Ribbon Cuttings

Opening a new business or remodeling your current business? Let us know and we can schedule a ribbon cutting! It is a great way to advertise your new store and meet a few DCR Chamber members!  

Rosemount Transit Station

DCR Chamber Hosts Legislative Breakfast

The DCR Chamber invited legislators and local business professionals to attend the 2013 Legislative Breakfast.  Nearly 80 individuals attended the event to voice their concerns and ask questions regarding the upcoming legislation.

Meet & Greet with Eagan City Administrator Candidates

The city of Eagan invites members of the public to an informal opportunity to meet and greet the candidates vying to be the next Eagan City Administrator. Current and longtime Administrator Tom Hedges will be retiring in coming weeks.

On Thursday, January 17, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm there will be a brief opportunity for local residents and business and community leaders to chat with the candidates in the Oaks Banquet Room at the Eagan Community Center. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. There is no formal program.

Minnesota Cannot Spend its Way to Prosperity

By David C. Olson, Minnesota Chamber

State government finances continue their rollercoaster ride with more downs than ups. It's time to bring long-term stability to Minnesota budget policy, and that's best accomplished by focusing first on spending. Reforming state spending is at the forefront of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and our statewide network of local chambers.

The December budget forecast provides the framework for the initial debate on spending and taxing reform at the 2013 Legislature; the next projection will be released in February. The forecast delivered some welcome news for the current biennium - a projected surplus of $1.3 billion. That's three consecutive positive reports since July 2011, which together have added $2.5 billion to the state's general fund. This has allowed the state to replenish its budget reserves and cash-flow accounts to their required levels of $1 billion. We're still expecting modest growth in the short term despite the uncertainty of the federal fiscal cliff and European debt problems.

The longest and deepest recession since World War II ended more than 42 months ago, and the outlook for consumer spending, housing and exports provides reason for longer-term optimism. But the after-effects of the recession linger, still leaving a tentative outlook in many business sectors. The uncertainty is reflected in another projected deficit of $1.1 billion for the state's next two-year budget cycle.

The shortfall brought the predictable calls from Governor Dayton and others to fix Minnesota's money woes by raising more money. The governor specifically renewed his call to create a fourth tier in the personal income tax. His message is disappointing and concerning. We wish there was as much enthusiasm in reforming state spending as there is in raising taxes to balance the budget.

Bottom line, we aren't aware of any government that has been able to spend itself to prosperity, and now is not the time to experiment with Minnesotans' tax dollars. Legislators need only connect with their businesses that line Main Streets, and they'll hear loud and clear: Spending reform must frame the budget debate.

The fragile economy has forced businesses across the state to examine how they can become more efficient in making their products and delivering their services. The task presents challenges, but it is necessary if we are to take steps to nurture, and not disrupt, the state's economy. Here is our advice to help policy-makers scrutinize and restructure state spending:

• Make spending decisions based on statewide priorities in tandem with meaningful, measurable outcomes.
•  Our aging population likely means increasing demand for certain public services. Restoring stability requires both redesigning and better targeting of services.
•  Rework public-sector programs to increase their efficiency in light of declining resources including scrutinizing the structure of employee compensation and benefits.
• Change eligibility to better target services to those who really need them.

The Legislature is certain to explore tax reform, too. That debate is most constructive if policy-makers talk about the structure of the tax system from a revenue-neutral standpoint before trying to solve a revenue number.

First things first, however. Let's start by focusing on spending. Then address tax reform with the goal of keeping Minnesota businesses competitive in the global economy. Those are the bookends of a sound state budget policy.

David Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce www.mnchamber.com.

Hi, my name is Daniel Chapdelaine and I am the new Eagan High School Intern at the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce! I am currently a senior and am on track to graduate in June of 2013. I hope to attend either Carlson School of Management at the U of M or Madison School of Business at the University of Wisconsin Madison next year. I am planning on majoring in business marketing or communications. This year I am involved in Eagan Theater and choir. I am auditioning to be in Eagan's musical variety show called ENCORE which I have been involved in for the past couple years! I will also be auditioning for the school musical this spring, but I am not sure what musical it will be this year. I am in 3 different choirs at the high school and I am proud to be one of the Concert Choir's co-presidents! Outside of school I enjoy camping, fishing, playing soccer, and hanging out with my friends and family. I am involved in Boy Scouts and have recently earned my Eagle Scout. I work in the Minnesota Zoo for Lancer Food service and I also Referee soccer games for Eagan Wave Soccer during the summer. I am excited to be a part of the DCR team this winter! To start out my internship, I will be learning various basic office skills and how to communicate with other businesses. I am very enthusiastic about my first project which will be updating and expanding the DCR Chamber's social media efforts. Throughout my time here, I will be attending various Chamber events and look forward to meeting the members of DCR Chamber and the community. 

Feel free to welcome Dan to the Chamber by email at intern@dcrchamber.com. 

Dr. Pamela Peeke, Senior Advisor - US Surgeon General & Author - "The Hunger Fix" was the keynote as the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a roundtable discussion 'A Healthy and Fit Minnesota' today which resulted in the announcement of unique coalition of competitors, "Fit Minnesota."  The coalition is made up of Minnesota-based health clubs - Anytime Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Snap Fitness, the YMCA-Twin Cities, International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association and its local members - with a shared goal of increasing the physical activity of all Minnesota residents. The coalition seeks to advocate for common-sense incentives that encourage every Minnesotan to be more active and get fit.   The FIT Minnesota coalition includes: Anytime Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Snap Fitness, YMCA- Greater Twin Cities Area and the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association and its local members. Information is available at www.FITMN.org. 

Eagan

Paragon Outlet Partners will develop a new $100 million outlet mall with nearly 100 stores and the development  was approved last week by the Eagan City Council.  The opening could be as early November 2014 and will be the first major outlet mall to be within the metro area.  Read more on Star Tribune.

Ecolab opens new training lab in Eagan.  Read more here.

Mendota Heights

At the November 20 City Council Meeting,  the City Council passed a Commercial Property Outdoor Maintenance Code amandment on a unanimous vote.  The DCR Chamber of Commerce provided information from member businesses in opposition to the amendment.

Rosemount

Check out the Hot Deals section of the DCR Chamber website for new and exciting specials offered by fellow members. Want to add your own Hot Deal? Login to your "Members Only" section here.