September 15, 2014
This Weekly Update is Brought to You By...
 
WomEn's Circle Kickoff Event Planned for October 2, 2014

The Dakota County Regional Chamber is excited to announce the first WomEn's Circle Kickoff Meeting, to be held at Lone Oak Grill in Eagan on October 2 from 8-9 a.m. Please join us for a morning of networking, learning more about The WomEn's Circle, and a light breakfast. Anyone interested in becoming a member of The WomEn's Circle or simply anyone who wants to learn more about this group are encouraged to attend. To see the full event page and to RSVP, please click here.

The WomEn's Circle will focus on development of leadership skills, building meaningful connections, personal and professional development, business growth, and more.  
Committed to business... for YOU.
Chamber Urges Members to Get Informed
Attend a Candidate Forum 


 Your Chamber encourages individuals in the business community to be actively involved in the political process. We influence public policy decisions by providing knowledge based programs and forums that provide information in a business context for decision makers.  With that in mind, this election season, you have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for office within Dakota County.  Candidate forums have been scheduled within the local communities as well as regionally within the various House of Representative Districts.  Take the time to get informed and educated before you go to the polls on November 4.  Register online at www.dcrchamber.com

 

House Districts 52A and 52B - Monday, September 15, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Town Square Television, Inver Grove Heights

Eagan City Council and Mayor Candidates - Monday, September 29, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Eagan City Hall

House Districts 51A and 51B - Wednesday, October 1, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Eagan City Hall  

Farmington City Council and School Board Candidates - Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Farmington City Hall

House Districts 57B and 58B - Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Rosemount City Hall

Rosemount City Council and Mayor Candidates - Wednesday, October 22, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., Rosemount City Hall

Back By Popular Demand: Legislative Breakfast Series begins October 3

Is Our Workforce Well Prepared for its Future?

 

Your Chamber offers real-time information and resources on a number of issues important to your business through Legislative Breakfast Series.  The breakfasts are designed for business community members to hear first-hand from lawmakers and industry experts on how legislation within all levels of government affect their businesses' bottom line, job creation, growth and expansion.  

 

Join us for October's Legislative Breakfast program "Today's Students, Tomorrow's Workforce" on Friday, October 3 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at Commons on Marice, 1380 Marice Drive in Eagan.  Hear from area public school superintendents on various issues including district priorities, innovation, the role of technology in the classroom, district challenges and career readiness initiatives.    

 

Speakers include Joe Gothard, District 191 (Burnsville, Eagan, Savage); Jay Haugen, District 192 (Farmington); Jane Berenz, District 196; (Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount); and Nancy Allen-Mastro, District 197 (West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan). Register today.  

Thank you to our sponsor: 

Breakfast With Champions: 9 Core Principles to Maximize Profits

Join us for this month's "Breakfast with Champions" On September 25th, that will feature guest speaker Mike Ferrell, who will be leading a seminar that focuses on the 9 Core Principles to Maximize Profits. Mike is currently the CEO and President of Business Growth Systems and has over 25 years of experience working with businesses to help create focus in their development. Mike has worked to improve businesses sales development, marketing, business planning, and growth strategies. His coaching programs have helped businesses of all types achieve success. Register here. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
15
7:00 p.m.


16
Noon
17
7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.
18
7:30 a.m.
19
2223
8:00 a.m.
24

7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
Noon 

25
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Champions: 9 Core Principals to Maximize Profit
26

29
7:00 p.m.

30
4:30 p.m.
1
4:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.
2

8:00 a.m.
3
7:30 a.m.
67
8:00 a.m.
8
8:00 a.m.

Noon

7:00 p.m.
9
8:00 a.m.
10
Introducing the 2014 Business Excellence Awards

Please join us for the 2014 DCR Chamber Business Excellence Awards Celebration on November 20th from 7:30am - 9:00am!  We will be honoring businesses that exhibit innovation, growth and leadership within the Dakota County Region.  This annual award celebration will be at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center located at 2750 Sibley Memorial Highway in Eagan.  To register for this event, register online or fill out this form.

This year's featured speaker will be Doug Baker, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Ecolab Inc. A trusted partner at more than one million customer locations, Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. 

 

This year, there are 5 awards. To find our more information about award descriptions and eligibility or to nominate a business for one of these awards, please see this form and return to Chelsea Johnson, Communications and Events Manager by email or fax (651-452-8978) if applicable. Applications due by Friday, October 3. Please limit your submission to 6 pages. 


Membership Benefit: Submit Your Press Release!

 

One of the benefits of being a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is the ability to submit your news and press releases straight to the website.

