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In this issue:
• EC City Council: Work sessions on homeless initiative, trash collection,
parking, capital budget
• Sojourner House announces plan to stay open year round
• State budget negotiations break down, but JFC continues work
• Local legislators seek $1 million for LSS purchase of Libertas Center
• National and economic news
• Food for thought
• Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"
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Eggs & Issues: Parking and the downtown EC experience
Along with the significant development and growth in downtown Eau Claire over the past two decades has come growing pains, including what to do about parking. The City commissioned a comprehensive downtown parking study last year, and is now in the midst of determining whether and how to implement its various recommendations. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll hear the latest from Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg on how business and community feedback are being incorporated into decisions scheduled to be made soon by the City Council. We'll also touch on other key aspects of the downtown experience for visitors, businesses, and residents, including the new Street Ambassador program. Also joining us will be Stephney Brick, Block-by-Block Operations Manager, and Julia Johnson, one of the principals of the Pablo Group.
• Thursday, June 19, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
Next Eggs & Issues topics...
• Legislative Breakfast - Thursday, July 24
• Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19
Business Community Reception
for newly-elected public officials
Join us for a special meet-and-greet in honor of newly elected local public officials. This is a valuable, informal opportunity to get acquainted with these new office holders, talk about local government and education issues important to your business, and learn more about why they decided to serve in public office. There is no formal program and no charge to participate.
Confirmed to attend so far are new Altoona City Council Member Bruce Thielen, and new Eau Claire City Council Members Nate Otto and Ethan Reed.
• Monday, June 16, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Chamber Office, WNB Conference Room
Click here for details
Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, June 9
• Celebrate the 715 - Saturday, June 21
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19, Madison
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EC City Council: Work sessions on homeless initiative,
trash collection, parking, capital budget
The Eau Claire City Council meets this week on Monday and Tuesday, with its agenda characterized by work sessions on four key topics. Work sessions are not part of the formal meeting, but provide opportunities for Council discussions of issues in advance of possible action. They are typically held following a regular Council meeting.
After Monday's Public Hearing, the Council will get an update on the Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative, the effort initiated by the County Department of Human Services, the City-County Health Department, and the Chamber to provide leadership and coordination to address homelessness.
Three Work Sessions after Tuesday's Legislative Session include discussions of potential recommendations for trash and recycling, downtown parking, as well as discussion of the 2026-30 Capital Improvement Plan.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, Jun 9, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (7 pages)
• Tuesday, Jun 10, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (146 pages)
Budget Process and current documents (City of Eau Claire)
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 News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
City of Eau Claire plans $48.3 million in capital improvement projects for 2026 (Leader-Telegram $)
Note: Parking and the downtown experience will be the topic of the Chamber's next Eggs & Issues breakfast on Thursday, June 19. Click here for details.
Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar
Altoona Plan Commission
• Tuesday, Jun 10, 5:30 p.m. Meeting information
City of Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission
• Wednesday, Jun 11, 5:15 p.m. Meeting information
Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Jun 12, 6 p.m. Meeting information
DECI providing website with downtown parking, detour info
With ongoing street construction closures and detours on downtown's North Barstow thoroughfare underway this month, Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI) has created a web page to keep visitors and businesses up to date. During the disruptions, free parking is also being provided in the North Barstow Parking Ram (accessed via Galloway Street).
Click the link below for updates:
N Barstow St Construction Info (DECI)
US News & World Report: Eau Claire is the #1 place to
live in Wisconsin, #49 in the USA
New "Best Places" rankings from US News & World Report have placed Eau Claire as the best place to live in Wisconsin, and #49 out of 250 rated communities in the US. The Best Places to Live rankings are based upon quality of life, value, desirability, job market, and net migration.
More information:
What’s it like to live in Eau Claire, WI? (Specific Eau Claire listing, US News)
Best Places to Live in Wisconsin in 2025-2026 (US News)
Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2025-2026 (US News)
2025-2026 Best Places to Live Methodology (US News)
Eau Claire named best place to live in Wisconsin by U.S. News and World Report (WKBT News 8000)
These are the 14 best places to live in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News (Journal-Sentinel +)
Eau Claire Cracks Top 50 ‘Best Places to Live’ Ranking (Volume One)
Eau Claire named best city to live in Wisconsin and one of the best in the country (WEAU 13 News)
Staycations: Phoebe Murray unpacks the best budget-friendly stops in Wisconsin starting with Eau Claire. (WMTV 15)
Our View: Eau Claire shines in rankings spotlight (Leader-Telegram editorial +)
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Sojourner House to stay open year round
Last week, Catholic Charities announced that its Sojourner House overnight homeless shelter in downtown Eau Claire will now stay open year round. The action comes after earlier word that funding shortfalls could reduce operations to six months each year.
"Today, we are pleased – and profoundly grateful – to announce that the funding gap for 2025 has been filled," according to a Catholic Charities news release. "This incredible achievement was made possible through collaboration with a wide range of partners, including members of the faith community, local units of government, fellow nonprofits, and countless individuals who stepped forward in this time of need."
