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In this issue of the Business Advocate
• Eggs & Issues, 9/18: The Workforce Has Changed. How Are Employers Changing With It? Location Change
• Eau Claire presses for an explanation: unlawful transportation of unhoused individuals
• City-County Health Dept Survey is live
• City of Eau Claire's Comprehensive Plan Update feedback website
• City Council Updates: Moratoriums and healthcare committee
• Local stories
• Candidates energy forum hosted by the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
• Statewide stories
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Advocacy Upcoming...
• Eggs & Issues: The Workforce Has Changed. How Are Employers Changing With It?
• September 18, 7:30a.m.-9:00a.m., WNB Financial Conference Room, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
The workforce landscape continues to evolve, and employers across the Chippewa Valley are finding new ways to evolve with it. September's Eggs & Issues will shift the conversation beyond the challenges businesses are facing to focus on the solutions, partnerships, and innovative approaches that are working.
From developing new talent pipelines and building partnerships to rethinking traditional approaches to recruitment and retention, this conversation will highlight what employers are trying, what they've learned, and where opportunities for greater collaboration remain. We'll also explore where workforce challenges extend beyond what employers can address on their own, and how advocacy, public policy, and community partnerships can help create an environment where both businesses and their workforce can succeed.
Limited space remains for Friday’s conversation. Register today to join us.
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City of Eau Claire presses for an explanation on 'unlawful' transportation of unhoused individuals
The City of Eau Claire continues to press for state guidance on the transportation of unhoused individuals between jurisdictions, more than a year and a half after City Attorney Stephen Nick and Eau Claire County Corporation Counsel Sharon McIlquham first requested a legal opinion from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
The Eau Claire City Council unanimously approved a resolution in August calling for a response to the January 2025 request. The issue stems from instances in which outside law enforcement agencies transported individuals experiencing homelessness to Eau Claire without confirmed services or coordination with the receiving community. The Attorney General’s office has said the request remains under review.
The issue extends beyond Eau Claire. Officials have pointed to similar concerns in communities including Waukesha, Wausau, Stevens Point and La Crosse, while Madison has joined Eau Claire in seeking state guidance. Eau Claire officials are asking not only for clarification on the legality of these transports, but also for statewide best practices that could improve coordination between jurisdictions.
The discussion also highlights a broader challenge for communities serving as regional hubs for shelters, health care and other services. Rural communities may have few resources available for individuals experiencing homelessness, while uncoordinated transports can shift those needs to neighboring communities without ensuring the individual actually receives assistance.
While awaiting state guidance, the Eau Claire Police Department has adopted its own policy requiring out-of-city transports to be requested by the individual, approved by a supervisor, communicated to the receiving jurisdiction, and connected with an appropriate service.
Read more...
'A practice driven by a lack of good options': Homeless drop-offs in Eau Claire showcase need for state action (Wisconsin Watch)
Eau Claire still seeking answers on homeless 'drop offs' after 2025 letter to AG Kaul goes unanswered (WQOW)
Eau Claire City Council demands AG's answer on 'unlawful' transports (WEAU)
ECPD Chief says other communities' reasons for unhoused 'dop offs' in Eau Claire are not adequate (Volume One)
Eau Claire seeks clarity on drop-offs of homless individuals as other cities see same challenge (WPR)
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Eau Claire City-County Health Department 2026 Survey Now Open
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is asking community members to share their experiences and perspectives through the Community Health Assessment. The assessment helps identify and prioritize the most significant health needs facing Eau Claire County and guides how local organizations focus resources and community health improvement efforts in the years ahead.
Community input is a critical part of that process. In the 2021 assessment, resident feedback, local health data, and community conversations helped identify drug use, mental health, alcohol misuse, obesity, and healthy nutrition as top priorities. Taking the assessment is an opportunity to help shape what issues rise to the top this time around.
