Logo  
The Weekly Update
Good Morning From The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce!

 

Greetings!

Keep up-to-date with all the happenings at the DCR Chamber and in your community by reading the Weekly Update every Monday!  Have some great business news that you would like to announce?  Let us know so we can spread the news to the rest of our members!

DCR Chamber Events Calendar    

 
Tuesday, November 26th at 8:00am
Gateway Bank
745 Market Street, Mendota Heights
 
Wednesday, November 27th at 8:00am
Panera Bread
1260 Promenade Place, Eagan
  
Wednesday, November 27th at Noon
DCR Chamber
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan
  
Thursday, November 28th - Friday, November 29th
DCR Office Closed!
  
Tuesday, December 3rd at Noon
Las Tortillas
15051 Crestone Avenue, Rosemount
  
Wednesday, December 11th at 8:00am
DCR Chamber
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan
  
Wednesday, December 11th at Noon
Associated Bank
1270 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan
  
Thursday, December 12th at 11:30am
Jensen's Supper Club
3840 Cedarvale Parkway, Eagan
  
Tuesday, December 17th at Noon
DCR Chamber
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan
  
Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30am
DCR Chamber
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan
  
Wednesday, December 18th at Noon
Longbranch Saloon and Eatery
309 3rd Street, Farmington
  
Thursday, December 19th at Noon
Axel's
1318 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota  
  
Friday, December 20th at 7:30am
The Commons on Marice
1380 Marice Drive, Eagan
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!      
  
Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Eagan
Apricot Lane Boutique, Mendota Heights
  
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
We invite you to attend these ribbon cuttings to support
your fellow Chamber members!
 
Thursday, December 5th at 8:00am
Vision Source Yankee Eye Clinic
1340 Duckwood Drive, Eagan
*Please note change in date/time.
  
Thursday, December 5th at 4:00pm
DCTC
1300 - 145th Street East, Rosemount
  
  
Call Jessy at 651.288.9202 to schedule yours today!

Advertise In The Weekly Update         
 
 

Advertising Options

New Member Ad - New members can run an advertisement at a discounted rate of 50% off. This advertisement should be business card size. This is a great way for new members to introduce their company to other members of the chamber.  $50 per ad, per week

 

Basic Ad - 545(w) x 245(h) pixel area to advertise your news, event, sale, etc. displayed on weekly update. This ad is typically placed in the middle of the weekly update.  $100 per ad, per week

 

Weekly Update Sponsorship - 545(w) x 245(h) pixel area to advertise your news, event, sale, etc. displayed on weekly update. This ad is typically placed in the middle of the weekly update. Additionally, your company logo and web address will be displayed in the top left corner of the weekly update for quicker access to your website and company information, as well as being noticed instantly by all viewers.  $150 per ad, per week


 

Contact Jessy at [email protected] or 651.288.9202

to reserve your space.

 

 

Action Central 
This section contains items that may require YOU to take action, such as RSVP'ing for an event!   
      

DCR Chamber Holiday Parties - RSVP Today!

Please join us at this year's Holiday Parties. Enjoy lunch with your fellow Chamber members and celebrate holiday cheer!

 

Tuesday, December 3rd at Noon

Rosemount Holiday Party

Las Tortillas (15051 Crestone Avenue, Rosemount)

 

Thursday, December 12th at 11:30am
Eagan Holiday Party

Jensen's Supper Club (3840 Cedarvale Parkway, Eagan)

 

Wednesday, December 18th at Noon

Farmington Holiday Party

Longbranch Saloon and Eatery (309 3rd Street, Farmington)

 

Thursday, December 19th at Noon

West Saint Paul/Mendota Heights Holiday Party

Axel's (1318 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota)

 

 

2014 DCR Chamber Membership and Resource Guide

The DCR Chamber is in the process of putting together the 2014 Membership and Resource Guide.  To ensure that your business information is accurately listed in the directory, we ask that you please log in to the "Members Only" section at www.dcrchamber.com and update your member record.  Check to make sure your company name, primary representative, primary category, address and phone number are up-to-date.  If you have any questions, contact Jessy Annoni at 651.288.9202 or [email protected]

 

 

Sign the Petition

The DCR Chamber encourages you to sign the petition to repeal the three new sales taxes on business-to-business services. These taxes translate into higher prices, lower wages and lost jobs for Minnesotans! This is a key issue your Chamber is actively working to resolve on your behalf. 

