Business Leader Winter 2015

Winter 2015

the culture of

Entrepreneurism in the Chippewa Valley

Sponsors

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♦ January 26, 2015

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cover story

community profile

Culture of entrepreneurism growing in Eau Claire.

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Area architect designing animal habitats.

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feature story

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community profile

Lower costs lifting solar energy’s popularity.

Business making mark with handmade signs.

From

➤ Guest Columns ������������ Pages 10, 13, 19, 30 ➤ Book Review ������������Page 12 ➤ Business Directory ���� Page 18 ➤ Briefcase �������� Pages 22-25 ➤ Crossword ������������� Page 26 ➤ Calendar ���������� Pages 27-29 ➤ By the Numbers ����� Page 31

Editor Liam.Marlaire@ecpc.com ____________ Graphic Artist John Balgaard ________________ Sales Director Kathy.Hayden@ecpc.com ____________________ Magazine Advertising & Distribution Coordinator Catie.Carlson@ecpc.com Published four times per year by the Leader-Telegram advertising department. Copyright 2015 Eau Claire Press Co., 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701.

All rights reserved. 800-236-7077. Online at www.leadertelegram.com

the editor Contact me at: 715-833-9215, 800-236-7077 or liam.marlaire@ecpc.com

The industry has more than 1,200 companies in Wisconsin, accounts for nearly 17 percent of all manufacturing jobs and has an annual payroll in the state north of $3.2 billion.

Wisconsin’s forest products industry ranks first nationally in categories such as fine papers, sanitary paper products and millwork, according to state agencies. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection took a step toward adding to that list — and the sector’s influence on the state economy — by recently releasing a promotional video titled “Growing Wisconsin Forestry Products.”

“In some international markets, buyers don’t think of Wisconsin when they are looking for wood products,” said Jennifer Lu, an economic development consultant with DATCP’s International Agribusiness Center, in a news release. “This video will help them see the quality, consistency and variety of wood products grown and made in Wisconsin.”

Demand for wood flooring, construction materials and other wood products is growing around the world, DATCP said. Produced in both English and Chinese, the video is available online at youtube.com/widatcp.

Wisconsin’s soils and climate help set its wood products apart from those grown in other areas, Lu said. Wood grown in Wisconsin is known for its uniform color and graining.

Forestry products include timber, lumber, paper, wood pellets for fuel and finished products such as window frames, flooring and baseball bats. Those products are made from a variety of tree species including ash, maple and oak.

Nearly 17 million acres of Wisconsin, about half the state’s land base, are timberland. That is 2 million more acres than in 1983.

Wisconsin exported wood products valued at more than $209 million in 2013. The top five international markets that year were Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Mexico.

The Wisconsin International Agribusiness Center can provide export education and technical assistance to help Wisconsin companies connect with buyers in overseas markets.

Visit datcp.wi.gov/business/exports to learn more about an industry that’s expanding quickly in the state.

COVER STORY

cu ture

Startup activity on the rise in Chippewa Valley

I

By Eric Lindquist, Leader-Telegram staff

n the late 1800s, an entrepreneurial spirit drove lumber barons to create logging and sawmill jobs that helped the fledgling city of Eau Claire grow and prosper.

A recent revival in the community’s culture of entrepreneurship has local business and government leaders believing that history indeed is poised to repeat itself.

Exhibit A in such discussions is the rise of JAMF Software in downtown Eau Claire. Behind the creativity of Eau Claire native and JAMF co-founder Zach Halmstad, the high-tech company has grown to 155 employees in the city and built a major new building next to Phoenix Park since he created the firm in 2002 as a student at UW-Eau Claire.

But local officials insist the entrepreneurial momentum is about much more than one successful home-grown business. It’s based on a number of resources in the community coming together at the same time to support people willing to take risks and pursue their dreams.

UW-Eau Claire is at the forefront of the effort. The university recently added an entrepreneurship and economic development coordinator position, launched an entrepreneurship certificate for students from any discipline (perhaps taking a lesson from star pupil Halmstad, a music major) and expanded its efforts to promote entrepreneurship.

The community already has several of the prerequisites necessary to develop a thriving culture of entrepreneurship, including people willing to take risks, those with engineering and technical skills to get things done, space for people to work, information technology infrastructure, strong educational institutions and amenities that offer an attractive quality of life, said Diane Hoadley, dean of UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business.

“But you’ve got to have some mechanism to bring all those things together, and that’s where I see the university really stepping up in the role that it plays,” Hoadley said. “Eau Claire has been walking down this path for a number of years now, and the university is now in a great spot to provide more of that broker role to bring people together.”

UW-Eau Claire’s increasing commitment couldn’t come at a better time, said Ann Rupnow, who started in June as the institution’s first entrepreneurship and economic development coordinator.

“I feel so excited to be in this role at this time,” Rupnow said. “It seems like entrepreneurship in this community is really taking off.”

While no exact numbers are available to track the phenomenon, rising activity at the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire supports a general perception that increasing numbers of area residents are interested in taking the risks necessary to start their own businesses.

Contributed photo JAMF Software co-founder Zach Halmstad, right, and Volume One publisher Nick Meyer share their stories about starting new businesses with UW-Eau Claire entrepreneurship students this fall.

See Page 6

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January 26, 2015 ♦

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COVER STORY

Staff photo by Marisa Wojcik UW-Eau Claire recently has broadened its entrepreneurship program as part of a stepped-up effort to promote economic development in the region. UW-Eau Claire students, left to right, Jack Heruth, Kyle Stern, Stephen Sutherland and Brady Anderson are shown in December presenting their final project about a fictitious smoothie delivery service to classmates in an Introduction to Entrepreneurship class.

from Page 5 The SBDC worked with 164 clients in 2014, up nearly 50 percent from 2012, and last year’s clients created more than twice as many jobs as their counterparts in 2012. The center also doubled the number of 10-week entrepreneur training sessions it offered in 2014 and still filled both sessions.

Youth movement In particular, SBDC director Luke Kempen said he has seen an increase in younger people looking to start a business, often while still working other jobs.

Today’s technology and communication capabilities reduce the obstacles for budding entrepreneurs, who can start businesses using a socalled “lean startup” approach requiring little more than a laptop, some know-how and the drive to turn a dream into reality, he said.

“The barriers are lower today because technology can help a person do research, identify and reach customers, test their idea and efficiently move their idea forward with limited resources invested,” Kempen said.

Mike Schatz, longtime economic development administrator for the city of Eau Claire, also said he definitely has noticed a recent pattern of more people, especially young adults, who view starting their own businesses as a viable career option and tend to be less risk-averse than their parents.

The trend toward younger entrepreneurs is fueled in part by that generation’s desire to set its own hours and avoid the pitfalls possible when working for large companies, especially during tough economic times, Schatz said.

“Many of them might have watched their parents lose jobs in downsizings or seen the treatment they received from big corporations, and that in itself sometimes sets people on a different course than the

traditional go to work for somebody else and put in your 30 or 40 years and then retire,” he said.

Leadership role Two of the city’s budding young entrepreneurs who have attracted a lot of attention are Halmstad and Nick Meyer, founder and publisher of the local entertainment magazine Volume One. In addition to their primary ventures, the pair is teaming up with Grammy Award-winning musician and city native Justin Vernon and other partners to refurbish the Green Tree Inn & Suites on Galloway Street into a boutique-style hotel.

Halmstad also heads a group of investors that bought the troubled former Ramada Convention Center on South Barstow Street last year and plans a major renovation to give the city the marquee downtown hotel they believe it needs to thrive.

Their put-your-money-where-your-mouthis approach is symbolic of the can-do attitude Halmstad, 36, and Meyer, 35, believe is essential to the growth of both entrepreneurship and the community.

“We believe in doing things to make things happen instead of just sitting around and complaining about the way things are,” Meyer said. “I think that entrepreneurial attitude is definitely starting to take shape in Eau Claire more than it has in the past.

“There’s kind of a fresh outlook, a new energy, that is starting to dawn here.”

Halmstad said people want to see change for the better, and signs of the community’s positive evolution can snowball into more entrepreneurs taking the leap.

“People are inspired by this change and want to be part of it,” he said.

A boost in entrepreneurship can push Eau Claire forward in many ways, Halmstad added.

“Entrepreneurs are always trying to find a new problem to solve, or fill a gap that they see,” he said. “If somebody sees a gap in our community because we don’t have something available to us in Eau Claire, they have an opportunity to start something to fill this gap. It’s a risk that they take, but the entire community can benefit from that.”

Halmstad and Meyer shared their philosophy with UWEau Claire entrepreneurship students in a fall session titled “Start-up Stories.”

“We tried to share stories about how it’s possible to start a business without all of the answers and without huge investments,” Halmstad said. “The message was really about finding an idea that you believe in and excites you, and then just going out and doing it.”

Meyer said the entrepreneurs also acknowledged to students that their ability to turn a profit on new ventures is often a secondary concern, at least initially.

“We believe there’s kind of a social responsibility to going after your dreams,” Meyer said. “If it’s cool and good for the community, we’ll figure out how to make money from it later.”

Startup hopes The current generation of students appears to be a receptive audience for that message.

