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| What a Disappointment
It is safe to say that the millions of people in MN who expected to see some kind of transportation/transit bill come out of the Legislature are stunned this week. Those of us in the business community listened attentively when the House, Senate and Governor each proclaimed it among their highest priorities. Each also acknowledged that success would require compromise.
Yet, as the Legislature adjourned the 2015 regular legislative session, the Governor, Senate and House were unable to reach agreement about new funding for Minnesota's transportation system. The Governor and Senate DFL proposal included an additional $11 billion dollars in funding over 10 years for roads, bridges and transit. This funding increase would include a gas tax increase (6.5% on the wholesale price), a sales tax increase (0.5% and 0.75%) and an increase in vehicle registration fees.
The House proposed a $7 billion dollar funding plan over ten years for roads and bridges with no increase in funding for transit. The House increase included financing using part of the state general fund surplus, dedication of some existing sales tax revenue from auto parts, tires and rental vehicles and the issuing of bonds.
It is very disappointing that an agreement could not be reached to increase transportation funding. While money will continue to be available to fund roads, bridges and transit at their present level, the system will continue to deteriorate and major expansions will remain in the planning stages. It is important to note that all participants in the debate recognized there is a need for significant new investment. House Republicans continue to object to increasing taxes for transportation purposes and remain opposed to new funding for transit. The Governor and Senate DFL continue to support increased taxes for roads, bridges and transit and object to transferring money from the state's general fund.
I very much doubt that transportation will be a part of a special session. That leaves us waiting until next year, although with none of the faces changing I am uncertain where we will find those members willing to put fixing our roads, bridges and transit above politics. Hard to believe, not long ago, transportation held wide bipartisan support. The Minneapolis Regional Chamber will continue to work with other business organizations to emphasis the importance of increased investment in our transit infrastructure. As a state and a region, we need this increased investment to remain competitive. Please join me in urging your legislators and the Governor to find common ground on a significant increase and investment in our transportation infrastructure in Minnesota. Our economy, job expansion and future are dependent on achieving this important goal. MN Chamber Spring 2015 Statewide Policy Tour
Next week the Minnesota Chamber's Statewide Policy Tour comes to our area on Thursday, May 28 with a meeting at WSB headquarters from 4-5 pm followed by a social hour. These meetings not only provide useful information about the current legislative session but also give you the opportunity to share your feedback on future priorities for the state chamber. Click here for more information and registration. Critical Issues Forum: New MSP Regional Measures
I encourage you to register for our Critical Issues Forum on Friday, May 29th-MSP Measures: Regional Indicators Dashboard presented in partnership with Greater MSP. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, this new dashboard replaces our Business Vitality Index and is a set of shared, objective metrics that will help us track our region's economic competitiveness and build a path toward the future. Our powerhouse panel for this forum is: Edina Mayor Jim Hovland, St. Paul Area Chamber President & CEO Matt Kramer, Mortenson Construction Chairman David Mortenson, Thor Construction CEO Ravi Norman, University of MN Foundation President & CEO Kathy Schmidlkofer and McKinsey & Company Director and Greater MSP Board Chair Tim Welsh. Please join us. 
Todd Klingel
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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Win a $150 Amazon Gift Card!
Refer two potential members by May 29th and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $150 Amazon Gift Card!
Everyone Wins! When your referral joins the Chamber you will also receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice.
There is no limit to the number of referrals you can submit. The more referrals you provide the better your chances are of winning! Of course if you only have one referral please submit it. You are still eligible to receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice!
Refer someone today.
For more information, please contact Lisa Myhre at (612) 370-9137 or Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121.
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CHAMBER MEMBER HIGHLIGHT:
Special Invitation to Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Members
D'Amico Catering and Sovereign Estate Vineyard and Winery invite you to a Wine & Food Pairing on Tuesday, June 16 from 3-6pm. Sovereign Estate is our newest exclusive venue located in lovely Waconia, MN a short drive from Minneapolis. Enjoy wine & food pairing stations, tour the winery and tasting room, stroll the rolling vineyards, and pause to take in the breath-taking lake views.