"Although not every partner is listed here, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who played key roles in closing the summer funding gap and committing to future solutions for Sojourner House: Eau Claire Community Foundation, City of Eau Claire, Fr. James Kurzynski-St. Olaf Parish, Pablo Foundation, Department of Administration-Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources, City of Altoona, Eau Claire Catholic Deanery, and Diocese of La Crosse."
More information:
Sojourner House to Continue Year-Round Services (Volume One)
Sojourner house meets fundraising goals (Leader-Telegram $)
New endowment fund started to help homeless shelter’s long-term needs (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Community Foundation grants $100K to keep Sojourner House open this summer (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire downtown emergency shelters reflect on financial instability following public funding crisis of Sojourner House (WEAU 13 News)
June 11 affordable housing event to showcase The Hub
The latest edition of a series of meetings, “Keys to Unlocking Affordable Housing,” will be held this Wednesday, June 11. It will focus on the Hub, a community in Chippewa Falls where people experiencing homelessness seek temporary transitional shelter while working with a caseworker to progress in their lives. The event is free. Local housing leaders and the general public are encouraged to attend. It is co-sponsored by the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force and L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. The group is also sponsoring a session on Wednesday, July 9, focusing on Solis Circle in Altoona.
More information:
Keys to Unlocking Affordable Housing - The Hub
• Wednesday, June 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m. L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
More local stories...
Three months in: Downtown Street Ambassadors helping dozens daily (WQOW News 18)
New Day Resource Center Aims for January 2026 Opening (Volume One)
Chancellor recognized by Board of Regents (UWEC)
Regents approve three new majors at UW-Eau Claire (UWEC)
Board of Regents approves three new majors at UW-Eau Claire and recognizes Chancellor James Schmidt (WEAU 13 News)
UWEC receives approval for three new majors (Leader-Telegram $)
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s new chief of police lays out future plans and addresses safety concerns (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa Valley's Judy Clark Officially Joins 'Local Broadcast Legend' Rank (Volume One)
Family farm serves Eau Claire County Breakfast on the Farm in Fall Creek (WQOW News 18)
Mayo Clinic celebrates graduation of their 2025 Project SEARCH interns (Leader-Telegram $)
UW-Stout students design and present prototypes for Ashley Furniture (WisBusiness.com)
CF committee hears concerns about industrial noise complaints (Leader-Telegram $)
CF Chief Douglas seeks funding for street cameras (Leader-Telegram $)
Local train service survey open through Tues, Jun 10
An online survey being conducted by the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition continues to be open through Tuesday, June 10, looking for input from prospective travelers on what destinations they're most interested in when passenger train service comes to the community. In addition to identifying specific preferred destinations on maps provided at the meeting, an online survey was provided that sought input on fares, information about travel purposes, and provided information on taking action to ensure that current feasibility studies underway can continue.
More information:
Click here to take the brief 5-question train travel survey
Do you want trains in Western Wisconsin? (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition newsletter)
Survey open for Eau Claire to Twin Cities train service (WQOW News 18)
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Governor, Legislative budget negotiations break down
JFC continues to meet and work through budget
Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican Legislative leaders last week each announced that negotiations over the state budget, including tax cuts and other priorities, had collapsed.
In the meantime, the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is continuing to meet and work towards a Legislative-passed budget by the July 1 deadline. After taking votes May 29 on the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), along with some non-controversial areas, JFC met again this past Thursday to address the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and other areas.
With the JFC controlled by majority Republicans but with the signature (and partial veto power) of Democratic Governor Tony Evers required to enact a budget, the path to a final document is uncertain.
JFC is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Its agenda indicates it will cover several areas related to Circuit Courts, Supreme Court, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Historical Society, Insurance, Workforce Development, and Revenue.
The Eau Claire Chamber sent a letter last month to JFC, outlining the priorities for which it and the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance (Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire) advocated for at the 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally on April 22.
More information:
Chamber issues letter to JFC (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues Book (Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)
State budget talks called off as Gov. Tony Evers, Republican lawmakers hit impasse (WPR)
Budget negotiations between Gov. Tony Evers, legislative Republicans collapse (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin’s budget talks stall. Here’s how it could affect the 2026 governor’s race (AP)
Budget committee approves over $700 million in bonding for clean water programs (Wisconsin Examiner)
Legislature’s budget-writing committee boosts borrowing by $732M for water programs (WPR)
Moses, James submit bill to aid LSS purchase of Libertas Center
Sen. Jesse James of Thorp (R-23) and Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie (R-92) have introduced a bill to provide a $1 million state grant to aid in the purchase and renovation of the Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa Falls that closed last year as part of the HSHS and Prevea withdrawal from the area.
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) has acquired the facility and plans to provide care for adult men referred by the state Department of Health Services County unit or a correctional facility, as well as those who check themselves into the center.
“LSS plans to upgrade the former Libertas Center facility, ensuring that clients experience spaces that are welcoming and safe to assist the healing and recovery process for these patients,” James and Moses wrote in a co-sponsorship memo to fellow legislators.
Other area legislators who have signed on as co-sponsors include Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-25) and Reps. Dave Armstrong (R-67), Rob Summerfield (R-68), and Shannon Zimmerman (R-30).
