The Alliance for Strong Communities has recently emerged from its former name, the Citizen Alliance for Strong Communities, but retains the same goals. Members of ASC, including the City of Eau Claire, the City of Altoona, the Eau Claire Area School District, the Altoona School District, and Northwest Realtors Association, strategize on how to perfect public services and public infrastructures in all local communities so that families and businesses can thrive. This is especially important during a recession like the one we’re experiencing. There are definitely fewer dollars to distribute, according to a Wisconsin Public Radio segment on the story of ASC. Eau Claire City Manager and chairperson of ASC, Mike Huggins, said financial revenues have been decreasing the past six to seven years in Eau Claire. “We have to look at combinations of reduction in services or look at ways of generating more revenue,” he said. On March 25, ASC is hosting a community workshop at CVTC. At the event, Patrick Bresette (a national speaker from DEMOS, a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization in New York City) will conduct two workshops on the role government plays in building prosperity for individuals and businesses during difficult economic times. School Board President and vice chairperson of ASC, Carol Craig said community gatherings like this one are the key to progress. “We’re finding that by bringing diverse groups together we can work collaboratively toward community solutions and not compete with individual organizations,” Craig said.

Alliance for Strong Communities Workshop • March 25 • Chippewa Valley Technical College, Gateway Campus, 2320 Alpine Road • 839-4902