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Thursday, February 26, 2015
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Annual Meeting a Hit
Thank you to all the members that attended our Annual Meeting last Thursday. We had an even bigger crowd than last year and clearly you were all having a good time as we shared the Region's 2014 successes. Congratulations again to the Faegre Baker Daniels table for winning the grand prize. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially our presenting sponsor, Xcel Energy.
What is Happening at the Legislature?
Some of you have wondered why I have not been writing about this year's session. A couple of reasons; it is still early in the process and bills are just making their way through the system. Secondly, serious discussion of our primary focus, transportation, is awaiting two pieces of information.
Tomorrow, the Governor's office will report the new financial forecast. Many people, including me, believe the surplus will be even higher than projected last November. If that is the case, expect a strong effort to shift the discussion from the 10-year plan the business community seeks to an injection of capital from the general fund over the next two years.
The other piece of information is a study commissioned by the MN Chamber to verify that the numbers the Transportation Finance Advisory Committee presented at the end of 2012 accurately reflect the need for roads, bridges and transit. Accenture is undertaking this effort and we expect the results early next month.
Having both of these pieces will inform the debate as we aggressively work to move the discussion forward. This chamber has been the leading business association supporting increased transportation infrastructure across the state, knowing how crucial it is to job growth and workforce retention. This year, we continue to lead that charge. Our current position is that we need to provide the resources to insure that we remain economically competitive with regions across the country and the world.
Once the new information is known, we will be able to include more specifics.
Hennepin County Offering Grants to Help Businesses Recycle:
You have all seen the data that becoming more "green" is not only good for the environment, but also for your bottom line. Customers and employees alike are drawn to environmentally conscious organizations. Hennepin County is here to help you get started encouraging you to become an Environmental Partner by recycling and diverting organic waste from the trash through composting, sending food scraps to local farmers to feed animals, or by donating edible food. Doing so will also help conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the local economy.
Here are the ways they can help you get started.
- Start or improve your recycling and/or organics collection with a Business Recycling Grant*- 2015 grant application deadlines are: March 15, June 15, and October 15.
- Get recognized and become an Environmental Partner to advertise your efforts on our website and at your business.
- Hennepin County staff is available to help identify opportunities to improve your recycling.
- Order free educational materials and signage online.
*Grants up to $50,000 are available from Hennepin County for your business to improve or start recycling efforts. Funds can be used to:
- purchase recycling containers and equipment
- cover start-up cost for hauling services
- install minor improvements to loading docks and outside container enclosures
Todd Klingel
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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HGA Architects and Engineers
HGA won 3 honor awards at the AIA Minnesota Annual Convention for the following projects: Marlboro Music Cottages at Marlboro Music School & Festival in Vermont, the renovation of Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota and Phase II of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center at Macalester College.
Padilla CRT Padilla CRT was honored for their work with Allianz Life with a Global Sabre from the Holmes Report. The Global Sabre is awarded to the top one percent of nearly 5,000 campaigns submitted worldwide. "Heralding the Financial Rise of Women" was the honored campaign, which helps women harness their financial power and secure their future.
Arc Value Village and Way Better Snacks Two Chamber businesses were included in the 10 businesses highlighted by Twin Cities Business Magazine in their Small Business Success Stories article: Arc Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers and Way Better Snacks. Arc Value Village had 1 million store visits in 2013 from customers who browse, buy or donate while also supporting its mission to assist people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Way Better Snacks makes & markets tortilla & pita chips that incorporate sprouted seeds, beans and whole grain with project 2014 income between $20-$24 million.
S & T Office Products - New Business Name
As of January 1st, 2015, S&T Office Products changed its business name to Innovative Office Solutions, having joined the Innovative Office Solutions family. Innovative OS has been in business since 2001.
Creating IT Futures Foundation
The Creating IT Futures Foundation will open a new office in Edina, Minn., this spring and host three 8 week IT-Ready classes this year to train and certify information technology (IT) workers. The IT-Ready job program is offered free of charge in order to help unemployed and under-employed individuals enter the IT field, which has a shortage of qualified workers. Applications for the next class are due by April 13. Potential participants can apply at www.ITReady.com. Since the program was established in Minneapolis / St. Paul in 2012, more than 100 individuals have graduated from IT-Ready, with nearly 95 percent earning their CompTIA A+ certification and 78 percent moving into paid IT roles with area companies after graduation.
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RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 Shift Fitness, Massage and Yoga
2105 Central Ave. N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
www.shiftne.com
Tammy Shaw-Sykes cut the ribbon to celebrate the new Shift Fitness location in Northeast Minneapolis.
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 Little Box Sauna
www.btacmn.org/placemaking/artists.html
Radisson Blu MOA kicks off the first host site for Little Box Sauna part of Bloomington Theater and Art Center's Creative Placemaking in the South Loop.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 State of the City: Shape of Things to Come
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Radisson Blu Mall of America
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Members: $35 | Non-Members: $50
Sponsored Table of Ten: $375 (with priority seating)
Join us on Wednesday, March 18 for the 2015 State of the City address "Shape of Things to Come." Mayor Gene Winstead and new City Manager Jamie Verbrugge will provide you with a glimpse of future Bloomington.
Thank you to our sponsors Mall of America, Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren, Ltd., Rasmussen College, Raymond James Financial Services - John Stanley, TRIA Orthopaedic Center, Holiday Companies, Total Wine & More, Walser Automotive Group and Xcel Energy.
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   Enhanced Listing Opportunity
Click here for details.
Did you know that over 31,000 people visit the Chamber's website every month? And that for as a little as $150 you can show off your company to thousands of potential clients? The Chamber now offers Enhanced Listings in our Online Membership Directory. Your company is immediately bumped to the top of your category in search results and includes a YouTube video, a photo gallery, 1,600 character description, 20 additional keywords and much more!
You can check out the Minneapolis Regional Chamber's Enhanced Listing by clicking here and compare it with your listing in our online directory.
Contact Lisa Myhre at (612) 370-9137 or Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!
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Public Policy Forum: At the Capitol - What's at Stake for Minneapolis
 Friday, March 6, 2015
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Wells Fargo Center
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Wells Fargo
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Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
8 to 9:30 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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South Metro Young Professionals:
Using Technology to Streamline Your Business
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
8 to 9:30 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to our sponsors: Mortgages Unlimited, Inc. - Furlong Team and Star Choice Credit Union
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Get Acquainted Breakfast: Celebrating a Century of Service
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
7:30 to 9 a.m. / East Side Neighborhood Services
Thank you to our sponsors: CenturyLink, Xcel Energy, Northeast Bank and Elsie's Restaurant, Bar & Bowling
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Best in Business Awards
Thursday, March 19, 2015
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / LOEWS Hotel Minneapolis
Thank you to our sponsors: Comcast, Xcel Energy, RBC Wealth Management and PSAV
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Tado Steakhouse
