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Volume 7, Issue 46, Mar 31, 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:
 • April 1 Election: Vote tomorrow!
 • Chamber provides EC City Council candidate videos, questionnaires
 • Still time to sign up for the 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
 • Eau Claire County Administrator Kathryn Schauf to retire
 • Check out valuable apprenticeship opportunities
 • 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 "+"

Tuesday, April 1 Spring Election
Polls open tomorrow, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To see what's on your ballot, or find your polling place, go to MyVote.WI.gov
   This year's Spring Nonpartisan Election includes statewide races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Superintendent of Public Instruction; local elections for city councils, town boards, school boards, and local judgeships; and a Constitutional Amendment to put the state's voter ID requirement in the state constitution.
   Voter ID is required. If you need to register to vote, you can do it on Election Day at your polling place.

EC City Council: Chamber sit-down video interviews and
candidate questionnaires now available
   Locally, there are seven candidates for five open At-Large seats on the Eau Claire City Council, including incumbents Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Joshua Miller; along with newcomers Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, Ethan Reed, and Philip Swanhorst. Incumbents Kate Felton and Roderick Jones are not seeking reelection. (The City Council also has five district seats, which will be up again in 2027, and the City Council President, which will be on the 2026 ballot.)
   The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources to help voters make informed choices. We conducted five-minute sit-down video interviews with each candidate, and our Good Government Council provided a written questionnaire answered by all seven candidates.
Click these links:
2025 EC City Council Sit-Down Interviews (Eau Claire Chamber, YouTube)
EC City Council Candidate Questionnaire responses (Good Govt Council)

Other local elections
   The Spring Election also features three districts seats on the Altoona City Council, two seats on the Altoona School Board, three seats on the Eau Claire School Board, and Eau Claire County Circuit Court Judge Branch 2. There are no contests in any of these races. For Altoona City Council, District 1 incumbent Dale Stuber and District 2 incumbent Timothy Lima are unopposed, while no one filed for District 3. On the ballot for two seats for the Altoona School Board are incumbent Jeremy Zook and newcomer Robert Melland. For the Eau Claire School Board, incumbents Stephanie Farrar and Tim Nordin are on the ballot, along with Jasmine Case, for three seats. And for Eau Claire County Circuit Judge, recently-appointed incumbent Doug Hoffer is unopposed.
   Area voters will also see on their ballot Court Of Appeals Judge District 3 in which incumbent Lisa Stark is unopposed.
Statewide races draw national attention
   With an open 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court that will determine the so-called conservative vs. liberal makeup of the court, the contest between former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford is generating significant spending and national attention. The candidates have held one debate.
   Also significant is the election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, with incumbent Jill Underly being challenged by Brittany Kinser. And ballots include a Constitutional Amendment to put the state's voter ID requirement in the state constitution.
More information:
Video: Crawford-Schimel Debate (59:30, WISN, YouTube)
Susan Crawford, Brad Schimel square off in debate for high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race (WPR)
Kinser, Underly clash over status of Wisconsin schools during joint forum (WisPolitics.com)
State superintendent candidates Jill Underly, Brittany Kinser trade barbs in only forum before April 1 election (WPR)
Voter ID in Wisconsin: What to know about Wisconsin’s April 1 referendum (WPR)

Last chance to register...
Chamber/UWEC Business Community Breakfast
   Join us for breakfast and discussion as UW–Eau Claire launches its new 2030 Strategic Vision and Plan for Distinction. The curated agenda will showcase the innovation and transformation this vision is empowering across the campus, how the outcomes are focused on making a positive impact on local businesses, and graduating the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of the Chippewa Valley region.
 • Wednesday, April 9, UWEC Davies Center
    Click here for details and to register (Registration deadline April 2)

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Tues, Apr 22
   This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. In these first six 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.
How it works
   When you participate in the Rally, you'll spend a productive day taking part in issue briefings, small group meetings at legislative offices, a keynote luncheon, and networking with others from our area who are interested in state government policy. And don't worry if you've never participated before. Our legislative office meetings will be led by experienced previous attendees.
   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 include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Click here to see the 2025 Issues
Full information:
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Organized by the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce.
• Wednesday, Apr 22, Madison
   Click here for details and to register

Eggs & Issues: State Budget Update
   With a Democratic Governor and a Legislature controlled by Republicans, the process is underway to enact a biennial state budget before the July 1 deadline. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at the political state of play as the legislature's Joint Committee on Finance continues its deliberations. Among those who will provide insights into the forces at work will be Bill McCoshen, partner at Michael Best Strategies, and John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware.
• Friday, May 9, CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register 

Also for your calendar...
• Apprenticeship 101: What Employers Need to Know - Tuesday, Apr 8
• Chamber/UW-Eau Claire Business Community Breakfast - Wednesday, Apr 9
• National Civics Bee - Local Competition - Saturday, Apr 12
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire North - Tuesday, Apr 15
• Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair Eau Claire Memorial - Thursday, Apr 17
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15
• Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast - Friday, June 20

Nominate a Business for the 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards
   Nominations are now open for the Chamber's 2025 Annual "Bravo to Business" Awards. They're designed to recognize the outstanding businesses that make Eau Claire thrive, celebrating excellence, innovation, and resilience in our local business community. Finalists will be honored and winners announced at the "Bravo to Business" Awards event this fall.
   Anyone can nominate a business—or businesses can nominate themselves. Award Categories are: Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Resilient Business of the Year, and Young Professionals Best Place to Work.
More information:
2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards
• Nominations deadline: April 30
• Wednesday, November 5: Awards event
   Click here for details and to nominate a business
Nominations Now Open for E.C. Chamber's Bravo to Business Awards (Volume One)

Leadership Eau Claire™ Accepting Applications for 2025-26
Application deadline Friday, May 30
    The Chamber is currently accepting applications for its Leadership Eau Claire™ (LEC) Class of 2026. This immersive nine-month program is designed to equip both emerging and established leaders with the skills, connections, and knowledge to shape the future of Eau Claire. Through hands-on experiences, thought-provoking discussions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to key organizations, participants will:

• Strengthen their leadership skills with interactive workshops and exercises
• Engage in critical conversations about the challenges and opportunities in our region
• Build lasting relationships with a diverse network of community leaders
• Discover ways to get involved and drive meaningful change

Click here to apply