Issuu

“Curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”.

I have shared this quote from Walt Disney several times over the past four years. We the Eau Claire Area Chamber continue down new paths and this publication, “The EC Life” is another new path we’ve set out on. This publication will help us tell OUR story to those who live here but also for those who are thinking about calling Eau Claire home.

“

David Minor Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

The EC Life Magazine

Background photo by Seckora Photography

Welcome to The EC Life, an Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce publication, where you the reader are able to dive into a variety of community driven stories that feature local businesses, explore the vitality of the area and share the overall sense of home that Eau Claire provides.

Thank you to all of our readers. © 2021 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including a photocopy, ecording or any information retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented here or be held accountable for omissions or errors. Please report any changes to the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce for inclusion in subsequent editions. Main articles and spotlight stories written by: Doug Mell Cover & back photos: Seckora Photography, designed by former Chamber intern, Missy Prissel Published by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce 101 North Farwell St., Suite 101 Eau Claire WI 54703 Phone: 715-834-1204 • Fax: 715-834-1956

Table of

Contents 4 6 9 12 15 18 21 24

EC CHAMBER

BUSINESS IS BOOMING

RAGGEDY MAN SPOTLIGHT

OUR VITALITY

RIVER PRAIRIE PARK SPOTLIGHT

HOME IS HERE

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SPOTLIGHT

EXPLORE EAU CLAIRE

Photos by Seckora Photography & Tim Abraham Photography

www.eauclairechamber.org

To learn more contact our VP Investor Relations, Phillip Swiler! 4

The EC Life Magazine

10 FACTS FAST

EST. IN

1915

Staff consists of nine community oriented thinkers.

The Eau Claire Chamber celebrated 100 years in 2015.

1,100 investor businesses on annual basis. The Chamber website has over 2,670 views with 1,237 visits per month.

40 Ambassadors with over 400+ years of combined business experience.

Our weekly video series the Monday Morning Minute has over 250 views every week.

Developed the Chippewa Valley Alliance (CVA). A collaboration between the Chippewa Falls and Menomonie Chamber.

Four pillar value system that consists of Advocacy, Workforce, Education and Investor Engagement.

Investor dues structure transitioned from traditional structure to new five level tiered program in March 2019.

Our mission is to be the ADVOCATE of business. www.eauclairechamber.org

Business is Booming The vitality of an entire city can be gauged by the vibrancy of its downtown or central business district. Some 18 years ago, a University of Wisconsin-Extension report said succinctly: “The downtown is important to the entire community for reasons related to tax base, community heritage, tourism, past public and private investments, a central gathering place and a strong sense of place/community.” Disa Wahlstrand, vice president of the engineering firm Ayres Associates, is president of Downtown Eau Claire Inc., a city agency that promotes the city center.

She added: “Our strong state and national reputation comes in large part from the experiences people have in the downtown. An active and engaging downtown makes it easier for businesses in our entire region to attract new employees to the area - and the ability to attract labor is especially key today.” Eau Claire has taken extraordinary steps to bring life – and people – back downtown. Just spend a few minutes in downtown Eau Claire and you will soon realize that downtown Eau Claire exudes vibrancy.

A downtown, as the “ community’s core, is central to a community’s health, “ she said. “We have witnessed what the reinvestments in downtown Eau Claire have done for attracting new businesses, residents and visitors to Eau Claire.

The EC Life Magazine

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography

Photo by DECI, Family Night in the Park

Take, for instance, the Oxbow Hotel and its adjoining restaurant, the Lakely, that are bustling with visitors eager for a unique experience that includes free bicycles to use during their stay, turntables and vinyl in the rooms, and a delicious farm-to-table dining experience. Or come downtown on Thursday nights during the summer when thousands of people crowd into Phoenix Park along the Chippewa River for Sounds Like Summer, a live music series sponsored by the locally owned arts and culture magazine, Volume One. “There is a lot of excitement to get out and do something after spending a year or more cooped up,” said Dustin Olson, DECI communication and promotions coordinator.

