SOAE 2020: This is Eau Claire
Mark Green
Posted February 3, 2020
Energy – essential for growth and opportunity – is America’s strong suit, thanks to abundant domestic natural gas and oil. It’s a key driver in the national economy and also local economies, in places like Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Check out our video:
This is Energy Progress, the theme of API’s State of American Energy report. They’re living it in Eau Claire.
Like a number of other communities in the Upper Midwest, Eau Claire has been on the comeback trail – with national demand for the sand found in Western Wisconsin, which is used in hydraulic fracturing, boosting the area’s resurgence. James Hanke, of the Market & Johnson construction management and contracting firm:
“America’s natural gas and oil renaissance catapulted the region’s industrial sand mine industry, and in turn, created a path for economic stability and ultimately, growth for Market & Johnson, our employees and workers across a number of sectors.”
Eau Claire’s unemployment rate is under 3%, and the median family income tops $76,500 (compared to about $76,400 nationally). The cost of living index is 93.9 – compared to the national average and the nearby Twin Cities’ index of 105 in 2018.
Terry Hayden, president of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association and featured in the video, sees energy as catalytic for the men and women of his union, who are integrally involved in the energy sector but also in others that require their skills:
“We weathered the recession thanks to the energy projects that created jobs and the opportunity for young people to come into our industry. These are lifelong careers that provide a good life in Wisconsin, and it’s important to us to provide training resources to prepare them for a bright future.”
Empowered by energy from natural gas and oil.
Read the in-depth profile of Eau Claire here. Others in this series:
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.