batenburg trains WI instructors on hybrids, EVs while at CVTC (Leader-Telegram $)

Tracy Drier named permanent UWEC vice chancellor for finance and administration (UWEC)

How Olson’s Ice Cream Is Celebrating Its Milestone Anniversary (Volume One)

Werthmann reelected to Democratic National Committee
Eau Claire City Council Member Andrew Werthmann has been reelected to the Democratic National Committee. First elected in 2016, Werthmann was reelected to his third four-year term at the Wisconsin Democratic Convention, held June 8-9 in Milwaukee. There are four Wisconsin members. Also reelected was Alex Lasry, a former Milwaukee Bucks executive and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel & Tourism in the US Department of Commerce. Newly elected members are Tomika Vukovic, a member of the Glendale Common Council, and Arvina Martin, the executive director of Emerge Wisconsin.
More information:
Dems elect four to national party (WisPolitics.com)
State Dem Party announces national convention delegates following state convention in Milwaukee (WisPolitics.com)

In Case You Missed It...
Candidates now set for Aug 13 Primary Election
Several local legislative races will have primaries
With the June 3 filing deadline, its now known which candidates are formally seeking legislative seats in Wisconsin this year. Among six key area State Assembly districts, that includes 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 Rep. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point, and Eric Wilson, Eau Claire, are seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden, Prairie du Chien.
Here's who is running for Congress in Wisconsin (The Cap Times)

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...

ECASD finalizes referendum amount at $18M as November election approaches (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Area School District to put $18M operating referendum on Nov. ballot (WKBT News 8000)

CF native Crawford announces candidate for state Supreme Court (Leader-Telegram $)
All 4 liberal justices back Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign (WPR)
Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel enters 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Race (WPR)

As campaign season picks up, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos under attack from liberals and conservatives (WPR)

Milwaukee a 'horrible' city? 'Trump denies comment he already acknowledged (Journal-Sentinel +)
Republicans, Trump work to clarify Milwaukee 'horrible city' comment as Democrats, Biden seize on it (ABC News)

More state and regional stories...

6 UW campuses projected to have deficits, even after cost-savings efforts (WPR)

UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities latest branch campus to close (WPR)

UW-Extension receives $1 million to help site solar and wind projects (The Cap Times)

National and economic stories...

Wholesale prices unexpectedly fell 0.2% in May (CNBC)

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

Fed holds rates steady, indicates only one cut coming this year (CNBC)

Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to mic muting, podiums among rules for June 27 CNN debate (CNN)

U.S. bus company Coach USA files for bankruptcy to sell its business (Reuters)

Skilled workers are in demand, these trade jobs pay the most (Fox Business)

Lawmakers Want More Government Workers Back in the Office (Governing)

‘Russia has to pay’: G7 taps Moscow’s frozen assets in support of Ukraine (CNBC)

US unveils $1.5B in new energy, humanitarian aid for Ukraine (Politico)

Food for thought...

As Hospitals Grow, So Does Your Bill (Wall Street Journal)

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

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