  

    

Opportunities to Promote Your Business

The DCR Chamber is looking for member's to host future networking events. Hosting an event like the "Why Not Wednesday" Business After Hours or a Coffee Break is a great way to bring customers into your business. Limited availability. If you are interested in hosting one of these events or would like more information, please contact Jessy at 651.288.9202 or [email protected].

 

 

Did you know?

As a member of the DCR Chamber, you have access to many things on our website.  You can post events, job openings, hot deals, and register online for events that the chamber is hosting.  An online directory of our members is also available for your access.  All you need to do is go to the DCR Chamber Website, click "members only" on the left side, and log in with your company's login information.  If you don't have this information, Jessy can provide it to you, call 651.288.9202 or email [email protected].  This is a great resource for our members to use! 

 News You Should Know 
  
DCR Chamber Business Excellence Awards
The DCR Chamber hosted the annual Business Excellence Awards on November 21st at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center.    This year we honored five businesses that exhibit innovation, growth and leadership within the Dakota County Regional Chamber area.  Guest speaker, Jeff Pellegrom, CFO of the Minnesota Wild presented on "Business Excellence at the Minnesota Wild."
  
Thank you to our sponsors!
Corporate Sponsor - Home Federal
Partner Sponsors - Anchor Bank, Dakota Electric Association, Gopher Resource
Investor Sponsors - SKB Environmental, TDS, TruStone Financial
Congratulations to our 2013 Business Excellence Award Winners!
Business Excellence Award - Flint Hills Resources
Community Leadership Award - August Ash
Small Business of the Year Award - Ze's Diner
Non-Profit of the Year Award - Dodge Nature Center
Woman/Minority Owned Business Award - Bellacu

 

  
Polymet Mining Corp Presentation at DCR Board Meeting 

Jon Cherry, CEO and President of Polymet Mining Corp., attended the November DCR Board of Directors meeting as the featured speaker. PolyMet Mining Corp. is a Canadian mine development company focused exclusively on the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Poly Met Mining, Inc., a Minnesota corporation. Through a long-term lease, the company controls the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body. The deposit is located in the Mesabi Range, northeastern Minnesota's established mining district, and stretches approximately 2.5 miles.

 

The NorthMet project is in the midst of a comprehensive environmental review and permitting process to develop a new mine and restore an existing mining facility. PolyMet's proposal includes using modern mining techniques to minimize environmental impacts while creating jobs, generating tax revenue and, ultimately, producing the metals we need in everyday life.

 

PolyMet's commitment is to design, build and operate the NorthMet project in a way that protects the surrounding environment, fosters a healthy, safe and rewarding work environment, and creates value for all our stakeholders.

 

We thank Jon Cherry for meeting with our Board of Directors to educate us on this project!

  

  

 Immigration reform critical to state economy
 By David C. Olson, President of the Minnesota Chamber
Look around nearly any Minnesota community, and you'll see the "human capital" of our immigrant populations.

In downtown Worthington, storefronts on 10th Street bustle with activity at immigrant-owned businesses. They used to stand vacant.

In St. Cloud, savvy business owners know that Asian and Latino residents bring more than $45 million a year in buying power. Even in Faribault and Austin, Asian and Latino buying power is more than $30 million a year.

In Rochester, a 2011 survey by the African Development Center of 30 African-owned businesses found they had created 100 full-time jobs and 74 part-time jobs. African-owned businesses are popping up in Willmar, too - at least 10 within the past six years.

Yet, as important as immigrants are to our state's economic success, the breadth of their contributions could be much greater with changes in federal policy, says a new report issued by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce as leader of the Minnesota Business Immigration Council.