Frank Snyder, a UW-Eau Claire junior entrepreneurship major from Hudson, said he thinks of the culture of entrepreneurship as involving more than just people starting businesses, although that’s something he hopes to do at some point.

“It’s absolutely about creativity and risk-taking and thinking of new ideas too,” Snyder said. “Even if I don’t go on to start my own business, the entrepreneurship program

will help give me an idea for how to improve existing businesses or start a new branch or division.”

Gunner DeFlorian, a UW-Eau Claire junior from Chaseburg who serves as president of the university’s chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, said he definitely feels a more upbeat, positive vibe coming from the College of Business as it tries to promote innovation on campus and in the community.

After seeing his parents and a grandfather run their own businesses, DeFlorian is confident he will follow an entrepreneurial path at some point in his career.

“It offers a way to follow what you believe in and do what makes you happy, and that’s not always working for someone else,” he said.

Such comments are music to the ears of Rupnow, who teaches entrepreneurship courses as part of her new position and has been impressed by community members’ willingness to serve as mentors or guest speakers for students.

“I like to think of it as we’re sort of tilling the soil more so than determining what is going to come out of it,” she said of the university’s entrepreneurship programs.

Ultimately, though, Rupnow is confident the efforts will yield something that resonates with almost everyone: jobs.

“I think our local economy will be strengthened by having a strong entrepreneurship program,” she said.

‘Beacon of progress’ Anecdotal evidence abounds to support the idea of a rising culture of entrepreneurship in the Chippewa Valley, with See Page 8

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January 26, 2015 ♦

| 7

COVER STORY

Contributed photo Blair Foley, a marketing data consultant based in Eau Claire, tells UW-Eau Claire students in the fall that some of her best professional collaborations have been with people she’s met through coworking spaces such as the one at Volume One’s downtown office.

from Page 7

groups — including the SBDC, Western Dairyland, SCORE, Downtown Eau Claire Inc., the Chippewa Valley several local leaders pointing to the proposed Confluence Innovation Center and county economic development Project in the heart of downtown as a leading indicator. corporations — available to mentor and support new Plans for the $77.2 million project include a private, businesses, Schatz said. mixed-use building already under construction that will People with a wide range of business experience also include commercial and residential space and an arts have made themselves available to answer questions at center that would be shared by UW-Eau Claire and the meetings of a new regional group called Entrepreneur community.

After Hours, said Eric Turner, director of the Dunn County “The prominence of the Confluence Project and the Economic Development Corp. other new buildings in the Phoenix Park area has been Turner, who has noticed strong startup activity in big,” Hoadley said. “You’ve got to have amenities to his first year on the job, said he believes supporting attract creative people and make them want to stay in the entrepreneurs should be a much more important part of community.” the Chippewa Valley’s economic development strategy Meyer called a Confluence Project construction crane than trying to attract the elusive giant factory with visible from his office window a “beacon of progress” thousands of jobs. emblematic of the community’s increasing willingness to Schatz also stressed the importance of proactively take a chance on something big and different. encouraging and supporting people interested in starting Charlie Walker, president of the Chippewa County businesses because it’s difficult to predict the potential of Economic Development Corp., agreed that the Confluence such ventures. He noted JAMF had four employees when Project is the kind of entrepreneurial effort that has the he had his first contact with the firm. potential to spawn significant spinoff development.

When it comes to entrepreneurs, Schatz said, “My “You pump the pipe with that attitude and philosophy has always been to treat everybody as if they entrepreneurs flock to it,” Walker said. “Eau Claire is kind might be a big success someday. You never know when the of leading the Chippewa Valley in next big thing might hit.” that area.”

Another key to the recent rise Entrepreneurship taking off Others mentioned the coin startups is that entrepreneurs These numbers for activity at the Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire show a steady working space on the lower level are growing impatient with a slow increase in recent years. of the Volume One building economic recovery in which many 2012 2013 2014 Clients worked with 110 124 164 on Galloway Street as an companies are still hesitant to Jobs created by clients 25 42 64 innovative example of support for create new jobs, Walker said.

Total capital Infusion entrepreneurs. The shared office “Those entrepreneurial-type by clients $4.7 $4.2 $7.6 space, a partnership between people don’t wait. They just dive million million million Staff graphic in,” he said. “If they can’t find Source: UW-Eau Claire Small Business Development Center Volume One and UW-Eau Claire, gives entrepreneurs, freelancers, work, they make their own.” remote workers, students and faculty a place to work Walker attributed that trend in part to the farmer work alongside other like-minded people. ethic mentality that pervades the Chippewa Valley, saying The College of Business is funding that co-working that area residents show a willingness to just roll up their space as part of its mission of promoting economic sleeves and get things done. development and also as a way to provide a place for Still, even that positive attitude can’t go very far students and faculty to interact with entrepreneurs and without money to back up new business ideas, something professionals, Hoadley said. economic development officials reported is getting easier JAMF officials also are considering the creation of coto come by. working space in their Eau Claire building.

“Banks are loaning money, angel investors are looking for deals and venture capital is flowing,” Walker said, “and Support available I think that’s all a good sign for the economy.”

Lindquist can be reached at 715-833-9209, 800-236-7077 or In addition to the university’s stepped-up efforts, eric.lindquist@ecpc.com. economic development specialists said other factors ■ For information about the Chippewa Valley’s new are coming together that make it a good time for Entrepreneur After Hours group, contact Patrick Rebman at entrepreneurship. patrick_rebman@yahoo.com.

Part of that receptive climate involves the many local

-Guest Article-

Grants help businesses stay sharp through worker training ȱ ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ

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Good worker training is critical for a ę ȱ ¢ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ leaders think it’s hard to have one ȱ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ

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Production workers like Vern Larson, who operates a plasma metal cutting machine, were an important part of the CCMS training at Global Finishing Solutions in Osseo.

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The leadership sessions involved ¡ ȱ ěǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ěȱ ǯȱ Ȃ ȱ Ȧ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ Ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ě ȱ ǯȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Ȭ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȄȱ ȱ ǯ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǰȱ ǭ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȄȱ ¢ ȱ ǯȱȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȄ “I saw a lot of people after the ȱ Ĵ ȱ ǰȄȱ ȱ ȱ

CVTC’s B&I team includes, from left, Angela Stadler, Roxann Vanderwyst, Dan Lytle, Pam Owen and Jessica Janssen.

For more information on grant programs, contact CVTC’s B&I team at 800-547-CVTC, ext. 4676, or send an email message to businessindustry@cvtc.edu.

764872_1-26-15

January 26, 2015 ♦

| 9

CEO SPEAK

Facing conflict Resolution possible by taking on life, work problems head on “I have several times made a poor choice by avoiding a necessary confrontation.”

John Cleese, actor and author

T

By Jeff West ake a second and reflect on what went through your mind when you saw the title to this article.

Were the thoughts primarily positive or negative?

How you answer will give you serious feedback on how successful you will be in business, relationships ... life.

If you see confrontation as a positive part of your life, something that allows you to deal with issues head on, resolve them and grow, feel free to skip on to the next article. If your first feelings were of fear and dread, read on.

Time and again while working with business leaders I hear about “the employee” or “the customer.” When we dig deeper into the issue I invariably ask, “Have you talked to them about this?” At that point I get one of several answers that sound something like this: - They’ll react emotionally.

- They’re completely irrational.

- I could incur retaliation.

- I don’t want to hurt their feelings.

- Confronting them could just make the problem worse.

- I could be rejected.

- Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

The bottom line is, for every excuse for not confronting someone’s behavior the outcomes we fear are practically guaranteed to show up anyway. The difference? By facing a problem head on we have a fighting chance at fixing the problem and growing as individuals.

Ignoring issues because of our fear just means waiting until the bomb goes off. At that point many people get injured with little chance to resolve the problem effectively like adults.

How many people do you know — co-workers, family, friends — who have an issue with someone else and have avoided doing anything constructive about it? What’s the state of their relationship?

Are they happier for not having the courage to tackle the problem?

How many relationships have ended poorly, never to be repaired, because we continually evade the elephant in the room?

I often ask the following question at our workshops. On a scale of one through 10, if someone has an issue with you, with 10 being someone right in your face with the issue and 1 meaning I’d like them to avoid it completely, where do you rate yourself? I’ve yet to have 10 |

Jeff West is the owner and president of Bear Down (beardowninc .com), an executive coaching and strategy implementation company based in Eau Claire. He was a founder and president/ CEO of Silicon Logic Engineering. He is the chair of the local chapter of TEC (The Executive Committee), the world’s largest business owner and CEO organization. West also is owner and chair of Business Partners, a local small-business group.

♦ January 26, 2015

anyone tell me less than 8. So if most of us really want to know when someone has a problem with us, why do we tend to think others don’t want to hear it?

President Abraham Lincoln had a saying. He called it “Cultivating our Better Angels.” By that he meant it takes guts to candidly express our thoughts when every fiber of our being is telling us to be cautious.

On the other side of the scale, it takes great humbleness and modesty to admit we might have missed something or be wrong.

Be honest with yourself. Do you really think avoiding an issue will magically make it go away with no consequences? If not, why do we continually tiptoe around people rather than face the problem head on and be able to check it off our list of concerns? The world can be tough enough on its own. We don’t need to continually carry around baggage of things we have the power to take care of.

