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In this issue:
• EC Plan Commission: Four annexations
• Altoona, Eau Claire City Council organizational meetings
• County Board to consider passenger rail resolution
• Schmidt to leave UWEC for Virginia
• Regional Civics Bee winners named
• State and national stories
• 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 "+"
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Last chance to register...
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.
You may know that we'd originally planned to be in Madison in March, but postponed the event because of the winter storm warning last week that also cancelled all schools in the area. We've now rescheduled for Tuesday, April 22, and reopened registration.
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. 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...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15
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Four annexations on EC Plan Commission agenda
The City of Eau Claire Plan Commission meets Monday evening, with an agenda that includes four proposed annexations by property owners for recommendation to the City Council: 2.2 acres of vacant land at 5079 Highway 53, 32.6 acres at 4490 Old Town Hall Road, 1.8 acres at 5640 Old Town Hall Road, and a duplex on .7 acres at 5652 Old Town Hall Road.
More information:
Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, Apr 14, 6:00 p.m. Agenda Packet (136 pages)
Altoona, Eau Claire City Councils organizational meetings
The Altoona and Eau Claire City Councils will hold their post-election organizational meetings on Tuesday, where they will swear in new members and organize for the coming year.
In Eau Claire, the five at-large Council members elected on April 1 will be sworn in, including re-elected incumbents Larry Mboga, Joshua Miller, and Charlie Johnson, as well as newcomers Nate Otto and Ethan Reed. The Council will also elect its Vice President, and select Council members for seats on boards and commissions.
In Altoona, seated will be re-elected Council members Dale Stuber, District 1, and Timothy Lima, District 2, and new Council member Bruce Thielen, District 3.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council Organizational Meeting
• Tuesday, Apr 15, 4 p.m. Agenda Packet
Altoona City Council Organizational Meeting
• Tuesday, Apr 15, 6 p.m. Agenda
All eyes were on Wisconsin on April 1. Here’s how Eau Claire and surrounding counties voted. (Volume One)
More city news....
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
City officials hold discussion on parking with downtown business owners (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire meets with community stakeholders to discuss recent downtown parking study and recommendations (WEAU 13 News)
Downtown parking discussions continue between business owners and city (WQOW News 18)
City holds public discussion on trash collection (Leader-Telegram $)
Preliminary Plans For Dewey Street Bridge Project Are Underway (Volume One)
City of Eau Claire gets an A in water quality on new report card system (Leader-Telegram $)
EC County Board to consider passenger rail resolution
Report on unhoused initiative to be provided by DHS
The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday evening. Included on its agenda is a report on the unhoused initiative to be provided by DHS Director Angie Weidman and Assistant Director Angie Stokes. There will also be a vote on a proposed 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, and the Chamber is urging the County Board to approve the resolution.
More information:
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Apr 15, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet
Comment form for Eau Claire County Board
Studies, plans for Green Bay Amtrak service, new Wisconsin routes still in the works (Fox 11 Green Bay)
More local stories...
Western Dairyland Announces $5.7 Million Campaign for Day Resource Center in E.C. (Volume One)
Western Dairyland chooses location for Day Resource Center for the homeless (Leader-Telegram $)
Plans for a new day resource center in Eau Claire announced, capital campaign planned (WQOW News 18)
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council announces $5.725M campaign for Day Resource Center (WEAU 13 News)
Inaugural Apprenticeship Fair Aims to Connect Local Businesses With Students (Volume One)
State railroad commission requires upgrades at Lake Hallie rail crossing (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire Axemen football team shares updates as season draws closer (WQOW News 18)
Health Department anticipating $85K loss of federal funding (Leader-Telegram $)
Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest logo unveiled (Leader-Telegram $)
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Schmidt to leave UWEC for James Madison University in Virginia
Dr. James C. Schmidt, the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, announced on March 26 that he is resigning to become the next president of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
He will continue to serve in his current role through June 30. Interim Provost Mike Carney will serve as interim chancellor at UW-Eau Claire until a permanent chancellor is hired.
David Minor, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, says Schmidt’s leadership and ability to cultivate strong relationships within the community will benefit the region well into the future.
“He has been a catalyst for transformative growth, seamlessly connecting public and private partners to bring bold visions to life,” Minor says. “His leadership has reshaped the physical landscape of Eau Claire and strengthened the city’s economic and cultural vibrancy for generations to come. Central to his success is his belief in fostering strong relationships with the Chamber, recognizing it as a critical partner in driving economic development, advocating for business interests, and ensuring the community's continued prosperity.”
Under Schmidt’s leadership, the university transformed its reputation through strategic partnerships that have strengthened the future of the institution. The Mayo Clinic and UW-Eau Claire Master Collaborative Research Agreement brings faculty and undergraduate research students together with Mayo Clinic Health System physicians and researchers in an innovative relationship that has fostered more than 165 joint research projects focused on discovering new knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes for patients.
