May 2, 2016
Member Madness is Here! Are you on Board? 
 
Have you started making a list of all the companies you are connected to that you think would benefit from being a DCR Chamber member? If you have, we want to fill you in on how to join a membership campaign team, submit your referrals and help your Chamber continue to grow. If you haven't made your list yet, get to it! We've made it simple, easy and FUN to participate this year.
 
Participating in the campaign is a wonderful opportunity for members to develop comradery, create relationships and build a larger network! The 2016 Membership Campaign will be a 7-week concentrated effort focused on attracting 50 new members to DCR Chamber. This year will be a "virtual" campaign beginning May 1 and ending June 22 followed by a Member Madness Finale Celebration on June 23. The campaign will feature a competition between two teams comprised of volunteers. The teams will be led by Cindy Haas (Team Cindy), your current board chair, and Mark Lofthus (Team Mark), your incoming board chair.
 
Here are the details:
Step 1: Pick a Team! Participating in the campaign is a great way to get involved with your Chamber, build relationships and help grow your network. Contact Heather Waterland, 651.288.9200, to join a team.

Step 2: Start referring great business contacts now. Enter your referrals with this New Member Referral Form and start racking up tickets to for the prize drawings June 23rd.

Step 3: Earn tickets for your chance to win prizes and get recognized at our Member Madness Celebration Event on June 23.
  • 5 tickets awarded to a member for each business referral submitted by May 25th 2016. (referrals accepted after May 25, but preferred by this date)
  • 20 tickets awarded to a member when your referral joins between May 1st and June 22nd 2016, for a total of 25 tickets.
  • 50 total tickets awarded to a member when they recruit, sign-up and submit paperwork for the new member on their own during the campaign.
Step 4: Celebrate with us on June 23!

If you have any questions or need any additional information, contact Heather Waterland, 651.288.9200.
  
Sponsoring the Member Madness Campaign is a great way to get involved. Check out this great opportunity here.   
Committed to Business... for YOU.
MN Vikings Development Application Moves to Next Stage

At its meeting last week, Eagan's Advisory Planning Commission reviewed the Minnesota Vikings' development application for nearly two hours. The Commission forwarded a recommendation to the City Council for preliminary approval of the nearly 200 acre site, which in phase one would include the Vikings team headquarters, indoor practice facility, four outdoor practice fields and a small 6,000 person stadium. Your Chamber testified in support of the rezoning, planned development and subdivision. Next steps: Eagan City Council will host a special meeting on May 23 to consider the Planning Commission recommendations.  
Have you heard the news? Minnesota has an 'extra' property tax!
Minnesota business property taxes are among the highest in the nation. Businesses comprise 12.4% of the total market value but pay 32% of the total property tax. One of the reasons: businesses pay an extra property tax. The statewide property tax ($860 million) goes to the general fund - not local units of government - and is automatically increased each year.
 
Minnesota has a $900 million budget surplus. Urge Governor Dayton and your legislators to provide meaningful relief for businesses by reducing the state business property tax and removing the automatic inflator. Let's help make Minnesota businesses more competitive by providing business property tax relief this year! Find your legislators.
Legislative Breakfast: Donkeys vs. Elephants 
 
May's Legislative Breakfast features "Donkeys vs. Elephants"
with Minnesota's political party leaders, Keith Downey (GOP) 
 and Ken Martin (DFL) on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. at the Commons on Marice. Join us as they "unwind the spin" on November's elections, learn more about their
strategies for the future, how they plan to capture the independent voter,  and the race for cash. Register today.

Thank you to our sponsors:
                                                                   
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
3
7:30 a.m.
Small Business Academy Committee

7:30 a.m.
PAC Board

11:30 a.m.
SMYPro Committee
3:30 p.m.
Ambassador Committee
 
4


5

4:00 p.m.
6

7:30 a.m.
Legislative Breakfast

11:30 a.m.
Nominating Committee
9
10
11

8:00 a.m.
Noon

12

8:00 a.m.

13
16

Noon
17

7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors

Noon

18

7:30 a.m.

3:30 p.m.
19

7:30 a.m.
Golf Committee

11:30 a.m.

20
23
24

8:00 a.m.
25

8:00 a.m.
Noon
26
27

7:30 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
Did You Know?
Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the 1862 victory of the Mexican militia over the French army in the Battle of Puebla, is this Thursday. Here are a few fun, themed recipes from the Washington Post to help you partake in the days festivities.
Eagan Public Works Projects Overview
  
construction_hard_hat.jpg The City of Eagan's Public Works department is busy managing several projects this summer. Here is a brief overview what's to come.You can stay up-to-date on all construction projects in Eagan by using their new interactive construction map and signing up for their construction email alerts.
 
