The $82 billion state budget signed early this month by Gov. Tony Evers included the first phase of funding for a project of great interest to the Chippewa Valley: $109 million to begin construction of a new Science and Health Sciences Building at UW-Eau Claire to replace Phillips Hall. An additional $1 million was budgeted to help plan the second phase of the building, which the university hopes will be funded by $147 million more in the 2021-23 state budget in two years. UWEC Chancellor James Schmidt praised the budget. “A new Science and Health Sciences Building will allow our master collaborative research agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System to flourish,” he wrote. “Together, and with this investment from the state of Wisconsin, UW-Eau Claire and Mayo Clinic are poised to tackle pressing research questions and needs for innovation in rural health care. Phillips Hall’s days are numbered, and I look forward to beginning the planning and design process for this new building as soon as possible.” Mayo Clinic Health System has pledged financial support for the building project, which would include shared workspace.