RSVP now and be one of the first to experience this beautiful winery, email
[email protected] or call 612-238-4444 for more information.
Click here for the details.
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Bank of America/EMERGE Career & Technology Center
Bank of America has chosen EMERGE as their 2014 Neighborhood Builder winner in Minnesota. Bank of America's Neighborhood Builders? program recognizes high performing nonprofits by providing leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader paired with $200,000 in funding. Now in its tenth year, the program has created impact across the country with 800 nonprofit awardees and leadership training for 1,600 nonprofit leaders. The program was developed to give nonprofits an opportunity to invest their human capital while also developing their capacity to deliver much-needed services.
RBC Wealth Management
RBC Wealth Management-U.S. named Wally Chapman director of its 142-person Minneapolis complex, assuming his new role on March 1st of this year. Chapman joined the company in 1995 and was branch director for RBC Wealth Management's Edina office. He succeeds Kevin Ketelsleger, who has served as Minneapolis complex director since 2002. In conjunction with Chapman's transition to Minneapolis complex director, Tom Schulenberg took on the role of branch director in Edina. Schulenberg was formerly the branch director at the Wayzata office.
2015 World's Most Ethical Businesses
U.S. Bank and Thrivent Financial have been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2015 World's Most Ethical Company?. The World's Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes those organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company. U.S. Bank is the fifth largest commercial bank in the U.S. and the largest U.S.-based bank being honored by the Institute this year. Thrivent Financial made the financial services list.
FASTSIGNS? of downtown Minneapolis was named one of the top centers out of more than 570 locations worldwide at the 2015 FASTSIGNS International Convention, which was held in Dallas, Texas. The locally owned and operated business received the Pinnacle Club Award, which is given to the centers ranked 26 to 125 in the U.S. and Canada for sales volume from the previous year. |
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RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 Minneapolis Television Network
1620 Central Ave., Ste. 175
Minneapolis, 55413 www.mtn.org Executive Director Michael Fallon gets ready to cut the ribbon for Minneapolis Television Network's new space in the historic Thorp Building. |
 IT-Ready (Creating IT Futures Foundation)
7505 Metro Blvd., Ste 430
Edina, MN 55439 www.creatingitfutures.org CEO Charles Eaton gets help from Minneapolis Employment and Training Program (METP) Director Deb Bahr-Helgen to welcome the new IT-Ready site in the Twin Cities. |
 Courtyard and Residence Inn
by Marriott Minneapolis/Bloomington
7850 Bloomington Ave. South
Bloomington, MN 55425 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mspll-residence-inn-minneapolis-bloomington/ GM Jeff Feltes celebrates the completed renovations at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Bloomington. |
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 | 11 a.m. 555 Nicollet Mall, Suite 251 (RBC Plaza)
Minneapolis, MN 55402 www.affinityplus.org Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
Good in the 'Hood Open House
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 | 2 to 4 p.m. 1630 East 90th St.
Bloomington, MN 55425 www.goodinthehood.org Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
Elan Uptown Apartments
Thursday, June 11, 2015 | 5 to 8 p.m. 2837 Emerson Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55408 www.elanuptown.com Please RSVP by June 4 to [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
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Critical Issues Forum: MSP Measures: Regional Indicators Dashboard
Friday, May 29, 2015 | 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Member: $30 | Non-Member: $50
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403 |
View Map
Join the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and partners for the release of a new shared tool to track our region's economic competitiveness and build a path toward the future. The Regional Indicators Dashboard is a set of shared, objective metrics that will track the region's overall success in terms of critical economic, environmental and social outcomes.
The Greater MSP region has long been known for its economic strength, cultural diversity and excellent education system. Its workforce serves as a key competitive advantage and a driving force of the region's economic success. Don't miss the unveiling of this year's Dashboard and a discussion on how leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors will be able to better manage growth, focus investment, set strategic priorities and act more quickly in areas requiring cross-sector collaboration.
