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Volume 7, Issue 23, Oct 21, 2024
 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 2024 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:
 • In-person early voting starts on Tuesday
 • Who do you want to represent you in the State Assembly?
 • EC City Council: Budget, Prairie West II development agreement
 • Wisconsin ends fiscal year with $4.6 billion surplus
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit
   This month's timely program dives into the future of transportation for the Chippewa Valley. As our economy continues to grow, what roles will key modes of transportation play in providing access and mobility for the community and our workforce? Speakers include:
 • Joel Nilsestuen, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation: The vision for the state's transportation future.
 • Debby Jackson, Executive Director, Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin: The priorities of the state's transportation users and providers.
 • Charity Zich, Airport Director, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport: United Express and Sun Country service changes and the airport's future.
 • Dave Solberg, Eau Claire Deputy City Manager: Preview of the downtown parking study.
 • Ty Fadness, Eau Claire Transit Manager: Potential innovations to increase transit usage and relevance in Eau Claire.
 • Scott Rogers, West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition: How the new federal rail corridor funding pipeline can bring more passenger trains to our state and region. 
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Transit
 • Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Just added...
Lunch with Eric Hovde, US Senate Candidate
   Join us for this valuable opportunity to discuss federal issues of importance to the business community with Eric Hovde, the Republican candidate to represent Wisconsin in the US Senate. A light lunch will be provided.
   Note: The Chamber does not endorse candidates but provides investors with opportunities to learn about their views on issues of importance to the business community. No Chamber funds ever go to a political campaign for public office, and any fees collected go only to the Chamber to pay the costs of meeting expenses and its Advocacy Initiative. The Chamber has also invited the Democratic candidate, Senator Tammy Baldwin, to participate in a similar opportunity, and previously hosted a business issues roundtable with her on May 30.
•  Monday, Oct 28, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Light lunch provided)
    Chamber offices, WNB Conference Room 101 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register 

What's on your November ballot?   
   Attend this engaging session to get a fuller understanding of what's at stake in the November 5th election. It's a non-partisan review of what you'll find when you enter the voting booth, including state and federal offices and referendum issues. This event is presented by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy Initiative, the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, and Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley.
•  Tuesday, Oct 29, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
    Chamber offices, WNB Conference Room 101 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register 

Election resources: Click here for our elections page
 Sit-down video interviews with local Assembly candidates

Join us this Wednesday...
Bravo to Business Awards
   Don't miss this opportunity to join us for the Chamber's annual business awards: Business of the Year (50+ employees), Small Business of the Year (1-50 employees), Emerging Business of the Year, and Resilient Business of the Year. Click the details link below for the list of finalists.
•  Thursday, Oct 23, 5:00-9:00 p.m., The Florian Gardens
    Click here for details and to register 

Also for your calendar...
• Economic Outlook Luncheon - Tuesday, Nov 12
• Eggs & Issues: Election Analysis Charles Franklin - Friday, Nov 15
• 2024 Business Solutions Summit - Wednesday, Nov 20

In-person early voting starts Tuesday, Oct 22
Vote early at your local municipality weekdays through Nov 1
Eau Claire plans street changes, detours to accommodate volume
    Local voters who want to avoid lines on Election Day or otherwise want to cast their ballots early can take advantage of in-person early voting starting Tuesday, Oct 22, and continuing weekdays through Friday, Nov 1. You must vote in the municipality in which you reside.
   In the City of Eau Claire, residents can utilize the City's drive-thru, walk-thru voting in the parking lot behind City Hall on Dewey Street, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Due to a large expected turnout, some traffic detours will be in place during drive-thru voting hours: Dewey Street will be one-way from Galloway Street to Grand Avenue. Voters should approach Dewey St. from the north using Wisconsin St., Putnam, and Galloway, Voters will exit the parking lot onto Grand Ave. East. NON-VOTING traffic will DETOUR around Dewey Street using Grand Ave. E., Farwell St., and Madison Street.
   In Altoona, early voting will be at City Hall weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in the Town of Washington at the Town Municipal Building, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. click the link below for more information and other municipalities:
Early Voting and Absentee Ballot Information (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Traffic plan for early drive-through voting starting Tuesday in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)

