March 23, 2015
Chamber Night Out! 

As the inaugural year at the new Saint Paul Saints stadium begins, your Chamber invites you to a St. Paul Saints Chamber Night Out. Join us at CHS Field on June 22nd for baseball, networking and fun! Tickets can be purchase HERE for just $18.00.  Bring your colleagues, spouse or the whole family.  The game kicks off at 7:05pm!
Committed to Business... for YOU.
April's Legislative Breakfast Series - Higher Education and Our Workforce Challenge

Join us on Friday, April 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Commons on Marice for our next Legislative Breakfast: Higher Education and Our Workforce Challenge. Workforce development is the number one issue facing businesses today and a well-prepared workforce is vital to Minnesota's economy. However, employers continue to face challenges finding skilled workers due to changing demographics and skills gaps in the labor market. The Chamber's workforce development efforts focus on legislative and private-sector solutions to address both the immediate workforce need for a greater supply of skilled workers as well as improve the overall strength of the education-to-workforce pipeline.


You will be hearing from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Steve Rosenstone. Chancellor Rosenstone is the chief executive officer of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. He is responsible for providing academic leadership to the system's 31 colleges and universities, ensuring effective and efficient management and operation of the system, carrying out board policies, recommending operating and capital budgets to the board, and planning for the current and long-term educational needs of Minnesota.

 

Click here to register or email Chelsea. 
Gearing Up For the Season: 2015 DCR Golf Classic Planning Begins

As the weather reaches almost 60 degrees this week, we know some of you are getting those clubs out and booking your tee times. In the spirit of golfing season, we invite you to join us and mark your calendars for this year's 2015 Golf Classic on Monday, June 15th. Always a sell-out, your Chamber's golf tournament will be held at Mendakota Country Club beginning with a BBQ luncheon and shotgun start at 12:00 noon; and finishing up with dinner and great prizes.  Learn more about sponsorships and register today.  

Golf Classic Kickoff Committee Meeting Planned

If you are interested in being a member of our 2015 Golf Classic Committee, please email Chelsea or register here.  This committee meets 1-2 times per month and works on improving the tournament by getting donations, sponsorships and helping organize the event. This year's Golf Classic Committee Chair is Michael Kinderman from Home Federal Savings Bank. We hope you will join us! Our first meeting is on April 6th at our new office from 3:30 to 4:30. 
You're Invited: DCR Chamber Why Not Wednesday? Event
 
The DCR Chamber would like to invite you to the Why Not Wednesday? Business After Hours event at Southview Country Club on Wednesday, April 1st from 4:30pm - 6:00pm.  
  
Food and beverages will be served! Southview will provide appetizers and there will be a cash bar. Bring your business cards and get ready for an evening of fun, networking and socializing!  Please invite your fellow co-workers, friends, and others you feel may enjoy this event. To register or to find more information about the event, click here.
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2324
8:00 a.m.
25

7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

Noon

4:00pm
26
7:30 a.m.
27
30311
4:30 p.m.
23
7:30 a.m.
6
3:30 p.m.
7

8:00 a.m.
8
8:00 a.m.
Noon

9
8:00 a.m.
10
1314
7:30 a.m.
15
7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.
16
7:45 a.m.
17
South Metro Young Professionals- Donate Today!

Several times a year, your Chamber's South Metro Young Professionals (SMYPros) group schedules activities with the intent to positively impact the community.  March is Minnesota Food Share month, and the SMYPros are collecting food for non-profit member, Neighbors Inc.

 

Neighbors Inc. is a non-profit, social-service agency serving the Northern Dakota County communities.  Primarily through the service of volunteers, Neighbors Inc. provides emergency assistance and supportive assistance programs.

 

A collection bin can be found at all SMYPros office locations, including the DCR Chamber Office- 1121 Town Centre Drive, Eagan, MN 55123.  The Chamber will be collecting food until Wednesday, March 25th, 2015, upon which date the SMYPros will stock the food shelves at Neighbors Inc.

 

We invite you to drop off any non-perishable food items, as well as any monetary donations at the DCR Chamber Office.  For any questions, please contact Kate Bowen- kbowen@dcrchamber.com or call the Chamber office at 651.452.9872.
Take Advantage of a FREE Social Media Audit, Included in Breakfast with Champions Registration

You won't want to miss this Breakfast with Champions Event. On March 26th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Argosy University, we have two speakers coming from Hubbard Interactive who will offer a FREE social media audit for all the attendees. The free social media audit that comes with your registration includes a 6-7 page document with tips and tricks on how to maximize your social media presence. Typically only given to clients, it gives advice on what you can do to jump start your social media channels. Take advantage of this great opportunity by registering today. Register here today.

Benefits of a Chamber Membership

According to a 2012 study done by the Schapiro Group, ___ % of consumers are more likely to purchase a product or service from a Chamber member. 
What do you think the percentage is?
A. 20%
B. 45%
C. 80%
Correct Answer in Member News

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


Eagan City Council meets April 7 - see the agenda.

Rosemount Parks and Recreation Commission meets March 30 - see the agenda.

Mendota Heights City Council Work Session meets April 7 - see the agenda. 

Farmington Economic Development Authority meets March 23 - see the agenda.