There’s a high price to be paid for being passive and silent. Often, issues only grow worse when we fail to address them quickly. Worse yet, how do you feel about passive people? Do you respect them?

Passive people often appear not to respect themselves and therefore just make matters worse. While not as refined as we’d like sometimes, how do you feel about people who always let you know where they stand? Personally I love being around people like that, even if I don’t agree with them. I like never having to guess what they’re thinking.

So, how to make that courageous step? Think about how you’d like someone to address an issue they have with you. For example, you might walk into Joe’s office and say, “I’ve got something I need to talk to you about. This is difficult for me and will probably be difficult for you to hear, but I value our relationship too much to let it slide.”

By speaking to our fears first, we set the tone for the conversation.

We approach it in a mature manner with honest intent to make the situation better.

Who do you need to be having the essential conversation with?

With that feeling in the pit of your stomach, lump in your throat and sweaty brow, go have it! Like any new skill it takes time and practice.

With practice though, you’ll find your anxiety will start to fade. These types of conversations rarely end up being as bad as our imaginations make them out to be. As you tackle issue after issue, you’ll find your relationship with others will improve greatly.

The small-print side effect? You’ll quickly begin to realize how much better you feel about yourself, how much richer your relationships have become and how the stress from the fear of confrontation no longer controls your life.

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Book Review

New beginnings Author helps reader make jump in entrepreneurism

By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm

A

s resolutions go, this is a big one.

It’s a New Year’s resolution that you won’t break, for once.

You’ve decided that you’re going to change a lot of things — love, finances and work, for starters.

And especially work because you’re fed up and frustrated.

And there’s the biggest catalyst, says Ben Arment.

Frustration is the “fuel” that really lights an entrepreneurial fire, and in his new book, “Dream Year,” he explains how you can nurture your spark.

All year long you’ve struggled to get up in the morning, grumbled all the way to work and grumped through your day, and you can’t do it anymore. You’ve decided to bring your dream to the world and that’s good because, today, “nothing is stopping you from constructing your own system to sustain your livelihood.”

The Bookworm is Terri “You,” says Arment, “…

Schlichenmeyer. Terri has are the only gatekeeper for been reading since she your dream.” was 3 years old and never To determine what you’ll goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in do in your new endeavor, Wisconsin with two dogs remember that working and 12,000 books. your dream doesn’t mean starting anew. Consider things you’re already pursuing (like a hobby or interest in a certain field), 12 |

♦ January 26, 2015

Title: "Dream Year: Make the Leap from a Job You Hate to a Life You Love."

Author: Ben Arment.

Pages: 256.

Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover (c.2014).

check that your idea fits the four hallmarks of a “sweet spot,” then ask yourself what you’d do if you didn’t need to have a conventional job. Be realistic, though; not every dream leads to money.

Next, take your idea and determine how it differs from the ones others have already had. Does it solve a problem? Will it resonate with potential customers?

Can it make a profit — and if so, how? Will it set your new business apart from similar competitors? Can you break industry rules to see that it does?

Learn the fine art of asking; not knowing how could keep your dream from becoming a reality. Name your business right by seeing how others do it wrong.

Know the difference between the dream and working the dream and don’t underestimate the importance of getting started. Surround yourself with talent, lead but delegate if you must, and don’t catch yourself slacking.

Remember that you can’t know everything, so always be open to learning. Know the reasons why others have quit … and then don’t.

I’ve surely read my ration of start-your-own-business books over the past dozen years, and each is a little different. “Dream Year” is no exception.

By sharing real-life stories and methods he uses in his Dream Year program, entrepreneur and author Arment uses inspiration to guide readers through the process, from frustration to fruition, of being their own boss. That, along with repeated reminders that starting is essential to the journey, is absolutely helpful. What sets this book apart from others of its ilk, conversely, lies in small, didn’t-think-of-that details that — fair warning! — could be overly hasty or even daunting for entrepreneurs-to-be.

Still, this is a decent book so my advice would be to read it a while and, when it becomes overwhelming, put it aside while you work its lessons for a year.

You’ll be ready for the rest then because, for you, as entrepreneurial guidebooks go, “Dream Year” could be a big one.

Guest Column

Taking flight If you’re like many travelers, you get a little nervous when your airplane goes through some turbulence.

And if you’re like a lot of investors, you may get somewhat jumpy when the financial markets are volatile. Yet flight turbulence probably isn’t as scary as it seems, and the same may be true for market volatility — if you know how to respond.

Let’s look at some positive responses to market movements: ■ Don’t overreact to turbulence. Turbulence happens on most flights, but passengers are well aware that they can’t “bail out” at 30,000 feet, so they generally don’t panic. As an investor, you also need to avoid panicky behavior — by not taking a “time-out” from investing. Over a period of decades, if you were to miss just a handful of the market’s best-performing days, your returns could be dramatically reduced. And the best days often follow some of the worst. So if you’re not invested in the market, you could miss out on the beginning of a new rally, which is typically when the biggest gains occur.

■ Balance your “cargo.” The ground crew properly positions an airplane’s cargo to maintain the plane’s center of gravity and reduce the effects of turbulence. When you invest, you also need to

Measured approach to investing can tame turbulence Bill Hilgedick, CFP, is a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Eau Claire.

He can be reached at 715834-5052 or bill.hilgedick@ edwardjones.com.

Hilgedick achieve balance by owning a variety of vehicles, including stocks, bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit. You’ll want your investment mix to reflect your risk tolerance, goals and time horizon. While this type of diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss, it can reduce the effects of “turbulence” — that is, market volatility — on your portfolio. Over time, your “cargo” (your investments) may shift, becoming too heavy in stocks or bonds relative to your objectives.

Consequently, you’ll need to periodically rebalance your portfolio to ensure it’s meeting your needs.

■ Match your “transportation method” with your goals. If you are flying from New York to Los Angeles, you may experience delays or some changes in the flight plan — but your goal is still to reach Los Angeles as quickly and efficiently as possible. Consequently, you wouldn’t scrap the

idea of flying and head to the West Coast on foot.

When you invest, you will also encounter events, such as market downturns, that you feel may be slowing you down in your progress toward your long-term objectives, such as a comfortable retirement. But if your objectives haven’t changed, neither should your “transportation method” of reaching them. In other words, don’t abandon your long-term strategy in favor of quick fixes, such as chasing after “hot” stocks that may not be suitable for your needs.

■ Maintain perspective on your “flight path.”

When you’ve flown, you’ve probably observed (perhaps with some envy) some of your fellow passengers sleeping through periods of turbulence.

In the investment world, these types of people are the ideal long-term investors — they know that turbulence, in the form of market fluctuations, is normal because they’ve experienced it many times before. Their perspective isn’t on short-term events, such as volatility, but rather on the voyage toward their “final destination” — i.e. the achievement of their long-term goals.

So when you fly, fasten your seat belt and relax.

And when you invest, don’t overreact to short-term events. By following these basic guidelines, you will be a calmer traveler and a better investor.

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January 26, 2015 ♦

| 13

Community profile

Contributed photo Architect Bob Sworski of CBS Squared is designing the new zoo building at Irvine Park. The $3.25 million project will begin in September and is scheduled to be completed around Memorial Day 2016.

Habitat designer Area architectural firm planning zoo project in Chippewa Falls at Irving Park

By Chris Vetter, Leader-Telegram staff

CHIPPEWA FALLS

C

BS Squared architects and engineers will certainly develop bigger and more complex projects, but perhaps the firm’s signature work will be its designs for the new small animals building and welcome center for the Irvine Park Zoo. “If I have my CBS Squared (lapel pin) on, people will see it and say, ‘Hey, you’re designing the zoo project,’ ” said lead architect Bob Sworski. “There is a connection — people recognize that.”

Sworski, 48, is one of four partners who own the firm CBS Squared, which was formed in May 2011. The Chippewa Falls Park Board hired the firm in December, at a cost of $91,000, to create the construction documents on the new $3.25 million zoo building.

Construction on the 13,500-square-foot building will begin in September, with a goal of having the new building open around Memorial Day 2016.

Sworski designed the bear, bobcat and cougar displays that opened between 2005 and 2010 in the park; tigers and hyenas have since replaced the bobcats and cougars. Sworski is thrilled that the final design allowed the city to rotate different animals into those exhibit spaces.

“We designed them to be as flexible as possible, for the larger animals,” Sworski said.

The city’s parks director at the time, Bill Faherty, approached Sworski about the idea of creating three new animal exhibits that would replace the outdated, small cages.

“We designed it, and it’s been met with overwhelmingly positive results,” Sworski said. “It’s held up really well; animals can be rough on them. And people have added to it, with the brushwork on the exterior really adding to it. It has really allowed us to leapfrog into this project.”

Sworski knew he wanted to work on the new zoo exhibit, which will serve as not only a home for small animals and birds, but also a welcome center and artifact display area and storage. The new building will be open all year, with larger, improved exhibit space for animals such as monkeys, lemurs, porcupines, birds, foxes and coatimundi that live in the zoo.

“The challenge is the site is long and narrow — it restricts some of the opportunities you have,” he said. “But you use that to your advantage.”

Sworski said the plan he came up with reconfigured the exhibits for the small animals and birds, making it easier for the public to view them year-round.