“

more positive, and we have more to promote. “The city’s investment in Phoenix Park provided the needed redevelopment spark in downtown,” Wahlstrand said, referring to the city’s development in 2005 of the former Phoenix Steel site along the Chippewa River into a major park. “Embracing our rivers, expanding trails, improving our bridges, adding and connecting parks, redesigning Barstow and Eau Claire streets and bringing back two-way traffic downtown all created the infrastructure to support new and expanding businesses.”

www.eauclairechamber.org

Background photo by Seckora Photography

“Olson said the number of events planned for downtown Eau Claire is picking up as life returns to normal, and some existing businesses are expanding and others are opening their doors to customers for the first time. “It’s been very noticeable,” Olson said of increased downtown activity.

knew it was going to be a “busyWeyear. This year we are much

A quick look at the events planned for downtown Eau Claire the rest of the year is further evidence that the city center is booming. Saturdays feature a large and thriving Farmers+Artists Market at Phoenix Park, while each Thursday evening brings the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series. The immensely popular Royal Credit Union Rock the Riverfront running event was held throughout June and Food Truck Fridays returned as well to the RCU/Phoenix Park area. Eau Claire was the site of the U.S. National Kubb Championship in early July and a downtown concert was held in July as part of Farm Technology Days. August features Family Night in the Park, as well as the Grand Evening on the Bridge, International Fall Festival, and so many more.”

Photo by DECI, International Fall Festival

One of the major events for downtown Eau Claire is the International Fall Festival, and it is scheduled for Sept. 11. The massive Eau Claire Marathon will be held Sept. 25-26. Downtown events continue through cooler weather, including the Saturday markets; two major downtown events are associated with UWEau Claire, Homecoming on Oct. 15-16 and Family Weekend on Oct. 9, as well as Halloween Downtown on Oct. 29. Even as the snow begins to fly, come downtown for the Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos on Nov. 1-2, Festival Foods Turkey Trot on Nov. 25 and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27. Get in the holiday spirit with the downtown Clearwater Parade on Dec. 3 and Wintertime in the City on Dec. 4. When asked what her favorite events were for this year, Wahlstrand answered: “All of them! The farmers market, music in the park, Express baseball games, downtown races/walks/tours, Grand Evening on the Bridge, International Fall Festival, and so many more.” Wahlstrand also is optimistic about the future of downtown Eau Claire, as well as the entire community: “As long as we continue to work together and invest where needed, our downtown will continue to thrive. DECI, including its talented staff and committed membership, love to work with our partners to promote and support our downtown.

Photo by DECI, Grand Evening on the Bridge

The EC Life Magazine

Together, we will discover and/or create the next opportunities to further build upon this great thing we have going in downtown Eau Claire.”

Spotlight Story:

Raggedy Man

Of the many promoters of downtown Eau Claire -- and the community in general -- Matt Pabich may be one of the biggest. After receiving a degree in graphic design from the University of Minnesota, Pabich returned to his hometown and took a desk job for 4 ½ years. “The cubicle life wasn’t for me,” Pabich said. “I ended up here.” “Here” is a now three-plus year old gift shop at 401 S. Barstow Street called Raggedy Man, a reference to the name for one of the doctors in the BBC science fiction series “Doctor Who.” The space obviously was designed by someone with a judicious and creative eye and is replete with unique gift offerings in a small space. But despite the plethora of merchandise, the space never feels crowded or oppressive. “I’ve always wanted to have my own shop,” Pabich said recently before his shop opened, his 11-year-old border collie-husky mix Kaya lying on the floor. Pabich said he watched as Eau Claire’s downtown came back to life, and he wanted to be a part of that resurgence. “A lot of good stuff was happening downtown and I wanted to be a part of that growth,” Pabich said. Now, with more than three years behind him, Pabich said he couldn’t be happier with his decision. Raggedy Man ribbon cutting with Eau Claire Chamber Ambassadors

“There is such a good business community down here,” he said. “It’s been really great.” It all starts with the customers and the community, Pabich said, and that support endured even through the pandemic. “The support for small business is incredible,” he said, noting that his 2020 holiday season was his best yet. The biggest current challenge, Pabich said, is the uncertainty he is facing about the status of deliveries. “I don’t know what is going to be coming week to week,” he said. “It’s harder to curate” the space in the shop because of that uncertainty. Pabich acknowledged that his small shop means he has to use every inch wisely to keep offering what his regular customers want. But he has no current plans to expand, adding, “I’m happy to keep my space small.” There’s no question, then, that Pabich is a pleased with how his leap of faith in leaving that cubicle turned out, and he is hopeful for the future. “We definitely are seeing more people out and about,” he said. “We have really good foot traffic.”