Speakers:
- Jim Hovland | Mayor, City of Edina
- Matt Kramer | President & CEO, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
- David Mortenson | Chairman, Mortenson Construction
- Ravi Norman | CEO, Thor Construction, Inc.
- Kathy Schmidlkofer | President & CEO, University of Minnesota Foundation
- Tim Welsh | Director, McKinsey & Company | Chair, Greater MSP Board of Directors
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Target
Thank you to our series sponsors: Mortenson Construction, Associated Bank, Comcast and Xcel Energy
Thank you to our event sponsors: CenterPoint Energy, VOYA Financial, DLR Group and Welsh Company, LLC
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42nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament
Grab your clubs and golf attire and join the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for its 42nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament on June 15, 2015 at the Minnesota Valley Country Club. We only have a few foursomes left so make sure you register today! Cost is $180 per golfer or $695 per foursome with a shotgun start at 12 p.m. To register yourself or your foursome, click here. Save time on the day of the tournament and make sure you purchase your VIP pack now as well! You can also make a silent auction donation and keep your business visibility up to par. A donation is the perfect opportunity to get your product, service or business name in front of more than 150 influential business professionals from many different Twin Cities companies. For more information on item donations, call Anna Stinson at (612) 370-9123 or click here! Donate to the Golfer VIP Bag! For $100 you have the chance to put an item in the bags received by the golfers (item subject to approval by Chamber). In return, you get a dinner reservation to spend time networking with attendees after the tournament as well as your company name listed in the program. Click here for details. |
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Want to start saving on business supplies with your Chamber membership?
As a valued Chamber member, you're able to receive aggressive pricing on the items you use every day from office products to cleaning and breakroom supplies to technology items. And those savings more than offset the costs of the dues each year.
Enjoy a free box of Biscoff cookies with your qualifying delivery order of $125 or more!
Use coupon code 77589117 when checking out. Valid thru May 31, 2015.
Returning Customer | New Customer
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Got the Urge to Network?
ConnectForLunch Dramatically Updated
Our ConnectForLunch program has just been dramatically updated. Instead of the current version, which offered only one day each week, the new version will now be available three days every week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 52 weeks a year.
And there's more improvements. Lots more:
- You'll have more choices: Now you can choose which restaurant you'd like to go to, instead of being assigned to a particular restaurant by the software. French cuisine? Italian? Vegetarian? A restaurant that's close by? The choice is yours.
- And more choices: You can choose to meet new contacts, renew contacts with businesspeople you've met before, or both. Just pick the group you'd like to join... or start your own group.
- And more flexibility: Instead of the current twice-a-month subscription which restricted you to only two lunches a month, you'll be able to buy packets of five, ten or twenty lunches which can be used at any time. Any unused lunches are fully refundable within six months after purchase.
- And even more flexibility: Have an opening in your schedule? No more waiting until next week to go to lunch: you can go to lunch as early as the next day.
Click here to see upcoming lunches.
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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Small Business: Celebrate Small Business
 Thursday, May 21
5 to 7 p.m. / Urban Growler? Brewing Company Thank you to our event sponsor: UPS and Urban Growler Brewing Company |
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Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
Tuesday, June 9
7:45 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce |
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Chamber Town Talk | SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, June 11
8 to 9:30 a.m. / Jax Cafe Thank you to our series sponsors: Comcast, Eastside Food Cooperative. Wells Fargo and Jax Cafe |
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Public Policy Forum: Session's End and Transit's Future?
Friday, June 12
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Wells Fargo Center Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Wells Fargo |
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Meet the Chamber! Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Post Office
Wednesday, June 17
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Minneapolis Post Office Thank you to our series sponsor: Panera Bread |
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Happy Hour Networking at CRAVE Mall of America
Thursday, June 18
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. / CRAVE Mall of America |
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DRIVE Roundtable: Craft Distilleries: Minnesota in a Bottle
Friday, June 19
7:30 to 9 a.m. / the Local Thank you to our series sponsors: Foley & Mansfield, PLLP, Wells Fargo, Cara Irish Pubs and Xcel Energy |
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