“The exhibits will be shallower and much wider,” he explained.

“You won’t have to look through multiple levels of galvanized, chain-link fencing.”

Much like the exhibits for the tigers, bears and hyenas, the new exhibits will be designed to be interchangeable for a variety of animals.

“It will be flexible and accommodating to a whole variety of small animals,” he said. “So different animals can come in at different times, and there’s always a reason to come to the zoo.”

The public portion of the Irvine Park Capital Campaign kicked off in early November, with organizers announcing they had already secured $2.5 million. The capital campaign will last through May, although the goal of $3.25 million may be reached by the end of January. The fact that donations came in so quickly made it an easier decision for the park board to move forward into the design phase.

“It worked out well, and the economy has improved enough that people felt comfortable pledging the money,” he said. “It’s been fascinating to watch, with the money donated to it from all these outside interests.”

The current small animals building was constructed in 1962.

Sightlines to the animals are poor, and they stay inside during the winter months. The cages are aging, and it is considered a challenge to safely move animals for veterinary care.

The Gerald O. Thorpe and Evelyn M. Thorpe Foundation left a $3 million endowment to the park in October 2013, allowing zoo officials to spend about $150,000 annually toward upgrades, and that gift was the kickoff point to begin the project.

The capital campaign covers the cost of constructing the building and paying for engineering costs and hiring a consulting firm. The $3.25 million does not include the cost of any additional staffing.

Parks director Dick Hebert said he hopes increased revenue from a

gift shop and more donation boxes will offset the cost of part-time, seasonal workers in the building. He also anticipates many workers there will be volunteers.

Sworski and his partners — civil engineer Sheryl Claflin and transportation engineers John Beckfield and Brian Smits — formed the firm after leaving Short Elliott Hendrickson. The firm has grown quickly, now with 21 full-time workers and two part-timers. Last summer, they moved into a 7,000-square-foot space in the Riverside Professional Building on the south side of Chippewa Falls.

Sworski graduated from Kimball High School in Kimball, Minn., near St. Cloud, then majored in architecture at North Dakota State.

He said he developed an interest in architecture as a child by playing with Legos and creating a variety of buildings with the toys.

“And I never looked back,” he said.

Vetter can be reached at 715-723-0303 or at chris.vetter@ecpc.com.

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January 26, 2015 ♦

| 15

FEATURE STORY

Solar surge Energy source growing in popularity as cost declines

By Leader-Telegram staff

C

ost is a major factor in determining when a growing technology will gain widespread acceptance.

In the case of solar energy, a decline in its price tag has boosted its presence in the renewable energy marketplace.

“If you’re a residential customer or business interested in exploring solar energy, now is the time,” said Tyler Huebner, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit that aims to advance renewable energy policies in the state through advocacy, education and collaborative initiatives. “The price of solar has come down by about 50 percent in the past six years, and with Wisconsin Focus on Energy incentives and federal tax credits in place for just two Huebner more years, there has never been a better time to look at solar power.”

James Boulter, associate professor at UW-Eau Claire and director of the Watershed Institute for Collaborative Environmental Studies, echoed that sentiment.

“The price of solar photovoltaic has dropped substantially over the past five years, really changing the manner in which the affordability, or return on investment, is being assessed,” he said. “According to a report of the Solar Energy Industries Association, national average photovoltaic prices fell to $3 per watt installed in 2013.

“I believe, and there are many who have been similarly predicting, that will lead to an increase in implementation across the nation and world.”

And there’s plenty of room for growth. Wisconsin currently has enough solar electric systems to account for about 18 megawatts of power capacity, Huebner said, which is enough to power around 2,200 homes.

The state gets 0.02 percent of its electricity from solar power, while Minnesota will get 1 percent of its electricity from solar by 2020.

According to the most recent “Solar Means Business Report” from the SEIA, released in October, the average price of a completed commercial photovoltaic project in the second quarter of 2014 dropped by 14 percent compared with the year-ago period and more than 45

16 |

♦ January 26, 2015

percent compared with 2012. Wal-Mart Stores remained No. 1 among the top 25 companies in solar capacity, while Target moved from 16th to eighth with the addition of 15 new solar systems.

Interest in the energy source is increasing at the regional level — and among small businesses — as well.

“People are interested in both small personal systems as well as ... large-scale projects that are now effectively competing with coal and natural gas plants at a cost level,” said Christopher Jarosch, president of Carr Creek Electric Service in Hudson. “Most people are interested in only offsetting their own energy usage by solar energy and energy efficiency practices.”

SolarWorld, an Oregon-based company that installs solar systems around the country, listed some commercial advantages of the technology: ■ Solar systems have no moving parts and require minimal operation and maintenance.

■ Fifteen to 25 percent in after-tax returns, generating thousands of dollars in savings.

■ Government incentives can cut 30 percent or more of costs.

■ Lease options are available to avoid upfront costs.

■ Solar significantly reduces utility operating costs.

■ Solar protects companies from escalating energy bills and peak demand rates.

■ Helps meet government-mandated greenhouse gas emission targets.

■ Promotes companies as green businesses.

Jarosch advised consumers and businesses interested in solar energy to seek out a professional who has an electrical contractors license and is certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners as a solar photovoltaic professional.

He warned that solar energy is not a quick fix for higher energy costs but is a prudent long-term strategy.

“Solar pricing right now is such that most businesses and residences will see a 5 percent or more average return on investment over its 30-year lifespan,” he said.

“So in terms of investment, it makes sense.”

Resources

■ Focus on Energy: focusonenergy.com.

■ RENEW Wisconsin: renewwisconsin.org.

■ Midwest Renewable Energy Association: midwestrenew.org.

■ American Solar Energy Society: ases.org.

■ Solar Energy Industries Association: seia.org.

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♦ January 26, 2015

ASK SCORE

Is your business selling or building relationships?

What

Moves You?

By Joanne Palzkill SCORE volunteer, restaurateur Over the years the terminology in many industries has changed. Job titles such as stewardess has changed to flight attendant, sales clerk to sales associate and waitress or waiter to server, for example.

I think this stems from the increasing awareness by business owners and managers of how important it is to build relationships that will eventually turn into sales. Of course this varies a bit if it’s a retail store versus a restaurant, but it’s part of the evolution away from “standing behind a register and taking money” to being “merchandise specialists who understand the products and can impart knowledge as part of the buying and selling experience.”

This is particularly true for small businesses where you can’t always rely on volume, at least initially.

The merchandise or service specialist is someone who can explain and deliver the product to a customer and in turn create value and a memorable experience. How does this start? I believe it begins with proper training and educating so the individual understands everything about the business and the products, along with the company culture.

I have always said I’d rather hire an individual who is enthusiastic and energetic and who genuinely enjoys engaging with people than someone who has a great deal of experience but doesn’t really care. You can train anyone to learn the skills necessary to do a task or provide a higher level of service but you can’t train someone to have the right attitude. Likewise, a person with the right attitude will be receptive to training and embrace the knowledge that is provided to them.

Recognizing an employee’s skills will result in greater productivity and decreased turnover. Always provide ongoing information and feedback; keep the lines of communication open and, if and when it’s appropriate, make the job fun.

I find that small contests are beneficial and generally when we do them, the incentive does not revolve around pay. It’s usually a gift card valid for gas or something like Chamber Bucks that they can use where they’d like. It’s extremely important that the people you work with know that they are valued.

Bottom line, hire the right people from the start and if you find they aren’t a good fit, especially after you’ve tried to work with them, move them along quickly.

It’s like the classic book by Jim Collins, “Good to Great.” In order to build a successful organization and team you need to get the right people on the bus and put them in the right seats. Spend time hiring the right people and once they’re on the bus, make them feel like they are part of the business and that you believe in them.

SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” is a nonprofit that provides free, confidential counseling and training workshops to small business owners.

For more information call 715-834-1573 or visit score-westernwisconsin.org.

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| 19

Community profile

Wade Lambrigtsen, owner of the Vintage Sign Shop in rural Menomonie, paints a handmade sign for Leinenkugel’s that he made out of old barn boards.

Staff photo by Pamela Powers

Stylish signs Menomonie-area man’s messages making an impact

By Pamela Powers, Menomonie News Bureau

MENOMONIE

W

ade Lambrigtsen loves the creative side of making signs, as well as the chance to build them with his own hands.

Lambrigtsen owns the Vintage Sign Shop in rural Menomonie, a business he started in 2003. The 2000 UW-Stout graduate in graphic design started out making hand-painted barn wood signs and gradually moved into creating more commercial signs.

“I went to school for graphic design,” he said. “The thing I didn’t like was sitting in front of a computer all day.”

He picked the name Vintage Sign Shop because he started out painting signs on barn wood. Now about a quarter of his business is painting signs on barn wood and the rest has become vinyl cutouts or lighted signs.

He even works with high-density urethane, or HDU, sign foam that can be sandblasted to make it less likely to warp or rot like wood. Many of his signs are on businesses in downtown Menomonie.

“My favorite signs are still the hand-painted ones because you get to be more creative,” the 43-year-old father of two said.

Designing and making a sign takes many steps to ensure the sign is effective and able to be clearly read, he noted.

“Something simple is better,” he said. “It has to catch your eye while you are driving by. Many times that is the first thing people see of a business is its sign.”