"The Economic Contributions of Immigrants in Minnesota" identifies the role of Minnesota immigrants in every segment of our economy:

* Workers: Immigrants comprise 37.2 percent of lower-skilled workers and 8.5 percent of college-educated workers in Minnesota. Immigrants are only 7 percent of Minnesota's population, but make up 9 percent of the total workforce.
* Entrepreneurs: Immigrants are more likely to start businesses than American-born individuals. An estimated 44,500 Minnesota businesses are immigrant-owned.
* Consumers: Immigrant households in Minnesota have an estimated buying power of more than $5 billion a year - a boon to businesses and communities across the state.
*  International bridge: Immigrants increase Minnesota's ability to do business with the world. Immigrant-owned businesses are more likely to export; immigrant professionals help Minnesota companies navigate foreign business environments. 

The report wisely encourages policy-makers to take a long-term perspective. In the short run, immigrants may impose a cost: For example, the education of immigrant children is a cost on the state's school system. However, those children are future workers, taxpayers and consumers, and our companies need them to be part of the next generation's workforce. When you look over two or more generations, the evidence shows that immigrants bring a significant net benefit. 

The report adds ammunition to the current debate over federal immigration reform. The U.S. Senate passed a bill with bipartisan support; next stop is the House. Please urge your representatives to pass a bill this year.

Businesses that regularly deal with immigration laws say the system is broken. Two changes in federal law would be particularly helpful to keep us competitive in the global economy: First, create a system of work visas that responds to domestic economic conditions. Second, provide a path for individuals currently in the United States to gain permanent residency.

It's short-sighted public policy to shortchange the contributions of immigrants. They fill jobs. They shop. They start companies. They pay taxes. In short, immigrants strengthen and stabilize our communities. Make sure your representatives know it.

For a copy of the report, go to http://mnbiz.cc/1jmICMQ.
 

 

DCR Chamber - New Member Services Manager

The DCR Chamber is excited to announce that we have hired a new Member Services Manager, Lindsey Meyer, who will start in December.  Her primary focus will be on membership recruitment and retention.  Feel free to welcome Lindsey at [email protected].

 

"I am very excited to join the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce as the Member Services Manager. I am a firm believer in the DCR Chamber's mission that supporting local business and providing avenues for growth result in stronger communities and increased prosperity for all. I received my Master's of Public Administration with a Local Government Management & Leadership specialization from the State University of New York at Binghamton in December 2011. I have experience working in local government, economic development as well as in private-sector sales. I most enjoy working directly with people and accomplishing goals as a team. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active as a certified Spinning instructor, but I also love spending an entire day boating and hanging out at the lake. I am eager to combine my previous work experience and educational background to enhance the goals of the DCR Chamber and look forward to meeting and working with members." - Lindsey Meyer

 

 

DCR Chamber Hosts Legislative Breakfast: Minnesota Vikings Stadium

The DCR Chamber hosted a Legislative Breakfast on the topic of the Minnesota Vikings Stadium last week.  Attendees heard the latest news and insider information regarding the stadium's public financing overview, partnership updates, SuperBowl bid headlines, locker room frustration, electronic pull-tab revenue forecasts, and the latest design and construction updates. Thank you to our panelists Lester Bagley, Vice President of Public Affairs/Stadium Development, Minnesota Vikings; Michele Kelm-Helgen, Chair, Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority; and Ray Bohn, Allied Charities of Minnesota. 

The next Legislative Breakfast event will be on December 20th from 7:30am - 9:00am at the Commons on Marice. To register, complete and return this form to Jessy Annoni at [email protected] or by fax at 651.452.8978. You may also invest in a series pass for $200 that will register you for the rest of the series (8 more programs). Contact Jessy for more information on series passes.

 
 
Hot Deals
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.
Business Briefing 
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!  
  

This holiday season the American Red Cross asks you to give something that means something. Give blood and you could help save up to three lives.

