July 13, 2015
This Weekly Update Brought to You By....


We've Got Space For Your Next Meeting


Just over three months ago, your Chamber of Commerce moved offices!  The new office space allows for a more efficient layout and the opportunity for the Chamber to better service its members.  Many of you have come by for scheduled Chamber meetings or to just drop in, but did you know YOU can schedule your own meeting at the Chamber office?

 

Your Chamber welcomes members to try out the new conference room by renting it out!  The room is available at an hourly, half day and full day rate.  The new space allows for several different meeting styles with an adjustable table, white board and a television coming soon!  Additionally, the room is surrounded by windows, allowing for plenty of natural lighting.  Unsure if it's the right space for your next meeting?  Stop by the Chamber office and check it out!  For room rental rates, contact the Chamber office 

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.  For more information, please contact Vicki Stute.

 

The Chamber Federation will be hosting a webinar on July 29 from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. titled "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Minimize the Lawsuit Risks to Your Business". Register here. This webinar is free to any DCR Chamber members.

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 changed 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.  

Thank You to Bremer Bank, our July womEn's circle Program Sponsor!

This month's speaker will be Jeanne Crain, Group President for Bremer Financial Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of Bremer Bank's Twin Cities Region. In her current role, Crain oversees Bremer's financial services business, including Bremer Trust, Bremer Investment Services, and Bremer Insurance. She is also responsible for the Twin Cities Region which has $2.8 billion in assets, 25 locations and more than 300 employees. Crain joined Bremer in May 2012 and has 33 years of community banking experience, working in a variety of roles in commercial and retail banking, as well as wealth management. Click here to register to attend as a guest. 
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 �" 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.
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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.

3:30 p.m.
25
2829

8:00 a.m.
3031

3:30 p.m.
1
456

4:30 p.m.
78

July's Breakfast with Champions Topic: Organizational Tensions

Join us this for our next "Breakfast With Champions" featuring speaker Scott Morrell of Stone Arch Organization Development. This event will be on July 23rd from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at Southview Country Club. 

 Dr. Scott Morrell, President of Stone Arch Organization Development, is based in Minneapolis, MN. Scott works with senior leaders, boards and management teams to execute more effective organizations leading to better performance. Attendees of Strategic Thinking: Leverage Organizational Tensions will receive:
  • An innovative lens to view their company's chronic problems - avoid the pendulum swings - for organizational health
  • A mapping tool designed to differentiate problems that are unsolvable from tensions, dilemmas or polarities to leverage
  • Permission to see functional conflict as a necessary business objective
  • Space to identify key polarities that need the most attention in 2015-2016
Click here to register. 

Quick Poll: July Edition

Last Week's Answer: Which nation does NOT have a national day in July? The answer:
Switzerland

Did You Know? 
July 13 is National French Fry Day.
 

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

 

West St. Paul Open Council Work Session meets July 13 - see the agenda.
West St. Paul City Council meets July 13 - see the agenda. 
Farmington City Council Work Session meets July 13 - see the agenda. 
Farmington Planning Commission meets July 13 - see the agenda. 
Rosemount City Council Work Session meets July 13- see the agenda.

Click here to read the Summer 2015 Rosemount City Newsletter.

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.  


 
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.  

Member Spotlight: Ryan McGunnigle, Las Tortillas
 

Las Tortillas Mexican Restaurant joined the DCR Chamber in April of 2012.  Owner, Ryan McGunnigle recently told us what he enjoys most about his membership:

 

"Las Tortillas Mexican Restaurant has been extremely happy with our partnership with the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce over the past few years. Together we have marketed our business offerings by hosting events at our restaurant and offering our off-premise food & beverage catering at Chamber events. The Chamber membership is very active and supportive of each other as we adjust and grow in our market. Another great advantage is that our Chamber represents more than one city and allows us to work with additional businesses outside of our city with ease."

 

Thank you for your investment in your local Chamber of Commerce, Ryan!  Do you know someone who should be featured in the next Member Spotlight?  Let us know!

2015-16 Chamber Area Map Coming Soon

It's time to produce our biannual Dakota County area map!  We will be distributing 1,500 maps to new residents and tourists throughout the next two years.  Take this opportunity to market your business or services to people who are actively seeking information about our area.  There are sizes available to fit any budget, and all ads are in full color.  Your Chamber has once again partnered with ECM Publishers to produce the 2015-16 map.  You will be contacted by their team in the coming weeks to discuss the options available to fit your marketing goals and budget. Click here to contact the Chamber with questions.

 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!

 

Picitlist LLC

Primary contact: Michelle Williamson
P.O. box 996
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 338-7196

View website HERE

 

Our eGiftery is a revolutionary, online marketing platform that effortlessly connects businesses with customers. It's the most effective, easy way to attract new customers, grow your client base, and retain existing customer because it all happens automatically! Simplify your marketing, extend your reach, and amplify your brand with the eGiftery. 


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

 

 

Congratulations to valued member Prime Therapeutics for finalizing a lease for about 70,000 square feet at the Crosswind Centre building in Mendota Heights. Click here to read more. 

 

The City of West St. Paul hosts Art on the Avenue, July 25, 4 to 8PM at Dodd Park. For more information go to www.wspmn.gov.

 

Congratulations to the following members for being honorees of the 2015 MSPBJ Diversity in Business Awards: Chang Wang, chief research officer, Thomson Reuters, and Julie Manworren, CEO, Living Well Disability Services.

 

Congratulations to Picitlist LLC, who has just announced their  newly redesigned eGiftey website and private branding capability. This site redesign is something you won't want to miss. You'll learn about the unique way the eGiftery integrates pull marketing principles to provide unprecedented opportunities for your business to attract, grow, and retain customers through eGifts. The eGiftery provides all users a simple way to get new introductions with minimal effort! Click here to visit the website.


 
Celebrate your active life and giving with Eagan 5K Run/Walk organized by 9Round Eagan on August 2nd from 9-Noon. There will be something fun for the whole family and Run and walk will be around Northwest Park, north of EHS.  Profits will benefit student athletes through Eagan Foundation. Click here for the event and to  register.

 

Congratulations to valued Board of Directors member Tim Wynes, who has moved from the interim president of Dakota County Technical College to the permanent position of President, appointed by the Minnesota State Colleges and University Board of Trustees. Wynes will serve as shared President of Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College, effective July 1. 

 

 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