January 25, 2016
Chamber Welcomes New Member Relations Director Feb. 1 
 
Heather Waterland comes to us with a small business spirit and entrepreneurial background.  She has over 20 years' experience as a business professional within the corporate and small business communities. Heather cut her teeth in the pet industry with the family business and soon owned and operated a pet store location in her home town in Washington.  Eventually, the fitness industry brought her to Minnesota where she was instrumental in the development and operations of a local fitness club chain called Fitness 19.  Heather brings positive and relatable experiences of small business life to the DCR Chamber.  Heather resides in Prior Lake with her husband, two children and their English Mastiff "Sarge".  Please welcome her.
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Transportation Priority: Seeking Feedback from our Members

highway-panorama.jpg Your Chamber is prepping for the 2016 Legislative Session.  Our Government Affairs Committee recently adopted the following policy but still needs your input. 
  
Dakota County Regional Chamber supports passage of a ten year, comprehensive transportation funding package that provides increased investment in the state's multi-modal transportation infrastructure. This package should provide long-term, sustained investment that will enable our region to maintain our vital transportation infrastructure and provide for strategic enhancements.  Our priorities include: 
  • Use of the general fund
  • Efficiencies
  • Bonding
  • Cost-sharing mechanisms
  • Transit investment
Additionally, there has been some discussion on increasing the metro-wide sales tax by up to one-half percent (1/2%) for transportation dollars dedicated to metro projects.  Would your company support this new funding mechanism?  Vote today.
Legislative Breakfast: MN's Top Legislative Leaders
 
Join us on February 5 to hear from Minnesota's top legislative leaders, House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk. Both leaders are confirmed to participate in a discussion of top legislative issues including their predictions for business property tax reform, allocation of Minnesota's surplus of nearly $2 billion, transportation funding, and other business issues. Register today!
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
25
 
MailPak Deadline
  
26
27

8:00 a.m.
 
Noon

28
7:30 a.m.
 
4:30 p.m.
  
29
1
2
8:00 a.m.
3
4:30 p.m.

4
7:30 a.m.
5

7:30 a.m.
8

Blood Drive


 

4:00 p.m.

 Ribbon Cutting 


9

7:30 a.m. 		10

8:00 a.m.
 
Noon

11
8:00 a.m.

12
15
16
Noon

17

7:30 a.m.
18
7:45 a.m.
1:00 p.m.

19

Did You Know?
Vicki and Emily are VERY excited to have Heather starting on February 1! We are still in search of one more team member though. Please share our Office Services position with anyone your think might be interested. Thank you!!
Wanted:  Business Mentors for High School Students
 
adult-education-class.jpg
A new partnership is underway between your Chamber and School District 197 (West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan) and we are looking for business professionals willing to share their career experiences with high school students.  The Mentor Seminar will be held in early April with students and our hope is to connect business professionals with students interested in a similar career pathway.  Mentoring is an increasingly popular way of providing guidance and support to young people.  Studies show that the younger students are when they begin to explore their career options, the greater success they will achieve.  Interested?  Please contact Vicki Stute for more information.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
West St. Paul City Council meets January 25 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets January 26 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets January 26 - see the agenda
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meets January 26 - see the agenda
Farmington Economic Development Authority meets January 28 - see the agenda  
WomEn's Conference Opportunities
 
WomEn's Conference planning is well underway and there are lots of ways for our members to be involved! We are currently looking for wine and spirits donations for our Wine & Spirits Pull at the Conference. Proceeds will benefit the Chamber's Charitable Foundation which will award four, $500 scholarships at the event.

Members also have the opportunity to market their businesses by donating an item to be put in attendee conference bags (200). If you want a bit more face time with the attendees consider purchasing a vendor table withing the Marketplace at the Conference.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event that is sure to engage, energize and educate. Conference attendee tickets are also available so sign up today! Contact Emily Corson or Lisa Franxman with any questions. 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

American Family Insurance
Eagan Smiles Denistry
D.T. Meisinger Development Inc.
LaBrash Plumbing

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

Click here for more information on the Exceptional Businesswomen Recognition Banquet. 
 
Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 

Congratulations to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota who has been recognized as the first and only health insurance provider in Minnesota to be designated as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company for their long support of military members and their families through employment and community outreach. Read more.
 
Special thanks to Skyline Exhibits for hosting the Chamber's Board of Directors meeting last week.  Board members took at tour of this innovative manufacturing facility and HQ.                                        


Coca-Cola recently revealed a new "One Brand" global marketing strategy that, for the first time ever, unites Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light/Diet Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, and Coca-Cola Life under the iconic Coca-Cola brand positioning in one global creative campaign, "Taste the Feeling." Check it out!
 
Marco recently announced the promotions of Eric Casteel to Senior Director of IT Sales and Pat Haney to Director of Major Accounts. Both are based out of Marco's St. Louis Park location. Congratulations to Eric and Pat!
 
Congratulations to MRCI WorkSource on being named a Business Pathfinder Award recipient by Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.! The Business Pathfinder Award recognizes businesses that strive for equal treatment, human rights and non-violence in the workplace.  

Harris Companies recently purchased Summit Mechanical from Summit Fire Protection Company. Congratulations to Harris Companies on their continued growth!  

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