Schmidt also led the university as a founding partner in the Rural Health Innovation Alliance, which aims to align local organizations in a unique collaboration focused on solving issues and challenges specific to rural healthcare.
More information:
UW-Eau Claire chancellor leaves for new leadership position (UWEC)
Michael Carney named interim chancellor of UW-Eau Claire (Universities of Wisconsin)
JMU announces Dr. James C. Schmidt as seventh president (James Madison University)
UWEC leaders discusses leadership change as Chancellor Schmidt announces leave (Leader-Telegram $)
UWEC shares Vision 2030 with area businesses, leaders (Leader-Telegram $)
UWEC places in top ranking for large public military-friendly schools (Leader-Telegram $)
UW-Eau Claire's New Science and Health Sciences Building Makes Steady Progress (Volume One)
How is higher ed linked to western Wisconsin economy?
Wisconsin Technology Council luncheon April 15 in Eau Claire
Five leaders from area institutions of higher education will discuss their campuses impact on the economy at a Tuesday, April 15, luncheon at the CVTC Energy Education Center. Panelists are President Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Chippewa Valley Technical College; Chancellor John Chenoweth, UW-River Falls; Chancellor Katherine Frank, UW-Stout; Chancellor Jim Schmidt, UW-Eau Claire; and President John Will, Northwood Technical College.
Registration is still open for the event, which is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Click here for details.
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Three middle school students qualify for State Civics Bee at
Regional competition April 12 in Eau Claire
Organized by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
The top three winners of Saturday's regional competition for the 2025 National Civics Bee will move on to the state competition in June. Organized by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the top 20 students from among over 40 who submitted essays were chosen to compete in the regional competition at DeLong Middle School, where they competed in civics knowledge and defending the content of their essays.
The top three placing students were Zaina A. and Leila C. from Eau Claire's South Middle School and Nathan B. from Ladysmith. The 2024 State Winner, Rya Mousavi, from DeLong Middle School, was also present at the event and spoke to the students about her experience.
"We're proud to host the National Civics Bee and showcase the civic knowledge of our local youth," said Tina Probst, Director of Workforce and Emerging Talent at the Chamber. "This event is about more than a competition - it's about empowering the next generation to take an active role in shaping their communities."
The National Civics Bee is organized by the US Chamber Foundation, with local and state competitions coordinated by local and state Chambers of Commerce.
More information:
Wisconsin information - National Civics Bee (WMC)
Area students qualify for state at first Civics Bee competition hosted in EC (Leader-Telegram $)
Local students participate in National Civics Bee (WEAU 13 News)
More state and regional stories...
Statewide Budget Listening Sessions (Joint Committee on Finance)
Assembly Republicans unveil new version of ROFR with provisions to win over holdouts (WisPolics.com)
Republicans push new power line competition bill; opponents say it's more of the same (Wisconsin State Journal +)
Wisconsin Democrats pitch anti-election bribery legislation (The Center Square)
GOP bills revamping unemployment rules get Assembly hearing (Wisconsin Examiner)
Voters Approve Majority of Referenda Even as “Retry” Efforts Increase (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Analysis: Wisconsin voters approved $950.8M in K-12 school referenda (The Center Square)
40% of school referendums this spring were retries of previous referendum attempts, report says (Journal-Sentinel +)
Majority of municipal referendums to raise property tax levies failed in spring election (WPR)
Ben Wikler, who transformed Wisconsin’s Democratic Party, to step down as chair (WPR)
Western Wisconsin Health achieves record-breaking 41 births in March (Hudson Star-Observer)
Mining company approved to drill for copper and gold in northern Wisconsin (WPR)
266 apartments planned at Regency Mall in Racine (BizTimes)
Owner of Racine’s Regency Mall proposes more than 200 apartments (The Daily Reporter +)
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National and economic stories...
House GOP adopts budget framework, paving the way for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ (Politico)
Trump end to humanitarian parole hits Wisconsin town where Haitians are part of the community (Wisconsin Examiner)
Food for thought...
A New Hampshire Republican's Crusade Against 'Snob Zoning' (Governing)
“A lot of people in very wealthy communities, regardless of party, simply don’t want new neighbors,” says Murphy, a Republican tavern owner who previously served in the state House. “It’s, ‘I moved to this town five years ago and no one else should ever get to live here.’ Every other argument is really cover for that quiet snobbery.”
France’s new high-speed train design has Americans asking: Why can’t we have that? (Grist) Here's why the U.S. is behind on building high-speed rail — and what could create momentum to catch up.
COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)
Mark your calendar:
• Business After Hours - Monday, Apr 14
• 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Tuesday, April 22
• Chamber Royale - Thursday, May 15
• Golf Day in Eau Claire - Monday, Aug 4
• 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wednesday, Nov 5
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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