Does your company have any promotions currently running that you would like to announce? Are you hosting an event you would like to invite chamber members to? Or are you simply looking to raise your companies' visibility in the community?

If this is the case, the Dakota County Regional Chamber has the perfect opportunity for you to do so, the MailPak!

 You Provide:

- 500 Flyers

- 20lb paper; 8 ˝" x 11"; must be folded in half

- Materials need to be at the Chamber by deadline

-  $150 investment, paid prior to deadline

You Receive:

- Circulation to approximately 500 businesses in Dakota County

- Advertising for current promotions and events

"We experienced immediate results after utilizing the Mailpak in the form of a direct lead for our business. For such a small investment, the direct exposure it provides to potential business partners is one of the best value advertising channels we have." -Blake Lis, Owner of Suit & Tie Delivery 

Our next deadline is October 31 by Noon- Submit your ads today! Click here to see the form.

We're Losing Ground; Elections Matter

 
Minnesota is losing ground in creating private-sector jobs, and there's something you can do about it:  Support pro-business candidates in the Nov. 4 elections.
 
A recent report by Adam Belz in the Star Tribune underscores why this year's elections matter to the livelihood of employers and employees alike. The analysis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Minnesota dead last in the Midwest in growing private-sector jobs, adding fewer jobs in almost every industry than previously thought. The analysis is considered more reliable than monthly jobs reports that often are adjusted for accuracy.
 
A disturbing trend at the Capitol where the Governor and Legislature have increased the cost of doing business in Minnesota must be stopped.  Our business community cannot afford the same results as the 2014 Legislature, on top of the 2013 session.  We must elect individuals who understand what it takes to develop and expand Minnesota's economy.

Your Chamber makes it easy for you to find out which candidates support the priorities of you and your employees.  Give us a call to learn more about our positions on key policy issues and how our current legislators matches up.  From there you can make an informed decision when casting your vote on Nov. 4. 

Know where your candidates stand on your concerns: Our Legislative Scorecard shows how incumbents voted on business priorities at the 2014 Legislature. Dakota County Regional Chamber PAC identifies and supports pro-jobs candidates.

 
Find your polling place: You're armed with the information. Now be certain you know where to cast your ballot.

Your Chamber has created a Voter Guide that gives information about candidates from local elections. Click here to see candidate questionnaire responses. 

Government Affairs to Discuss Upcoming Legislative Session

Join us for a robust discussion on key policies issues impacting your business.  On Friday, November 17, your Chamber's Government Affairs Committee will be meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. to review a variety of policy issues in preparation for the 2015 Legislative Session.  We recently asked our Legislative Breakfast audience for their top three issues.  Here's what they told us:

1.  Workforce Development
2. Transportation
3. Health Insurance   

If you are a business member and would like to attend, please contact Vicki Stute at 651.452.9872. 

 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

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

Dakota County Commissioner Candidates (Districts 1, 2, 6) - Monday, October 20 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Inver Grove Heights 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

West St. Paul's Robert Street Reconstruction Project put on hold

Bids for Robert Street Phase 1 were opened yesterday by the City of West St. Paul.  23 bid sets had been distributed  to interested contractors.   The engineering estimate for this portion of the overall project was $20,771,032.  There were only two bids submitted and the lowest bid was $28,549,981.  This is a difference of $7,778,949 or 37.45% over the estimate (total project approaching $40M).  The second bid was over $30 million or 50% over the estimate. 

Project consultants and MNDOT are in the process of reviewing the bid documents to ensure they are in compliance with the bid specs.  Based on the initial bid result, City Staff is recommending that the Council reject all bids and further direct staff to review options and return to the Council for future direction.  To date, the City has already invested $7 million in this project (Phase 1 and 2).  

Your Chamber encourages consideration of a process whereby all stakeholders, including the business community, come together to discuss the various alternatives for this project.  As we've always stated, no one disagrees that Robert Street is in need of improvements - it's just a matter of to what degree and at what cost.