LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
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Summer has arrived!
I hope you all had a relaxing and safe holiday weekend and are looking forward to the wonderful season ahead.
Your chamber staff has been hard at work planning a number of special events and programs for June and beyond.
Our legislative session wrap up Public Policy Forum will take place this Friday from 7:30 to 9:00 am at Wells Fargo Center. We will hear from Rich Forschler, Partner at Faegre Baker Daniels on what happened during the 2016 session as well as his predictions for a possible special session. Along with our other partners in the business community, we will continue to advocate for a transportation and transit funding bill if Governor Dayton calls lawmakers back into special session.
On June 20, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce 43rd Annual Golf Classic will take place at Minnesota Valley Country Club, and the following day, on June 21, the 87th Annual Celebrate Northeast Parade will occur on Central Avenue.
Looking towards the fall, Leadership Twin Cities, a nine-month series that informs people about the critical issues facing our community, is currently taking applications for this year's cohort.
The program, which runs from September through May, provides individuals with an in-depth look at community issues and opportunities for civic engagement. The program selects approximately 50 people each year from the public, private and non-profit sectors who share a commitment to improving our community. I would encourage you to apply and/or identify a member of your team to sponsor as a participant in the Leadership Twin Cities program.
Applications for this year's Leadership Twin Cities class are due Wednesday, June 8. Visit www.minneapolischamber.org/leadership for details.
In public policy news, last Friday the Minneapolis City Council approved a paid sick and safe leave ordinance. The ordinance can be found at WorkforceFairnessCoalition.com.
Along with approving the ordinance, the Minneapolis City Council instructed staff to analyze how to deal with existing employer policies that provide paid time off that meets or exceeds the minimum standards contained in the city ordinance. Under the current language, they would be forced to comply with all of the specific terms and conditions of the ordinance. Staff is to report back with "safe harbor" proposals for policies that meet the minimum standards of the ordinance or better by August 17th.
Your chamber will continue to work to improve the existing ordinance through a "safe harbor" provision and other provisions, monitor the upcoming rulemaking process and work to make sure members are informed and supported in advance of the July 1, 2017 effective date of the ordinance.
Finally, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President Maureen Scallen Failor has filed for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. She is seeking the seat currently held by Commissioner Randy Johnson, who has decided not to seek re-election. Maureen will continue to work full time and serve as Bloomington Chamber President and will use leave time for any campaign activities.
Enjoy June!
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John Stanoch
Interim President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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Mill City Credit Union
Mill City Credit Union was honored with three Diamond Awards, which recognizes outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. The award was presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council. Two of these awards recognize Mill City CU's local give back program, Making the Greater Good Even Greater campaign which launched in 2015. In Social Media, their video highlighting the local non-profit, Secondhand Hounds was honored with a Diamond Award. The Making the Greater Good Even Greater Campaign won an award for the overall program which generates awareness and provides prize money every month to one local small business and one non-profit organization.
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Thor Construction/Colliers International
Thor Construction will build a $30 million retail and office development - including a new headquarters for the company itself - on Minneapolis' North Side. The 92,000-square-foot development, located at Plymouth and Penn avenues, would include multi-tenant offices and retail space, along with an underground parking garage. Commercial real estate brokerage firm Colliers International will market the retail and office space to potential tenants.
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Opus Group
Opus Group, in partnership with the Opus Foundation®, announced that School on Wheels in Indianapolis has won the second annual Building Community Award and will receive $63,000. School on Wheels provides tutoring to children in grades K - 12 who are experiencing homelessness. Opus launched the award last year to honor their founder's legacy of giving back while commemorating their history. Recognizing the important contributions of all the organizations, each of the remaining seven finalists received a $1,000 grant. In Minneapolis, the grant recipient is Perspectives.
