July 2016

Thank You to Our eNews Sponsor
Welcome New Members 
State Farm Insurance - Mike Tschida 
2014 Jefferson Road, Suite B
Northfield, MN 55057
507-645-6858
Primary Contact: Mike Tschida
Ziggy's
109 Water Street North
Northfield, MN 55057
507-663-0228
Primary Contact: Lynn  Ziegler
Monthly Chamber Survey 
What is your primary reason for belonging to the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism?
  • Networking
  • Educational seminars/programs
  • Legislative voice/influence
  • Business credibility
  • Website/printed Directory
  • Other
Reduce waste and strengthen profits
By Doug Loon, President of the Minnesota Chamber 
The Minnesota Chamber works year-round advocating for the interests of the statewide business community. That's most visible with our efforts at the Capitol where legislative victories can translate into financial savings for all types and sizes of businesses across the state.

Our one-on-one advocacy with Minnesota companies is just as important. Though it does not always garner headlines, we take equal pride in making connections and finding private-sector solutions outside the government purview. Look no further than Waste Wise and Energy Smart, our two sustainability programs that help improve your bottom line and help your organizations become more environmentally sustainable. 

Like many of our efforts, the reach of these programs is strengthened by our network with local chambers of commerce. Among our successes:
  • Our Energy Smart staff partnered with the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to "sweep" the community. We visited nearly 30 businesses a nd provided an average of five customized services to each business visited.
  • In partnership with Ramsey and Washington counties, our Waste Wise program provides technical assistance to all local chambers of commerce that receive a BizAware grant from these counties.
  • During the past several years, the Waste Wise and Energy Smart programs have partnered with more than 20 local chambers of commerce to provide waste or energy technical assistance to their member businesses 

Chamber in Action 
Morning Business Brew hosted by Apple Chevrolet Buick Northfield on June 8

It was a beautiful afternoon for a Business After Hours networking event at the Rebound Enterprise office, co-hosted by Rice County Habitat for Humanity
Todd, Lisa & Lindsay attending the Mini Institute training session put on by the Minnesota Chamber in St. Cloud
Ground breaking for the Dundas Dome

Paid leave rules and a higher minimum wage are popular in the Twin Cities. Are they legal?
By: Peter Callaghan
The Minneapolis city clerk's office will soon begin verifying signatures on a petition to put a $15 minimum wage charter amendment before the city's voters this November. At the same time, the city is also preparing to implement a mandatory paid sick leave ordinance that the council passed in May.

Both would make Minneapolis the first local government in Minnesota to require higher pay and better workplace benefits than those set by the state government, though St. Paul isn't far behind: its city council set to take up a paid leave ordinance by the end of summer.

All are part of a national movement by labor and social activists to push cities to do what state legislatures have been reluctant or unwilling to - increase pay and benefits for the lowest paid workers.

Politically, such moves have been popular on the city level. But with each passage, backers are also faced with a critical question: Are they legal?

Click here to read the full article
Cashin' In With Chamber Bucks
June's Top Chamber Buck Redeemers
#1
#2


#3


Other members that took advantage of the Chamber Buck program in June include:
Chuck & Don's Pet Food & Supplies
DuFour's Cleaners
Applebee's
Mainstream Boutique
Forget-Me-Not Florist
Napa Auto Parts

The Chamber Buck program is another member benefit offered by the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. We encourage members to proudly display their "Chamber Bucks Accepted Here" stickers and promote their acceptance in their own marking materials. For ideas please contact the Chamber office. 
 
According to a study conducted by Local First "local retailers return an average of 52 percent of their revenue to the local economy, compared with just 14 percent for the chain retailers. Similarly, the local restaurants re-circulate an average of 79 percent of their revenue locally, compared to 30 percent for the chain eateries." 

Remember Chamber Bucks  make great gifts or employee incentives 
Available all year in $5, $10 and $25 denominations 
Member News
EO Johnson Business Technologies Locknet® Managed IT Services Ranked among Top 501 Managed Services Provides by Penton Technolog y's MSPmentor.

American Pickers on History  is coming to Minnesota. Check out the link below for more information.  http://visitingnorthfield.com/?p=1672
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Do you have business news to share? We want to hear about it! Please contact Lindsay at  [email protected] to have your big announcement in next months newsletter. 

Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism | w ww.northfieldchamber.com 
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