Owner Matthew Pabich’s faithful companion, Kaya

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It didn’t take long for Eric and Allison Bieller to fall in love with Eau Claire. The international travel video bloggers gushed over Eau Claire on their YouTube channel, The Endless Adventure, after an early summer trip to the city. “We may have found Wisconsin’s most charming city: Eau Claire!,” the couple said in their description of the cityin their 14-minute, 37-second video.

“We spent a perfect weekend kayaking down the Chippewa River, trying delicious local beers, eating amazing food and wandering around the adorable downtown area.” The Biellers were particularly taken by the wellknown Eau Claire Sculpture Tour, purportedly the second largest tour of its kind in the nation with 53 installations along a downtown route. They also, spent a night at the Oxbow Hotel, visited brew pubs and enjoyed the unique breakfast offerings at The Nucleus. 12

The EC Life Magazine

@theendlessadventure Mieders, Tirol, Austria

The video blog came on the heels of travelmag. com putting Eau Claire on its list of most charming towns and small cities in Wisconsin, citing its revitalized downtown, interesting small shops and friendly people. There was a time, a couple of decades ago, when that arts and culture scene was limited to a few stages downtown and on Water Street (The Stone’s Throw and the Joynt, for example), as well as the entertainment brought in by UW-Eau Claire. Downtown Eau Claire, like many municipalities, was succumbing to the economic pressure imposed by changing retail buying habits, and that had a direct effect on available audiences downtown and elsewhere.

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography

Our Vitality

Nick Meyer has watched this transformation as the editor, publisher and owner of Volume One, the local arts and culture magazine that is located downtown, as well as investor in a number of redevelopment projects. “There are many forces at play over these last 15 years, and the leadership regarding the growing cultural atmosphere has been both public and private,” Meyer said, citing the infrastructure investments made by the city of Eau Claire, major corporate investments by Royal Credit Union and Jamf, a leading Apple enterprise management company, and UW-Eau Claire. “But a lot of mid-level and smaller players are needed for the vitality to really come forth, and we’ve seen that as well from many small entrepreneurs and creatives getting their footing,” Meyer said. “But the interest of the community at large is what drives all of it, and I think there’s been an awakening to what we have here and how personal investment in it – attending events, supporting small retailers and restaurants, spreading the word, etc. – can pay huge dividends for our community overall.”

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, “Ascention” artist Jeff Satter

A huge force in the improved arts and culture scene in Eau Claire is the $51 million Pablo Center at the Confluence that offers modern performance and event space in a unique public-private partnership. The center is entering its fourth season, having opened in 2018 as part of a major redevelopment downtown.

Eau Claire Chamber’s annual meeting, Eau What a Night

“From the time Pablo Center was announced until it opened its doors in September 2018, $122 million of additional downtown development was announced -- for which Pablo Center served as a catalyst,” said Jason Jon Anderson, the center’s executive director. “Right now, there are four major commercial projects underway in downtown, and that number has grown to over $225 million in additional development.” Meyer said the transformation of Eau Claire into a vibrant, growing city that continues to attract residents can be tied directly to its arts and culture offerings. www.eauclairechamber.org

Additionally, he said, the pandemic led to more remote workers choosing to live outside major metropolitan areas, adding, “places the size of the Chippewa Valley are becoming much more attractive to a whole new set of people looking for the energy and vitality of a bigger city but without the headaches that often come with that.” Anderson agreed: “There are countless stories of businesses that chose to locate in Eau Claire because of the region’s commitment to a vibrant arts and culture scene that is fueled by our commitment to incredible infrastructure – infrastructure that is needed to fuel growth across all sectors.” The biggest name in Eau Claire’s arts and culture scene is Justin Vernon, the Grammy winner and leader of the indie group Bon Iver. Born and raised in Eau Claire, Vernon continues to make his home in Eau Claire County. But the city’s entertainment offerings extend way beyond Bon Iver. For example, Meyer and his Volume One put on a weekly live music event, Sounds Like Summer, that features the myriad local and regional artists that comprise the Eau Claire vibe. The Chippewa Valley Blues Society offers free blues shows each Tuesday night in Owen Park, while the city of Altoona offers music events each Monday and Wednesday nights at its River Prairie location. These and other local events, Meyer said, “have become a huge part of the identity of this community and the life people are living in it.