Community Blood Drives:

  • Friday, December 13th from 12:30pm - 5:30pm at Easter Lutheran Church - 4545 Pilot Knob Rd, Eagan
  •  Saturday, December 14th from 10:00am - 3:00pm at Wescott Library Meeting Room -1340 Wescott Road, Eagan
  • Saturday, December 14th from 10:00am - 3:00pm at Culver's 3445 O'Leary Lane, Eagan
  • Monday, December 16th from 12:00pm - 5:00pm at Rasmussen College - 3500 Federal Drive, Eagan
  • Monday, December 23rd from 7:00am - 7:00pm, 12 Hours of Giving Holiday Blood Drive, at Prom Center - Oakdale - Receive a commemorative Red Cross T-Shirt, Gift Bag, Door Prizes
  • Saturday, December 28th from 10:00am - 3:00pm at Culver's 3445 O'Leary Lane, Eagan - Receive a commemorative Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last

 

The Eagan YMCA invites everyone to enjoy full, free access to the Y on November 29th and 30th. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors (with their photo IDs), along with workout gear and swimsuits, and take advantage of free group fitness classes, free child care (while you work out) and fun, healthy activities. Explore more than 50 group exercise class options, as well as open swim and gym times. Free child care will be provided for kids ages six weeks to 10 years old. If you're interested in becoming a Y member, the special November MemberThon will be in effect! Learn more about the Y by visiting www.ymcatwincities.org. Other Y Black Friday specials include: 
FITNESS BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS

  • Personal Training, Pilates Reformer or Water Personal Training Get one free session with a 3 or 6-session package. Or, two free sessions with your purchase of a 12 or 20-session package. Members only. 
  •  Private Swim Lessons
    25% off member pricing. 
  •  Semi-Private Swim Lessons
    25% off member pricing for a group of 2 - 3 participants.
  •  POLAR Heart Rate Monitors
    Receive 20% off POLAR heart rate monitors and accessories.
    Choose from 5 models.
  •  Birthday Parties
    Get 15% off birthday parties. Members only.

 

The Eagan & Lakeville Resource Center invites you to join them at Zest! A local event of global cuisine on Thursday, December 5th from 6:00pm - 9:30pm at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center (2750 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan). The 2nd annual event promises to be even more exciting and fun! Enjoy an evening of music and food with family and friends while supporting our mission to eliminate hunger in Dakota County. The evening will include diverse tastings from local restaurants, lively music and entertainment, signature drinks and craft beer sampling, a free photo booth and 2 exciting raffle packages. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.eaganrc.org. Ticket sales limited and we expect to sell out so purchase your tickets now!

 

 

ProAct began with beverage containers, expanded to plastic bags and has now added Christmas lights, electric and phone cords to its recycling collection and sorting systems, rolling out an expansive effort that runs from November 15 through January 31, 2014.  Working closely with the Recycling Association of Minnesota, and its "Recycle Your Holidays" program, the nonprofit serving people with disabilities will contribute toward the annual goal to collect 200,000 pounds of holiday lights.  These will be individually disassembled and the cords cut into one foot sections by people with disabilities at ProAct's Eagan and Red Wing facilities, explains ProAct Production Coordinator Jennifer Cavalier.  She notes that the nonprofit is not able to accept cord adapters, battery packs, plastic rope lights or CFL lights. Drop off locations serviced by ProAct are offered in Dakota, Goodhue and Wabasha counties.  Click here to view a list of drop off locations.

  

 

CBL Floors has been named Retailer of the Year, as voted by members of the Minnesota Floor Covering Association. CBL Floors is family-owned and has been in business since 1979. Diane Hanzal and Jen Staloch handle the residential sales, while Frank and Brandon Hanzal work primarily with commercial accounts. Sherrill Patnode manages the office and  Ben Brasel supervises the warehouse. Frank and Diane are very appreciative of the award. Their biggest joys are seeing former customers again, their children and even their grandchildren. People come into the store with great stories of past experiences, and want to catch up on the happenings in everyone's lives. "Referrals and past customers are a big percentage of CBL's business. Everyone's home is their castle and we get to help them Create Beautiful Living, that's the CBL difference."

  
  
Looking for retail space?  Cerron Commercial Properties has space for you! Robert Square.  Great grocery-anchored retail space for lease in West Saint Paul.  1,600 - 13,584 SF available in high traffic strip mall located between Target and Rainbow Foods.  Call Roz Peterson for a showing at 612.708.5281 and see our website for more details on the listing at www.cerron.com.