20 |

♦ September 29, 2014

Outside the Office Wade Lambrigtsen plays on the Blue Caps vintage baseball team.

“I had never played baseball in my life,” he said of joining the group three seasons ago. “I like that I get a chance to catch the ball with my bare hands. I like the history of it and the camaraderie with the other players.”

The veteran was with the Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of corporal. During his service as a mortar man, he had the opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji in Japan.

“It was very cool,” he said. “We were above the clouds. You took three steps and you had to stop and take a breath. It is very beautiful.”

People encounter many signs during a day and if they are eye catching they will be remembered, Lambrigtsen noted.

Lambrigtsen, who has no employees, is being recognized in February by the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce as the small business of year.

Brenna Long, the Main Street of Menomonie executive director, said Lambrigtsen created a “Welcome to Historic Downtown” sign.

“His work is just beautiful,” Long said. “He has done many signs in the downtown for businesses and they are all beautiful.

You can tell he puts a lot of time and effort into each one.”

Joan Navarre, who owns Triangle Arts & Antiques in downtown Menomonie, is enthralled by the sign Lambrigtsen created for her business.

“He truly is an artist,” she said. “At the very end he was on a ladder painting the gold on it and was able to get a three-

dimensional look to the letters. He is making our city look wonderful.”

Growing up in the Jackson County town of Northfield, Lambrigtsen said he took to art at an early age. He graduated from Whitehall High School and then joined the Marines for four years.

“I did well in art classes,” he said. “I just never considered art as an occupation.”

One of his most challenging projects was creating the eatery signs for the UW-Stout Memorial Student Center because he had just started using the sandblasting and sign foam. He had to finish the job in one month.

He has made more than 5,000 signs since 2005 on barn board that he personally collects from old barns for Leinenkugel’s.

Each sign is hand-painted by Lambrigtsen and many are sold in the brewery’s gift shop. Each is unique in its own way, he noted. Each sign carries a stamp with his website — vintagesignshop.com.

“It is neat to be part of a historical brewery like that,” he said.

For the future, Lambrigtsen said he wants to improve, bettering his sign craft. Sign artists learn from each other, sharing information, he noted.

In June he will travel to Delavan with the Walldogs, a group of sign and mural artists from around the globe. They paint 14 or 15 murals in a town in remembrance of the tradition of painting wall advertisements where the name comes from. He has been part of the group for three years.

Powers can be reached at 715-556-9018 or pamela.powers@ecpc.com.

January 26, 2015 ♦

| 21

briefcase

Staff photo by Steve Kinderman Hutchinson Technology Inc. operates out of more than 700,000 square feet at its plant in Eau Claire.

Assembly shipments up for HTI

HUTCHINSON — Hutchinson Technology Inc., which houses much of its operations in Eau Claire, reported preliminary results for its fiscal 2015 first quarter that ended Dec. 28.

The company shipped 121.7 million suspension assemblies for disk drives in the period, up 4 percent from 117.1 million in the preceding quarter. Net sales for the quarter totaled approximately $72 million, compared with $70.3 million in the prior quarter.

HTI estimated that gross margin for the fiscal 2015 first quarter was 15 to 16 percent of net sales, up from 13 percent, due to higher volume and improved operating performance. The company also estimated its operating loss was reduced to about $1 million. The company’s fiscal 2015 first-quarter results were scheduled to be reported Jan. 28.

In other earnings news: ■ SEATTLE — Supercomputer maker Cray, which has most of its operations in Chippewa Falls, announced in selected preliminary 2014 financial results that total revenue for last year is expected to be about $560 million. “We had a solid year and expect record revenue again in 2014 as we continue to deliver year over year growth,” said Peter Ungaro, president and CEO, in a news release. “While we did not complete all of the system acceptances necessary to achieve our 2014 guidance, we now Ungaro expect a strong 2015 to be even stronger, as that revenue will carry over and add to 2015. With an incredible year of new contracts signed in 2014, we are building momentum in the market today across all of our product lines and we anticipate significant growth in revenue and profitability in 2015.” This year’s revenue is anticipated to be in the range of $715 million.

■ Eau Claire-based National Presto Industries, which operates defense, housewares/small appliances and defense business segments, earned $14 million, or $2.02 per share, in the nine months ending Sept. 28. The result compared with earnings of $24.2 million, or $3.50 per share, in the year-ago period.

■ MONDOVI — Marten Transport reported net income of $20.9 million, or 62 cents per share, for the nine months ending Sept. 30, compared with earnings of $22.8 million, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period. The company is a temperaturesensitive truckload carrier.

Website connnects students, employers Your Future Chippewa Valley, a new resource aimed at aligning educational opportunities in the state with skills being

22 |

♦ January 26, 2015

sought by Wisconsin employers, was launched. The program is a free, Web-based resource that bridges students with work experiences.

“Work-based learning is beneficial because it allows students to explore and experience a workplace firsthand,” said Kristan Motszko, schools-to-careers coordinator for the Eau Claire school district, in a news release.

There were nearly 60 businesses and organizations initially signed up on the site. The goal is around 200.

Visit chippewavalley.yourfuturewisconsin.com for more information.

Phillips-Medisize announces expansion

HUDSON — Phillips-Medisize announced in November a $30 million expansion at five facilities in Wisconsin — a move expected to create up to 484 new jobs in four counties.

Phillips-Medisize already had around 1,400 employees at 12 facilities in Wisconsin. The company, which provides design, development and manufacturing services, started construction at facilities in New Richmond and Menomonie, and planned future expansions at its facilities in Eau Claire, Hudson, Phillips and Medford.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. provided up to $5 million in state tax credits depending on the number of jobs created.

EDC names Idea Challenge winner

The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp. announced that Jeff Dykes, a 16-year career veteran in fire service who also is a Chippewa Valley Technical College instructor, as its Idea Challenge grand-prize winner.

Dykes earned $5,000 for an idea called Northern Star. He earned $500 and $1,000 in business services in earlier stages of the competition. Northern Star is a compass device for firefighters’ facemasks that provides directional assistance during a blaze.

The Idea Challenge is a contest open to any individual or company with an idea for a new product or service. The EDC accepts applications for The Idea Challenge throughout the year.

Visit theideachallenge. com for details.

Fitness equipment maker expands

Dynamic Fabrication and Finishing in late October an­nounced plans for a $15 million upgrade of its Eau Claire site, which was expected to create 75 new jobs, as well as $900,000 in job training programs.

The Wisconsin Eco­nomic Development Corp. approved up to $1.1 million in tax credits over the next three years. The amount will be dependent on total jobs created and amount spent on job training.

Dynamic Fabrication is making the expansion to support its new fitness equipment product line. The company was founded in 2011, specializ­ing in contract steel fabrication, primarily sheet cutting and welding. The business has about 50 employees.

Third Kmart in region shuts down

Sears Holdings announced the Kmart at 2424 E. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire would close in February.

The store had 93 employees, most of whom were part time.

Associates who were eligible received severance and had the

briefcase opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores.

The Eau Claire Kmart opened in October 1963 and was the 51st Kmart to open. The building underwent several remodels during its 50 years, including one in 1999 that converted it to the retail chain’s Big Kmart format.

The Eau Claire Kmart is the third in the region to close. Kmart stores in Chippewa Falls and Menomonie shut down in May.

DISCOVER he t BENEFITS

Spectrum Industries moves into new space

CHIPPEWA FALLS — Spectrum Industries bought the Pactiv plastics plant, a move that will allow the company to expand its operations.

The Pactiv building, at 1500 W. River St. in Chippewa Falls, had been empty since that company, which produced plastics, closed in early 2013. “It’s a big move for us,� said David Hancock, Spectrum Industries president and CEO. “It’s an opportunity for us to expand.�

The Chippewa Falls-based firm builds desks, carts, lecterns and other equipment allowing for the use of modern technology. For instance, lecterns with USB ports, plug-ins and storage space for computer equipment used in high schools and colleges across the country.

Documation names new president, COO

Eau Claire-based Documation, a commercial printer, announced the promotion of Martin Aalsma to president and chief operating officer.

Aalsma came to Documation in March 2013 with 20 years of experience in the print industry. A UW-Whitewater graduate, he started at QuadGraphics in prepress and spent 10 years at R.R. Donnelley. Since then Martin has held multiple positions in the industry. “I’ve worked with many people in my 18 years at Documation and Martin is by far the most qualified to take on this responsibility,� said Brad Stuckert, CEO, in a news release.

Documation also announced it had opened an office in the Milwaukee area. Visit documation.com for more information.

Pair of Invisible Inc. divisions acquired

Duluth, Minn.-based Citon Computer acquired two divisions from Invisible Inc. of Eau Claire.

Invisible Inc.’s Corporate Technologies and Business Internet Services now operate under Citon. The move nearly doubled Invisible Inc.’s local employee base to roughly 80. Citon also acquired NetTel Communications and NetGuard Security Solutions, both former divisions of Invisible Inc. “We are excited and proud to merge talents with Citon Computer Corp. and feel confident this move will only enhance the level of service we can provide to our customers throughout the western Wisconsin area,� said former Invisible Inc. owner Robert Krause in a news release.