The EC Life Magazine

It’s how they spend time with their families, and regularly connect with friends and neighbors in ways both planned and unplanned. And oftentimes it’s those unplanned interactions that foster the greatest sense of belonging.” At the Pablo Center, some 400 events are being planned for its fourth season, which Anderson said will have a tremendous financial impact across the region. “For every $1 spent on a ticket within a live entertainment venue, an average of $12 is spent in the surrounding businesses,” he said. “In the case of Pablo Center, that multiplier effect will equate to $72 million of economic impact this next year alone – a significant return on one-time taxpayer funding.” Looking towards the future, both Meyer and Anderson see the progress Eau Claire has made over the past two decades continuing apace, albeit with continued work, diligence and investment. “It’s important our community works on ways to improve wages while keeping housing affordability in check,” Meyer said. “A thriving arts and culture scene needs a constant flow of dollars from citizens to keep things working, which means people need the confidence that they can spend money on these kinds of experiences – music, theater, art, unique retail, local dining, events, etc., – while keeping their families financially healthy.”

Anderson said. “From the Pablo Center’s perspective, we continue to enjoy partnering building relationships with other organizations, businesses, and schools throughout the valley. “We aim to not only build entertainment options and share expertise other live entertainment organization, but also to increase access to educational opportunities with K-12 schools throughout the valley. We also enjoy partnering with other organizations throughout the valley, growing the rings of Pablo Center.”

Background photo by DECI

“It’s been well documented and demonstrated that creative people and workers of all kinds want to live in places that have a certain energy to them – unique shopping, local restaurants, events, diversity, and a cultural heartbeat, which can take many forms,” Meyer said. “These elements absolutely help companies recruit and retain workers in their communities, and in fact can be part of the ‘benefit package’ in many ways, just as can a short commute time.”

Spotlight Story:

River Prairie Park

The Chippewa Valley benefit from local officials who work to ensure their municipalities complement each other, rather than engage in expensive and counter-productive competitive efforts. For evidence, look at how the city of Altoona decided to enter the arts and culture scene in a very big way. When the Altoona River Prairie Park west of the Highway 53 bypass opened, the city gained the opportunity to provide large music offerings. The park features three amphitheaters, open space galore for seating and easy access for Altoona, Eau Claire and even Chippewa Falls’ residents. So four years ago, Altoona Mayor Brendan Pratt and other city officials decided to offer music offerings on Monday and Wednesday nights. Those nights, and the type of music that would be offered on those two days during the summer, were picked because they would fit in nicely to what was already being offered in Eau Claire. Pratt and council members then decided to book country music on Monday nights and old time rock and roll on Wednesday, neither of which would conflict or compete with the two nights in Eau Claire. Kickin’ it Country and Rock’n on the River were born, followed by Fusion at Four Seasons on both Mondays and Wednesdays. River Prairie Park Amplitheater

“It was really the mayor who took it upon himself to be the driver behind those series,” said Mike Golat, Altoona city administrator. “We built the park with entertainment and outdoor concerts in mind,” Golat said of the long-discussed park. It was designed to be “very flexible and accommodate all kinds of activities,” he added. “We were trying to complement what our neighbors were doing.” Golat said Altoona officials knew the park would serve a purpose far beyond recreation and entertainment: making Altoona and the Chippewa Valley an attractive place to live and do business. People now “are much more mobile,” Golat said, and are seeking places that offer an attractive quality of life. “It really is a different game in regards to economic development.” People on the move “look for beautiful places to live and exciting things to do,” Golat said, and River Prairie Park now is part of that attraction effort.

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Want proof that Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley have become extremely attractive places to live and work?

Look no further than the new 2020 U.S. Census Bureau numbers. The Bureau’s release of its data recently confirmed what local leaders already knew: People are moving to the area in large numbers. The city of Eau Claire added 3,500 residents since 2010, a 5.4 percent population increase to 69,421. Significantly, that percentage increase was the second highest among the state’s 10 largest cities, second only to the 15.7 percent increase posted by the city of Madison in Dane County. Eau Claire also jumped over Oshkosh and now officially is the eighth largest city in the state.

The EC Life Magazine

Right next door, Altoona grew at an amazing 24 percent clip over the decade, bringing its 2020 population to 8,293. Chippewa Falls added 1,000 residents to 14,731 and Menomonie added 600 to end the decade at 16,843. The Eau Claire metropolitan area is made up of Eau Claire and Chippewa counties, and the area saw a total population increase of 6.7 percent, or an increase of 10,856 to a population total of 172,007. Eau Claire County itself topped the 100,000 population milestone, ending the decade at 105,710. The county’s 7.1 percent growth ranked 10th among the state’s 72 counties. Nick Meyer, publisher and owner of the Volume One arts and culture magazine, said the growth of the area is evidence efforts to both improve and promote the overall quality of life in the Chippewa Valley are paying off.

