Zach Halmstad, founder and owner of JAMF Software, speaking at a press conference
at The State Theatre on Wednesday morning.

JAMF Software is donating half a million dollars to help fund some new hardware in downtown Eau Claire. At a press conference on Wednesday morning, the firm pledged $500,000 to the Confluence Project, a proposed public-private development that would include a performing arts center, a student dormitory, and commercial space. The  $88 million project is a partnership between UW-Eau Claire, the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, Commonweal Development, and Market & Johnson. The pledge from JAMF, which comes via the JAMF Nation Global Foundation, is the second largest philanthropic sponsorship for the project thus far after a $1 million pledge by RCU in September. The donation also offers JAMF naming rights to the arts center's 250-seat black box theater. 

This artist’s rendering shows what the proposed Confluence Project's student
housing could look like from Barstow Street. (Image courtesy SDS Architects)

“In the five years JAMF Software has been located in downtown Eau Claire, our office has grown from four to 94 employees,” the company said in a statement. “Our support of the Confluence Project reflects a continued commitment to the community and our desire to continue growing in the downtown area. This will be a great perk for people working in the area, but it is much more than that: it will improve the quality of life for an entire region. It is a wonderful opportunity for growth in Eau Claire and the downtown area.” JAMF, which creates software for Apple devices, such as iPads and Macs, was founded by UW-Eau Claire graduate Zach Halmstad.* It is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices in Eau Claire, California, New York, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong. In February, the company announced plans to build a 65,000-square-foot office adjacent to Phoenix Park and said it expects to grow to 150 to 200 employees in Eau Claire by the end of 2014. In a press release, JAMF employees lauded for the Confluence Project, which is still seeking approval – and funding – from a number of entities, including the city of Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, and the UW System Board of Regents. “I am excited the city is into getting behind the arts – it will have an incredible impact on the culture and future of our city,” said employee Jason VanZanten. “Having an actual cultural center is important to a city that wants to be more metropolitan,” added employee Sam Borman. “It is a serious effort in having a vibrant downtown. I am looking forward to the concerts.”

*Fun fact: 35% of JAMF employees are UWEC alumni. (Here's a bunch of them.)