Invisible Inc. and Citon both have been operating for about two decades. Visit citon.com for more information about the latter.

Ayes Associates acquires Madison firm

Eau Claire-based Ayres Associates, an engineering and architecture company, and planning and design firm SAA Design Group of Madison entered into a letter of intent for Ayres to acquire SAA. Ayres Associates is a multispecialty consulting firm that has served public and private clients since 1959. SAA, formerly Schreiber Anderson Associates, was founded in 1984 and has public and private clients in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. It offers professional services in landscape architecture, urban design, park design, community planning, ecological services restoration and civil engineering.

SAA’s office remains at its location in Madison and becomes Ayres Associates’ 13th office nationwide and its sixth in Wisconsin.

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briefcase From Page 23

Staff photo by Dan Reiland Site preparations are under way in September at a mixed-use building site within the Confluence Project in downtown Eau Claire.

Confluence Project work under way

Work continued on a $77.2 million development with plans to create an arts center, student housing, restaurants and shops in downtown Eau Claire.

The Confluence Project gained financial contributions and political endorsements in 2014, but it also faced opposition from a local group and lawsuits filed against the city. Some of those challenges are still pending, and the project is yet to secure the majority of funding for the $51.2 million arts center. But developers broke ground in November at the future site of the $26 million housing and commercial building dubbed Haymarket Landing.

As work on the privately owned six-story building proceeded, volunteers continued working toward the $13.5 million fundraising goal for the community arts center. The campaign had gotten donations or firm pledges for nearly $6.5 million by early January and is applying for $2.2 million in grants.

The project also is seeking $25 million from state government.

Following a suggestion from Gov. Scott Walker, project backers applied for a grant in the 2015-17 state budget, which will be decided in mid-2015.

Walker voiced support for the project’s economic development potential and its mix of private and public funds during a stop in Eau Claire before November’s gubernatorial election. But vocal opposition has come from Voters With Facts, a group of Eau Claire residents who challenged the project in April’s election, and ongoing lawsuits. If all goes as Confluence supporters have planned, the mixed-use building will open in June 2016, followed by the arts center in late 2017 to early 2018.

Former city leader passes away

Oakwood Mall and several Eau Claire public schools were built upon land secured by deals that George Kumferman handled as the city expanded greatly in the mid-20th century.

Remembered as a knowledgeable, straighttalking supporter of Eau Claire, Kumferman worked for the city for 32 years, including multiple stints as the acting or interim city manager.

“He was a passionate defender of the city,” said Ted Fischer, Eau Claire’s city attorney from 1970 to 2000.

Since infancy, Kumferman lived in Eau Claire, except for three years in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II and when he took classes at UW-Madison. He died at age 89 on Nov. 21 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

■ Milton Siker, who opened Siker’s Furniture and Carpeting in Eau Claire in 1954, died in May at age 88. The store recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Eau Claire Area EDC tabs permanent director Lynn Thompson, board of directors president of the Eau Claire

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♦ January 26, 2015

Area Economic Development Corp., announced that Luke Hanson was named the executive director on a permanent basis for the organization.

“The area is fortunate to have an individual with Luke’s abilities and passion to lead us in our economic development efforts,” Thompson said in a news release.

Hanson has been with the Eau Claire Area EDC since December 2012. He began as a project manager and was named interim executive director on Oct. 15.

In his new role, Hanson will be responsible for overseeing the EDC, promoting the Eau Claire area, facilitating development opportunities, and encouraging partnerships and col­laborations.

TIF districts to help CF projects

Hanson

CHIPPEWA FALLS — Projects at two Chippewa Falls malls received financial assistance from the city in the form of tax increment financing districts.

The Chippewa Falls City Council created a new TIF district for the Chippewa Commons mall, 303 E. Prairie View Road. Gordy’s grocery chain purchased the 169,000-square-foot mall in December with plans to re-open a store in the wing formerly used by Mega Foods.

The council also voted to amend the existing TIF district near the Northridge Center, formerly named the Chippewa Mall, allowing for a new frontage road to go south of the shopping center and connect with Chippewa Crossings.

TIF districts use public financing to subsidize redevelopment, infrastructure and other community improvement projects. Once those projects are completed, the resulting tax base increase is added to property tax collections.

Gordy’s Vice President Rick Schafer said the plan is to remodel and downsize the grocery so it is between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet in size. The cost of opening the grocery store alone is projected to be about $3 million between remodeling and purchasing new equipment.

■ Gordy’s County Market also purchased the Stanley IGA. Gordy’s bought the store from the Frederickson and Radtke families.

Mining firm begins construction

Sioux Creek Silica started construction on a new 940-acre sand mine and processing facility in the southeast corner of Barron County and expects to begin operations by spring and be fully operational by the summer.

The facility will include a 4.7-mile industrial conveyor that will move processed sand products from the mine site to a dry plant and a 5-mile short track that will be connected to a Union Pacific Railroad spur for transport to customers. The conveyor line will cross property owned by a broad group of different individuals, all of whom will receive royalties based on the amount of sand shipped across their land.

Global Proppant Supply is the parent company of Sioux Creek Silica. Construction and operation of the facilities will be led by Turn Key Processing Solutions, an Illinois-based company. Milwaukeebased Joy Global will be responsible for the conveyor system.

Privately held GPS has offices in Chetek; Fort Collins, Colo.; and Austin, Texas.

■ U.S. Silica, a Maryland-based company with facilities in 13 states, Canada and China, applied to develop a frac sand mine near Fairchild. The mine would be on 632 acres just west and north of Fairchild. It would be partially bordered by U.S. 12 on the east and South Center Road on the west. Of the 632 acres, 287 acres would be mined, said Rod Eslinger, the county’s land use supervisor.

briefcase Foreclosure filings decline in '14

Foreclosure filings declined in nine of 12 western Wisconsin counties in 2014 compared with the previous 12 months, according to a year-end report from California-based housing data provider RealtyTrac.

Filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 421 properties in Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn counties last year. That was 22 percent fewer than in 2013.

In the fourth quarter alone, filings declined compared with the year-ago period 6.8 percent in Eau Claire County, 15 percent in Chippewa County and 9.1 percent in Dunn County.

Nationally, filings in 2014 were down 18 percent from the previous year and down 61 percent from their peak in 2010. The 1.1 million properties with foreclosure filings last year was the lowest annual total since 2006.

Jobless rates rise slightly in region

Local unemployment rates rose slightly in November compared with October but still were generally lower than in the previous year, according to preliminary, seasonally unadjusted data provided by the state Department of Workforce Development.

In the latest data available, the Eau Claire metropolitan area, which is made up of Eau Claire and Chippewa counties, saw its rate move to 4.3 percent in November from 3.9 percent the previous month and 5 percent a year ago. In the city of Eau Claire, November’s rate was 4 percent. That equaled October’s rate and was a considerable improvement from 5 percent in November 2013.

Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn counties all saw rates that rose compared with October but declined from the year-ago period.

commercial businesses granted the right by an airport to operate and provide services such as fueling, aircraft maintenance and flight instruction.

■ Eau Claire businessman John Torgerson, 64, was found guilty in Eau Claire County Court in October of issuing financial notes to a large number of investors without having proper information filed with the state and misleading investors about those securities.

Torgerson, president of Preferred Acceptance Co. and a former official in Gov. Tommy Thompson’s administration, was found guilty of 47 felony counts.

■ John Menard, 74, president and CEO of Eau Claire-based homeimprovement chain Menards, ranked 59th on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans in the fall with a net worth of $7.9 billion. The list is continually updated, however, and Menard had moved to No. 48 as of Jan. 7 with a net worth of $9.2 billion.

■ MENOMONIE — TC-TEKS Computers completed the purchase of Cobra Byte Tech and officially opened its third store at 815 Sixth Ave. The business also has locations in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. Visit tcteks.com for more information.

■ Somerstone, a Brookfield-based commercial real estate company, acquired Indianhead Plaza shopping center in Eau Claire at 3015 E. Hamilton Ave. According to the Somerstone website, the 56,040-square-foot property was built in 1970. A new Planet Fitness is opening at the site.

■ Bloomer Plastics, which supplies the industrial, medical and packaging markets, acquired Delaware, Ohio-based Optimum Plastics. The combination of Optimum’s engineered blown film services to Bloomer Plastics’ existing portfolio of custom-designed cast film is aligned with its strategic initiatives and is core to its growth plans, according to a news release.

Study: Local events bring in $3.6M

Commissioned by the Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, Visit Eau Claire surveyors interviewed residents and visitors at 31 Eau Claire parks, recreation facilities and events from fall 2013 through summer 2014.

After obtaining information on lodging and anticipated spending, surveyors were able to estimate participants spent an accumulative $3.6 million on food, lodging, entertainment and shopping.

“We always knew our parks and facilities had a greater economic impact to the city, beyond just what we collected from registration fees,” said Phil Fieber, Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry director, in a news release.

The full study, as well as an executive summary, is available on the ‘Reports, Surveys and Park Plans’ page under the ‘Administration’ section of the department’s homepage at eauclairewi.gov.

In other news

■ AUGUSTA — Augusta Area Home broke ground in November on a new $11.3 million, 50-bed skilled nursing facility and 12-bed community based residential facility. Augusta Area Home had been operating a skilled nursing facility that was built in the 1940s. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program provided loans, and the state provided a community development block grant toward the project.

