May 9, 2016
Engage in the Vision for DCR Chamber and Region 
 
DCR Chamber Board of Directors recently adopted a three year strategic plan whose goals and strategies will be used as a roadmap intended to position DCR Chamber as the voice of the regional business community and ensure a strong return on investment for its members.

Chamber growth, both in terms of number of members as well as revenue, will be key indicators of the plan's success. This strategic plan is grounded in the recognition that the Chamber has an important role to play for stakeholders that requires prudent but bold leadership on certain policy initiatives, serving as the champion for the marketplace and its brand, and a commitment to the growth of our organization and allocation of resources. The plan is focused on the next three years, but the fundamental elements of the plan will continue to carry forward for years to come.
 
Over the next three years the Board of Directors, staff and member volunteers will be vested in the implementation of these strategies by developing appropriate supporting tactics and benchmarking the overall progress of the plan. We are currently looking for Chamber members interested in participating on the following committees:
 
Communications Committee: Help build the DCR brand and develop a communications plan to organize, implement, and measure organizational communications.
 
Economic Development Committee: Develop supporting tactics for DCR Chamber to provide bold leadership among civic and business leadership by transcending political boundaries for the greater good of our local communities and region.
 
Program Audit Task Force: Evaluate current programs and research new, innovative programs that serve the interests of the members.
 
If you are interested in learning more or participating on any of these committees, please contact Vicki Stute, 651.288.9201.
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Legislative Priorities: Down to the Wire

Once again, your Chamber's top legislative priorities are still in limbo with only two weeks remaining in this year's legislative session. Now is the time to contact your legislator and urge them to take action on the following issues:
  • Enact meaningful business property tax relief including elimination of the automatic inflator.
  • Passage of a ten-year, comprehensive transportation funding package that provides increased investment in the state's multi-modal transportation infrastructure.
  • Oppose new labor mandates and support state pre-emption of local mandates.
  • Prevent abusive lawsuits under the ADA & MN Human Rights Act.
  • Passage of a bonding bill that provides investment in new developments and job creation.
Click here for more information on how to contact your legislator. 
Top of the Ticket is Anyone's Guess

GOP MN Party Chair Keith Downey and DFL MN Party Chair Ken Martin joined Chamber members last Friday at the Legislative Breakfast. The "Top of the Ticket" effect on Minnesota's legislative results was discussed by both leaders and audience members were asked to weigh in on who they plan to vote for in the next U.S. presidential election....   40% - Hillary Clinton; 20% - Donald Trump; and 40% either haven't yet decided or don't plan to vote for either Clinton or Trump - it's still up for grabs with six months to go. 
Women's Circle: 20 Lessons I Learned During My 20 Years with the Minnesota Vikings 
 
As a woman working for the Minnesota Vikings and as a past network television host with ShopNBC/EvineLive, Tami Krause has learned many lessons and life skills. Tami is currently the Director of Women's Initiatives, Strategic Development and Cheerleading at the Minnesota Vikings.
 
She will share 20 practical lessons that she has gathered over her 20 year career. Each "lesson" has a direct short story related to the lesson to engage and inspire! You will walk away with reminders, insights and motivation that you can bring into the boardroom, your home and beyond. Register today. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9
10
11

8:00 a.m.
Noon

12

8:00 a.m.

13
16

Noon
17

7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors

9:00 a.m.
Communications Committee

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
7:30 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
27


30
31
1

4:30 p.m.
2
3

7:30 a.m.
Legislative Breakfast

11:30 a.m.
Nominating Committee 
purple_mothersday_concept.jpg Did You Know?
According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, Americans are likely to spend $21.4 billion on gifts for mom this Mother's Day. Though down slightly from last year, this is still good news for our retailers. Happy Mother's Day!

Employers of Excellence Winners to be Announced 
  
business_people3.jpg  In recognition of the inaugural Employers of Excellence pilot program, Dakota and Scott counties will name award winners at an event on Wednesday, May 25 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Eagan Community Center. Small businesses that participated in the program completed a 40-question survey, covering employee training and development, hiring and retention of employees, benefit plans and more. Employers of Excellence Award recipients will have top rankings in these categories. The keynote speaker for the award presentation will be Gerry Hoeffner, President of Personnel Dynamics Consulting Group. The business community is invited to join this event. Learn more.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
West St. Paul City Council meets May 9 - see the agenda
West St. Paul Economic Development Authority meets May 9 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets May 9 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets May 10 - see the agenda 
Farmington Planning Commission meets May 10 - see the agenda  
Member Spotlight: Opening New Doors
  
As the Sales, Marketing & Events Manager for ECM Publishers and Sun Thisweek Newspapers, I am responsible for producing contracted Specialty Publications, hosting ECM events and producing marketing campaigns and materials for ECM and our 50 community newspapers. During my 11 years with Sun/ECM, I've had the opportunity to be active with Dakota County Regional Chamber in a number of ways. I am a member of the WomEn's Circle and I currently chair the annual Business Excellence Awards. Being a member of these groups has been tremendously fulfilling for me. ECM is a member of several Chambers in Minnesota, which means that I am limited in the number of events I can attend for each Chamber throughout the year. As a result, I love that I have been able to select these two groups and really immerse myself in them. Being a part of the Chamber has expanded my network more than I could have imagined and has opened doors to new opportunities for me.   
Member Madness Update
 
The Member Madness Campaign is in full swing! Don't forget to join a team by contacting Heather and share your prospective member leads through this easy online form. Need more details? Click here. Team Mark is leading with 105 tickets and two new members but Team Cindy is not far behind! Here are the current standings:

 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 


MMS Properties, LLC 
Ted Muller
PO Box 7363
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 825-5100
Visit website here
 
MMS Properties, LLC is a property development and management company which began in the mid-nineties in Minneapolis but has branched out to the cities of Maple Grove and Eagan. Currently they have 1,500 square feet of ready-to-use retail space available for lease in the neighborhood center at 525 Diffley Road (corner of Diffley and Highway 3). As a boutique management company that provide expert property management in both commercial and multi-tenant residential properties. As a full-service company they handle everything that needs to be done to manage properties properly and at a profit.



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!
 

We celebrated with Ohana Home & Design last week on the opening of their new showroom in Mendota Heights. Thank you to Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union for being our ribbon cutting sponsor. Congratulations to Ohana Home & Design!

Goff Public is celebrating their 50th anniversary all year long! One way they are celebrating is by offering a free training session on July 19 to 50 Minnesota nonprofits to help sharpen their communications and advocacy skills. Applications are being accepting through May 27.  

Share your news! Toot your horn! Inquiring minds want to know! Contact Emily Corson with your news today. 
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872