With Tuesday's announcement that Eau Claire business Commonweal Development is donating $100,000 toward the proposed Confluence Project performing arts center, you may be wondering where things are, exactly, as far as funding is concerned. Obviously, construction of the mixed-use building part of the project – Haymarket Landing – is already underway, with new foundations poured along South Barstow Street.

However, the $40 million arts center component of the project is still gathering funds – seeking a combination of donor and public dollars. In addition to the $13.5 million private fundraising goal, funds have been pledged by the City and County of Eau Claire. And in late January, Gov. Scott Walker included $15 million for the project in his version of the 2015-17 state budget, but that money still must be approved by the state Legislature. And this is where things begin to heat up.

So what can you do? Send an email.

For Confluence Project supporters, the next crucial funding step rests with the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. This committee controls what happens next with the governor’s proposed state budget, including the $15 million of Confluence money mentioned above. They absolutely need to hear from people who live here and want to see the project happen.

Supporters must take a few moments to email the members of the Joint Finance Committee and show strong community support for the Confluence Project, citing its potential economic impact to the region and state. It can be as simple as emailing them all at once. The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has assembled some good tips about what to say. The email addresses are below:

Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee

>> Email the whole committee at once

Senator Alberta Darling: Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. John Nygren: Rep.Nygren@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Dale Kooyenga: Rep.Kooyenga@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Luther Olsen: Sen.Olsen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Sheila Harsdorf: Sen.Harsdorf@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Leah Vukmir: Sen.Vukmir@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Thomas Tiffany: Sen.Tiffany@legis.wi.gov
Senator Howard Marklein: Sen.Marklein@legis.wi.gov
Senator Lena Taylor: Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Jon Erpenbach: Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck: Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Dean Knudson: Rep.Knudson@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Michael Schraa: Rep.Schraa@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Mary Czaja: Rep.Czaja@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Chris Taylor: Rep.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Gordon Hintz: Rep.Hintz@legis.wisconsin.gov

Download full contact info for Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee, including addresses and phone numbers.