Make sure to post your press releases about achievements, recent hirings, future plans, 

or any other exciting company news that you would like to share. You can do this by first logging into the DCR website, then navigating to news and clicking news releases. You 

can choose to upload your news straight to our website or even check on the news of 

other DCR members.

 
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

 

Eagan City Council meets September 16 - see the agenda.

Rosemount City Council meets September 16 - see the agenda. 

Farmington City Council  meets September 15- see the agenda.

Mendota Heights City Council meets September 16 - see the agenda. 

West St. Paul Planning Commission meets September 16- see the agenda. 
Minnesota Chamber Announces New Program

The Minnesota Chamber has announced their new program, Hiring Minnesota Heroes, which encourages employers to develop and implement programs focused on hiring military veterans. They are ready to recruit employers, help them adopt veteran hiring goals, and then, most importantly, meet those goals.

Hiring Minnesota Heroes addresses two needs important to maintaining a vital state economy. No. 1, our state needs workers at all skill levels. The Minnesota demographer estimates that the growth rate for our workforce will decline and slow to a trickle through 2030. No. 2, this program hopes to help those men and women who have served our nation start or resume their careers in Minnesota. To read more, click here. 
Sponsor the Membership Campaign

On Tuesday, September 23rd, your Chamber will be hosting a celebration
to conclude our membership campaign.  In an effort to conduct a successful event, the DCR is offering sponsorship opportunities to community businesses.  If interested, please contact Kate Bowen for more information.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!







Northfield Lines, Inc.
1034 Gemini Rd.
Eagan, MN 55121
Contact: John Benjamin

Northfield Lines, Inc. is a multi-faceted transportation company providing transportation solutions to thousands of customers, transporting them across town or across the country. Our company was purchased in 1989, with six motor coaches. Today, we own 44 vehicles ranging in size from 7 passengers to 77 passengers. Our customers include large companies such as Target Corp, United Health, 3M, Toro, and Land O Lakes; to smaller, personal groups for weddings and family outings.




The Allyn Agency
1455 Country Rd. 11
Burnsville, MN 55337
Contact: Steve Allyn

Proudly representing the Farmers Insurance Company, you'll find that we are not just another insurance agency. 

Using the foundation of the one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, we have based our company on the tenants of "Managing Risk, Wealth Accumulation, and Life Style Continuation", wrapped in a financial instrument providing economic and social security. 

We provide caring support to our customers; offering them the Integrity, Honesty, and the cutting edge Business Sense that they rightfully deserve.  We offer our customers over 75 years of business sense providing insurance in:  Auto - Home - Life - Business - Workman's Compensation - Liability 

 










Big- D Construction
13381 Coachford Ave.
Rosemount, MN 55068
Contact: Tom Driscoll

Big-D Construction is a community, commercial and industrial builder.  While our portfolio is complex and vast, our process remains as simple as silence:  we start by listening.  Very attentively.  That, in part, explains why we have been recognized leaders in Construction Management and Design-Build services for almost 50 years.

 

Member News
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!

 

 

Congratulations to valued member Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, who has announced plans to open their first retail store operated by a Minnesota based health insurer. The company has signed a multi-year lease to operate a 3,500 square-foot space in the Yorkdale Shoppes mall on York Ave. in Edina, Minn. To read more, click here.

 

Thriveon, a leading local managed IT service provider, has been recognized as a member of the 2014 CRN Next-Gen 250 list! The annual list showcases prominent technology solution providers that offer a unique approach to selling and integrating solutions. Click here for the complete story.

The Open Door invites you to OctoberZEST, their third annual fundraiser. The event will take place on October 5th from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Lost Spur Golf and Event Center. To see more about this event, click here. 

Seasonal Temp Jobs are Available at Capitol Direct in Eagan. Check them out here. 

Congratulations to
Think Mutual Bank, who's CEO Paul Mackin has been appointed to the Community Bank Advisory Council (CBAC) of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and named director-at-large for the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota (ICBM) Board of Directors. To read more, click here.

Insider Training's DanceFit™ is revolutionizing group fitness by providing simple, choreographed dance/fitness routines to your favorite music. The DanceFit™ group fitness program provides weekly group fitness, exercise programming and personalized meal-planning to popular music. Visit their free "preview" class Saturday, September 20th from 9-10am at Tapestry Folkdance Center (3748 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406). 

Your Chamber is seeking candidates for a part-time Intern for Fall Semester! Please forward any interested candidates to Vicki Stute.
Thank you to our sponsor

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102
Eagan, MN 55123
651.452.9872
STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our profile on LinkedIn   Find us on Pinterest