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Volume 8, Issue 6, Jun 23, 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-4:30p, Friday 8a-12n
Closed Fridays in July
 

This is an abbreviated issue
...because of staff vacation. News updated through Thursday, June 19. A full issue returns on June 30.

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: Legislative Breakfast
   We've invited members of the State Assembly and Senate who represent the Chippewa Valley to give us a timely look at how our regional priorities are faring in Madison, and provide insights on the biennial state budget (which may or may not be done by then!). We'll ask them to address legislative actions that will affect the business climate in our region, and answer questions submitted by participants.
• Thursday, July 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register  

Next Eggs & Issues topics...
• Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19

Also for your calendar...
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
• Golf Day in Eau Claire: Wild Ridge Country Club - Monday, Aug 4
• Business After Hours - Monday, Aug 11

• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19, Madison
 
 

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar

Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Jun 23, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Meeting information
 • Tuesday, Jun 24, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Meeting information
    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 Update (City of Eau Claire)

Current local stories...
Meet and greet held at Chamber for new Eau Claire Public Officials (WEAU 13 News)
The Numbers Are In: A Milestone Year for Tourism in Eau Claire County (Visit Eau Claire)
2024 Wisconsin Tourism Smashes Pre-Pandemic Record (Volume One)
Survey results show Chippewa Valley residents interested in Twin Cities rail service (WQOW News 18)
Back-to-Back Wins: Eau Claire Students Take Top Honors at State Civics Bee (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
South student places first at state Civics Bee, joined by other CV finalists (Leader-Telegram $)
City hosts zoning code pre-adoption open house to keep public informed of changes (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire held public meeting for changing zoning codes and ordinances (WEAU 13 News)
Residents and Eau Claire City Council speak on plan to renovate Owen Park (WEAU 13 News)
Demolition to begin on Zorn Arena, attached buildings (UWEC)
UWEC to tear down Zorn Arena in the coming weeks (Leader-Telegram $)
Zorn Arena, a historic part of UW-Eau Claire, set for demolition (WQOW News 18)
Demolition on Eau Claire’s lower campus set to begin Monday (WEAU 13 News)
UWEC historian reflects on Zorn Arena's legacy (WQOW News 18)
UWEC looks back on the Sonnentag's past year as the one-year anniversary nears (Leader-Telegram $)
UWEC professor fined for election day incident (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Transit Department improves safety for riders with new overhang shelters (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire Narcan vending machine dispenses 3,700 doses in first two years (Leader-Telegram $)
Altoona Container Park to Open in July (Volume One)
Maki named executive director of Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Leader-Telegram $)
Northern Wisconsin State Fair hires new Executive Director (WEAU 13 News)
 
 

DECI providing website with downtown parking, detour info
   With ongoing street construction closures and detours on downtown's North Barstow thoroughfare underway this summer, 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 Ramp (accessed via Galloway Street).
Click the link below for updates:
N Barstow St Construction Info (DECI)

City of Eau Claire - Citizen opportunities to serve
   Nearly 200 people serve the City on Boards, Commissions and Committees. These groups advise the City Council on various areas. The City Manager's Office maintains a Resource Bank made up of city residents interested in serving on boards, commissions, or committees. The primary qualifications are an interest in participating in City government and a willingness to work with others to help address the needs of the community.
Citizen Resource Bank (City of Eau Claire)
 
 

State and regional stories...
Wisconsin state budget work hits another snag as deadline nears (Journal-Sentinel +)
Robin Vos says Assembly Republicans back $87M cut to UW budget (WPR)
Wisconsin Republicans vote to add new prosecutors, but won’t replace expiring federal funds (WPR)
Wisconsin legislators want tax cuts. How much would their plans save? (The Cap Times)
Wisconsin Democratic legislator criticizes Republican priorities on the budget (WPR)
UW branch campuses, reeling from closures, await GOP budget plans (The Cap Times)
Wisconsin gig workers could become independent contractors under bill headed to governor’s desk (WPR)
Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously sides with AG on power to settle some lawsuits (WPR)
What’s next for the Wisconsin Democratic Party? A 'trifecta,' they hope (The Cap Times)
State Capitol sees enhanced security after suspected Minnesota shooter listed 11 Wisconsin lawmakers as targets (WPR)
Home sales fall for third-straight month, Wisconsin Realtors Association reports (WKBT News 8000)
Governor Evers discusses affordable housing during La Crosse visit (WEAU 13 News)
Developer celebrates groundbreaking for 31-story mass timber apartment tower in downtown Milwaukee (BizTimes)
 
 

National and economic stories...
Fed leaves rates steady, projects higher inflation (Axios)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Elects Business Leader Ross Perot Jr. Board Chair (US Chamber of Commerce)
The US Chamber has a new chairman (Axios)

U.S. Chamber Commends Release of Senate Tax Proposal and Continued Momentum for Permanently Securing Pro-Growth Tax Reforms (US Chamber of Commerce)
Sen. Baldwin says House budget bill would negatively impact health care access (Leader-Telegram $)

Food for thought...

How Muskegon, MI, Is Building Hundreds of Homes on Vacant Lots (Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns)

Leadership Lessons From Assassinated Lawmaker Melissa Hortman (Governing)
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was shot and killed on Saturday. She had previously spoken with Governing about the challenges of leading in difficult times.

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

Mark your calendar:
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Thursday, July 24
• Golf Day in Eau Claire: Wild Ridge Country Club - Monday, Aug 4
• Business After Hours - Monday, Aug 11
• 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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