November 16, 2015
We're Still Looking       
 
vacancy_sign_desk.jpg
Vicki and Emily are still looking for a new co-worker... Could you please help us by pushing our membership opening information out through the various avenues you may have access to? This could be your "weekly update" email, newsletter, website, job board, etc. We are looking for an energetic, talented, sales-oriented individual that likes to network with other business professionals and community leaders. Please share this great career opportunity available at your Chamber. See more for a full description. The best employees are referrals from our members... 
 
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Go Beyond the 2016 Elections
 
Are you excited about the prospects of the 2016 Elections?  Who will run?  Who will win?  Will the balance of power shift left or right?  Join us on December 4 and hear from long-time political experts Mauren Shaver, Shaver Public Affairs and Todd Rapp, Himle Rapp as they go "Beyond the 2016 Elections."   

Your Chamber offers real-time information and resources on a number of issues important to your business through Legislative Breakfast Series.  The breakfasts are designed for business community members to hear first-hand from lawmakers and industry experts on how legislation within all levels of government affect their businesses' bottom line, job creation, growth and expansion.  Members can also communicate their concerns, comments and questions.  Register today.
NEW - Industry Roundtable Launches December 3
 
Dakota County Regional Chamber's new Industry Roundtable provides members with a forum to connect with peers in their respective industries. Roundtable participants can engage each other as a sounding board, hear new ideas and discuss industry specific issues. Each roundtable will have a facilitator to help guide the meeting.

December's industry focus will be banks and credit unions. Along with discussing this industry, bank and credit union participants will also get an overview of the Open to Business program. You must be a DCR Chamber member and be part of the specific industry meeting to participate. See the full list of upcoming roundtables and register for December. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
16
12:00 Noon
17
12:00 Noon
18
7:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.

19
11:30 a.m.
4:30 p.m.

20
23
24
8:00 a.m.

25
8:00 a.m.
Noon

26

Happy Thanksgiving
27

Chamber
office closed
30
1

 		2
4:00 p.m.
3
7:30 a.m.
4
7:30 a.m.

7
8
8:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.

9
8:00 a.m.
Noon
10

11:30 a.m.
11
Did You Know?
Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the one year anniversary of the end of World War I. President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954. Thank you to the 23.2 million military veterans in the United States for your service!
Talented College STEM Interns Available
 
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. 181 matching grants remain between now and August 30, 2016 and are available on a first come, first hire basis. Read more. 
Chamber Convenes Regional Group to Discuss Business Retention Strategies
 
Grow MN is a shining example of what Chamber's do best:  harness public and private resources to keep Minnesota companies strong and competitive in today's global economy.   As a founding partner, DCR Chamber has been involved in this program since it was launched more than 13 years ago.  On December 1, representatives from local chambers, cities, county agencies and economic development partners from throughout Dakota County will gather to discuss a variety of strategies for 2016.  Every business retention visit has four parts: first, we thank the business owner or manager for having a business in our region and creating jobs; second, we learn as much as we can about the business and its activities; third, we ask if we can assist the company to stay and grow in our region; and, fourth, we ask what policy-makers can do to improve our state's overall business environment.  For more information on your Chamber's business retention program, please contact Vicki Stute. 
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

Farmington City Council meets November 16 - see the  agenda 
Rosemount City Council meets November 17 - see the agenda
Rosemount Port Authority meets November 17 - see the agenda 
Eagan City Council meets November 17 - see the  agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets November 17 - see the agenda 
West St. Paul Planning Commission meets November 17 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets November 17 - see the agenda 
Update Your Directory Listing
 
Last week every members' primary representative should have received an email with instructions on verifying and updating your membership information to ensure accuracy in the 2016 Membership Directory and Resource Guide. We are once again working with ECM Publishers to produce this directory. They will be reaching out to you to discuss which advertising option within the directory is the best fit for your business.  
Member Spotlight: Listen, Care, Help
 
Brenda Johnson 
"Simply put, I am passionate about people. At Anchor Bank, this takes shape in the form of delivering exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere. In my Bank Manager role at Anchor Bank Eagan, "Listen, Care, Help" is our motto. I am proud to work for an organization where community involvement is a core value of our culture. As the Ambassador Chair, I feel fortunate to be able to deliver our "Listen, Care, Help" motto in my role with the Chamber where I help facilitate involvement and encourage visibility in the community for new businesses through Chamber activities. I am also heavily involved in many other organizations providing services and support to initiatives making an impact close to home, including the Eagan Foundation Board, Green Ribbon Initiatives Board, and The Link Advisory Board. In my mind, any time volunteering with organizations that provide services and support to those in need is time well spent."
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Auto Vault LLC
Inland Real Estate Corporation
Writing and Design Partners
Sanctuary at West St. Paul

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!
 
Your Chamber Ambassadors attended a ribbon cutting last week at Simon Says Lead. Simon Says Lead offers consulting, coaching and leadership training. They recently opened their office in Eagan. Congratulations!

wrapped_presents.jpg Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Eagan is partnering with Toys 4 Military Kids to collect toys this holiday season. If you are interested in donating to this cause your Chamber has a collection box at our offices, 3352 Sherman Ct, Suite 201, Eagan.

Dakota Electric Association recently awarded $10,000 from unclaimed capital credits to go toward specific needs within four different school districts. Superintendents and representatives from Cannon Falls, Northfield, Randolph and Red Wing attended a recent Dakota Electric board meeting to receive the donations. 

KLC Financial, Inc., a market leader in commercial equipment leasing & financing businesses nationwide, has acquired the portfolio and other assets of Kraus-Anderson Capital, Inc. The acquisition provides KLC Financial with a large customer base of established businesses and with a greater expertise in the leasing and financing of construction equipment for businesses of all sizes. 
 
Mary Khimji, Physical Securities Processing and Alternative Investments Associate Vice President at RBC Capital Markets, has joined the Board of Directors at Guild Incorporated. Khimji has experience in financial services, billing, and investments. Congratulations Mary!

Let's celebrate high ethical standards in Minnesota business. The Minnesota Business Ethics Award® (MBEA) invites all Minnesotans to nominate one or more Minnesota-based businesses for the 2016 awards. Go to www.mnethicsaward.org and click "Nominate a Company." The nominations deadline is January 22, 2016.

The 13th annual Affinity Plus Foundation Silent Auction is officially open. Community organizations, employees, and members generously donated a variety of merchandise and gift packages to the Foundation to auction off as baskets during the five-day event. The auction closes on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. All proceeds from the silent auction will go directly to support the Foundation's community grant programming. Learn how you can participate.
 
 
 

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