Election day and mail-in absentee voting information
   Election day is Tuesday, November 5. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters may also cast absentee ballots by mail, or in person at their municipal election office on weekdays between October 22 and November 1.
   To register to vote, find your polling place, request an absentee ballot by mail, or see what's on your ballot, click on the following link: MyVoteWI (MyVoteWI)

Who do you want to represent you in the State Assembly?
   If you're tired of the negative ads and mailers, but want to compare candidates on the ballot in your State Assembly district, learn why they're running and - in their own words - what their priorities would be if elected. We conducted concise, 5-7 minute sit -down interviews with all 12 major party candidates in the six key Chippewa Valley-area Assembly districts (67, 68, 69, 91, 92, and 93). All 12 of them also completed the Chamber's written Good Government Council candidate questionnaire about economic issues.
Click here to confirm your Assembly district and access the videos and questionnaires
or if you already know your Assembly district:
District 67 - Rep. Dave Armstrong (R), Jeff Foster (D)
District 68 - Rep. Rob Summerfield (R), Richard Pulcher (D)
District 69 - Rep. Karen Hurd (R), Roger Halls (D)
District 91 - Rep. Jodi Emerson (D), Michele Skinner (R)
District 92 - Rep. Clint Moses (R), Joe Plouff (D)
District 93 - Christian Phelps (D), James Rolbiecki (R)

The Eau Claire Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources and information to help investors and the public learn about candidates and their positions on issues.

Your vote counts!
   Local voters in Wisconsin have outsized influence with the upcoming November 5 election. It's a critical state in the race for President, control of Congress and the US Senate, and all-new districts portend a potential shake up of the state legislature. Additionally, there are two state constitutional amendments on the ballot, and the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) is asking voters to approve an four year operational referendum.

"Talking Po!nt" Podcast features John Frank
   Seasoned political observer John Frank talks with VP Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers about the key races on the ballot on November 5 and how your vote will have a big impact not only locally but nationally. Learn what's at stake statewide and in local legislative districts. Click here to listen (32:11)

ECASD referendum seeks $18 million per year for four years
   The Eau Claire Area School District is seeking a four year, $18 million annual operating referendum on the November 5 ballot. ECASD says the proceeds would be deployed to ensure "High quality, research based reading instruction and stability of educational programs; Behavioral and mental health resources; Safe school environments; and Appropriate staff-to-student ratios to ensure academic, social, and emotional success for our students."
More information:
Referendum information page (ECASD)
Referendum FAQs (ECASD)
E.C. School District Seeks Budget Fix With Referendum (Volume One)
SOAPBOX: E.C. School Operational Referendum Needs Your Support (Tom Fiedler, Volume One)
More than 100 Wisconsin school districts asking voters to approve referendums (WPR)

November ballot question aims to amend Wisconsin Constitution to clarify only U.S. Citizens may vote in elections
   The Wisconsin Legislature has placed a question on the ballot that aims to amend the state’s constitution as follows:
   Text: The question on ballots will read, “Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide of local referendum?”
   The authors maintain their primary goal is to prevent any ambiguity in how voting rights are applied in Wisconsin.
   Click here to read a full explanation of this amendment by John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware LLSC

More election stories...

