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Volume 7, Issue 49, Apr 21, 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:
 • County Board passes passenger rail resolution
 • 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally is Tuesday
 • State Supreme Court upholds Evers' 400 year veto
 • US Chamber: "Tariffs Devastate Local Businesses"
 • 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: State Budget Update
   With a Democratic Governor and a Legislature controlled by Republicans, the process is underway to enact a biennial state budget. 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. We'll also get perspectives from Republican State Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and Democratic Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), a member of the Assembly Minority Leadership.
• Friday, May 9, CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register 

Also for your calendar...
• Morning Momentum - Wednesday, May 7
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15

EC County Board passes passenger rail resolution
   The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors last week passed, by a vote of 19-6, a resolution encouraging the State of Wisconsin to ensure that matching funds are available to continue the passenger rail studies underway that could lead to train service for Eau Claire County (see page 66 of the Agenda Packet linked below).
   The Chamber's Business Issues Agenda includes support for establishing passenger train service to Eau Claire. Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs, provided a report to the Board on the process and potential economic value of rail service, encouraging a vote to approve the resolution.
   Voting Yes were Supervisors Mark Beckfield, Loralee Clark, Nancy Coffey, Kirk Dahl, Heather DeLuka, James Dunning, Brett Geboy, David Hirsch, Joe Knight, Robin Leary, Stella Pagonis, Connie Russell, Katherine Schneider, Tami Schraufnagel, Jim Schumacher, Michele Skinner, Bob Swanson, Christy Tomczak, and Thomas Vue. Voting No: Steve Chilson, John Folstad, Allen Myren, Cory Sisk, Jerry Wilkie, and Dane Zook. Absent and not voting: Caleb Aichele, Larry Hoekstra, Deirdre Jenkins, and Nick Smiar. 
More information:
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Apr 15, Agenda Packet

Eau Claire City Council
   The Eau Claire City Council meets this week, with a closed session at 5 p.m. on Monday, followed by its regular Public Hearing session at 6:00, then its Legislative Session on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. See the Agenda Packets linked below.
   The Monday closed session is for the Council to discuss performance objectives as part of the performance evaluation process for the City Manager. After Tuesday's meeting, the Council will have Work Sessions related to "a letter of support for Catholic Charities related to the Sojourner House" and "Preliminary review of 2025 Resident Survey results."
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Apr 21, 5 p.m., Closed session; 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (37 pages)
 • Tuesday, Apr 22, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (171 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)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

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

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

More local stories...
Eau Claire students meet with local businesses (WEAU 13 News)
Students explore career options at Youth Apprenticeship Fair (WQOW News 18)
Memorial students meet with local employers at Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge Launches Congressional Campaign (Volume One)
EC Council President Berge announces candidacy for Congress (Leader-Telegram $)
Health Cooperative to make final decision on St. Joseph Hospital in mid-June (Leader-Telegram $)
The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative held a community information meeting Tuesday (WEAU 13 News)
Homeless shelter to stay open at least through June (Leader-Telegram $)
Outgoing Molson Coors CEO on Leinenkugel's brewing, keeping a presence in Chippewa Falls (Journal-Sentinel +)
Menomonie district to close Downsville Elementary for 2025-2026 school year (Leader-Telegram $)
SBCD announces Small Business Academy - May 9 (SBDC)

Help Shape the Future of Altoona’s Container Park
   The City of Altoona is teaming up with marketing students from Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) to better understand how residents and visitors will experience its new Container Park. The City says the feedback will help guide marketing efforts and improve the space for everyone.
Click here to take the survey

April 30 deadline...
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 on November 5.
   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)

Menomonie Chamber's DeMuth selected for US Chamber fellowship
   Ashley DeMuth, CEO of the Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center, has been selected as a Business Leads Fellow by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She joins a national network of more than 400 leaders working to strengthen education and workforce initiatives across the country.
   The six-month fellowship includes both virtual and in-person sessions focused on the entire talent pipeline, from early childhood to career development. DeMuth is one of 35 fellows in the latest cohort, representing 23 states and serving communities that impact millions of students and thousands of businesses.
Introducing the Newest Business Leads Fellows (US Chamber of Commerce)