Eau Claire County Board to hold first budget hearing
Eau Claire County is in the process of adopting its 2026 Operating Budget. The Administrator's proposed budget was released at the end of September, and the Committee on Budget and Finance has been holding joint meetings with each County Board Committee. It will hold its first public hearing this week at the Tuesday, October 21, County Board meeting. Adoption is planned at its November 12 meeting.
More information:
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Oct 21, 7 p.m. Meeting information
County 2026 Budget page (Eau Claire County)
Budget Timeline (Eau Claire County)
Public hearing to be held on proposed 2026 Eau Claire County budget (WEAU 13 News)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar
Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 20, 6 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 20, 7 p.m. Meeting information
Altoona Plan Commission Special Meeting
• Tuesday, Oct 21, 5:30 p.m. Meeting information
City of Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority
• Wednesday, Oct 22, 7:30 a.m. Meeting information
Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission
• Tuesday, Oct 22, 8:30 a.m. Meeting information
Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Oct 23, 6 p.m. Meeting information

National Civics Bee for Middle School Students:
Local student to represent Wisconsin at national finals on Nov 11,
Essay portal now open for 2026 competition
The winner of the Wisconsin competition for the National Civics Bee, Leila C., a student at Eau Claire's South Middle School, will represent the state at the national finals on Tuesday, November 11, in Washington, DC. The event will be live-streamed and you're invited to watch online that morning.
The Eau Claire Chamber will also be hosting the 2026 state competition. In advance to the live event to be conducted next spring, any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student residing in Wisconsin with an idea about using civics to improve their community may submit their essay to enter the National Civics Bee® Competition. The top 20 will then be selected to compete in a quiz-style live competition.
More information:
2025 National Civics Bee Finals
• Tuesday, Nov 11, Click here for more information and to register
Video: Preview National Civics Bee Finals in Washington DC (1:20, YouTube)
2026 Competition information:
Video: What the National Civics Bee is about (1:21, YouTube)
2026 Competition information - Essay information and how to enter

Altoona's "The Yard" wins national recognition
EPA Region 5 Outstanding Brownfields Redevelopment
The City of Altoona has been recognized with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Outstanding Contributions in Brownfields Redevelopment Award for its transformative work on The Yard Container Park.
This recognition highlights the City’s commitment to turning a long-neglected brownfield property into a thriving community hub that embodies innovation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable redevelopment. Through strategic use of WI DNR and WEDC funding, Neighborhood Investment Fund award, strong public–private partnerships, the City remediated and revitalized a once-underutilized site into a dynamic gathering space featuring repurposed shipping containers, locally owned food and retail vendors, outdoor seating areas, and an event stage.
"The Yard not only demonstrates the power of creative land reuse but also showcases how brownfield redevelopment can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, community engagement, and environmental health," notes City of Altoona officials. The project has quickly become a cornerstone of Altoona’s downtown, attracting residents and visitors alike, supporting small businesses, and creating a vibrant destination that reflects the City’s vision for the future.
This award celebrates Altoona’s leadership and innovation in advancing sustainable redevelopment, setting an example for communities throughout the region and beyond.
More information:
The Yard website

October 17 Eggs & Issues media coverage:
Local legislators discuss budget, current legislative session; advocates express funding concerns (Leader-Telegram)
Legislators address Chippewa Valley budget priorities while protesters advocate for more child care funding (WEAU 13 News)

Housing stories...
Construction on first house underway in new Orchard Hills neighborhood (WQOW News 18)
US Senate Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as Part of NDAA (Washington Report, NAR)
Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing? (Wisconsin Examiner)
Residents consider a cooperative future as manufactured housing parks go up for sale (WPR)

More local stories...
City of Eau Claire disables comments on City’s social media accounts (WEAU 13 News)
City of Eau Claire halts social media comments to curb abusive behavior (WQOW News 18)
Wheel tax increase among other discussion areas for Eau Claire's 2026 preliminary budget (Leader-Telegram $)
Sustainability Committee discusses cat leash ordinance (WKBT News 8000)
South Middle School excited with changes as referendum project completes (Leader-Telegram $)
South Middle School officially completes extensive renovation project (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire, Altoona school districts talk about challenges from declining enrollment (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsin schools largely reject performance-based pay for teachers (WPR)
CVTC opens doors to updated spaces at Chippewa Falls facility (Leader-Telegram $)
CVTC holds ribbon cutting for updated spaces paid for by referendum (WEAU 13 News)
CVTC Student Appointed to Wisconsin Technical College System Board (Office of the Governor)
UWEC to close Center for Restorative Practices in restructure of EDI programs (WQOW News 18)
New $30 million rehabilitation hospital breaks ground in Eau Claire (WKBT News 8000)
Security Financial Bank to Build New Corporate Office in Eau Claire (SFB)
Security Financial Bank Announces Plans For 25,000-Square-Foot Office in E.C. (Volume One)
New Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins development proposed in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire Culver's aims to be best in the U.S. and you can help them win (WQOW News 18)
WEAU's Judy Clark inducted to Upper Midwest EMMY Chapter Silver Circle (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa River Industries celebrates ribbon cutting (WEAU 13 News)
CF committee reviews idea to fill vacant city administrator position (Leader-Telegram $)
Chippewa County Board urges state for additional SNAP funding ahead of cuts (WQOW News 18)
The Minnesota Credit Union landscape: A year of trends, “yellow lights” and future optimism in the credit union industry (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal +) RCU's Riechers weighs in on regulatory and economic forces