Outside groups have spent nearly $11M in races for the Wisconsin Legislature (WPR)

Rep. Van Orden & Rebecca Cooke Visit Eau Claire Chamber (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Van Orden’s firebrand style under spotlight in 3rd District race against Cooke (WPR)

Tammy Baldwin, Eric Hovde get personal during sole US Senate debate (WPR)
Wisconsin Senate Candidates Stick to the Issues as Polls Tighten (The Dispatch)
Hovde joins Americans for Pharma Reform on Wisconsin tour (Leader-Telegram $)

Here's the breakdown on visits to Wisconsin by Harris, Trump (Wisconsin State Journal +)
Kamala Harris storms through Wisconsin, with events in Milwaukee, Green Bay, La Crosse (WPR)
Evers, Whitmer campaign for Harris at UW-Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Gov. Walz returns to Eau Claire as race tightens (Leader-Telegram $)
Conservative commentator Charlie Sykes, 2 former GOP state officials endorse Harris (WPR)

Immigrants help power America’s economy. Will the election value or imperil them? (AP)

The ‘cocksure vs. caution’ election (Politico)

EC City Council: Development agreement for Prairie West II
2025 Budget deliberations continue with Tuesday Work Session
   A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a development agreement and with Wurzer Builders for Prairie West II is on the agenda for the Eau Claire City Council's Tuesday Legislative Session this week. The project is located off Prairie Lane on the City's northwest side (see pages 66-85 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below).
   After Tuesday's meeting, the Council will hold a work session on the proposed 2025 Operating Budget. Budget amendments from Council members will be due Nov 8, there will be a public discussion on Nov 11, and Council action will take place on Nov 9.
More information:
Click here to see the full proposed 2025 operating budget (City of Eau Claire)
2025 proposed fee schedule (City of Eau Claire)
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Oct 21, 7 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (19 pages)
    2025 Proposed Operating Budget (City of Eau Claire, opengov.com)
 • Tuesday, Oct 22, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (118 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 Budget: Budget Process and Current Documents (City of Eau Claire)
Adopted 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (City of Eau Claire)
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)

Eau Claire Zoning code rewrite process continues with Oct 28 meeting
   The City's Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC), comprised of the City Council and Plan Commission members, will hold its next meeting on Monday, Oct 28, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at the LE Phillips Memorial Public Library. The Committee will discuss proposed Chapter 8 access & mobility and Chapter 10 subdivision standards. The City is currently working on a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code.
More information:
Zoning Policy Advisory Committee
• Monday, Oct 28, 4 p.m. Meeting information
   Link to draft codes (City of Eau Claire)
   Project website (City of Eau Claire)

Eau Claire County begins 2025 budget deliberations
   Eau Claire County held its first public hearing on its 2025 budget at last Tuesday's County Board meeting, with another one on Wednesday, Nov 6.
   According to a County news release, "The budget process maps a strategic workplan while assigning dollar values for services provided. It is an opportunity to take stock of the community, and the role Eau Claire County government assumes in defining the community. The budget is a planning tool for financial and operational resources; and reflects the County’s determination to allocate resources responsibly. It was prepared with the goal of preserving services to the residents, visitors, and businesses of the County; balancing priorities and compromise between competing needs for limited funding; and being responsive to our citizens."
   The County's proposed funding for non-profit organizations has been reduced to about half, affecting groups such as The Family Resource Center, Bolton Refuge House, The Chippewa Valley Museum, and others. County officials say that the reductions are necessary to balance the projected budget.
More information:
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Oct 15, Meeting information
   2025 County Budget information (Eau Claire County)
   Online form for budget input (Eau Claire County)
   News release - budget process (Eau Claire County)
Eau Claire County looks at recommended budget (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire County’s proposed budget cuts funding to nonprofits in half (Leader-Telegram $)

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 21, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Oct 24, 6 p.m. Meeting information

More local stories...

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Launches National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

City of Eau Claire looks to reach out to homeless through Street Ambassador Program (Leader-Telegram $)
Hope Gospel Mission's new facility hopes to help more people with homelessness, addiction (Leader-Telegram $)

From Humble Roots 50 Years Ago, Menomonie Market Food Co-op Has Flourished (Volume One)

Children's Museum of EC hope to expand programming, community outreach with electric vehicle (Leader-Telegram $)

Chippewa Falls manufacturers showcase the industry for students (WQOW News 18)

Dunn Co. Names Accola Economic Development Director, First-Time Role for County (Volume One)