■ South Carolina-based Hawthorne Global Aviation Services acquired Heartland Aviation of Eau Claire. Heartland, which is based at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, became the fifth fixed-based operation in Hawthorne’s national network. FBOs are

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1. New DT hotel investment group.

4. CF-based national networking organization.

6. Financial CD. 9. Chair of CF chamber.

10. Chicago-area biz school.

12. State Farm pitchman.

17. EC fundraiser supplier.

19. The Idea Challenge winner.

20. St. Croix EDC business of the year.

22. "Choose Yourself!" author.

23. Born between 1980 and 2000, according to NPR. 24. New local bluegrass event.

26. Chippewa Falls library director.

27. CF steel and aluminum specialist.

28. Food co-op that received $500,000 grant.

29. Black River Falls beer producer.

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♌ January 26, 2015

Down 2. Newly minted local EDC head.

3. Top Dunn County employer.

4. Menomonie feed manufacturer.

5. Augusta summer gala.

7. Bon Iver breakthrough.

8. Confluence Project mixed-use building.

11. EC chamber event for students.

13. $5,000 a night cruise ship.

14. Inaugural Altoona celebration.

15. RL food processing industry manufacturer.

16. Annual visit with state legislators.

18. Menomonie Main St. leader.

21. Hammond Industrial Park tenant.

25. What FICO once stood for.

February

CALENDAR FEB. 4: The Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce’s 76th Annual Banquet and Awards Night will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at UW-Stout in Menomonie. Visit menomoniechamber.org for details.

FEB. 5: Junior Achievement’s 25th Anniversary Gala will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wild Ridge Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. For more information visit eauclaire.ja.org or contact Heide Cooper at 715-835-5566 or hcooper@jawis.org.

FEB. 10: The program “Business Plan Basics� will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-836-7511, ext. 1171.

FEB. 11: The economic development corporations and chambers of commerce from St. Croix, Pierce, Polk and Dunn counties will travel to Madison to promote legislative priorities for the Greater St. Croix Valley. The event is free and open to citizens, businesses and organizations willing to travel to and from Madison for meetings with legislators, committee chairs and policy advisers. A preliminary agenda has the Great St. Croix Valley group arriving in Madison by 11 a.m. for an orientation on legislative issues during a box luncheon. Appointments with legislators run throughout the afternoon. The event ends at 4:30 p.m. and participants depart for home. Vans have been reserved for the day to offset individual travel expenses. For more information contact the St. Croix Economic Development Corp. at 715-381-4383 or nita@stcroixedc. com. ■Also on Feb. 11, the Women of the Valley program will feature a tour of Willow Creek Women’s Clinic.

Women of the Valley, a project of the Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, is a monthly business networking group focused on providing female entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with access to professional development, volunteer and social activities.

Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Email wotv@successfulbusiness.org for details.

FEB. 13: The free Women’s Leadership Book Club will meet at 8 a.m. at The Goat Coffee House, 336 Water St. The topic of discussion will be the book “First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently.� Karman Briggs of Western Dairyland will facilitate the discussion. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

FEB. 15: MADISON — The date is the deadline to apply for a twoday career development program for dairy industry professionals that will take place March 17-18 in conjunction with the Professional

Management certificate programs near Three two-day seminars in the Supervisory Management Certificate Program at UW-Eau Claire — “Supervisor Training: Learning to Lead,� “Emotional Intelligence and Empowerment� and “Surviving Difficult Conversations� — will be held in February and March.

The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Scheduled sessions are: ■“Supervisor Training: Learning to Lead,� Feb. 26-27 at Metropolis Resort and Conference Center, 5150 Fairview Drive; March 12-13 at Citizens State Bank, 375 Stageline Road, Hudson. ■“Emotional Intelligence and Empowerment,� March 5-6 at Metropolis Resort and Conference Center. ■“Surviving Difficult Conversations,� April 30 and May 1 at Metropolis Resort and Conference Center.

For more information or two register, visit uwec.edu/CE/ programs/business/smcp.htm, call 715-836-3636 or 866-8932423, or email supervisorymanagement@uwec.edu.

CVTC training programs approach Upcoming business training programs at Chippewa Valley include: ■“Microsoft Excel: Basic Skills,� 8:30 a.m. Feb 4 at CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. ■“Microsoft Outlook: Time Management with Calendars and Tasks,� 9 a.m. Feb. 5 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. ■“Microsoft Outlook: Effective Email Management,� 9 a.m. Feb. 5 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. ■“Adobe PhotoShop: Basic,� 8:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at CVTC, 403 Technology Drive E., Menomonie. ■“Microsoft Publisher: Nuts & Bolts,� 8:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. ■“Adobe Illustrator: Basic,� 8:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. ■“Microsoft Excel: Intermediate,� 8:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at CVTC, 403 Technology Drive E., Menomonie. ■“Adobe InDesign: Basic,� 8:30 a.m. March 11 at CVTC, 403 Technology Drive E., Menomonie. ■“Adobe Photoshop: Tips & Tricks,� 8 a.m. April 2 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. ■“Microsoft Excel: Basic,� 8:30 a.m. April 8 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. ■“Adobe Acrobat: Creating PDF Forms,� 8 a.m. April 9 at CVTC, 403 Technology Drive E., Menomonie. ■“Microsoft OneNote,� 1 p.m. April 9 at CVTC, 403 Technology Drive E., Menomonie. ■“Microsoft Access: Nuts & Bolts,� 8:30 a.m. April 15 at CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls. ■“Adobe InDesign: Tips & Tricks,� 8 a.m. April 16 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. n “Using Microsoft Word & Adobe InDesign Together,� 1 p.m.

April 16 at CVTC, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. ■“Microsoft Excel: Intermediate,� 8:30 a.m. April 30 at CVTC, 770 Scheidler Road, Chippewa Falls.

For more information about any of the aforementioned programs, visit cvtc.edu/continuing-education/business-training-topics.aspx, email businessindustry@cvtc.edu or call 800-547-2882, ext. 4676.

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February, March, April

Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s business conference at the Alliant Energy Center. Participants at the Cornerstone Dairy Academy can focus on developing leadership, teamwork and interactive skills and identifying their character strengths. Dairy producers and other dairy-industry professionals, as well as students pursuing dairyrelated careers in college and technical college programs, may apply for the academy. Program details and an online application can be found at pdpw.org or by calling 800-947-7379.

FEB. 18: The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s “100 Year Anniversary Luncheon” is noon to 1:30 p.m. at Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course, 3905 Kane Road. The event will celebrate chamber members that have been in the Chippewa Valley for 100 years or more. The cost is $25. Visit eauclairechamber.org or call 715-834-1204 for more information.

■ Also on Feb. 18, a “Writing/Publishing Industry Roundtable Discussion” will be from noon to 1 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost, which includes lunch, is $15. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

FEB. 20-22: The 37th annual Home and Garden Show will be at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Road. Advance tickets are $6 for one day or $10 for a weekend pass. They’re $8 and $12 at the door. Visit cvhomebuilders.com, call 715-835-2526 or email info@cvhomebuilders.com for more information.

FEB. 21: Rachel Funk-Johnson, co-owner of Excite! Wellness in Chippewa Falls and founder of Happee School, an online wellness program, is launching a national speaking tour with the program “Find your Happee! Motivational Superstar Seminar” at 29 Pines, 5872 33rd Ave. The former corporate buyer will use her work experience to impact her audience. Visit rachelfunkjohnson.com for more information.

FEB. 25: Downtown Eau Claire Inc.’s Annual Awards Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. at Houligan’s Steak & Seafood Pub, 415 S. Barstow St. The cost is $30 for the event, which will feature a guest speaker and musical enterntainment. Call 715-839-4914 or email downtown@eauclairewi.gov for more information.

■ Also on Feb. 25, the Chippewa Valley Technical College Spring Career Fair is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the college’s Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Employers may visit cvtc. edu for more information.

FEB. 26: The banquet to honor the St. Croix Economic Development Corp.’s 2014 Business of the Year winners will be at Ready Randy’s, 1490 131st St., New Richmond. Call the St. Croix EDC at 715-381-4383 or email nita@stcroixedc.com for more information.

MARCH 3: A six-part Lean Certification Series will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each session in Menomonie. The first five meetings — March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 — will be held at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Menomonie Campus, 403 Technology Drive E. The final meeting on May 5 is at UW-Stout in the Glass Lounge of Price Commons, 302 10th Ave., Menomonie. The program is offered by the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center and CVTC. For more information contact Anna McCabe at mccabea@uwstout.edu or 715-232-5484.

MARCH 5: The Chippewa Valley Technical College Manufacturing Show is 3 to 7 p.m. at the college’s Gateway Campus, 2320 Alpine Road. The event will allow attendees to explore careers, learn about CVTC programs and participate in hands-on demonstrations, including a welding simulator. Visit cvtc.edu for more information.

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MARCH 10: The program “Start a Small Business in 8 Steps” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Topics to be covered include honing an idea, business feasibility and marketing. After the class, participants may request free, one-on-one counseling from Western Dairyland’s business development specialists. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-836-7511, ext.

1171.

