October 12, 2015
Chamber's Strategic Planning Begins 
 
Your feedback and opinions collected from the membership survey this past summer is being put to good use! The Chamber's Board of Directors recently began working on a three year, rolling strategic plan. This is the first time in Dakota County Regional Chamber's history that a plan of this nature has been created. We are very excited to look ahead to the future so we may continue to provide value to our members and position the Chamber as a leader on regional policy and economic development issues.  Stay tuned.  
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Your Chamber Joins Workplace Fairness Coalition in Response to Government Overreach    
 
To protect businesses within the region, your Chamber is lending its support as part of the Workplace Fairness Coalition. The Coalition was recently formed in response to proposals being discussed by the City of Minneapolis. The proposals mandate ALL employers to pay one hour sick leave for every 30 hours worked, require schedules including "on-call shifts" 28 days in advance, and be required to pay "predictability pay" for any change of schedule. While these proposals don't directly affect businesses in Dakota County, we are concerned that these mandates not only cause harm for Minneapolis-based businesses but set precedence for other communities to follow.  Find out more today.     
Are you Ready for the Chip?  
 
Magnetic stripe credit cards have been around for decades, but that's changing as the U.S. adopts what is considered a more secure payment technology-EMV (Europay, MasterCard & Visa). EMV cards, which are commonly called "chip" cards are widely used in hundreds of countries outside the U.S. to reduce payment fraud. With the change in card technology comes changes in liability for merchants beginning October 1, 2015. Thanks to our partner, Minnesota Retailers Association, for providing  this helpful information to prepare you for the changes.  
womEn's Circle Kicks Off New Season
 
Consumers are transforming the way they shop and entertain - at Mall of America, they have several initiatives in progress that use technology to enhance the physical experience. Jill Renslow, senior vice president of development/marketing, will share details of what they are doing and you will learn more about macro consumer trends that all companies need to consider as they strategically plan into the future. Sign up today!   
Breakfast with Champions: Train Your Brain for Success
 
October's Breakfast with Champions event features speaker Roger Seip, co-founder of Freedom Personal Development and the bestselling author of Train Your Brain For Success. In Train Your Brain For Success, you will learn to harness the incredible creative capacity of your mind and achieve your personal best - professionally, financially and personally. Best part? You'll do this in about the time it takes to go out for lunch. Register today.   
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
12
13
 
8:00 a.m.
14
 
7:45 a.m.
  
8:00 a.m.
  
Noon
  
15
16
19
20
 
12:00 Noon
 
21
7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.

22
7:30 a.m.
23
26
27
8:00 a.m.
28
7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
12:00 Noon 
29
30
2
3
8:00 a.m.

4
4:00 p.m.
5
6
7:30 a.m.
Did You Know?
The nominees for the Business Excellence Awards are being announced on Tuesday, October 13. Be sure to check out this exciting announcement and purchase tickets for the November 19 event at www.dcrchamber.com! 
Despite Bi-Week, MN Vikings' Project Moves Forward
 
Last Tuesday, Eagan City Council unanimously approved an amendment to its' Comprehensive Plan in response to the request by the Minnesota Vikings to accommodate a mixed use development plan on the former Northwest Airlines property. Your Chamber provided testimony in favor of this amendment as it allows for the greatest flexibility on the nearly 200 acre development - one of the largest redevelopment parcels available in the Twin Cities. Comprehensive Plan amendments must be approved by the Metropolitan Council. We anticipate this issue coming before them in the next 30 to 60 days. Stay tuned. Read more here. 

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

 

Farmington City Council meets October 12 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets October 12 - see the agenda
West St. Paul City Council meets October 12 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets October 13 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets October 13 - see the agenda
Member Spotlight: Thanks for Your Leadership
 
Michele Engdahl 
"The DCR Chamber of Commerce is a gem of our regional community and I'm thankful I've been able to serve in a leadership capacity on the board of directors. Thomson Reuters has been a member since moving our operations from St. Paul to Eagan and we benefit from the strong business community around our campus. The Chamber is the go-to for new and veteran businesses. From ribbon cuttings to advocacy work in the halls of the state capitol, the Chamber plays a key role in making sure businesses start and grow right here. Personally, I have sharpened my skills by serving on this board. I've met so many terrific, talented people who are passionate about not only their industry, but our greater community. I am currently chairing the WomEn's Circle and it is my pleasure to grow that energizing program for women by women. I encourage members to get more involved with the DCR Chamber. Join a committee. Host a networking event. Attend a program."
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Investment Solutions
Quality Inn & Suites
TCO
Four Oaks Court Association
The Rosemount Senior Living at Steeple Center

Katapult Network
Primary Contact: Brian Johnson
1660 S. Highway 100, Suite 329
Minneapolis, MN 55416
View website HERE

Katapult Network is the only talent recruiting company in the Twin Cities built for millennials in 2015. If you are on track to graduate college, are a recent graduate or are in the early stages of your career and looking for a new opportunity, Katapult Network can help launch your career further!


Studio Vibe, LLC
Primary Contact: Michelle Bell
1981 Silver Bell Road
Eagan, MN 55122
View website HERE
 
Studio Vibe is a premiere dance studio in Eagan. We offer recreational and competitive dance for those age 2-18 years.  We also have recreational classes for adults.  The styles we offer are:  Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. At Studio Vibe your dance schedule is not driven by the line you are place on.  It is driven by your passion for dance and the styles you enjoy.  Our teachers are all adults, most with professional dance experience.  We have a doctor on staff, as safety is a high priority for us. If you dare to be LIMITLESS dance at Studio Vibe.

Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.

Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 
 

Congratulations to Bfit Challenge Studio on recently celebrating with a ribbon cutting! Bfit offers comprehensive health, fitness and wellness programs at their Eagan location on Pilot Knob Road.

FASTSIGNS® of Inver Grove Heights donated new copies of Signs Sell: Harnessing the Power of Interior Advertising to five libraries including Saint Paul Public Library - Dayton's Bluff Branch, Inver Glen Library, South Saint Paul Library, Wentworth Library and Inver Hills Community College.

Dakota Electric Association is hosting a Careers in Energy open house on Monday, October 19 to provide students, teachers and parents with information about energy careers and their educational requirements. Find more information on their event calendar.  
 
Fashion Fruit Boutique is offering selected pieces of their inventory in a dedicated corner of the store during regular business hours, 14680 S Robert Trail, Rosemount. Check it out!

Join Roundbank for their Money Mondays Financial Workshop Series at the Farmington Public Library. This month's work shop is "MORTGAGE KNOW HOW" - Monday, October 19th, 6:30pm-7:30pm.
         

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