 

 

There's never been a better time for your business to save money and energy. For a limited time, Minnesota Energy Resources is offering Bonus Rebates when you install select high-efficiency equipment, such as furnaces and water heaters. You'll also save each month with lower energy bills.  Visit www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/businessrebates for all the details or call 855-635-1993. It's Worth The Energy!

  
  

New Horizons Minnesota needs your help! They recently applied for a grant that will help them "Give Back." The grant funds will allow New Horizons Minnesota to Give Back to the community by helping Veterans and displaced workers get the skills they need to compete in today's employment market. You can help them win this grant!  To win they need 250+ votes to be considered.  The deadline is November 15th, so please vote now! To vote, click this link to go to the grant website. Once you get to the site please type in "New Horizons Minnesota" and search for them. You will have the option to vote on the right-hand side.  You need a Facebook account to vote.  None of your information will be stored or tracked, per their policy, it is just their way of confirming each person only votes once. Your help is greatly appreciated!  With your support, New Horizons Minnesota is confident that they can make an impact on Veterans and displaced workers!

November 25, 2013
Weekly Update Sponsor
In This Issue
Events Calendar
Advertising
Action Central
News You Should Know
Business Briefing
New Members
Alerus Mortgage
7650 Edinborough Way, Suite 645, Edina
952.417.3779
Contact:  Liz Koehler
Mortgage
 
All That Story America, LLC
1570 Century Point, Suite 200, Eagan
651.262.2293
Contact: Sungdae Suh
Marketing/Communications
 
Apricot Lane Boutique Mendota Heights
750 Main Street, Suite 110, Mendota Heights
612.965.6260
Contact:  Kristine Haas
Retail-Clothing Boutique
 
BrightStar Care
2414 East 117th Street, Burnsville
612.435.7390
Contact:  Shannon Klemann
Home Health Care
 

C.O. Brown

919 4th Street West, Hastings

651.800.6173

Contact:  Andy Bertram

www.cobrown.com

Insurance

 

Dakota Law, P.L.L.C.

16233 Kenyon Avenue, Suite 200, Lakeville

952.314.8852

Contact:  Gary Huusko

www.dakotalawpllc.com

Attorneys - Law Firm

 

Edina Realty

1519 Central Parkway, Suite 100, Eagan

651.686.2108

Contact:  Deb Grimme

www.homesintwincities.com

Residential Real Estate

 

EMO Trans

920 Aldrin Drive, Suite 238, Eagan

651.289.1400

Contact: David Leach

www.emotrans.com

Global Logistics

 

Essential Health Chiropractic

1964 Rahncliff Court, Suite 100, Eagan

952.432.3833

Contact: Jeff McComb

www.EHChiro.com

Chiropractic

 

Hilltop Family Chiropractic

1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 202, Eagan

651.452.7141

Contact: Marla Faye

www.drmarla.com

Chiropractic/Weight Loss

 

Hope Glen Farm, LLC.

10276 East Point Douglas Road South, Cottage Grove

612.751.0300

Contact: Michael Bushilla

www.hopeglenfarm.com

Wedding & Event Venue

 

InterMart, Inc.

1400 Corporate Center Curve, Suite 110, Eagan

651.905.1727

Contact: David Noah

www.shipsolutions.com

 

Jean Pierre Pallais Agency-American Family Insurance

720 Main Street, Suite 208, Mendota Heights

651.696.9096

Contact: Jean Pierre Pallais

www.jppallais.com

Insurance

 

Life Wellness Center - Eagan

1895 Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Eagan

651.688.8886

Contact: Patrick Walsh

www.lifewellnesscenter.net

Chiropractor

 

Talking Walls Painting Company

619 2nd Street Northwest, New Prague

651.755.4605

Contact:  David Carlson

www.talkingwallspainting.com

Painting

 Are You Connected?

Join Our Mailing List 

Like us on Facebook

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

Find me on Pinterest

 

View our videos on YouTube

 

Visit our blog 

 

 Find us on Google+

 

 View our photos on flickr

Jessy Annoni 

Communications and Events Manager

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan

[email protected]

651.288.9202