MPC, an IT asset disposition and lifecycle management company, is working with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to recommend best practices in electronics processing facilities.

For over thirty years, MPC has led the industry in responsible electronics recycling, demanufacturing and refurbishing processes. By continually undergoing and passing audits with industry watchdog organizations and other governing bodies and regulations, MPC's dedication to providing trusted, secure and environmentally sound services to its customers has allowed the company to thrive.

Based on the company's longevity and reputation in the marketplace, MPC was pleased to invite NIOSH to review its operations for use in recommending standards within the industry for others to follow.

In April, industrial hygienists, medical residents, and seasoned health experts from NIOSH visited MPC's facilities to begin their evaluation and will continue testing through June. The evaluation will assist in recommending best practices for occupational safety and health for electronics processing companies to go above and beyond current regulatory standards.

"We hope other companies will follow suit to promote the best possible health outcomes for employees," said Theresa Bauer, Director of Compliance at MPC, "Working with NIOSH asserts yet again that MPC is an industry leader for environmental, health and safety practices."

The seasonal spring housing market has begun! First time homebuyers in Dakota County can access fixed, low interest mortgage financing along with a Mortgage Credit Certificate and up to $10,000 in down-payment and closing cost assistance through the Dakota County Community Development Agency's (CDA) First Time Homebuyer Program.

Approximately $30 million in first mortgage financing is available along with a mortgage credit certificate option that will help about 200 households achieve homeownership. The current interest rate is 3.375%.

First time homebuyers or households that have not owned a home in the last three years can use this financing with 30-year FHA or VA loans. Veterans do not have to be first time homebuyers and are eligible for this program if they have not previously used a first time homebuyer program. Single family homes, townhomes or condominiums in Dakota County are eligible for the program with a maximum purchase price of $271,590. Income Limits are $82,300 for a one- or two-person household and $90,530 for a three or more person household.

Along with the first mortgage financing, homebuyers can elect to apply for a mortgage credit certificate through the Give Yourself Credit! program. This certificate provides a federal income tax credit equal to 35% of the annual interest paid on the loan and helps reduce the amount of federal income tax the household is required to pay.

Up to $10,000 in down-payment and closing cost assistance loans are also available and amounts vary based on income. These loans feature zero percent interest and are deferred until the first mortgage is paid off, the home is sold or refinanced, or the home is no longer the buyer's primary residence.

Buyers accessing the First Time Homebuyer Program must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing on their loan. The Dakota County CDA offers monthly Home Stretch® homebuyer education workshops and the new online homebuyer education program called Framework™.

The Dakota County CDA partners with the local mortgage lending community to administer the program. Participating lenders have the necessary paperwork to qualify households for the first time homebuyer financing, mortgage credit certificate and down payment assistance.

These programs are part of the Dakota County CDA's Homeownership Connection resources that provide homebuyers and homeowners tools to be successful. For more information, visit www.dakotacda.org or call 651-675-4442.

As a small business owner in Mendota Heights, you know how important reaching customers in your community is to your bottom line.Many thousands of your neighbors turn to Mendota Heights Patch every day for local news, information and conversation. Why not connect with your customers-and potential customers-by sharing more about what you do best?

Part of the Patch's mission is to strengthen communities and improve the lives of their residents, but we can't do it without you. Our Local Voices section allows members of the community,from cooking enthusiasts to local business owners and everyone in between,to interact and post directly to the site. Select blogs appear on the homepage, in the daily newsletter and are shared by editors via Facebook and Twitter.  

Whether you're a coffee shop owner sharing stories about things that have happened in your shop like Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch blogger Mike Ziegler, or sharing your expertise about oil changes like Sussex Patch blogger Blaine Boudreau, a Patch blog allows you to easily share expertise, ideas and questions, all while  connecting with a local audience. And you don't have to write the phone book or know the difference between a dangling modifier and a split infinitive. Long, short or totally casual, it's all good. Interested? Go to our home page and click on Start a blog to get started. Questions? Email the editor at James.Sanna@Patch.com.

The Board of Directors of Think Mutual Bank elected new board officers at their meeting held on April 23.  Bruce Remme was elected Chair of the Board. Remme has been with IBM for 32 years and is currently Senior Program Manager of Business Operations within the IBM Systems & Technology Lab Services organization. He has been a Think director for five years.

Bruce Shay was elected Vice Chair of the Board. Shay is Executive Vice President at Securian Financial Group in St Paul. He has been with Securian for more than 28 years and is accountable for all aspects of Group Insurance, Financial Institutions and Retirement business. He has been a Think director for two years.

Kevin DeVore was re-elected Secretary of the Board. DeVore has practiced law in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area for 16 years and is currently an attorney at Larson King, LLP in St. Paul where he specializes in criminal defense and investigations. He has been a Think director for 13 years.

Think Mutual Bank is community bank headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, with ten full-service offices in Rochester, Apple Valley, Eagan, Edina, and St. Paul. Think focuses on consumers and small businesses, providing a full array of banking, investment and insurance services.

Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College Leadership - Dr. Tim Wynes, President of Inver Hills Community College, was selected to also be the interim President for Dakota County Technical College while the search is underway for the replacement for Dr. Ron Thomas who is retiring this summer.

Bellacu will begin offering free acupuncture for Veterans in May at their clinic located at 1200 Centre Pointe Curve in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. The clinic will offer community style acupuncture treatments for Veterans the first and third Thursday of each month from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

This ongoing event is free for Veterans and appointments are highly recommended. For more information and to schedule appointments online visit http://bellacu.com or call 651-686-0440.