March 21, 2016
Annual Golf Classic Set for June 20
 
This past Sunday was the first day of spring which means golf season is just around the corner! Your Chamber's Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, June 20 at Mendakota Country Club. Always a sell-out, your Chamber's golf tournament will begin with a BBQ luncheon followed by a shotgun start at 12:00 noon; and finishing up with dinner and great prizes. Learn more about sponsorships and register today.
 
Golf Classic Kickoff Committee Meeting Planned
 
If you are interested in being a member of our 2016 Golf Classic Committee, please email Emily or call 651.288.9202. This committee meets 1-2 times per month and works on improving the tournament by getting donations, sponsorships and helping organize the event. We hope you will join us! Our first meeting is on Wednesday, March 30 from 3:30 to 4:30 at the DCR Chamber office.
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Business Days at the Capitol 
 
The 2016 Legislature has a full plate of "to dos," and the action will be quick-paced during this short session. It's more important than ever to communicate your top priorities to ensure that the Dakota County region is ready for change and ready to grow. Your Chamber, in partnership with the Minnesota Chamber, is providing two Business Days at the Capitol - March 30 and April 20 - to connect directly with your legislators. Urge them to invest in both our economic and physical infrastructure as Minnesota charts a course to continue our momentum and maintain a vibrant economy.
 
March 30 | Transportation
April 20 | Taxes
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Saint Paul
 
For more information and to register please contact Vicki Stute.
Duchscher Announces Resignation from School Board Due to Move
 
Rob Duchscher announced his resignation from the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board at the start of the March 14 regular board meeting. The resignation, which is effective immediately, is due to his recent move out of the district. Duchscher cited increased job responsibilities and a desire to downsize their home and live close to their daughter, son-in-law and new grandson as reasons he and his wife Terri decided to move to Farmington. "One of my life's greatest accomplishments really has been working on this board," said Duchscher, who has served the last 16 years.
 
Duchscher's resignation leaves a vacancy on the seven-member board, which must be filled by an election that may be held during the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The board will need to take action to set the board election and candidate filing dates. For more information, click here.
Would You Like to be a Host? 
 
Hosting a Coffee Break or a Why Not Wednesday is a great way to get potential new customers in your door, added exposure within our membership and to build new relationships. We are currently looking to secure hosts for the remainder of 2016. Check out more information on hosting a Coffee Break or Why Not Wednesday. If you are interested don't wait, contact Emily today to find out what dates are still available. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
21
22

8:00 a.m. 		23
8:00 a.m.
Noon
4:00 p.m.
24
25
28
7:30 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee

 Noon
Let's Do Lunch
3:30 p.m.
Women's Conference Committee
29
30
7:30 a.m.
31
1

7:30 a.m.
4
5
7:30 a.m.
PAC Board of Directors

11:30 a.m.
SMYPro Steering Committee
6


7
8
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
11
12
13
8:00 a.m.
Noon
14
8:00 a.m.
15
 
Did You Know?
The next MailPak will be hitting mailboxes the first week of May which is a great time to do some spring/summer promotions for your business. Inserts are due April 25 and are limited to the first 10 companies to sign up. Click here for more information and contact Emily Corson with questions and to sign up.
DEED Cost of Living Tool: Check it out!
 
dollar_wallet.jpg
The Department of Employment and Economic Development Cost of Living Tool looks at several topics related to the cost of living including the hourly wages for singles and/or families in your county. Compare your information to other Minnesota counties.
SHIP Deadline Extended
 
The deadline for companies in Dakota County to apply to join in on SHIP (MN's Statewide Health Improvement Program) has been extended until April 15th. The ideal size of a company is 50 - 300 employees. Companies enrolled in SHIP thru Dakota County receive 18 months of free wellness consulting and $1,000 as part of this grant and can put those funds towards anything at their worksite relating to wellness. The time commitment for a designated company contact would be approximately 6 hours per month. The application process is simple and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Click here for additional details.    
 
