December 7, 2015
Chamber Announces Creation of New Position 
 
We are excited to announce the creation of a new position at your Chamber: Office Services Coordinator. We recognize the importance of member engagement - an active member is a satisfied member - and so we've created a new position to ensure the highest return on investment for our members. Learn about the job details. The best employees are referrals from our members...    
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Reader Poll: What Should be Done with the Budget Surplus?  
 
Last week's announcement of Minnesota's economic forecast presented a $1.9 billion surplus. By law, one-third must be set aside for the rainy day reserve fund, leaving $1.2 billion available for spending. Couple the remaining amount with the last year's unspent surplus of $865 million and now more than $2 billion is up for grabs. What should happen next? We asked attendees during our monthly Legislative Breakfast and here's what they had to say:

  • Use the money to provide tax relief of Minnesota's business property taxes - 21%
  • Use the money to conform the estate tax to the federal threshold - 9%
  • Allocate the surplus for transportation funding - 30%
  • Give it back to the taxpayers - 17%
  • Save it all because an economic downturn is looming - 4%
  • Allocate the surplus for statewide Pre-K education - 4%
  • Reduce college costs - 4%
  • Other  - 8%
The top two vote-getters, transportation funding and business property tax relief, have been your Chamber's top legislative priorities.  What do you think as we prepare for the 2016 Legislative Session?  Vote today.
FAST Act a Great Start to Long-Term Transportation Solutions   
 
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We are excited to update you on a few important Federal legislative victories the Chamber industry achieved last week with passage of H.R. 22, the "Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act."  The FAST Act represents the culmination of years of work by the business community, and would not have been possible without the support of many of our Chamber members.   Working alongside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on these important issues, we send our thanks to Senators Franken and Klobuchar along with Congressman Kline for voting in favor of FAST Act.  First, the FAST Act provides a needed five-year...Read More. 
WomEn's Circle: Women, Life & Investing
 
Globally, women control $20 trillion in investment dollars and they will inherit 70% of the $41 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next 40 years. 40% of working wives also out earn their husbands. Do you have a good grasp on what is happening with your money as you invest?

Christine Loberg, Regional Financial Manager with Bremer Investments, will talk about how personal growth experiences and communication styles can affect our decision making. She will also walk us through a variety of tools including seeking more information, asking the right questions and age-based check-points. Christine will also provide attendees with an economic outlook for the coming year.

Click here for more information on WomEn's Circle and to register. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
7
8
5:30 p.m.
(Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy)



9
8:00 a.m.
Noon
Noon
10

11:30 a.m.
(Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy)

11
14
11:30 a.m.
(Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy)
15
12:00 Noon

16
7:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
(Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy)
17
7:30 a.m.

18
21
22
23
24


25

Merry Christmas
28
29
30
31


1

Happy New Year!
Did You Know?
On December 7, 1941 at 7:55am, Pearl Harbor suffered a ferocious attack where 2,400 Americans lost their lives and 1,200 more were wounded. This attack shocked the country and drew the United States into WWII. 
Grow Minnesota!
 
Your Chamber is a proud partner of Grow Minnesota!, a business retention initiative designed to harness public and private resources to keep Minnesota companies strong and competitive in today's global economy.  The program was launched 13 years ago and today provides countless resources to businesses, enabling them to grow and prosper.  Statewide, nearly 10,000 visits have been completed, saving thousands of jobs in Minnesota.  If your company is interested in a visit in 2016 through DCR Chamber's Grow Minnesota! contact Vicki Stute at 651.288.9201.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

Rosemount City Council meets December 7 - see the  agenda
Farmington City Council meets December 7 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets December 8 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets December 8 - see the agenda 
Member Spotlight: Staying Connected
 
Lynda Boudreau 
Outreach connections are vital for operating a successful business, and equally as important for communicating with a member of Congress. As a district office staffer for Congressman John Kline, attending Dakota County Regional Chamber events offers great opportunities to gather feedback and provide assistance with federal services. As a former state legislator, I recognize the importance of connecting with business owners, local officials, and community leaders to learn about the economic policies that impact them. It has been a pleasure serving as a Chamber Ambassador, WomEn's Circle Sub-Committee Chair, and working alongside the Chamber team. I enjoy taking part in ribbon-cuttings, ground-breakings, women's luncheons, before/after hour events, and learning about community events. Congressman Kline appreciates updates on Chamber activities as an elected official, and also as Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee.
Reminder: Update your Directory Listing Today

If you haven't done so already, please be sure to verify and update your membership information to ensure accuracy in the 2016 Membership Directory and Resource Guide. We cannot guarantee that any changes made after Tuesday, December 8 will be reflected in the directory. We are also once again working with ECM Publishers to produce this directory. If you want to discuss which advertising option within the directory is the best fit for your business please contact Jesse Schmidt today. 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Piepho Moving & Storage
Auto Vault LLC
Inland Real Estate Corporation

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!
 

DARTS is hosting a monthly series of Learning Sessions covering a variety of topics relevant for older adults. The next session is on "Technology and Seniors" on January 14th at DARTS. This is a free event that will provide tips on working with software, email and social media. An IT professional will conduct a presentation followed by hands-on training on social media by a group of Sibley High School students.  Learn more.

vacancy_sign_desk.jpg The Farmington Library is looking for area businesses to be a part of a local job fair.  If your company is actively hiring new employees, or you are anticipating a need to hire in early spring, please consider joining them on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Learn more on how to get involved.  

Do you have good news within your business to share? Be sure to send it to  Emily Corson for inclusion in the Weekly Update.

 
The Minnesota Vikings recently released a time lapse video of the construction of US Bank Stadium. The stadium is currently 80% complete. See the video here.

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. We will also be collecting toys at each of the Dakota County Regional Chamber holiday parties. 


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