December 8, 2014

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Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Reports Budget Surplus is now at $1.037 Billion

Minnesota's general fund is projected to have a surplus of $1.037 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year budget, beginning in mind-summer. Minnesota Chamber reports "$183 million will be added to the budget reserve, bringing the reserve to $993 million. The next forecast will be released at the end of February which will be used to set the next two-year budget.The budget surplus certainly is welcome - but not unexpected - given recent actions at the Capitol. In 2013, the Governor and Legislature raised taxes by more than $2 billion with historic tax increases on personal income taxes, corporate taxes, cigarettes and more." Click here to learn more.

Robert Street Corridor Rebidding Moves Forward

Last Monday, your Chamber testified in opposition of the Robert Street Corridor Reconstruction Project as it currently stands. We recognize that Robert Street is in need of improvements; no one disputes that. However, there are concerns regarding cost estimates, lack of capitol and increased property tax rates, access and visibility issues for businesses, and so on. With a 6-0 vote, the Council agreed to move forward and rebid the project again in hopes of receiving lower bids. The initial engineering estimate which came in this past Fall for this 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. Additionally Phase 2 of the project has a proposed cost of nearly $5 million for streetscape. As it stands, total project costs are nearing $40 million.

For more information on the project, following are Star Tribune and Pioneer Press articles on the recent events.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/284556651.html

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27054413/west-st-paul-moves-rebid-troubled-south-robert

Sponsor The WomEn's Circle: A Great Opportunity For Growth

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the premier of the 2014-2015 WomEn's Circle Series. As an extension of the WomEn's Conference, the WomEn's Circle aims to connect women and enrich their personal and professional lives by providing the tools and resources to fulfill their aspirations on a regular basis. Sponsorships are a great way to show your support of our new WomEn's programming and will expose your business to many other professionals.

Monthly Program Sponsorship ($400)

Two complimentary tickets to the program you are sponsoring
Recognition at podium
Signage with your logo prominently displayed at the program
Opportunity for display table for your company information and promotional items OR place information/promotional items on registration and attendee tables
Company logo on all printed materials promoting the program for that month including but not limited to: event page, invitation, social media and weekly update
Sponsor ribbons for company representatives at the event

Click here to see the form and to become a sponsor of The WomEn's Circle!

Host a Coffee Break in Your Community Today

The monthly Coffee Break was established to casually network while gathering in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. This event is an hour long of pure networking. Each of our communities has a Coffee Break that meets regularly from 8:00am - 9:00am.

Rosemount Coffee Break: First Tuesday of the month
Eagan Coffee Break: Second Thursday of the month
Farmington Coffee Break: Third Wednesday of the month
West Saint Paul/Mendota Heights Coffee Break: Fourth Tuesday of the month
At Large Coffee Break: Second Tuesday of the month

Opportunities to host a Coffee Break in your area are available!

The benefits include:

Increasing visibility in the community
Bringing potential valuable business connections into your business
Your logo on the event website and listing on the Chamber website calendar
Promotion in Weekly Update that reaches DCR membership and beyond
Possibility of a photo being highlighted in the DCR Chamber Weekly Update

Contact Chelsea at 651.288.9202 or by email to schedule yours today!

Events Calendar

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8 11:30 a.m. Eagan Holiday Party	9 9:00 a.m. Two Steps Ahead: Project Your Digital Life Tour	10 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two Noon ChamberNet	11	12
15 11:30 a.m. Farmington Holiday Party	16 Noon Meet the Chamber	17 7:30 a.m. Business Owner's Roundtable	18 8:00 a.m. The WomEn's Circle 11:30 a.m. West St. Paul/ Mendota Heights Holiday Party	19
22	23	DCR Closed 24 Half-Day	DCR Closed 25	DCR Closed 26
29	30	31 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two Noon ChamberNet	1	2

December Quick Poll

The State of Minnesota announced a $1 billion projected surplus.

What do you believe should be done with it?

 Return the money to the taxpayers.

 Use it to keep up with inflation in areas such as education and health care.

 Place it in a reserve account.

 Allocate the surplus against a current program in order to reduce taxes.

 Spend more money on ____________________________________________________.

Click here to vote!

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

Eagan City Council Work Sessions meets December 9 - see the agenda.

Rosemount City Council Work Session meets December 9- see the agenda.

Farmington Planning Commission meets December 1 - see the agenda.

Click here to read the City of Rosemount's Weekly Newsletter.

Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste Comments on New Activity Center

"This has been a busy year of construction in the City of Rosemount, but workers on one more project are defying the cold and beginning to build a long-awaited facility.

Earthmoving has begun at the site of the old St. Joe's school building to create a City owned activity center that will enhance our offerings Downtown. The new structure will be integrated with the current Steeple Center and will also link to a private senior housing development with 90 units to be built on the same block.

The 10,000-square-foot activity center meets many needs that the City Council has targeted for solutions to serve Rosemount's residents. In particular, it will become the permanent home of most of our programs to serve seniors in the community. Activities that had a makeshift location in a couple of rooms of the Community Center will now be handled more easily in the new facility..." Click here to read the full column.

New Members

We welcome the following new members!

Opal Services Inc

4635 Nicols Road

Suite 100

Eagan, MN 55122

651.454.8501

www.opalservicesmn.com

Contact: Samantha Randal

For over four decades, Opal Services has been working to create positive change within our company, in the community, and, most importantly, in the lives of the individuals we serve. We are committed to providing innovative services embracing independence, connections, and choice for people with intellectual and mental health challenges. We run group homes for adults with developmental disabilities and with mental health or illness issues. Currently, we have 30 residential group homes located throughout Dakota County. We also have a Hourly Services department for service recipients living independently and needing community-based services.

Fagron

2400 Pilot Knob Rd.

Saint Paul, MN 55120

651.681.9517

www.us.fagron.com

Contact: Megan Cosgrove

Fagron's strategy is focused on the optimization and innovation of pharmaceutical compounding. As an R&D scientific pharmaceutical compounding supplier, Fagron wants to widen the therapeutic scope of the prescriber to enable tailor-made pharmaceutical care. Through its activities, Fagron supports the unique selling point of the pharmacist.

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.

Congratulations to

AWAKEN Higher Brain Living

Center Eagan on one year in business. Ambassadors stopped by for a ribbon cutting this week.

Recently, The Open Door's Eagan Pantry facility was broken into and many valuable items taken, along wth other businesses in the area. You can help. If you know of, or have a connection to help replace 2 iMac desktop computers, a locksmith to replace door locks, a handy person to repair doors, or to a security system business, please contact Lisa Horn at 651-688-3189 or lisahorn@theopendoorpantry.org.

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 joal@mcalistermktg.com.

Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen & Russ P.A. is pleased to announce that Michelle M. Halley has joined the firm as a senior manager. Michelle has over ten years of public accounting experience with a focus in rental real estate in partnerships and Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

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