To apply for SHIP, please complete the application form or contact Annie Ketcher, 763.287.0746, for more information. 
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
Farmington City Council meets March 21 - see the agenda
Farmington Economic Development Authority meets March 24 - see the agenda 
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meets March 22 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets March 22 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets March 22 - see the agenda 
Meet Our New Office Services Coordinator
 
Meet Pam Schmidt, DCR Chamber's new Office Services Coordinator! Pam will focus on a variety of tasks related to database management, administrative support, bookkeeping, and retention of membership accounts. She has previously worked in promotional marketing, property management and most recently as a bookkeeper for a small gardens and antiques company.
 
Pam currently lives in Rosemount with her husband and teenage stepson. She also has a teenage stepdaughter and an adult son and daughter. Rounding out her family is her kitty, Sebastian. Pam is currently working to complete her bachelor's degree in business and accounting at Metro State University.
 
You can reach Pam by email or by phone at 65.288.9204. Please join us in welcoming Pam!
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Brave New Workshop


Liberty Tax Service
Steven Spaudie
1340 Duckwood Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
View website here

When you choose Liberty Tax, you choose to have your taxes prepared in a warm, friendly environment with a tax professional dedicated to meet your specific needs.
Come as you are, kick your feet up, and relax - taxes are our thing. You'll get the services you need, the refund you want, and the experience you deserve.



Mortgages Unlimited, Inc.
Douglas Schinkel
5684 Bishop Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
View website here

The focus throughout my business career has been to be an advocate for my client's interests by listening to their concerns relative to mortgage financing, working together to develop a plan to meet their objectives and then taking action to achieve the desired outcome. I embrace the uniqueness of each individual and feel that everyone brings tremendous value to the table. I look forward to meeting members of Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and becoming an advocate for their business as well as developing long term relationships.



Ohana Home & Design
Maggie Hoogs
720 Main Street, Suite 107
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
View website here

WOhana Home & Design is an award winning residential design build firm serving the Twin Cities area. From the first phone call to the completed renovation, we are there with our clients every step of the way. Ohana's mission is to personally enhance the homes and lives of our clients while establishing relationship built on trust. Our unique approach to working closely with our clients, our attention to detail, and our high standards of craftsmanship have created countless dazzling and dynamic renovations. 



PC Good Guys, LLC
Patrick Jensen
860 Blue Gentain Road, Suite 200
Eagan, MN 55121
View website here 
 
PC Good Guys was founded with the goal of providing our clients with professional, economical and friendly technical support services. Our mission is to align ourselves in parallel growth with our client, understand their needs, and form a strategic partnership to reach a common goal. In the SMB arena, we specialize in Commercial Cloud Services, Managed Services, Printer, Network, Workstation, Server and Software Support. We also feature professional Web Design & Branding. Our Residential services include everything as far as tech gadgets go. We sell and repair computers & printers and perform many software related repairs through a secure remote desktop connection. We are the pros at speeding up slow or lagging devices. Most importantly, we offer competitive pricing!
   
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!
 

August Ash, a web design and marketing firm, recently promoted Shawn Haukaas to President and Pete McWilliams to Vice President and CTO while Erich Hanson has assumed the role of CEO. August Ash will soon celebrate their 18th year in business. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Insider Training, Inc. as they celebrate their 9th anniversary in 2016. The health & fitness company was founded in 2007 providing in-home/office fitness services and workplace wellness programs. They would like to thank their clients and fans for the all the support!

Brian MacKenzie, Fastsigns of Inver Grove Heights, has been helping businesses with their signage needs since he opened his doors 19 years ago this month. Congratulations!  

Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A., a full-service legal firm in Apple Valley, celebrated their 30th anniversary on March 1. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Marco on being named the winner of the 2016 Community Impact Award in the category of Long-Term Achievement presented by Minnesota Business magazine.  
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872