November 24, 2014
Spread the Holiday Cheer with the DCR Chamber
Chamber Toys For Tots Drop-off Site Announced

With the holiday season upon us, your Chamber hopes to spread lots of Christmas cheer. This year, the DCR Chamber office has been chosen to be a drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program. As a member of the DCR Chamber community, we encourage you to deliver any new, unwrapped toys to the DCR Chamber
office collection box before Friday, December 19th at 4:00pm.  Can't make it to the DCR Chamber office before then?  Bring your donations to any DCR Chamber event and Chamber staff will take care of the rest.

About Toys for Tots
Children are one of our nation's most valuable resources.  Today's children are tomorrow's leaders - civic, business and social.  Alarmingly, approximately 13 million America children live in poverty.  

Toys for Tots began in 1947.  The program encourages members of the community to drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses.  Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.  At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community.  

The new toy which millions of needy children receive each Christmas from Marines, through the Toys for Tots program, delivers a message of hope.  By being excellent role models and setting an example for others to emulate, Marines, through Toys for Tots, perform passive mentoring.  Economically disadvantaged children who receive toys through the Toys for Tots program have an opportunity to observe first hand how young men and women, just like themselves, have achieved success.  
Committed to business... for YOU.
 Six-State Alliance Finds Common Ground 


 Mid-America Chambers Advocacy Alliance is a collection of chamber leaders coming together to discuss key public policy topics affecting businesses across the six-state region.  As a start, policy experts from leading industry associations, businesses, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce engaged on key topics such as energy, transportation, natural resources, government regulations and more. The Advocacy Alliance determined that these are the key multi-state issues that bind us together as a region and have specifically chosen them for that reason.  


 Your Chamber is engaged in the Advocacy Alliance through representation on the Steering Committee and attended the first-of-its-kind meeting last week which was very high-level and action-oriented.   Guiding principles were developed in support of education and advocacy in the areas of natural resources, energy and transportation.  As a next step, the Steering Committee will be identifying strategies and tactics needed to successfully advocate as a regional alliance on a variety of federal initiatives. 


 For more information on the Alliance or to share your thoughts on the three issues and the implications of your business, please contact Vicki Stute.

2015 Legislative Priorities:  A Work in Progress

 

Over the next 30 days, the final touches will be put on the 2015 Legislative Priorities.  For many years, your Chamber has been part of the Minnesota Chambers Federation - a coalition of local chambers led by the Minnesota, to work together in agreement of statewide priorities for the business community.  Through conversations, focus groups, policy meetings, Grow Minnesota visits, surveys and more, local chambers and the state Chamber develop policies in support of a health business climate to ensure businesses have every opportunity to compete, expand and grow jobs.  To date, preliminary policies have been developed in the areas of personal income tax, workforce development, health care costs, transportation, and labor issues. 

 

Following final input and review by the Federation partners, these policies will move forward to the respective Government Affairs Committees and Boards of Directors.  If you would like further information and input on any of these policies or others impacting your business, please contact Vicki Stute.

Meet the SMYPros

As a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, you have access to several programs that allow for professional development. 
 Serviced around professional growth, volunteerism, education and networking, the South Metro Young Professionals group 
meets once monthly.  Interested in joining the group?  Join us at our upcoming Meet the SMYPros event.  For detailed information, click  HERE! 

Meet the SMYPros

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Time: 12:00pm- 1:30pm

Location: Burnsville YMCA Community Room

13850 Portland Avenue South

Burnsville, MN 55337

Sponsored by:

You're Invited: Celebrate the Holidays With the DCR Chamber!

Please join us for a holiday luncheon available in each one of our larger communities. Choirs will be there to sing us Christmas Carols and there will be a fantastic lunch for all. 

Rosemount Holiday Party: Fireside Bar and Restaurant, 3410 150th Street West, Rosemount MN 55068. Tuesday, December 2, 2014. 11:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m. Register here.

Eagan Holiday Party: Jensen's Food and Cocktails, 3840 Rahn Roadm Eagan MN 55122. Monday, December 8. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 

Farmington Holiday Party: Ground Round, 20700 Chippendale Ave W #15, Farmington MN 55024. Monday, December 15. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 

West St. Paul/Mendota Heights Holiday Party: 5-8 Grill and Tap, 1741 South Robert Street, West St. Paul MN 55118. Thursday, December 18. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Register here.  
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
24


25

8:00 a.m.
26

8:00 a.m.

Noon
2728
12

11:30 a.m.
345

7:30 a.m.
8

11:30 a.m.
9

9:00 a.m.
10

8:00 a.m.

