June 29, 2015

Your Chamber's Ranking Moves Up Two Spots

 

Earlier this month, Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal reported its annual ranking of Minnesota-based Chambers of Commerce.  DCR Chamber was one of only ten Chambers across the state that grew in size over the past year.  Moving from 12th to 10th in the number of total members, DCR Chamber also had the 5th largest growth compared to all others.  

 

"We are very excited to now be ranked in the top ten Chambers in Minnesota.  Not only is our total membership growing, but we have more members engaged in our programs and services," stated Vicki Stute, President of the Chamber.  As we move into the summer months, your Chamber will begin a long-term strategic planning process to ensure that we continue to offer members every opportunity for continued business growth and job creation within our communities.  
Committed to Business... for YOU.

ADA Lawsuits - Is Your Business Compliant?  


This past Spring, a rash of lawsuits brought against small businesses regarding the American Disabilities Act have occurred statewide; especially in targeted communities such as Marshall, Shakopee, Mankato, Saint Paul, and Minneapolis.  Chamber industry representatives are currently in conversations with legal counsel and others about how we can assist Minnesota businesses on this effort.  Please make your business colleagues aware of this issue and contact the Chamber should you be approached by anyone from the Disability Support Alliance, a non-profit formed last summer.  We will continue to work to disseminate additional information on this important topic.  For more information please contact Vicki Stute.

Up-Front Capital Equipment Exemption is Finally Here

 

Minnesota's state law exempts businesses from paying sales tax on certain capital equipment.  Up until now, businesses were required to pay the sales tax and then file a refund request - a cumbersome process that created cash-flow problems. Effective July 1, 2015, the refund will change to an up-front sales tax exemption.  Contact your business accountant to see what qualifies for a refund, how to claim the exemption, and other considerations as you make investments in your business.  
Mailpak: A great advertising opportunity to promote your business

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 ½" 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

 

Our next deadline is Noon on July 24th. Submit your ads today! Please fill out 
this form and return to Chelsea by email or mail to our office at 3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201, Eagan MN. For questions, call 651-288-9202.

Chamber Night Out at CHS Field


 Last Monday, your Chamber celebrated the 2015 Batter Up! Membership Campaign with a night out at the new Saint Paul Saints stadium, CHS Field.  Winner of the campaign, Scott Swenson, threw the first pitch at the game.  Way to go, Scott!


 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
29
3:30 p.m.
30123
678
8:00 a.m.

Noon

9
8:00 a.m. 

3:30 p.m.
10
1314
7:30 a.m.
15
7:30 a.m. 
16
7:45 a.m.

3:30 p.m.
17
20

12:00 p.m.
21
12:00 p.m.
22

8:00 a.m.

Noon

23
7:30 a.m.
25
Advertise your Business in the Weekly Update

Your Chamber has many ways to advertise your business. We've told you about the complimentary opportunities, but we also have more exclusive advertising spots available in our printed and electronic newsletters. 

The Weekly Update is a weekly email communication filled with member news, local and regional news, chamber program information and much more.  The Weekly Update is sent out on Monday mornings.

 

Options:

  1. Basic Ad - 272.5(w) x 122.5(h) pixel area to advertise your company.  This is a great way for members to introduce their company to other members of the chamber.  TWO of these ads can be run in a week and are placed at the bottom or middle of the newsletter.  Investment: $50 per ad, per week.
  2. Deluxe Ad - 340(w) x 153(h) pixel area to advertise your news, event, sale, etc. displayed on weekly update.  This ad is typically placed in the middle of the weekly update.  Investment: $100 per ad, per week.
  3. Weekly Update Sponsorship - 545(w) x 245(h) pixel area to advertise your news, event, sale, etc. This ad is typically placed at the top of the weekly update.  Additionally, your company logo linked to your web address will be displayed at the bottom of the weekly update for quicker access to your website and company information, as well as being noticed by all viewers.  Investment: $150 per ad, per week.
Please email Chelsea if you are interested in advertising with your Chamber!

Happy Fourth of July!

Did You Know?

According to author Kenneth C. Davis, July 2nd is the real day of Independence, but it's celebrated on the fourth because that's when congress accepted Jefferson's declaration

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

 

West St. Paul City Council meets June 29- see the agenda.
Mendota Heights City Council Workshop meets June 29 - see the agenda.
Rosemount Port Authority meets June 29- see the agenda.

