May 23, 2016
Now Hiring! 
 
Are you an energetic, relationship-oriented professional looking to make a change in your career?  Your Chamber is seeking a results-driven sales associate that is responsible for all member sales activities, from lead generation to making the close and retention.  Find out more on how to join our Sales Team. Not interested yourself?  Please pass this great opportunity along to others.
  
Committed to Business... for YOU.
What Did We Wake Up To?
 
By law, Minnesota's 2016 Legislative Session must have adjourned by Midnight and when we fell asleep our Legislators were still meeting with no progress made on our key priorities.  Below is a quick reminder of our priorities.  We will send a recap to you when we fully understand what occurred.     
  • We support 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.
  • 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.    
  • Prevent abusive lawsuits under the ADA & MN Human Rights Act.  
  • Bonding for specific Dakota County projects.
Department of Labor Unveils New Overtime Rules:  How Will Your Business Be Affected? 
 
 
The Department of Labor unveiled the new overtime regulation.  Here are the bullet points of the new regulation.  
  • The salary threshold will be increased to $47,476 annually ($913/week)-an increase of more than 100% from the current threshold of $23,660 annually ($455/week).  There will be no changes to the duties test. 
  • The salary threshold will be updated every three years and tied to the 40th percentile of full time salaried workers in the lowest wage region of the country (currently the Southeast). 
  • Employers will have until December 1, 2016 to come into compliance with the new requirement-a period of about 200 days.
  • No indication about how commissions/bonuses/incentive based pay will be treated.
While we remain disappointed in the excessively high salary threshold, the changes made since the proposed regulation reflect points and arguments the Chamber Coalition made in our comments, testimony, and meetings with the administration.  Stay tuned for further details as they are released. 
Legislative Breakfast: It's a Wrap! 
 
June's Legislative Breakfast features "It's a Wrap" with several of Dakota County's elected leaders on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Commons on Marice.  Join us as they rewind the 2016 Legislative Session.  Learn more about the impact on your business based upon the action of our legislative leaders during the 2016 legislative session.  Did they support your business priorities and make it easier to grow your business and create new jobs?  Or did their decisions create additional obstacles and cost you more to run your business? Register today. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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
Chamber Office Closed

31
1

4:30 p.m.

2

 

4:00 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting Midwest Dental Farmington 

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
13
14
15

16

4:30 p.m.
17
  Did You Know?
We've got three holidays worthy of celebration coming up in the next week. Let the celebrations begin!  

     Tuesday, May 24 - National Brothers Day
     Saturday, May 28 - National Burger Day
     Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day 

Hohenstein to Retire:  Thanks for Your Leadership
  
Jon Hohenstein, Eagan's Economic Development Director is set to retire this week after 26 years of service. Your Chamber wishes Jon the very best!  We'd list all of the remarkable projects that were led by Jon throughout the years, but they are too numerous to mention.  Just look around Eagan - much of what we see today - in residential and commercial development happened under the care and leadership of Jon.      
Rosemount's Levy Referendum Fails on 57% "No" Vote
  
Rosemount residents voted down a proposed $15 million levy referendum last week.  If the referendum had passed, the city would have built two new baseball and softball fields at UMore Park, a second full-size sheet of ice for hockey and skating programs, four fields for soccer, lacrosse and football at Flint Hills Athletic Complex and a skating and event plaza and new play area at Central Park.  Businesses would have seen an approximate 1.6% increase in their annual property taxes. 
Vikings' Proposed Development Delayed Until June
  
The Minnesota Vikings proposed development won't get a vote this month by the Eagan City Council; as the Metropolitan Council must review the plans and approve them first.  We were disappointed to learn of the delay by the Met Council but remain optimistic and excited about the 15-year phased project which includes the team's new headquarters, practice facility, 6,0000-seat outdoor stadium as well as housing, office space and retail.  Stay tuned for further updates as we head into June. 
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
Farmington Economic Development Authority meets May 26 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets May 24 - see the agenda 
West St. Paul City Council meets May 23 - see the agenda 
Eagan Planning Commission meets May 24 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights City Council meets May 24 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets May 24 - see the agenda   
Member Spotlight: Positive Impact on the Community 
  
Joel Fugleberg
At Lifestyle Chiropractic, I provide health and wellness care to our community by relieving pain without drugs and helping people avoid the need for surgery. We empower and teach people how to remain healthy through lifestyle, nutrition and fitness tips. Each individual is different and so our tailored approach to care builds close relationships with many of our patients. I've found the DCR Chamber to be a valuable place for building relationships as well. Networking with and meeting other business owners who are trying to make a positive impact in the community is a highlight of my experience so far. There are regular opportunities to get involved and to volunteer within the Chamber which is another great way to make a difference. I appreciate the effort the Chamber makes to include a variety of events and encourage the growth of their members!
All Tied Up!  Whose Team Are You On?
 
Don't forget to join a Member Madness team - Team Cindy or Team Mark by contacting Vicki Stute and share your prospective member leads through this easy online form. Need more details? Click here.
 
 
 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Angie Craig for Congress
Jay Gubrud, Inc.
Shamrock Wealth Management


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

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!
 

The Eagan YMCA is turning 20 this week! As part of their celebration, they are hosting a community celebration on May 24 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Stop by and wish them happy birthday!

Congratulations to Fairview Ridges Hospital  as they wrap up their Specialty Care Expansion Campaign and celebrate the work of many volunteers.  Nearly $3 million was raised in support of this regional economic investment for our community.     
 
 
Women's Circle members enjoyed their time with Tami Kruse, Director of Women's Initiatives, Cheerleading, Minnesota Vikings during last week's luncheon.  Tami shared her Top 20 Lessons Learned - a great refresher for all that attended.  
 
 

Many successful connections were made at 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.!

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