WOW... where did the year go?  But what a year it was!     

It has been my honor and privilege to have served as your 2013 Chamber Chair.  I feel fortunate to have led an organization that has such a solid footing in our community.    

When I gave my 'acceptance' speech in January, I started out with the mantra ... "2013 is about Teamwork!"  And I want to take this time to thank my 'team' (the Executive Committee and Board members) for their support and participation on the playing field.    

In reviewing the past year, the three most exciting programs that come to mind are the formation of the Marketing Committee, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA), and the Chamber Fall Gala.     

We met in February for the first time to discuss the possibility of undertaking YEA...and what an undertaking it was!  Once the board gave the go-ahead, the task of raising funds and sponsorship for this program began.  Todd Bornhauser spear-headed the fundraising and many of our chamber members stepped up to the plate as sponsors.  A sincere thank you to Dr. Lisa Snyder who was a strong supporter of this program, Todd for taking the lead, and to all our chamber members who have contributed to its success.     

Also a hearty thank you to Kristina Murto and Steve Volavka from Ensemble Creative and Marketing for getting the Marketing Committee off the ground.  One of their many undertakings was Social Media.  Hopefully all of you have gone on Facebook and "LIKED" the Chamber page.  If not yet, click here to LIKE us.  

And I can't thank the Gala Committee enough.  Talk about TEAMWORK.  Gala Chair, Beth Kohlnhofer, and her team (Jeanne Hutter, Jamie Belzer, Kristina Murto, Colleen Ratzlaff LaBeau, Michele Shea and Karen Wentworth) did an outstanding job contributing to many gala "firsts":
* Most revenue raised
* Most auction items  (and I must add high quality items)
* Most attendees  

In addition to these successful programs, there are others I want to acknowledge:
* In addition to the Gala, the Foundation Bowling Tournament, Golf Tournament, and Landscape & Home Show also exceeded previous year's revenue. 
* And a newcomer to our list of committees - the  Women's Luncheon - a vision of Shanen Lee, has seen attendance grow in numbers since its inception four years ago.  

So as you can see, we have had a very active and prosperous year.  And it could not have been accomplished without the TEAMWORK of the staff, chamber board, volunteers, and a dedicated and committed membership.

Poquet Auto's Lakeville location is now open for both service and vehicle sales. Located at 21100 Gateway Drive.  Poquet purchased the building last summer and has completely remodeled and updated the site.

A new McDonald's recently completed construction at 16205 Kenyon Avenue at the southwest corner of Kenyon Avenue and 160th Street. This new restaurant is located next to Brunswick Zone and opened on November 8.

Cosmopolitan Orthodontics is building a new medical clinic at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Dodd Boulevard just south of CVS and Bremer Bank.  The 5,800-square-foot dental clinic is currently under construction.

Kingsley Shores is the latest senior living development in Lakeville.  Construction was recently completed on this 101-unit senior housing project located adjacent to the Chart House restaurant off of County Road 5 and Klamath Trail.

Building Permit Report
The City has issued building permits with a total valuation of $136,846,501 through November. This compares to a total valuation of $112,768,688 through November of 2012.

The City issued commercial and industrial permits with a total valuation of $10,231,750 through November compared to a total valuation of $9,815,500 during the same period in 2012. The City has also issued permits for 340 single family homes through November with a total valuation of $109,003,000. This compares to 237 single family home permits through November of 2012 with a total valuation of $70,177,000.
 
These updates along with other business news and information can be found on the City's website at www.lakevillebusiness.com.