March 28, 2016
Twin Cities Metro Region Hits Record-High Population, Surpasses 3 Million Residents
 
The Twin Cities Metropolitan Region has reached its highest population in history, surpassing more than 3 million residents. The U.S. Census Bureau released its population estimates for 2015 on Thursday, showing a population increase of more than 162,000 people for the seven-county metro region since 2010. The seven-county area includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties. The estimated population count for the region as of July 1, 2015 is 3,012,117, a 5.7% increase over five years.
 
"Hitting this historic mark shows that our region is thriving - people want to live here, to work here, to raise their families here," said Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck. "As we at the Met Council focus on how to foster efficient growth across the region, this milestone assures us that these efforts are paying off."
 
"When looking at the regions growing faster than ours, one of the common threads is a strong regional transit system. As we continue to grow as a region, we are not keeping up when it comes to investments in our infrastructure," continued Duininck. "With more people choosing to live here, we need to provide transportation options. More transit will keep moving people and goods throughout our region efficiently, without adding to traffic congestion. A growing region means we need a growing transit system."
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Legislative Breakfast: No More Transportation Fooling! 
 
Join us on Friday, April 1 for "No More Transportation Fooling!" and hear plans from Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle and Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck. Transportation infrastructure is an important key to a successful business climate. What lies ahead to get a transportation funding bill done this Session?  Register today.

Thank you to our sponsors:
                                              
Communicate Your Top Session Priorities 
 
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.
Why Not Wednesday? Business After Hours 
 
Join us at the Why Not Wednesday? Business After Hours event on Wednesday, April 6 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Southern Hills Golf Club in Farmington. Food and beverages will be served! Bring your business cards and get ready for an evening of fun, networking and socializing! Please invite your fellow co-workers, friends, and others you feel may enjoy this event. Register today. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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.
3:30 p.m.
Golf Classic Committee
31
1

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

11:30 a.m.
SMYPro Steering Committee
6
4:30 p.m.
7
8
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
11
12
13
8:00 a.m.
Noon
14
8:00 a.m.
15
18
19
7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors
Noon
20
7:30 a.m.
21
7:45 a.m.
22
bright_easter_eggs.jpg Did You Know?
Easter has come and gone and most of us are left with a ton of candy to chew on over the next few weeks. If you are feeling ambitious, here are 21 fun and creative ways to use your left over candy. A few of the ideas include Easter Egg Cookie Dough Truffles, Peeps S'Mores, Cadbury Egg Cream Cookie Bars and Jelly Bean Donuts. Yum!
Let the SciTechsperience Intership Program Help You
 
Are you a business that may benefit from a STEM intern? Check out the SciTechsperience Internship Program. Companies can receive a 50% cash match on the intern's wages up to $2,500. The internship program 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.
DEED Cost of Living Tool: Check it out!
 
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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.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
West St. Paul City Council meets March 28 - see the agenda
West St. Paul Economic Development Authority meets March 28 - see the agenda
Farmington City Council meets March 28 - see the agenda 
Eagan City Council meets March 29 - see the agenda  
Celebrate Your Business Success
 
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We are always looking for exciting news and information from our members to share in the Celebrate Business Success portion of Weekly Update. It is a great way to get added visibility and recognition. Ideas include promotions, award recognition, new hires, continued growth, new offerings, acquisitions, remodeling, new location, new business name, business anniversaries, ribbon cuttings and so much more. Do you have something to share? Email your news to Emily Corson. Thank you! 
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 651.288.9204. Please join us in welcoming Pam!
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 


Endurance House Twin Cities
Ken Barringer
3825 Cedar Grove Parkway, Suite 110
Eagan, MN 55122
Visit website here

Endurance House is a retail store and community based around walking, running, swimming, biking and triathlon. With innovative programs such as our Personal Movement Profile (PMP) that will revolutionize the way you purchase shoes that fit correctly and bike fitting services, we will help you get the most enjoyment out of your passions. We also offer training plans and coaching services, seminars and clinics. We are all about "Redefining Your Possible", whatever that might be.



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

Ohana 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!
 


Two of our members were recently named on the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list. Congratulations to both Kate Boeckman, Product Manager, Wearable & Emerging Product Technologies at Thomson Reuters and Niel Devasir, Chief Information Officer at Spire Credit Union.

Congratulations to Marco on being named the recipient of the 2016 100 Best Companies to Work For Award, by Minnesota Business Magazine. They are also the winner of two 2016 Perfect Image Awards by imageSource Magazine in the categories of Dealer of the Year and Outstanding Leadership in Customer Engagement! 

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!   
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872