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Volume 7, Issue 38, Feb 3, 2025
 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 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-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

In this issue:
 • Chamber Annual Meeting award winners announced, Chamber recognized
    by UW Regents for business partnership
 • EC Plan Commission: Rezoning for apartments in The Sevens
 • EC City Council gets Parking Study recommendations
 • Middle School Civics Bee entry deadline Tuesday, Feb 4
 • Trump announces tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China
 • Duffy confirmed as Transportation Secretary
 • Baldwin holds virtual town hall with Eau Claire, La Crosse Chambers
 • 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 "+"

Eggs & Issues: Washington Insights from the US Chamber
  How do we make sense of the dramatic changes in policies and direction coming from the new Administration and Congress? Who is looking out for the business community, how will decisions get made, and how will all of this affect business and the economy in the Chippewa Valley? John Kirchner from the US Chamber will provide us insights into the new power structure in DC and the various forces at play. Learn what issues are getting the most attention, and how the US Chamber is navigating he new landscape and advocating for a positive business climate. John Kirchner is Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce.
• Friday, Feb 21, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
    A unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance, representing the Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire Chambers of Commerce. In these first 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. 
   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 will include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Plus, we'll express thanks for previous regional priorities enacted during the past two years.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Feb 10

Kristel Tavare, Kim Way recognized with Public Employee
of the Year Award at Chamber Annual Meeting
UW Regents present Chamber with Business Partnership Award
   The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce conducted its 110th Annual Meeting, "Eau What A Night," at the Sonnentag Center last Thursday evening and named Kristel Tavare from CVTC and Kimera Way from the UWEC Foundation as recipients of its annual Public Employee of the Year Award.
   The evening also included key individual awards in several categories, then a presentation of the Regents Business Partnership Award to the Chamber and UWEC by Regents Karen Walsh and Amy Bogost and UW President Jay Rothman.
Public Employee of the Year
   The Public Employee of the Year Award is presented annually for personal and professional development qualities that contribute to the spirit of progress between the public and private sectors – dedication, concern, productivity, quality of work, and a problem-solving attitude. Kristel Tavare is Director of PK-12 Initiatives at Chippewa Valley Technical College, where she has been instrumental in working with school districts in the CVTC service area to implement dual credit and degree programs for high school students. Kim Way recently retired as CEO of the UWEC Foundation, where she led many critical initiatives that have advanced the University's future impact in the community. 
A night to celebrate individual contributions
   Also presented at the Annual Meeting: 
   Glassbrenner – Klinkhammer Spirit Award – To the person who has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the Ambassador program: Bonnie Krahn – Atmosphere Commercial Interiors
   Outstanding Young Professional of the Chippewa Valley – In appreciation of adhering to the core values of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley: Dustin Johnston – Northwestern Mutual
   Young Professional Networker – In appreciation of outstanding engagement, networking, and active participation in YPCV events: Taylor Wilkins – Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association
   Young Professional Community Involvement Award – In appreciation of exceptional dedication to improving the Chippewa Valley and active involvement in YPCV and community volunteering: Jeni Thorpe – Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
Regents Business Partnership Award
    Regent Karen Walsh, whose idea created the Regent Business Partnership Award in 2023, presented the award to UW-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt and Eau Claire Chamber President and CEO David Minor at the meeting.
   “This award recognizes the deep and lasting relationship between UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce,” Walsh said. “Businesses in the Chippewa Valley are hungry for talent and UW-Eau Claire is producing more than 2,000 career-ready graduates every year.”
   “The collaboration between UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is just one of many critical partnerships between our universities and businesses across Wisconsin,” Rothman said.
   Chancellor Schmidt said the great working relationship between UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is critical to the success of many initiatives in the region.
   “UW-Eau Claire is so fortunate and grateful to have a trusted partner in the Chamber, and the strength of our collaboration with their team has helped the community move forward,” Schmidt said. “Dave Minor’s vision and support over the past decade has been invaluable to our community’s success.”
   Minor said the Chamber’s work with UW-Eau Claire is meaningful on many levels, and added the two entities have a long, storied history of working together.
   “The Chamber is proud to be a community convener that helps the stakeholders in our region collaborate to envision a brighter future for our world, and UW-Eau Claire is an invaluable partner in that work,” Minor said. “From our founding to the present day, strong higher educational opportunities have been central to developing our community and workforce. We are honored by this recognition from the Board of Regents.”
   Since the award was first created, dozens of the most prominent businesses across Wisconsin have received it, including Mayo Clinic Health System, Kwik Trip, Haribo, Sentry and 3M. The Board of Regents will present Business Partnership awards at other universities throughout the year.
More information:
UW Board of Regents presents Regents Business Partnership Award to Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, UW-Eau Claire (UWEC)
UW Regents award recognizes partnership between UWEC and EC Chamber (Leader-Telegram $)
UW Board of Regents presents Regents Business Partnership Award to Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce (WEAU 13 News)
Eau What a Night celebration (WEAU 13 News)
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce celebrates 110 years (WQOW News 18)

EC Plan Commission: Rezoning for apartments at "The Sevens"
   The City of Eau Claire Plan Commission meets Monday evening, with a rezoning request on the agenda for the apartment complex that's part of "The Sevens" development on the City's southeast side south of I-94 at 5400 Old Town Hall Rd.
  Paragon Apartments is a 305-unit apartment community being developed at the intersection of Old Town Hall Road and Bourbon St. It will be developed by Keyhole Capital, owned by Jim and Jennifer Rooney. According the meeting documents, the project will include five 61-unit buildings, seven 16-stall detached garages, a resort-style clubhouse with an outdoor pool and hot tub, and
a maintenance building. As part of its development agreement with the City of Eau Claire, 20% of units will be offered at 80% of County Median Income and 5% of units at 60% of County Median Income. (See pages 33-52 of the Agenda Packet linked below.) The Plan Commission's recommendation then goes to the City Council next week.
   The Plan Commission's consent agenda also includes the final plat for the Orchard Hills subdivision on the west side of Mischler Road (see pages 6-13).
More information:
Eau Claire Plan Commission
 • Monday, Feb 3, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet (73 pages)

