December 1, 2014
This Weekly Update brought to you by...


Robert Street Reconstruction Overview and Public Comment Scheduled for December 1: We Need Your Input

 

Reconstruction of Robert Street is the largest publicly funded project in the history of the City of West St. Paul.  Dakota County Regional Chamber believes that in the interest of all stakeholders of West St. Paul, full transparency of this project is essential.  After months of repeated requests for a formal presentation that outlines specific details regarding the implications on local property taxes, water and sewer rates, special fees and assessments, followed by time for public discussion has been granted.  This meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 1 beginning at 5:30 p.m., City of West St. Paul, and we urge your full participation - the elected officials need to hear directly from you.  Your input is critical to this process.   

 

We recognize that Robert Street is in need of improvements; no one disputes that.  But to what degree and at what cost?  As you know Phase I bids came in last month and the lowest bid was $28,549,984 with an engineering estimate of $20,771,032 (this is a difference of $7,778,949 or 37.45% over the estimate). As the commencement of the project approaches we want to ensure that all businesses are ready to receive the full impact against restrained access issues for deliveries, customers, and the like.  Additionally businesses need to recognize that their property taxes will increase - it is estimated that a $1,000,000 commercial property will pay an annual increase of more than $1,700.  This doesn't take into account your current tax rate as well as all of the other projects happening within the community.  On top of all that, unfortunately, during the last City Council meeting, it was mentioned by our elected leaders that a direct assessment to the each property tax owner as well as full closure of access points along Robert Street to expedite the project should be new considerations. 

 

We hope to see you on December 1st at 5:30 p.m. 
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.

Legislative Breakfast Series - Outlook and Business Priorities for 2015

Join us for December's Breakfast and hear first-hand:  Legislative Outlook and Business Priorities for 2015 with featured speakers Doug Loon, vice president, regional affairs and advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with Laura Bordelon, senior vice president, advocacy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.  Loon and Bordelon will highlight the upcoming sessions at the national and state levels as well as discuss issues of importance impacting Minnesota's business community. This event is scheduled for December 5 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Click here to register. 

The WomEn's Circle: The Self-Defeating Habits of Otherwise Brilliant People

Join us for December's WomEn's Circle! This month's speaker will be Julie Sampson, Consultant and Certified Trainer at Thera Rising, Inc.Julie has over 18 years of experience in Corporate Training and coaching individuals, teams, and executives for excellence in leadership development.  Julie's work with TheraRising was drawn from a desire to see organizations build stronger cultures of cohesiveness and master the techniques necessary to manage destructive forms of workplace conflict.  These techniques have even been taught across the US, South Africa, Finland and most recently in the UK. TheraRising's strategies have been featured in dozens of publications including The New York Times, HR Magazine, Harvard Management Update, Oprah Magazine, and MSNBC. Click here to find out more about the WomEn's Circle. To be registered as a one time guest for $25, email Chelsea.
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. 

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
1


2

11:30 a.m.
3

12:00 p.m.
45

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
2223
DCR Closed       24
Half-Day
DCR Closed           25
DCR Closed   26


Did You Know?

The largest single storm total for the Twin Cities is the "Halloween Blizzard" of 1991, although in 1982 more than 37 inches of snow fell over three day period. The deadliest blizzard in the Twin Cities was the "Armistice Day" storm of 1940.  Source


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

 

West St. Paul City Council will hold a Special City Council Open Session on December 1- see the agenda. 

Eagan City Council meets December 2 - see the agenda. 

Rosemount Port Authority meets December 2 -  see the agenda.

Rosemount City Council meets December 2 - see the agenda.

Mendota Heights City Council meets December 2 - see the agenda.

Farmington City Council meets December 1 - see the agenda. 

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.  
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!





Cummings, Keegan & Co., P.L.L.P.
7570 147th Street West
Suite 120, Apple Valley
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!  


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

 

 

Congratulations to Stacey Bartelson - Edward Jones on her new location in Eagan! Your Chamber and Ambassadors stopped by to celebrate with a ribbon cutting.

 

 

McAlister Marketing: registration is open now for the "11 Steps to Business Success" Workshop, beginning January 14th.   If you're looking to grow your business, become more operationally efficient, and increase revenue, this workshop is perfect for you.  Join experts in the field of Business, Operations, Marketing, and Finance, to learn how to set your business up for success.  The registration is open now, seats are limited, DCRC members eligible for discount. Contact Joal McAlister for more information at [email protected].

 

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!

 

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
STAY CONNECTED

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