New Telecommunications Tower near Community Center/Unisys
  • Current status: temporary pole is up and all services have been moved
  • Tear down of the old water tower will  happen the first week of May
  • New one will be up by the end of summer
Pilot Knob Project
  • Adding 3rd southbound lane to Yankee Doodle
  • Work should start first part of June through Thanksgiving
    • Stage 1: NB 1 lane open, SB all lanes open - through 4th of July
    • Stage 2: SB all lanes closed, NB 1 lane open - starting in August
MnDOT Bridge Work
  • I-494 & Pilot Knob Road
  • Hwy 77 & Hwy 13
New Flashing Yellow Arrows
  • Corporate Center & Pilot Knob
  • Diffley & Johnny Cake
  • Diffley & Blackhawk
Matt Smith Named Dakota County Manager
 
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners announced Matt Smith as the County's new manager. In his new role, Smith will oversee a team of nearly 2,000 employees in the county's 16 different departments. Smith is replacing Brandt Richardson. Dakota County Regional Chamber is excited to work with Matt in his new role. Please join us in welcoming Matt! Read the full news release. 
 
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
Farmington City Council meets May 2 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets May 3 - see the agenda 
Rosemount City Council meets May 3 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets May 3 - see the agenda 
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets May 3 - see the agenda  
Member Spotlight: Be Involved to Maximize Your Investment
 
Peggy Johnson
As Dakota Electric's Community Relations Director, I am actively involved in Chambers in and around Dakota County. DCR Chamber activities like Women's Circle and the Women's Conference, Ambassadors and government affairs initiatives have been invaluable in creating a network of business leaders and community leaders that help me stay current on issues and help Dakota Electric to communicate important information to our members.
 
Over the years, the business partnerships and true friendships that I have been so fortunate to be a part of have supported the work that I do on behalf of Dakota Electric. I served on the Dakota Regional Chamber Board and as its chair a few years ago. What an awesome opportunity to connect with so many terrific leaders. I encourage members to become involved and take on leadership roles within the chamber to maximize your investment. 
McDonald's to Host Fundraiser
 
McDonald's of Eagan on Diffley & McDonald's of Rosemount are hosting a fundraiser event for Eagan residents, Bryan Joas and his family. Bryan was severely injured in a hit and run accident in Empire Township in March. He and his family are experiencing out of this world medical expenses. The fundraiser will be held on May 12 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at each location. The Eagan and Rosemount Police Departments are going to be on hand helping kids with bike safety talks and a variety of other events. Thank you to the community for rally behind this family and showing their support.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 



Enerkem Inc. 
David McConnell 
1130 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1500 
Montreal, OC H3A 2MB
Canada 
(514) 875-0284
Visit website here 

Enerkem makes biofuels and renewable chemicals from waste. With its proprietary technology, Enerkem converts non-recyclable municipal solid waste into methanol, ethanol and other widely used chemical intermediates. Headquartered in Canada, Enerkem owns a full-scale commercial facility in Alberta as well as a demonstration plant and a pilot facility in Quebec. The company is developing additional biorefineries in North America and globally, based on its modular manufacturing approach. Enerkem's technology and facilities help diversify the energy mix and make everyday products greener while offering a sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration.



Ergotron, Inc.
Sean Gorman
1181 Trapp Road 
Eagan, MN 55121
(651) 681-7652
Visit website here 
 
Ergotron, Inc. is a global manufacturer of leading digital display mounting and mobility products with a history of innovation which includes over 192 patents and a growing portfolio of award winning brands. Ergotron's mounting solutions include wall, ceiling and desk mounts, desk stands, office and tech furniture, sit-stand workstations, device charging stations, carts and vertical lifts for computer monitors, notebooks, tablets, flat panels, and TVs. Many of Ergotron's products incorporate patented Constant Force™ (CF) lift and pivot technology to achieve less effort and more ergonomic motion for healthier and more interactive user experiences when viewing any digital display. Whether to enhance collaborate interaction in the classroom, improve workplace productivity or create business process efficiency, Ergotron's products are positioning your digital world.


 
Holiday Inn Express and Suites - Eagan
Chad Kolness
3434 Washington Drive
Eagan, MN 55122
Visit website  here
 
The new Holiday Inn Express and Suites Eagan - Minneapolis Area is now accepting reservations for arrivals on or after July 1, 2016. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites gives you everything you're looking for when planning an ideal stay. We offer a 24-hour shuttle service to the MSP Airport, Twin Cities Premium Outlet Mall and the Mall of America®, so you can indulge your shopaholic. We also offer a shuttle to any local offices within a 5 mile radius of the hotel as well as the light rail station which offers convenient transportation to downtown Minneapolis or Saint Paul. Complimentary Wi-Fi is also available. Our hot complimentary breakfast will greet you each and every morning and we are just a short walk away from some great dining.
 
 
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!
 

Thank you to Jon Hohenstein for his leadership over the past 13 years as the City of Eagan's Community Development Director. Jon plans to retire at the end of May and will leave behind a legacy filled with many development projects that have helped the City of Eagan to continue to evolve and grow. Read more about Jon's leadership.


man_scratches_head.jpg Share your news! Toot your horn! Inquiring minds want to know! Contact Emily Corson with your news today. 
Click here for more info on Minnesota Energy Resources.
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872