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RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Crayola Experience
Mall of America
300 South Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55425
www.crayolaexperience.com/minneapolis
Colors exploded at the Grand Opening of the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Bloomington Chamber Recognizes 2016 Scholarship Winners
The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announces the recipients of the Bloomington Future Leaders Scholarships. The eight scholarship winners for 2016 are Alana Currin, Kennedy High School; Elizete Diaz, Kennedy High School; Kendal Fasching, Jefferson High School; Sam Irvin, Jefferson High School; Jordana Machado, Jefferson High School; Jimmy Mrozek, Kennedy High School; Sarah Nelson, Jefferson High School and Paola Popoca, Kennedy High School.
Recognizing the importance and value of young leaders in the Bloomington community, the Chamber offers scholarships for graduating seniors with plans for post-secondary education from Jefferson High School and Kennedy High School who exemplify the characteristics of being a Bloomington Future Leader. The ideal recipient challenges himself/herself academically, is part of Business/Marketing Education courses, and shows passionate involvement in school and in the community.
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 Leadership Twin Cities now accepting applications for 2016-2017 Class
Leadership Twin Cities is a nine-month series that informs people about the critical issues facing our community. Its focus is to inform and inspire future leaders - and challenge them to make a difference.
Participants in Leadership Twin Cities
- Get behind the scenes access to museums, hospitals and government agencies.
- Create new business connections from a cross-section of the community.
- Hear from renowned speakers and community leaders, such as mayors, policy-makers and CEOs.
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Chamber Town Talk: Upper Riverfront - Visions and Plans
Jax Café
1928 University Ave. N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55418 |
View Map
The transformation of the Mississippi riverfront is dependent upon land acquisition, zoning changes and significant redevelopment. The projected results: significant parks and trails, recreation sites and attractions, connection between east and west sides of the river and the addition of over 3,000 jobs along the riverbanks and adjacent land. Kathleen Boe, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership will identify the stakeholders, summarize the proposed plans, and provide a progress report.
Thank you to our series sponsors:
Comcast,
Eastside Food Cooperative,
Jax Cafe and
Wells Fargo
Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event for a refund. All no shows will be billed. Substitutes are accepted.
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The 87th Annual Celebrate Northeast Parade Needs a Few Helping Hands
Volunteer for a fun, family friendly summer event! Spend late afternoon and early evening at the 87th Annual Celebrate Northeast Parade. There are many volunteer opportunities and a variety of times available. Gather your family, co-workers, or members of youth, church, social and neighborhood groups and become a part of this great community tradition.
Volunteer Today.
June 21, 2016 | 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Between 27th Ave Northeast and 18th Ave Northeast
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Want to start saving on business supplies with your chamber membership?
 As a chamber member, your company is eligible for special savings, aggressive pricing and other great benefits from Office Depot, including the special offer below.
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Chamber Referral Program
Do you know of a business that would benefit from membership?
Click on the link below and provide the business name and contact. When your referral joins the Chamber you will 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 more gift certificates you receive!
Here is how it works:
- Contact the business you are referring and let them know that you have submitted them as a potential new member
- Complete the online referral form
- Chamber staff will contact your referral about membership and mention your name
Sharing how your Minneapolis Regional Chamber membership has helped your business can make a big difference!
Enhanced Listing Opportunity
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
Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 or
John Youngberg at (612) 370-9170 today!
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Chamber Town Talk: Upper Riverfront - Visions and Plans
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Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
 Tuesday, June 14
7:45 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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43rd Annual Golf Classic Tournament
 Monday, June 20
10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Minnesota Valley Country Club
Thank you to our presenting sponsors: U.S. Bank and Mall of America
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Meet the Chamber! Minneapolis and Be The Match
Tuesday, June 21
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Be The Match
Thank you to our sponsor: Panera Bread
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87th Celebrate Northeast Parade
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DRIVE Social: Young Professionals Night at the Ballpark
Wednesday, June 22
5 to 10 p.m. / Gluek's Restaurant and Target Field
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Happy Hour Networking at Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis
Thursday, June 23
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. / Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis
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Good Morning Minneapolis: Philanthropy in the City
Friday, June 24
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Be The Match
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Xcel Energy
Thank you to our series sponsor: DLR Group
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Assemble
Thursday, June 16, 2016 | 4:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