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

Home is Here

“It’s been well documented and demonstrated that creative people and workers of all kinds want to live in places that have a certain energy to them, with unique shopping, local restaurants, events, diversity, and a cultural heartbeat,” Meyer said.

These elements absolutely help “ companies recruit and retain workers in their communities. “ Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, fireworks near the Pablo Center at the Confluence

Meyer said one of the effects of the pandemic is a shift to allowing more employees to work remotely, when possible. It is apparent that more of those now-mobile employees are choosing places like Eau Claire that offer a great quality of life along with the ability to work remotely. Remote workers “can live wherever they want,” Meyer said, “and places the size of the Chippewa Valley are becoming much more attractive to a whole new set of people looking for the energy and vitality of a bigger city but without the headaches that often come with that.”

“Eau Claire and the surrounding communities are a perfect and growing example of this,” Meyer added, “and the arts, events, and happenings are a major driver to that success.” Mike Golat, Altoona city administrator, said it has been apparent for quite a while that the city was experiencing significant growth, with a sizeable portion of the influx coming from people moving to the area to seek out a better overall quality of life. “People are much more mobile,” Golat said, and are looking at all the factors that “make a city a great place to live.” Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, Eau Claire loves its food trucks

www.eauclairechamber.org

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, River Prairie Park

So why is growth important for an urban area? That issue was examined by the Urban Land Institute in a working paper on land use policy. In the short term, the paper concluded, growth: • Maintains the current standard of living, at a minimum. • Accommodates the steadily growing population of the country that results from annual birthrates and immigration levels that continue to outpace the number of deaths and the rate of outmigration. • Provides additional choices of where to live and work. • Generates new jobs, new income, new tax revenue, and higher property values.

The EC Life Magazine

In the long term, growth: • Lowers the costs of goods and services through greater economies of scale in production. • Allows businesses and people to share resources more efficiently through greater economies of scale from geographic clustering. • Provides more consumer choices, employment options, and social diversity Looking forward, what are the obstacles to continued manageable growth? “It’s important our community works on ways to improve wages while keeping housing affordability in check,” Meyer said. “Our community needs to prioritize local experiences and local shops.”

Spotlight Story:

U.S. Census Bureau

Rodney J. Eslinger is the director of Planning and Development for Eau Claire County. He was asked to answer some questions to give context to the recently released U.S. Census Bureau results for Eau Claire County Q. Were you surprised at the increases for the cities of Eau Claire and Altoona, and the county as a whole? A. The population estimate increases for Altoona and Eau Claire should not come as a surprise to those who are familiar with the Eau Claire/Altoona area. Some of the commercial and residential development in the last decade was spurred by the opening of new Highway 52 bypass in 2006, especially around the River Prairie development in Altoona. Since the last census, other areas around Eau Claire experienced growth that was due to in-fill single family and multiple family developments and redevelopment of commercial property. We have a strong medical and education institutional presence within the community that has seen substantial growth. Q. It does seem like the county is experiencing in-migration. Is there any way to know why that is? Quality of life in a smaller city that attracts workers with mobility? Just general quality of life? Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, aerial view

A. It’s a combination of things: It’s about the quality of life for some, good paying jobs, access to quality health care, great recreational opportunities (trails, parks, etc.), UW-Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College, arts and entertainment, low crime rate, great schools, affordability, and proximity to the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. Eau Claire typically ranks high in the United State as a desired place to live for the reasons stated above. Q. Do you expect this growth to continue? A. I believe we will continue to experience population growth as long as the economy remains strong. Economic development in the Chippewa Valley has seen a jump in businesses committing themselves to this area, which have or will result in new jobs. The current and future workforces will need housing options across the region; that will include affordable housing options, single-family and multifamily, and apartments to support those demands.

Photo by Tim Abraham Photography, Eau Claire Farmer’s Market

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Think Eau Claire is a project of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Volume One, an Eau Claire-based media, event, retail, and production company.

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Individual Attention to your Job Candidates: The family your recruit brings with them are often the deciding factor in whether your candidate accepts the job. Our concierge asks personal questions about the most important areas of your candidate’s life (marital status, children, hobbies, etc.) to understand the needs of those all moving to the area. We then provide a customized tour and access/links to area resources as reassurance that the Chippewa Valley has assets that can meet their needs and interests.