Lutheran Social Services to kick off renovations
at the former Libertas Center
The lights are coming back on as Lutheran Social Services (LSS) prepares to bring recovery programming back to the Chippewa Valley and Northwest Wisconsin at the former Libertas Center. LSS will hold a community open house next Monday at the site as remodeling kicks off.
"Be the first to see our plans, find out how you can get involved, and stand united in breaking down the barriers that keep people from the care they need and deserve close to home," noted in a news release about the event.
Event information:
LSS former Libertas Center Open House
• Monday, Oct 27, 2-4 p.m. RSVP link
2301 County Hwy. I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Senators Jesse James and Jeff Smith to square off in
31st District in the fall 2026 election
Senator Romaine Quinn announces 23rd district candidacy
With candidacy announcements over recent days, the fall 2026 election in Wisconsin's 31st Senate district will pit two sitting State Senators against each other: Republican Jesse James and Democrat Jeff Smith.
Both Senators were elected four years ago under previous district maps before new ones were instituted in 2024. At that time, James' Altoona home was in the 23rd, and Smith's Town of Brunswick residence was in the 31st. With the new maps, both communities are in the newly-drawn 31st. After the 2024 election, James moved to Thorp to continue to represent the 23rd, in which he was elected. With his announcement last week, James said he was moving back to Altoona.
In the meantime, Republican Senator Romaine Quinn, who was elected in 2022 in the 25th district, found his former home located in the new 23rd. He moved to Birchwood, but last week announced that he is moving back into the 23rd for the 2026 election.
More information:
Jesse James announces re-election plans, will face Jeff Smith (Leader-Telegram $)
Sen. Jesse James to run for the 31st Senate District in 2026 (WEAU 13 News)
State Senator Jesse James to run for 31st Senate District in Wisconsin (WQOW News 18)
State Sen. Jeff Smith announces reelection bid amidst new voting maps (WQOW News 18)
Senator Romaine Quinn running for Wisconsin's 23rd Senate District (WQOW News 18)

More state and regional stories...
Republicans seek 'innocent landowner' protections in PFAS bills. Some aren't happy (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin bill banning cell phones in classrooms headed to governor’s desk (WPR)
Wisconsin school cell phone ban during instructional time heads to governor (The Center Square)
Wisconsin Assembly approves criminal justice, human trafficking bills (WPR)
License plate 'flippers' will be illegal in Wisconsin under bill headed to Gov. Tony Evers (Journal-Sentinel +)
What are license plate 'flippers,' the devices soon to be illegal in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)
UW-Madison sees more than 30 percent decline in international freshman students (WPR)
Lawmaker wants to end 'rollercoaster' of tuition increases at UW System (The Center Square)
Federal layoffs in special education leave Wisconsin advocates concerned for students with disabilities (WPR)
Wisconsin school choice enrollment hit new high, worries persist (The Center Square)
Ben Wikler, former state Democratic Party chairman, won't run for governor but has other plans for 2026 (Journal-Sentinel +)
Former state Democratic Party chair will not enter governor’s race (WPR)
Sen. Kelda Roys talks about governor campaign while on stop in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Who's running for Wisconsin state treasurer? These candidates have launched campaigns (Journal-Sentinel +)
Top 4 Finalists Announced in Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin (WMC)
UWEC exhibit showcasing family voices of immigrant workers welcomes visit from Gov. Evers (Leader-Telegram $)
Wausau board: Mayor violated ethics policy when he removed ballot drop box (WPR)
Lara Fritts to Lead the Greater Green Bay Chamber as Next President & CEO (Greater Green Bay Chamber

Federal and economic stories...
U.S. Chamber Files Lawsuit to Support Businesses’ Use of H-1B Visas (US Chamber of Commerce)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee (CNBC)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Sues Trump Administration Over $100,000 H-1B Fee Proclamation (Ruder Ware)
Trump’s H-1B fee raises legal questions, lacks payment clarity, Wisconsin attorney says (WPR)
U.S. consumers bearing more than half the cost of tariffs so far, Goldman Sachs says (NBC News)
CEOs grow more apprehensive as tariff uncertainty weighs (Axios)
China, Betting It Can Win a Trade War, Is Playing Hardball With Trump (Wall Street Journal)
The Nation’s Biggest Banks Are Saying the Economy Is Still Strong (Wall Street Journal)
Top Walmart exec says American manufacturing comeback is real and good for business (CNBC)
Dollar coin will honor Cray Computers (Leader-Telegram $)
Hundreds come out for “No Kings” protest around Western Wisconsin (WEAU 13 News)
Thousands rally in Eau Claire's second 'No Kings' Rally (WQOW News 18)
No Kings rally in Menomonie draws more than 1,000 participants (Leader-Telegram $)
Wisconsinites protest Trump administration at ‘No Kings’ rallies — with signs and unicorn suits (WPR)
How do Wisconsin residents feel about the government shutdown — and who do they blame? (Journal-Sentinel +)
As government shutdown continues, some Wisconsinites brace for rising health care costs (WPR)
Van Orden has slight fundraising edge over Cooke in 3rd District race (WPR)

Food for thought...

From the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership
Moral Compasses: A Conversation on Faith and Political Values
What role, if any, should faith play in shaping our political values and goals? How do we authentically live out our religious beliefs in the public sphere without imposing those beliefs on others? Does respecting the separation of church and state require us to set aside our faith when engaging politically? Can—and should—our personal religious convictions truly be divorced from our public policy positions?
The Tommy G. Thompson Center is holding a conversation featuring Ross Douthat (New York Times), Shadi Hamid (Washington Post), Daniel Mark (Villanova University), and Kaitlyn Schiess (Duke Divinity School). With these speakers from diverse religious and political traditions, we will explore how to navigate the complex relationship between personal faith, public responsibility, and political engagement in an era marked by growing pluralism and secularization.
Event Information:
• Wednesday, Oct 22, 6:30 p.m. UW-Madison In person and live stream
Click here for details and registration

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