Who's Hiring? Resources for Employers 

 

With Dakota County's unemployment rate at a low of only 3.3%, many employers continue to seek qualified candidates while job seekers look for new opportunities.  Below are a number of resources to assist you in this challenging workforce development environment.

Join the Ambassador Committee Today

 

Are you looking for ways to get more involved in your Chamber of Commerce?  Are you interested in meeting new members and welcoming them to the Chamber?  

Consider joining the Ambassador Committee!  

 

The Ambassador Committee meets once per quarter and is asked to attend one ribbon cutting per month. Additionally, Ambassadors are asked to actively attend new member visits.  This is a great way to learn about new 

member businesses and make new contacts within your Chamber.  To view a full list of Ambassador responsibilities, click HERE. Contact Kate with any question, concerns or to sign-up for the group.

2015 Batter Up! Membership Campaign Results


 Recently, your Chamber concluded the 2015 Batter Up! Membership Campaign. This effort to bring more members to the Chamber was a huge success and the Chamber welcomed 37 new members to the organization.   Although the competition was a close call, the Veteran team came out with the win! Thank you to our team captains for their dedication to this campaign:
Scott Swenson Home Federal Veteran Captain
Carmen Schaffer Viva La Vida Travel
Rookie Captain



                     


There were several key players in this competition. First, second and third place medals were awarded to the top contenders of each team. Additionally, Scott Swenson, overall winner of the campaign, was awarded with the first pitch at the June 22nd Saint Paul Saints baseball game. Special thanks to the following participants for all your hard work:

Rookies
Mike Kinderman Home Federal 3rd Place Rookie
Gina Lee
Sun ThisWeek Newspaper
1st Place Rookie
Barb Platten MTM/ MNet
2nd Place Rookie

Veterans
Scott Swenson Home Federal 1st Place Veteran
Don Chapdelaine SKB Environmental 3rd Place Veteran
Mary O'Rourke Baskets On Occasion
2nd Place Veteran
 
Your Chamber would like to thank everyone involved in the 2015 Batter Up! Membership Campaign.  Without your had work and dedication, this event would not have been possible.  When the Chamber grows, your business grows as well!
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!

 

 

 

UTC Aerospace Systems

14300 Judicial Road
Burnsville, MN 55306
(651) 681-8900

View website HERE

 

UTC Aerospace Systems is one of the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products. It employs more than 40,000 people worldwide with approximate annual sales of $13 billion. Its Sensors & Integrated Systems business is headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota. The Burnsville campus employs over 1600 people, boasts one of the most capable wind tunnels in the world, and designs and manufactures a variety of products for commercial, regional, business and military aircraft, helicopters and other platforms. Major products include air data systems, ice detectors, flight management systems, and engine sensors.  
Member Spotlight: Krista Jech

 

Krista Jech, Chair of our upcoming Annual Event, was asked what she enjoys most about her membership with the DCR Chamber.  Krista explained, "I am a Sales, Events and Marketing Manager for ECM Publishers and Sun Thisweek Newspapers.  I relocated to our Apple Valley office a little over a year ago which has allowed me to become more involved with the DCR Chamber.  Being involved in the Chamber has opened so many networking doors for me.  Whether it is regarding one of my events, or a specialty publication or magazine that I am producing, I have gained many resources through networking

 that are assisting me in taking these projects to the next level. The Chamber staff, and board members, have been so welcoming as I get more involved.  I look forward to meeting you this year!"

Krista Jech is our Committee Chair for our upcoming Excellence Awards Event. To join us at the Kickoff Committee meeting today or to learn more about the committee, please RSVP by clicking here. 

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

 

Marco, Inc., a leading technology services provider in the United States, continues its expansion throughout Wisconsin with the purchase of the copier sales and service business of Hadley Office Products. On Monday, Marco welcomed the employees that previously supported Hadley's copier sales and service business to its employee-owned team. Hadley will continue ownership of its office furniture and supply divisions.


 Star Tribune Top 150 Workplaces: Our Members in the News

 

Marco, Inc. has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota for six consecutive years based on an employee-based survey project from the Star Tribune. 


Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ P. A. is pleased to announce it has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, ranking 48th on the small company list.

 

Living Well Disability Services has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. The Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune on Sunday, June 14. Living Well Disability Services is listed in the Large Company category. 
 

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
651.452.9872