MARCH 11: MENOMONIE — The UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center is presenting the first session in a four-part “Innovations in Healthcare Series” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Future sessions are April 1, May 6 and June 3. Topics to be covered include financing health care, on-site clinics, wellness and disease management, and innovative technologies.The cost, which includes breakfasts and lunches, is $500 for two company representatives.

Call 715-232-2793 or visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/ihc.cfm for more information.

■ Also on March 11, the Women of the Valley program will feature a tour of JAMF Software. Women of the Valley, a project of the Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, is a monthly business networking group focused on providing female entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with access to professional development, volunteer and social activities. Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Email wotv@ successfulbusiness.org for details.

MARCH 12: The Red Cedar Watershed Conference 2015 is 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at UW-Stout’s Memorial Student Center in Menomonie. Visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/redcedar/index.cfm for details.

MARCH 13: The free Women’s Leadership Book Club will meet at 8 a.m. at The Goat Coffee House, 336 Water St. The topic of discussion will be the book “Women in Clothes.” Karman Briggs of Western Dairyland will facilitate the discussion. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

MARCH 17 and 19: The two-part program “Business QuickBooks” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. each day at Western Dairyland, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $99 and scholarships are available for income-eligible individuals. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

MARCH 18: A “Health/Wellness Industry Roundtable Discussion” will be from noon to 1 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost, which includes lunch, is $15. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

MARCH 24: The program “Marketing 360 Workshop: A Comprehensive Examination of Your Small Business Marketing Plan” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost is $99. Visit successfulbusiness.org for details.

APRIL 7: The first session in the three-part ExporTech program will be at UW-Stout. Future dates are May 12 and June 9. Each session is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ExporTech is designed for manufacturers seeking innovative ways to grow and international sales possiblities.

The program provides executive leaders with a systematic approach for entering or expanding in global markets. It offers a structured, yet customizable process that guides companies through every aspect of export growth. Visit www.uwstout.edu/profed/ exportecVindex.cfmto register. For more information contact Joni Geroux at 715-232-5270 or gerouxj@uwstout.edu.

April

CALENDAR APRIL 9-10: MENOMONIE — An “ISO Auditor Training” will be from each day at Chippewa Valley Technical College, 403 Technology Drive E. The presenter is Joel Ericson, a quality systems professional with more than 30 years of experience in a broad range of industries. He currently is an auditor for Underwriters Laboratories. For more information contact UW-Stout’s Joni Geroux at 715-232-5270 APRIL 10: The free Women’s Leadership Book Club will meet at 8 a.m. at The Goat Coffee House, 336 Water St. The topic of discussion will be the book “The Well Spoken Woman.” Karman Briggs of Western Dairyland will facilitate the discussion. Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

APRIL 15: A “Public Speaking Industry Roundtable Discussion” will be from noon to 1 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. The cost, which includes lunch, is $15.

Visit successfulbusiness.org for more information.

APRIL 24: Daymond John, founder and CEO of the global lifestyle brand FUBU and star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” will headline the fourth annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner at UW-River Falls.

The Scholarship Benefit Dinner raises funds to support student scholarships. Tickets are $60 each and include a buffet dinner and a reserved seat at John’s presentation. Sponsorships begin at $5,000 and include a private dinner, followed by a question-and-answer session with John. For more information call 715-425-3505 or visit uwrf. edu/risingtodistinction.

APRIL 30: The 12th annual Women’s Business Conference is at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairemont Ave. Visit womensbusinessconference.com for details.

■ Also on April 7, the program “Mechanics of Starting a Small Business” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St. Topics to be covered include choosing a name, deciding on a legal structure and identifying insurance needs. After the class, participants may request free oneon-one counseling from Western Dairyland’s business development specialists. The cost is $29 and scholarships are available for incomeeligible individuals. For more information or to register, visit successfulbusiness.org or call 715-836-7511, ext. 1171.

APRIL 8: The 52nd annual Excellence in Education Banquet is 6 to 9 p.m. at the Off Broadway Banquet & Conference Center, 1501 N. Broadway, Menomonie. Visit menomoniechamber.org or call 715235-9087 for more information.

■ Also on April 8, the Real Life Academy will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairemont Ave. The interactive program addresses sound money management skills for students from Altoona, Augusta, Fall Creek, Memorial, North and Regis high schools. Contact local schools or chambers for more information.

■ Also on April 8, the Women of the Valley program will feature Nancy Rothwell of Straighten-Up Organizing at Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, 1120 122nd St., Chippewa Falls. Women of the Valley, a project of the Western Dairyland Women’s Business Center, is a monthly business networking group focused on providing female entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with access to professional development, volunteer and social activities. Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Email wotv@successfulbusiness.org for details.

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January 26, 2015 ♦

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Guest Column

What keeps me up at night about the Affordable Care Act? One would think that after a little more than 26 years of practicing employee benefits law, I would have everything figured out. I should be answering client’s questions off the top of my head, my desk should be free of volumes of IRS regulations, and every night I should be sleeping like a baby.

But March 23, 2010 changed everything for me, and for the employers I advise. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (lovingly referred to as the “ACA”) was the latest and most significant attempt by the federal government to expand access to health care.

While I was alive when Medicare and Medicaid came into being upon President Johnson’s signing of the Social Security Act of 1965, I had yet to begin working on my client roster. Fast forward to 1986 when a sweeping overhaul of the Internal Revenue Code brought us Code Section 89, which for the first time imposed nondiscrimination and coverage rules on employer-sponsored group health plans. My first standing ovation as a practicing attorney came when I told a room full of medical clinic administrators that “This morning, Section 89 has been repealed!”

The fifth anniversary of the enactment of the ACA is fast approaching.

What could possibly be keeping a seasoned employee benefits attorney up at night? Well, any one of these things is enough.

Are my clients throwing away their COBRA notices?

No, the ACA did not make COBRA obsolete. Group health plan sponsors still need to provide COBRA notices and election forms. But I’m hearing rumblings of employers wondering why bother with offering

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♦ January 26, 2015

COBRA, when generally the Marketplace coverage is cheaper (and offers the potential of premium assistance). Unless and until COBRA is repealed, the obligation to provide notices is still there.

Is the variable employee rule for determining full-time status being overused?

I encourage those of you with access to Attorney Mary Ellen Schill the regulations (you know who you are) to review the guidance on variable hour Ruder Ware employees. The ability to put such employees on an initial measurement period only applies to NEW variable hour employees. It is not available when an ongoing employee switches to variable hours.

I have been asked whether employees who switch from regular hours (full-time or part-time) to a varied work schedule can be required to sit through an initial measurement period to “requalify” for full-time status.

The answer is no.

Once an employee is an ongoing employee (has been employed for an entire standard measurement period) then the only measurement period that can be applied to that individual is the standard measurement period.

So, when the employee switches to a varied work schedule, their status is determined by the hours paid for during the standard measurement period, just like everyone else.

Will I be swarmed with requests to help employers complete Form 1094-Cs and 1095-Cs next January?

For everyone’s benefit and sanity, I certainly hope not. Even though these forms (used by applicable large employers to report full-time employees and the coverage — if any — offered to those employees) are not due until January 2016, the information which must be included on those forms is not always readily accessible, or in a format that lends itself to completing the forms quickly.

What has become quite evident as I speak to employers around the state is that there is no one source for all of the information needed to complete these forms. And in no case can an employer rely on an insurance carrier or third party administrator for this information; those entities will not have information on all of an employer’s employees.

Am I doing more harm than good?

Sometimes I get looks from attendees at my presentations, like the look my puppy gives me when I’m trying to explain something to her. She doesn’t understand much other than “good girl” and “wanna go outside?”

Do the phrases “applicable large employer” and “minimum essential coverage” mean anything to my audience? Am I just making them more confused? I sure hope not. I do know that every opportunity I have to talk about the ACA, and answer questions, makes me understand it a little more.

And helps me sleep better.

Schill has counseled public and private sector employers on the effect of health care reform on their group health plans, including identification of applicable large employer status and full-time employees. She frequently presents on the topic, in addition to blogging about it at blueinklaw.com, with the aim to uncomplicate a complicated piece of legislation.

828

Claire metro vember in the Eau Job openings in No the Chippewa Valley Center for area, according to and Development. That was 75 h Economic Researc than in the year-ago period. percent more

3,000+

Eau Claire workers Health System and employed at Mayo Clinic Me employers, according nards, the city’s top two to the Economic Develop Eau Claire Area ment Corp.

N u e m h b e t r s y B 1867 Year that Chippewa Falls-based Leinenkugel Brewing Co. began operations. The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing Leinie’s and other members that have been in the Chippewa Valley for at least 100 years during an event on Feb. 18.

$170,000 the Approximate bump in sales of in s ines bus g atin icip part average d ExporTech, a program presenteg by the UW-Stout Manufacturin Outreach Center and other organizations.

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January 26, 2015 ♦

| 31

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Steady representation.

Keeping communities moving is one of the many specialties of our client, Ayres Associates. While theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re busy making sure everyone else stays in motion, we do the same for them. From OSHA matters to buy-sell agreements and negotiation with municipalities to name a few, we make sure Ayres gets what they need to get from here to there.

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eau claire | wausau ruder ruderware.com visit our blogs at blueinklaw.com

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