More information:
Co-sponsorship memo (Wisconsin Legislature)
Bill information: AB304 and SB 308 (Wisconsin Legislature)
More state and regional stories...
People agree change is needed in mental health services. Partisan gridlock stalls progress. (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin Senate committee passes gig worker benefits bill (WAOW)
Wisconsin lawmakers propose dozens of mental health care bills (WPR)
Wisconsin child care strategy caught in partisan struggle (The Cap Times)
Bill rewards employers for child care aid. Providers say it won’t fix crisis.(Wisconsin Examiner)
Knowles-Nelson bill would keep land conservation program alive despite partisan infighting (Journal-Sentinel +)
'Farmland Protection Act' limiting foreign-owned land moves forward in Wisconsin (The Center Square)
Dueling Wisconsin bills aim to simplify referendum questions for voters (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin Department of Tourism pushes film tax credits as a top priority (The Center Square)
Wisconsin bill would help voters better understand ballot referendums (The Center Square)
Wisconsin tax credit proposed for people relocating from Los Angeles, North Carolina disasters (WPR)
Gov. Evers, DWD Announce Over $10 Million to Bolster Wisconsin’s Workforce (Office of the Governor)
Republicans want Supreme Court to reject redraw of congressional lines, ACLU backs new map (WisPolitics.com)
Law groups file motion to intervene in Wisconsin congressional maps challenge (The Center Square)
Wisconsin Elections Commission chairwoman responds to warning letter from federal officials (Journal-Sentinel +)
Who is Chris Taylor? Where Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate stands on abortion rights, voter ID (Journal-Sentinel +)
What to know about Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley ahead of the 2026 election (Journal-Sentinel +)
Elon Musk's involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race irked Trump, new report says (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin shop teachers overhaul curriculums, encourage students to consider trades (WPR)
Alliance reports growing popularity of self-funded health plans (InBusiness)
Wisconsin’s first large-scale energy storage project now serving customers (WBAY 2)
DHS continuing to recommend current COVID-19 vaccine amid CDC changes (Channel 3000)
‘Growing MKE’ Zoning Proposal Picks Up Key Endorsement (Urban Milwaukee)
Madison's first 'skyscraper' to become a boutique hotel on Capitol Square (Wisconsin State Journal +)
The St. Paul streetcar is dead; here’s how the $730 million will be spent (Star-Tribune +)
More employees at downtown Minneapolis Target HQ given return-to-office mandates (Star-Tribune +)
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National and economic stories...
U.S. payrolls increased 139,000 in May, more than expected; unemployment at 4.2% (CNBC)
US job openings rose in April, signaling resilience in the American labor market (AP)
WMC, Manufacturing leaders urging Congress to extend tax provisions (WisBusiness.com)
Five ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Tax Changes to Watch in the Senate (Kiplinger)
7 senators to watch as Republicans make changes to Trump's big bill (NBC News)
Wisconsin Medicaid director: New federal requirements would affect ‘the whole health care economy’ (WPR)
Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s efforts to gut AmeriCorps (Politico)
Trump administration ordered to restore AmeriCorps programs in Wisconsin, 23 other states (Journal-Sentinel +)
US economic growth forecast cut sharply due to higher tariffs (Fox Business)
Most companies are already raising prices or plan to because of tariffs, data shows (CNBC)
Trump calls for scrapping debt limit, in megabill twist (Politico)
‘Disgusting abomination’: Elon Musk tears into Trump megabill (NewsNation)
Trump Seeks Congress’s Approval for Package of DOGE Cuts (Wall Street Journal +)
Americans Are Finally Saving Almost What They’re Supposed to for Retirement (Wall Street Journal +)
Food for thought...
The Best Evidence Yet for the “Housing Musical Chairs” Theory (Daniel Herriges, Strong Towns) A housing market characterized by a shortage of homes relative to the demand to live somewhere—which is the case in a large number of American cities and neighborhoods.
How Filtering Increases Housing Affordability (Planetizen) Good research indicates that building middle-priced housing increases affordability through "filtering," as some lower-priced housing occupants move into more expensive units, and over time as the new houses depreciate and become cheaper.
The Secret to Affordability? Build More Housing— of Every Kind. (Upjohn Institute) Recent studies show that building more housing, even more expensive housing, actually increases overall affordability.
Forward Thinking: Putting the pieces together on Janesville’s housing puzzle (Char Hermanson, Janesville Gazette +) Housing in Rock County is too scarce and too expensive, and it’s affecting everything from workforce retention and recruitment to business growth. One promising path forward lies in zoning reform.
COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)
Mark your calendar:
• Business After Hours - Monday, June 9
• Business community reception for new elected officials - Monday, June 16
• Eggs & Issues: Parking & the Downtown Experience - Thursday, Jun 19
• Celebrate the 715 - Saturday, June 21
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Thursday, July 24
• Golf Day in Eau Claire - Monday, Aug 4
• Eggs & Issues: Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• Eggs & Issues: The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19
• 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wednesday, Nov 5
• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19, 2026, Madison
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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