February 15, 2016

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Women's Conference Speaker Line Up Announced

This year's WomEn's Conference presented by Anchor Bank on March 10 is sure to energize, educate and empower everyone in attendance! You don't want to miss out on this amazing event. Click here to get registered today and view a list of our awesome sponsors. The early bird deadline is February 21 so don't delay! Here is a look at what's in store:

Opening Keynote: "Women in Leadership" by Gina Soleil
Panel: "Women Leading in Male Dominated Industries" moderated by Vineeta Sawkar, Star Tribune. Panelists include Jean Kane, CEO, Welsh/Colliers International, Kelly Larson, CFO, Summit Brewing and Lana Siewert-Cardona, President, Ideal Printers
Closing Keynote: "Leading with Yes: How to Empower the Improviser in You" by Jenni Lilledahl, Brave New Workshop

Opportunities are still available to promote your business by participating as an exhibitor in the Marketplace. As a Marketplace exhibitor, you also receive one conference registration! Learn more.

Committed to Business... for YOU.

Duininck emphasizes partnerships and transportation in his first State of the Region address

Late winter seems to be the time for many cities, counties, and now the Metropolitan Council to share what's happening through State of the "X" events. This last past week, your Chamber attended Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck's first State of the Region address which focused on partnerships as the "key to regional prosperity." In his speech, Duininck highlighted three forms of partnerships that drive the Council's work: collaboration, engagement and regionalism - all partnerships that your Chamber stands behind. He also focused his remarks on the need for a transportation funding package to be passed this legislative session. We agree on the need; however we differ on the method in which transportation should be funded since your Chamber opposes an increase in the metro-wide sales tax. Click here for more information on the Chamber's transportation policy. Chair Duininck's full remarks and additional information can be found here.

March Calendar = Legislative Events

In an effort to keep you informed, your Chamber has a number of legislative programs on the calendar for the month of March. We look forward to seeing you there!

Legislative Reception

Join fellow Chamber members and Dakota County legislators for an evening of conversation on March 3. Our annual reception provides an opportunity for business owners to exchange ideas with elected officials on the best ways to ensure an economic climate for new investment and job creation in the region. Register today!

Area legislators invited to attend include:

Senator Jim Carlson (51); Representative Sandra Masin (51A); Representative Laurie Halverson (51B); Senator Jim Metzen (52); Representative Rick Hansen (52A); Representative Joe Atkins (52B); Senator Dan Hall (56); Representative Drew Christenson (56A); Representative Roz Peterson (56B); Senator Greg Clausen (57); Representative Tara Mack (57A); Representative Anna Wills (57B); Senator Dave Thompson (58); Representative Jon Koznick (58A); and Representative Pat Garofalo (58B)

Thank you to our Legislative Reception sponsors:

State of the City and County Addresses

The State of the City/County Addresses provide an opportunity for attendees to hear from the respective mayor about the successes of the past year as well as provide an overview of what is planned for 2016. New for 2016 is the State of the County Address with remarks provided by the chair of the commission. Mark your calendars and register for the following 2016 State of the City/County Addresses:

Dakota County - March 2
Farmington - March 7
Rosemount - March 16
Eagan - March 17
West St. Paul - March 30

Granite City: Dine to Donate on Wednesday, February 24th

Wednesday, February 24th is Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Day at Granite City in Eagan! Granite City in Eagan is generously donating 20% of your total tab to your Chamber's Charitable Foundation to help fund scholarships for high school students. Just show this flyer when you dine at Granite City, 3330 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, on February 24 and you will be helping to make a difference in someone's life. Thanks to Granite City for their support. Enjoy!

Events Calendar

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
15 3:30 p.m. Women's Conference Committee	16 7:30 a.m. Board of Directors Noon Meet the Chamber 3:30 p.m. Ambassador Committee	17 7:30 a.m. Business Owners Roundtable	18 7:45 a.m. WomEn's Circle 1:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting The Rosemount Senior Living at Steeple Center	19
22 3:30 p.m. Women's Conference Committee	23 4:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting MTM	24 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two 11:30 a.m. SMYPros Noon ChamberNet One Granite City Dine to Donate	25 7:30 a.m. Breakfast with Champions	26 7:30 a.m. Government Affairs Committee
29 3:30 p.m. Women's Conference Committee	1	2 7:30 a.m. State of Dakota County Address	3 4:30 p.m. Legislative Reception	4 7:30 a.m. Legislative Breakfast
7 7:30 a.m. Farmington State of the City Address 3:30 p.m. Women's Conference Committee	8	9 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two Noon ChamberNet One	10 8:00 a.m. Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. The WomEn's Conference	11

Did You Know?