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

DCR Chamber Releases Grow! Minnesota Business Survey: Community & State Ratings

 

Your Chamber is proud to offer you Grow Minnesota! Business Survey: Community & State Ratings.  Grow Minnesota is a program of the Minnesota Chamber along with 76 local chambers and economic development organizations working together on business retention and expansion efforts throughout Minnesota. 

 

  • All Minnesota businesses are invited to complete the brief survey. The responses from business owners, directors, and managers will help Grow Minnesota! partners better understand how Minnesota companies feel about their community and our State as a place to operate a business. The feedback will help us continue to work statewide to improve Minnesota's business climate for all.
  • Your time and comments are sincerely appreciated. Responses are confidential and only aggregate feedback will be shared. Your contact information and business name are optional. Multiple people per business are allowed to respond.
  • All of your answers will be aggregated with the responses from other business people throughout Minnesota, and the results will be shared with local Grow Minnesota! partners and via local media outlets.
  • If your company has facilities located in multiple Minnesota communities, please share this with each location so that they may also respond to the survey.
  • Submit your survey by clicking on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the survey. Please complete your survey as soon as possible.

Start Survey

Open to Business Program Helps Dakota County Companies Grow


Open to Business offers free business counseling to prospective and current Dakota County businesses and to county residents who have businesses elsewhere. The program, entering its third year in Dakota County, provided nearly $327,000 in loans to Dakota County businesses and residents from January 2013 through September 2014, the most recent period for which data was available. Companies that Open to Business assisted have created more than 50 jobs since the program's inception in Dakota County. While Open to Business can help entrepreneurs manage gaps in their financing, it also helps cities offer resources for businesses.
Furniture for Sale, Chamber Announces Office Open House 

For Sale:  Furniture and Equipment 

A couple of weeks ago, your Chamber announced its office relocation to effective April 1 to 3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201 in Eagan.  

The new office provides many professional amenities including easy access from 35E and Pilot Knob Road, free parking, conference and meeting space, state-of-the-art technology, volunteer/member workspace, and growth and expansion for the coming years. Click here to see the full press release. 

 

As part of our move we will be replacing some of our furniture.  If you are looking for gently used office furniture (tables, chairs, desks, cabinets), let us know.  A full list is available for review on our website or stop by the office. Specifically, we have workstations available for sale and 5" Conference Tables. 


Additionally please mark your calendar for the Open House on May 12 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Looking for an Intern?

Through SciTechsperience, your company can receive a 50% cash match on a STEM intern's wages up to $2500. SciTechsperience is an exciting internship program that creates the opportunity for Minnesota businesses to work with talented college STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students to develop solutions for real world challenges. SciTechsperience provides a low-cost solution for small and medium-sized companies that otherwise may not have access to qualified interns. Participating companies receive matching funds of 50 percent of the intern's wages up to $2,500.

 Benefits:

  • Dollar for dollar cash match up to 50 percent of the intern's wages ($2,500 maximum)
  • Get help finding qualified interns - SciTechsperience does the recruiting for you
  • The hiring decision is yours
  • Find future employees, increase productivity and revitalize your organization with fresh perspectives
  • Develop Minnesota's STEM workforce by providing hands-on experience to talented college students in dynamic industries like yours
  • Keep talented STEM students in Minnesota after they graduate to strengthen and advance Minnesota's knowledge-based economy
If interested, click here for more information and to apply.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!




GT Lawns

715 Thrid Avenue

Mendota Heights, MN 55118

Contact: Stan Genadek

612.369.4698

www.gtlawns.com

 

GT Lawns Loves Cutting Grass-and it shows. 33 years of experience in the industry and we are still having fun!  COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL: We service large Commercial accounts working closely with property managers to make their lives easy. We provide fast and affordable service to residential homes to keep them crisp and carefree. Throughout all this time we have learned many things-The most important detail is in the people. Our Employees treat you, our customer, as if your property was their own. Our Ultimate goal is happy customers that are thankful they chose GT lawns. 

Be our happy customer! 

Call today! 

 


 

Prime General Contractors LLC
1710 Alexander Road
Eagan, MN 55121
Contact: Larry Raasch
952.746.3636

 

Prime General Contractors LLC is a mid-size commercial general contractor based in Eagan, Minnesota.  Established in 2005, we offer full service general contracting.  We establish long-term relationships with our clients based on value, trust and our ability to follow through and successfully complete projects.  Our experience, leadership and safety record show our dedication and commitment to our clients.


 

 

 

 


 

Our Town America

11468 Avery Drive

Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077

Contact: Bill Hanson

651.383.4798

www.ourtownamerica.com 

 

Our Town America welcomes families and individuals who have recently moved into neighborhoods.  We connect these new movers to local businesses that want to reach out to these potential new customers and introduce them to their products and services.  Our goal is to create new long term customers for you through our program.  

 

Exclusivity is one of our key features.  If you decide to work with us in a particular zip code,your locationwould be the only business in your category represented in the Welcome Package mailed to the new movers in that zip code. 

 

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

 

 

Did you know? Member benefits are everywhere!


 You can submit your news to us and we will include any information about your organization in our next Weekly Update. This includes recent hires, upcoming events, new staff, hiring needs, and more. Just email Chelsea to let her know of your business news and we will do our best to accommodate your needs! 


 

Correct Answer for Poll

C. 80%

 


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