May 16, 2016
You're Not Immune.  Minneapolis' Proposed Workplace Mandates May Impact Your Business
 
The Minneapolis City Council has announced their intention to vote on a paid sick days mandate.  The proposed ordinance is far-reaching and affects every business with employees that work 80 hours or more in the city of Minneapolis in any given year.  Time must be tracked and records kept for three years.  If your employees drive through Minneapolis, work trade shows at the Convention Center or work on a construction site within the city--you will be required to comply with this ordinance.  Your Chamber is part of the Workforce Fairness Coaltion and FAQ's can provide additional details.
 
A public hearing on May 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Minneapolis City Hall is the only opportunity to provide feedback during a Council meeting prior to their vote on May 27.

Committed to Business... for YOU.
Legislative Priorities: Still In Limbo
 
One week remains in the 2016 Legislative Session and your Chamber's top legislative priorities are still in limbo.  Below is a quick recap of last week's activity on our priorities:
  • No action for business property tax relief within the House and Senate omnibus tax bills.  We will continue to watch closely H.F. 848.  We support meaningful business property tax relief including elimination of the automatic inflator.
  • No action on passage of a ten-year, comprehensive transportation funding package that provides increased investment in the state's multi-modal transportation infrastructure.
  • We strongly opposed the Senate Tax omnibus bill passed earlier this week in the Senate that would greatly expand family and medical leave benefits.  Watch closely H.F. 3931.  Thanks to those of you that contacted your Senator in opposition of this terrible policy.
  • We oppose allowing local governments the ability to mandate wages and benefits.  This practice creates a patchwork system of laws and ordinances governing employee benefits, causing costly regulatory and paperwork burdens for business.  H.F. 1241/S.F. 565
  • Prevent abusive lawsuits under the ADA & MN Human Rights Act.  The bill passed the House earlier this week on a bipartisan vote of 82-45. H.F 2955/S.F. 2584.
In The News:  Costs Matter; So Wake Up Minnesota

From SUN THISWEEK (APPLE VALLEY): Minnesota business property taxes are among the highest in the nation. We rank as high as second in the country for some properties in Greater Minnesota and sixth highest in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In fact, Minnesota businesses comprise 12.4 percent of the total property market value, but pay 32 percent of the total property tax. Costs matter and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce believes that the Minnesota Legislature has an opportunity to provide business property tax relief this year.

Golf Classic: Only 11 Spots Remain 
 
If you haven't registered yet for DCR Chamber's Golf Classic on June 20 at Mendakota Country Club, don't delay! Only 11 spots remain for this awesome day of fun.  You'll have the opportunity to network with other Chamber members, enjoy the weather and beautiful course along with having some fun. Register today.

If you are interested in marketing to the golfers, we still have sponsorship opportunities available. Click here for more info. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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

 7:30 a.m.
Nominating Committee 

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 
6

7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
7

11:30 a.m.
SMYPro Steering Committee

4:00 p.m.
8

8:00 a.m.
9

8:00 a.m.
10
 Now Hiring!
Are you an energetic, relationship-oriented professional looking to make a change in their career?  Your Chamber is seeking results-driven sales associates that are responsible for all member sales activities, from lead generation to close and retention.  Find out more on how to join our Sales Team and pass along to others.    
Rosemount's Levy Referendum on Tuesday:  Cast Your Vote
  
Rosemount's polling places will be open on Tuesday (May 17) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., when voters will decide whether to authorize up to $15 million in borrowing for recreational facilities.  Information on the proposal and voting procedures is available at www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/referendum. You can also find unofficial results on this page on Tuesday night.
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
 
Farmington City Council meets May 16 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets May 16 - see the agenda
Rosemount Port Authority meets May 16 - see the agenda 
West St. Paul Planning Commission meets May 17 - see the agenda 
Eagan City Council meets May 17 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets May 17 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets May 17 - 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.   
All Tied Up!  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.
 
It's all tied up with four new members each but Mark's Team leads with 125 points; but Team Cindy isn't far behind. 

 
 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 


At Home Apartments
Visit website here

With over 50+ locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, At Home Apartments is and has always retained complete focus on being an apartment living specialist. We continually strive to provide clean, quiet, and well-maintained apartments to every resident, while offering excellent customer service, attention to detail, and to promote long-term satisfied residents.

CityVue Apartments
3435 Promenade Avenue
Eagan, MN 55123
651-688-0043

Jade Lane Estates
1950 Jade Lane
Eagan, MN 55122
651-452-7366

Shannon Glen Townhomes
14600 Shannon Parkway
Rosemount, MN 55068
651-452-7366

View Pointe Apartments
3898 Valley View Drive
Eagan, MN 55122
651-454-2140

Waterford Place Townhomes
1130 Town Centre Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
651-452-7366



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.
 
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!
 

Medi-CAR Auto Repair has been hard at work on remodeling their building! To celebrate, they are participating in a Rosemount Community Event on May 21 and you are invited. There will be a fundraiser, a performance of the Medi-CAR Jingle and more. Learn more.

Your Chamber's Board of Directors along with other Eagan community leaders were invited to a VIP tour of US Bank Stadium.  #purplepride 
 
 

Many successful connections were made at last week's Coffee Break at Anchor Bank in Farmington. We hope to see you at our next Coffee Break on May 24 from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at Neighbors, Inc.!

We celebrated with Ohana Home & Design 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