EC City Council hears parking study recommendations
Approves water rate increase, street improvements schedule
   As its meetings last week, Eau Claire City Council heard from its parking consultant with preliminary recommendations for its downtown parking study. Jon Forster, Parking and Mobility Planner with consulting firm Fishbeck of Grand Rapids, Mich., described a need for a full reset of the City's approach to downtown parking after reviewing capacity, usage, and expectations for future changes to current structures. See pages 43-119 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below for more information. After Monday's public meeting, the Council conducted a work session with Forster after its Tuesday Legislative Session to ask more questions and discuss future direction. The Council is expected to get more public input at its next Public Hearing Session on February 10, and formally accept the study on February 11. Accepting the study does not necessarily mean the City will adopt the recommendations, but instead is expected to begin a process to determine what will move forward.
   The Council last week also adopted a plan to increase water rates by 4.1%, and approved a schedule for planned alley, street, utility, and sidewalk improvements.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Jan 27, Public Hearing Agenda Packet (122 pages)
 • Tuesday, Jan 28, Legislative Session Agenda Packet (93 pages)
    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 of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
More information and city news...
Parking Study Executive Summary (Jon Forster, Fishbeck)
Parking Study Findings and Recommendations (Jon Forster, Fishbeck)
Eau Claire City Council discusses downtown parking study (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire City Council passes new water rates (WEAU 13 News)

More local stories...

Eau Claire in-person absentee voting changes for upcoming elections (WEAU 13 News)

We Can Finally Put a Number on the Value of Eau Claire’s Trails (Volume One)

Chippewa-Eau Claire MPO seeks public input on future of transportation (Leader-Telegram $)

Message from ECASD, MASD discusses current policy in wake of ICE concerns (Leader-Telegram $)

Final version of parking study nears completion (Leader-Telegram $)
The City of Eau Claire to finalize parking study (WEAU 13 News)

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport announces return of nonstop service on Sun Country Airlines (WEAU 13 News)

Local municipalities preparing funding for Highway T expansion project (WQOW News 18)

Evers touts electric vehicle charging station in CF visit (Leader-Telegram $)
Gov. Evers in Chippewa Falls to celebrate launch of new EV charging stations (WEAU 13 News)
Governor Evers visits Chippewa Falls to celebrate new electric vehicle charging station (WQOW News 18)

New senior daycare facility opens in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Rellim Senior Day Care offers new care option in Chippewa Valley (WQOW News 18)

Veritas Classical Academy finalizes purchase of office building (Leader-Telegram $)
Veritas Classical Academy purchases former Mason Office Building (WEAU 13 News)

Dozens apply for vacant Chippewa County administrator position (Leader-Telegram $)

National Civics Bee for middle school students
1st Step: Submit essay by Feb 4 deadline
   The Eau Claire Chamber is one of the regional hosts sites for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Bee. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round of civics essay competition. The competition begins with a 750-word civics essay where students are asked to identify a community issue and propose how they could help improve it. In each region, the top 20 essays will be selected to advance to a live event on April 12. The portal for essay submissions is now open, with a deadline of February 4, 2025. Click here for details.
More information:
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Launches 2025 National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
or contact Tina Probst: probst@eauclairechamber.org 

Wisconsin’s Partial Veto: Power, Prosperity, and Constitutional Limits
Feb 12 UWEC presentation by Nathan Kane, former Chamber intern
   A former Chamber Governmental Affairs Intern will be returning to UWEC on February 12 to deliver a presentation for the University's Menard Center for Constitutional Studies.
   Nathan Kane, Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Litigation Center. Kane, a UW–Eau Claire political science alumnus and UW Law graduate, brings expertise in legal and political matters impacting Wisconsin’s business landscape. With a foundation in public policy shaped through internships with U.S. House Representatives and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Kane will provide valuable perspectives on how legislative and judicial decisions influence business and economic growth in Wisconsin.
   Kane was one of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Interns during the 2017-18 academic year before going on to law school.
More information:
Wisconsin’s Partial Veto: Power, Prosperity, and Constitutional Limits
 • Wednesday, Feb 12, 5:30 p.m., Centennial Hall, Room 1804, UW-Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register
    Other upcoming Menard Center events (UWEC Menard Center for
    Constitutional Studies)

State and regional stories...

Wisconsin Legislature website (Wisconsin Legislature)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally (Mar 5, Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)
Spring 2025 non-partisan election (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

Wisconsin’s Ben Wikler comes up short in bid to lead national Democratic Party (WPR)

Schimel discusses upcoming state Supreme Court election (Leader-Telegram $)
Brad Schimel campaigns in Western Wisconsin (WEAU 13 News)

Changing academic standards becomes a central issue of Wisconsin superintendent race (Wisconsin State Journal +)

Report: Wisconsin tax burden hits new record low in 2024 (WPR)

‘Unsung’ soldiers who aided US in Laos don’t have veteran status. Wisconsin lawmakers want that to change. (WPR)
Wisconsin bill would give veteran status to Hmong and Laotian soldiers who fought in 'Secret War' (Journal-Sentinel +)

Waukesha County sales tax is officially dead (Waukesha County Freeman +)

How Madison’s bus rapid transit is going 4 months in (The Cap Times)

Minnesota cities have lowered their speed limits. Has it slowed drivers down? (Minnesota Star-Tribune +)