We celebrated Heather's first new member last week! If you know of a business that you think would benefit from being a Chamber member, Heather would be happy to meet with them. Send Heather an email or give her a call at 651.288.9200.

Rosemount City Council Seeks Applicants for Commissions, Two New Citizens' Task Forces

Rosemount residents can help set the direction of their community by applying to serve on City commissions and two task forces created this month by the City Council.

The Council is looking to fill five openings on commissions that advise the Council. The Council is also asking for help from citizens to research environmental and sustainability issues and to study the need for new City facilities beyond parks and recreation projects.

Current commission openings for 2016 include:

two 3-year terms on the Parks and Recreation Commission
two 3-year terms on the Planning Commission
one 3-year term on the Utility Commission

New Task Force openings for 2016 include:

Environment/Sustainability Task Force
City Facilities Task Force

Residents interested in serving on a commission may pick up an application at City Hall. Commission application forms are also available online. Applications are due by February 19, 2016.

Learn more about the work of the Commissions and Task Forces on the City's website.

Impacts of Aging Baby Boomers in our Workforce

Did you know that 10,000 of the oldest boomers turned 65 on a single day in 2011, and that another 10,000 will turn 65 every day through the year 2030 (Pew Center)? Take a peek at the occupational jobs projections for 2012-2022. New job growth accounts for some of the increases, but the Baby Boomer Phenomenon has major impacts on our future workforce. Your Chamber is working in partnership to find short-term and long-term solutions for you. Share with us what your company is doing to beat this challenge. Call the Chamber at 651.288.9201. Thanks to Dakota Scott Workforce Investment Board for providing the latest occupational data.

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

West St. Paul Planning Commission meets February 16 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets February 16 - see the agenda

Rosemount City Council meets February 16 - see the agenda
Rosemount Port Authority meets February 16 - see the agenda

Eagan City Council meets February 16 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets February 16 - see the agenda

Member Spotlight: Personal and Professional Growth

Chris Dixon
Being involved in our community is both personally and professionally rewarding. As the President of Insider Training, Inc., providing a personalized fitness & nutrition experience is our passion. Our company's involvement in Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is a way to develop long-lasting relationships with community members. For several years I have been the chair of the ChamberNet1 networking group. It's an honor to lead a group of this caliber and work closely with other motivated business leaders. Additionally, as an Ambassador Captain, I've found it fulfilling to welcome new businesses and watch as they grow. As a proud member, I encourage you to engage in the DCR Chamber for personal and professional growth.

SHIP Application Deadline Extended to February 24th

The State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) helps create good health where Minnesotans live, work, learn and play. Through SHIP funding, the Dakota County Public Health Department is providing you with free resources to create a culture of health at your worksite.

A consultant will help your business:

Complete a comprehensive organizational assessment to help identify your greatest worksite wellness needs
Create a wellness committee, brand and vision statement
Set goals and create an action plan
Apply for additional funds to support your planned wellness initiatives

How to Apply:

Please complete the application form by February 24th, 2016 or contact Annie Ketcher for more information, 763.287.0746.

New Members

We welcome the following new members!

Lake Area Bank
American Family Insurance
Eagan Smiles Denistry

The File Depot-Twin Cities South
Jerry Pittman
2110 West 98th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
View website here

The File Depot - Twin Cities South is part of a national full service Records Management company. Locally owned and operated by Lisa and Jerry Pittman, we help our customers better manage their documents through the entire life cycle, and when the documents reach the end of their useful life, we provide secure, certified destruction. Our storage facility, located in Bloomington, provides HIPAA compliant security. We help our clients know: what they have, where it is, how to access it and when to destroy it. Let us provide a Simply Smarter™ document management option for you. Join us for our ribbon cutting on Tuesday, February 16 at 4 p.m.

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!

Longtime Chamber volunteer, JoAn Jensen of Castle Rock Bank

announced her retirement after nearly 27 years. She plans to spend much of her time with family and especially her grandchildren. Be sure to wish her well before her last day on February 26. Congratulations JoAn and thank you for your support of the Dakota County Regional Chamber!

Congratulations to Eagan Smiles Dentistry on opening their new office in Eagan. They celebrated last week with an Ambassador ribbon cutting sponsored by Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union.

Chamber members are invited to TALK TO MILLENNIALS, a breakfast workshop on March 3rd at the University of St. Thomas, where you can learn tips for engaging the next generation of employees, business owners, and customers, compliments of Anchor Bank. Click here to register.

Learn more about Goff Public

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce

3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201

Eagan, MN 55121

651.452.9872

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