CHIPPEWA VALLEY INCLUDED IN STATE’S RAILWAY PLAN
    Stops in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Hudson are mapped on the final version of Wisconsin DOT’s “Connections 2030” long-range transportation plan. With this new plan these communities could make it into the state’s planned rail network if the West Central Wisconsin route is selected for inclusion on the Madison-Twin Cities line. Before now, the plans only showed the existing Amtrak route from La Crosse. Local rail advocates suggest that including these stops would be a good idea considering the rapid growth of the area along with its higher education institutions, economic development potential, and strong public interest in the rail.

EAU CLAIRE NONPROFITS MAY LOSE FUNDING FROM CITY
    Eight Eau Claire nonprofit organizations could see their funding cut or eliminated come the 2010 budget. Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee members said this is due in part to a budget shortfall of about $2 million. The organizations impacted by this decision would include the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, the Eau Claire Municipal Band, the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, the Chippewa Valley Museum, the Chippewa Valley Symphony, the Community Beatification Association, and the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra. Visit Eau Claire (formerly Chippewa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau) and Eau Claire Regional Arts Center will retain their funding because of a contract they signed with the city.

$1.67 MILLION GRANT BOOSTS HISTORY EDUCATION PROGRAM
    The Department of Education’s Teaching American History Grants Program awarded the Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10 (CESA 10), made up of 30 school districts in west central Wisconsin,  $1.67 million to fund the ambitious “Constructing Liberty” program, aimed at improving instruction and student achievement by improving teachers’ knowledge of U.S. history. CESA 10 will collaborate with Chippewa Valley Museum and the UW-Eau Claire’s history department to run the three-year long professional development program, concentrating on how the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” became universal among Americans over the last nearly two and half centuries.

TWO COMPANIES MOVE IN, PLAN TO ADD ABOUT 200 LOCAL JOBS
    Two new businesses have decided to relocate to Eau Claire, creating a combined 200 jobs over the next four years. Genesis10, one of the nation’s largest privately held business and technology firms, plans to add 50 jobs in each of its first two years in Eau Claire and 25 jobs in the third and fourth years, while RAI Stone Group, LLC, a small financial services firm, plans to add 50 jobs over the next three years. Genesis10, to be located at 2524 Alpine Road in the Gateway West Industrial Park, looks to initially staff up to 40 project managers, 16 of which have already been hired, and eventually staff business analysts, infrastructure capacity planners, systems administrators, software developers, quality assurance analysts, and helpdesk professionals. RAI Stone Group, leasing space at 3504 Oakwood Mall Dr., look to immediately hire five to seven Business Operations Analysts and Accounting Assistants using the SMARTT Network and more as the company grows. Genesis10 is planning a job fair August 12 at the Plaza from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CHIPPEWA FALLS RENAISSANCE FAIRE TO RETURN NEXT YEAR
    The Wisconsin Renaissance Faire, known for its permanent 1340s village, jousting matches, arts and crafts, stage acts, and giving all of those who like dressing up in costumes an excuse to show up to a function in complete medieval garb, is going through its own renaissance next summer. Wisconsin Festival Grounds Inc. purchased the Wisconsin Renaissance Faire grounds, located at 2302 Nelson Road, whose attendance was down 25 to 30 percent last year, at a sheriff’s sale for $900,000 and plans to re-open next spring. The idea is to hold the renaissance faire for five weeks, beginning May 22, and switching gears to a “Western Show” for another five weeks, beginning Aug. 28, 2010. Ending the season would be a Halloween event in late October, which could begin this year. The grounds may possibly be used to weddings, family functions, and camping as well.