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The City of Eau Claire's Comprehensive Plan Update Survey is Live
To provide input throughout the City's Comprehensive Plan Update, navigate to the official website, 'Legacy EC,' to take the monthly poll, drop a pin on the map with your ideas and comments, or learn more about upcoming community engagement events.
Join the City of Eau Claire at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library on Tuesday, September 22 from 6-7:30p.m. in the Riverview Room, located on the third floor, for a presentation followed by guided discussion regarding the update.
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City Council Updates
Data Center Moratorium Updates in Eau Claire
Eau Claire County is moving forward with the process of developing a potential moratorium on large-scale data center development.
On September 8, the County Committee on Administration unanimously directed Corporation Counsel, working with guidance from the Wisconsin Counties Association, to develop a resolution that would temporarily pause new large-scale data center applications while the County considers potential regulations, land use agreements and other safeguards. The proposed language will next go before the County Planning and Development Committee and, if approved through the County's legislative process, a moratorium could take effect as early as October.
A County moratorium would only apply to municipalities operating under Eau Claire County zoning, including towns such as Union, Washington, Fairchild and Seymour. The cities of Eau Claire and Altoona and the Village of Fall Creek maintain their own zoning and would not be subject to the County's action. The discussion follows Chippewa County's adoption of a 12-month data center moratorium in August.
At the City level, the Eau Claire Sustainability Advisory Committee recommended a one-year moratorium on data center development in June. The committee continues to work through potential policy recommendations that could address zoning, environmental and energy considerations associated with future developments. As of early September, a formal moratorium proposal had not yet been introduced to the full City Council, but we anticipate City Council will move forward.
Citizen's Advisory Healthcare Action Committee
A petition for direct legislation was filed with the City to create a healthcare advisory committee for two years. The committee would focus on healthcare accessibility and affordability and operate in addition to the Eau Claire City-County Board of Health that currently does similar work. The EC Board of Health was not contacted or involved in the proposal's drafting process.
The proposed committee would have a narrower focus specifically on affordability and accessibility while the EC Board of Health has a broader scope. It would consist of 7 members and report to the EC City Council. A similar measure has also been placed on the November ballot in La Crosse.
Councilmembers spoke to the importance of letting the public decide on the proposal and expressed interest in amending it. However, Council only had two options: adopt the proposal as presented, with no ability to amend it, or place the measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Multiple councilmembers noted concerns with the proposition's wording and felt it should be clarified, but the City is prohibited from any amendments. Other concerns included the lack of funding attached to the proposal and the additional workload it would create for City staff. Following extensive discussion, Council voted 9-1 to place the measure on the November ballot.
Read more...
Community Action Wisconsin: La Crosse and Eau Claire City Councils vote to send local healthcare action plans to November ballot (Wis Politics)
Eau Claire City Council sends healthcare measure to November ballot & approves firefighter raises (WEAU)
More information:
Upcoming Eau Claire Meetings
• City Council Public Hearing, Monday Sept 21, 6:00p.m.
• City Council Legislative Session, Tuesday Sept 22, 4:00p.m.
• Plan Commission, Wednesday Sept 14, 6:00p.m.
Click here to send an email to all City Council members
Click here for individual contact information for each City Council member
Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire, YouTube channel)
City of Eau Claire Public Notices (City of Eau Claire)
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
Comprehensive Plan website (City of Eau Claire)
Housing Opportunities Commission (City of Eau Claire)
Upcoming Altoona Meetings
• City Council Meeting, Sept 24, 6:00p.m.
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Mark your calendar: Candidates Energy Forum
Hosted by the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative partnered with the Eau Claire Chamber, Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, and the Eau Claire Area EDC.
• Tuesday, October 6, doors open at 9:30a.m.
• Holiday Inn - South, Eau Claire WI
• No registration is required
Join us for a discussion about energy issues with the area's state legislative candidates. Attendees will hear from local candidates about issues concerning the electric utility industry. For questions, reach out to tskibba@ecec.com.
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