CV Health Cooperative plans independent community hospital
The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative last Wednesday announced that it is taking steps towards building "an independent nonprofit community hospital in the Chippewa Valley to help close the significant healthcare gaps left by HSHS and Prevea’s exit from Western Wisconsin."
“It’s crystal clear that the Chippewa Valley needs a non-profit independent hospital governed by people from the local area to provide additional critical healthcare services, hospital beds, and emergency room access to our community,” said Robert “Bob” Krause, Chair of the Board of Organizers for the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative. “We must have a modern, innovative hospital accountable to the people of the Chippewa Valley, not management teams outside of the region, to make a lasting, positive impact on our community’s health and well-being for generations to come.”
The Cooperative was founded on February 29 and has been taking steps to establish a non-profit organizational structure and operational plan. It says the hospital location has not yet been selected, but would be in Chippewa or Eau Claire counties, with 60-70 beds. It would include an emergency room and accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. Organizers say they are exploring the feasibility of various services including cancer care, cardiology, labor and delivery, surgery, radiology, lab, and behavioral health. See the link below for the full news release.
More information:
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative Moving Forward To Build New Community Hospital (News Release, Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative)
Cooperative plans to build independent community hospital (Leader-Telegram $)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative moves forward to build new community hospital (WEAU 13 News)
Health Co-Op wants to build a new hospital in Chippewa Valley (WQOW News 18)

UWEC announces creation of Rural Health Innovation Alliance
Goals: Improve access, reduce costs, improve outcomes
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire last Thursday announced a collaboration to assemble health care providers, entrepreneurs and other partners to find solutions to improve health care delivery in rural areas. Launched with with Chicago-based Health Equity Innovation Partners, the three-pronged goal is to improve rural health care access and outcomes while reducing costs.
“In many ways, this is a logical next step of the work on our workforce development grant,” UWEC Chancellor Jim Schmidt said, referencing the $9.4 million Workforce Innovation Grant UW-Eau Claire received in 2021 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. UW-Eau Claire was awarded the grant to focus on strengthening the workforce to improve health and well-being in rural areas across northwest Wisconsin. The work also builds on UW-Eau Claire’s long history of collaboration with regional health care providers. These trusted relationships form the foundation of this expanded work and aspirational vision.
UWEC leaders say the Rural Health Innovation Alliance aspires to make the Chippewa Valley region the epicenter for testing innovative care models and global technology solutions for rural health care delivery, which, if successful, could become a national model.
More information:
UW-Eau Claire announces creation of Rural Health Innovation Alliance (UWEC)
UWEC unveils alliance to focus on improving access, outcomes, cost in rural healthcare (Leader-Telegram $)
UW-Eau Claire announces rural heath care alliance (WQOW News 18)
UWEC announces collaboration to find solutions for rural health care improvement (WEAU 13 News)

Petryk to retire from State Assembly
At least 3 candidates now seeking 93rd district seat
June 3 filing deadline for fall election
Longtime local State Representative Warren Petryk (R-Town of Washington) last week announced he will not seek reelection this fall, after serving seven terms in the State Assembly.
With the June 3 filing deadline approaching, at least three candidates have announced plans to run for Petryk's seat. They include Republican James Rolbiecki and Democrats Nickolas Butler and Christian Phelps. If all three candidates file papers to appear on the ballot, the two Democrats will face off in the August 12 Primary for the right to appear on the November 5 General Election Ballot.
"To everything there is a season," wrote Petryk in a statement provided last Monday, quoting from Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Bible.
"After much prayer and thought, and numerous conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and mentors, I have decided to announce my decision to not seek reelection as Representative for the 93rd Assembly District for the upcoming term. It is with a heart full of love and gratitude to the wonderful, remarkable, hard-working people of Western Wisconsin that I write this letter with deep thanks for the bountiful blessings, the absolute privilege, and the distinct honor of serving as your Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly for these past 14 extraordinary years." Click the link below to read Petryk's full statement.
Petryk in recent years has chaired the Assembly's Workforce Development Committee and was instrumental in maintaining and increasing support for the high school Youth Apprenticeship program.
More information:
Statement Regarding Retirement from State Assembly (Rep. Warren Petryk)
Eau Claire Novelist Butler Making State Assembly Bid (Volume One)
James Rolbiecki announces candidacy for 93rd Assembly District of Wisconsin (WEAU 13 News)
Town of Washington board member announces run for State Assembly (WQOW News 18)
Christian Phelps announces candidacy for state assembly (WEAU 13 News)

What's on the fall ballot
The 2024 General Election promises to generate a lot of interest in Wisconsin this year for several reasons. It will include competitive races for US President and US Senator. All eight Wisconsin Congressional districts will be on the ballot. Plus races for the legislature feature all-new districts. All 99 Assembly seats and the even-numbered State Senate districts will be elected this year. The Partisan Primary is August 13, and the General Election is November 5. Wispolitics.com has been tracking the new districts and candidate announcements. See the links below.
Legislative election information:
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature)
Interactive map: Check the boxes at the upper left to select Assembly, Senate, and/or Congressional Districts. Zoom in to find you location and who your representatives are.
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)

Applicants sought for EC Redevelopment Authority
Deadline June 7
The City of Eau Claire is seeking applicants for its Redevelopment Authority (RDA), which is responsible for redevelopment efforts such as have taken place in the North Barstow area and currently underway in the Cannery District. State statute indicates "Appointees shall have sufficient ability and experience in related fields, especially in the fields of finance and management, to assure efficiency in the redevelopment program, its planning and direction."
Applicants must live in the City of Eau Claire. The deadline to apply is June 7. Click on the Citizen Resource Bank link below.
The City regularly has openings on various boards, committees, and commissions. Also see that link below if you have interest in learning what entities may have appointments available in the future. You are always welcome to express your interest by completing the Citizen Resource Bank form.
More information:
Redevelopment Authority (City of Eau Claire)
Citizen Resource Bank form (City of Eau Claire)
Cannery District redevelopment (City of Eau Claire)
Boards, Commissions & Committees (City of Eau Claire)

Meeting this week...

Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, May 27, Public Hearing (Canceled)
• Tuesday, May 28, 4 p.m., Legislative Session Agenda Packet (158 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)

Where are they now?
Past Chamber Interns forge valuable paths
The Chamber's Governmental Affairs internship program dates back to 1997, with past interns moving on to a wide variety of professional work for which working with local businesses through the Chamber was a valuable part of their career paths.
Current UWEC interns Mallory Williams and Leah Brawdy completed their terms with the end of the semester in May, with one of the final contributions being to provide a report on the current status of their predecessors. Learn more at the following link:
Former interns reflect on their time at the Chamber (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

Last chance to apply...
Leadership Eau Claire applications: May 31 deadline
Are you ready to enhance your leadership skills and community knowledge? Look no further than Leadership Eau Claire (LEC). Applications are now open for this transformative program that offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant community while honing your leadership skills and making meaningful connections.
Click here for details and to apply

Mark your calendar:

Eggs & Issues
• Friday, June 21
• Friday, July 19
• Friday, Aug 23

Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5

"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Thursday, Oct 17

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025

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