Noon
1112
15

11:30 a.m.
16

Noon
17

7:30 a.m.
18

8:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.
19


This Day In History

Did you know? On this day in history, November 24th, 1969, the Apollo 12 spacecraft returned to Earth , splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.  It was the sixth manned flight in the United States Apollo program and the second to land 
on the moon.

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

 

West St. Paul City Council meets November  24- see the agenda. 

Eagan Planning Commission meets November 25 - see the agenda. 

Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets November 25 -  see the agenda.

Farmington Economic Development Authority meets November 24 - see the agenda.

Looking Forward: Forecasting Future Job Trends
MN Department of Employment and Economic Development

As we enter into 2015, it's important to look back on both our successes and struggles regarding workforce issues. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has released data that we hope you find useful and informative as we collective try to move forward in workforce development. 

-Minnesota's economy will grow by 13%, or 368,000 new jobs, between 2010 and 2020. 55%, or 202,060 new jobs within the metro region.
-Over 663,000 new workers will be needed to take jobs left vacant through retirements and replacements. 392,050 replacement workers will be needed in the metro region.
-Employment changes depend on the demand for goods and services, productivity advances, technological innovations, and shifts in business practices.

Here are some resources to help you find more information about workforce trends and data:

Did you know? Member benefits are everywhere!

 

When you login to your DCR Chamber member login, you can use the community feed to post status updates (any comment such as advice, tips, or general updates), links, photos, videos, and more. Automatic posts will appear when another member submits a deal, job, event, news item, or member to member deal. Login by clicking here!

 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!





Cummings, Keegan & Co., P.L.L.P.
7570 147th Street West
Suite 120
952.345.2500
Contact: Julie Shie

Business owners in all phases - new and emerging, established, and those planning a succession or exit strategy, rely on Cummings, Keegan & Co., P.L.L.P. for a complete range of tax, accounting and auditing, and business management needs.

Clients receive a tailored client experience - driven by client preferences, needs, and goals. You can expect us to understand your current situation, what might be keeping you up at night, and what the future looks like for your business and personal situation.

Cummings, Keegan & Co., P.L.L.P. focuses on client growth and success.

Amazing service.  Innovative solutions.  One client experience at a time.

 


Occasions By Rose
1485 Lone Oak Road
Eagan, MN 55121
612.735.7173
Contact: Rose Kelly

Occasions By Rose LLC specializes in managing, from concept to implementation, small to medium-size special events and meetings for corporations and nonprofit organizations.

 



Anytime Fitness Eagan
1985 Silver Bell Rd.
Eagan, MN 55122
651.686.4667
Contact: John Schultz

At Anytime Fitness, we fit your busy schedule and on-the-go lifestyle. With your membership, you can workout when it's best for you-day or night! Our clubs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

At Anytime Fitness you hold the key, literally. Access to our clubs is protected by our state-of-the-art security system and will only be granted with the proper key. Once inside, you have full use of cutting-edge strength training and cardio equipment. 

Stop in Tuesday, November 18th 5:00pm- 9:00pm for our open house!

 








Sondra Duden Coaching
222 Fern Avenue
Red Wing, MN 55066
507-822-2114
Contact: Sondra Duden

As a Business Coach, I partner with entrepreneurs, small business owners and people NEW in business. I coach individuals or groups to improve leadership skills, teamwork, sales, communication, goal setting and achieving, strategic planning and overall efficiency of the business.  The greatest success in my industry is watching a business owner and their practices transform and create the momentum needed to bring in the clients that will solidify them in reaching their goals. The biggest benefit I can bring to a business is that I'm a fresh pair of eyes and new perspective with 6 years of coaching in my background.  Contact me for a complimentary 45 minute strategy session.  Cheers!  


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

 

 

Just in time for the holidays, Insider Training discusses maintaining healthy eating habits for the remainder of the year. Read our latest blog "Holiday Game-plan" from nutrition specialist and registered dietitian Nicole Carlson! 

 

District 196 Superintendent Jane Berenz would like to get input from members of the business community about a review of facilities and equipment needs being conducted by a district task force. The task force completed its initial work this fall and has scheduled three nights of focus groups the first week in December to share information and get public input before developing final recommendations for the School Board. The focus groups will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec 1 at Rosemount Middle School, Tuesday, Dec 2 at Dakota Hills Middle School in Eagan, and Thursday, Dec 4 at Valley Middle School in Apple Valley. Any interested Chamber member is invited and encouraged to participate in one of the focus groups by calling the District Office at 651-423-7715 or sending an email to Kathy.Cason@District196.org

 

Congratulations to WSB & Associates, who were included in The Zweig Group's 2014 Hot Firms List. This list represents a look at the firms in the architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental industries that posted the highest percentage revenue growth and dollar revenue growth over a three-year period compared to the other entrants. See the full press release here.

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


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