LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
|
It remains an active time at the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Minimum Wage
On Wednesday, the Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole met to consider placing a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour on the fall ballot. Presented as an amendment to the City's charter, the proposal was advanced by a citizen petition to the charter commission.
The Minneapolis City Attorney provided an opinion last week to the City Council stating that the proposal should not be placed on the fall ballot, concluding that "the minimum wage charter amendment is an ordinance disguised as a charter amendment. The City's Charter does not permit legislation by initiative. Accordingly, the City Council should not place the proposed charter amendment adopting a $15 minimum wage on the November 2016 municipal ballot." Our Chamber agreed with the City Attorney's opinion and we urged the members of the City Council to follow her sound advice.
Ultimately, the members of the City Council voted 10-2 to follow the City Attorney's advice, meaning the minimum wage proposal will not be placed on the fall ballot.
The City Council did direct staff to develop a process for stakeholder participation in an ongoing discussion about a minimum wage increase through a city ordinance and report back to the Council with a proposed process by October 15th. The City Council directive contemplates the Council taking some type of action on minimum wage by the end of the second quarter in 2017.
The Minneapolis City Council will meet on Friday, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely. Proponents of the $15 minimum wage have said they will take legal action to attempt to reverse the City's decision and require the matter to be placed on the November ballot.
Minneapolis Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
We continue to work with Minneapolis City officials on lingering issues relating to the recently passed earned sick and safe leave ordinance. We hope to guide businesses in providing generous levels of benefits while also ensuring they will not have to change existing plans to comply with every specific requirement of the ordinance.
To learn more about the earned sick and safe leave ordinance, consider attending our Chamber Town Talk on August 18th from 8-9:30 am at Jax in Northeast Minneapolis. Our speaker will be Ryan Mick, a partner at the Dorsey law firm, who has worked closely with the Chamber and other business groups throughout this process and is a leading expert on the ordinance. Click here to register.
For those of you who can't attend the August 18th event, we are working on some future informational and training seminars to inform our members on the steps they will need to take to comply with the Minneapolis ordinance. Look for more information on those seminars and training sessions in future editions of Connections.
U.S. Bank Stadium Opens
Also on Wednesday, U.S. Bank Stadium officially hosted its first sporting event, the international soccer match between Chelsea and AC Milan. Chelsea won 3-1 and Minneapolis scored big points with visitors from around the world who were in Minneapolis for the match. I've heard nothing but positive comments about their downtown experience. I think it's safe to say we wowed them!
If you haven't been inside the stadium yet (or if you have and would like to return for a special chamber event), please join us on August 16 for a U.S. Bank Stadium Breakfast and Tour. Click here for more information and registration.
A Preview
Over the past several weeks, I've met with several businesses and nonprofit organizations who have expanded their operations in Minneapolis and are leading the way on talent attraction and retention. Look for more information in my next column in Connections.
As always, thank you for your ongoing investment in your Chamber.
 |
John Stanoch
Interim President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
|
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
|
 Featured Job Opportunities!
The following member companies are now hiring:
- Hoglund Bus Co., Inc. - Diesel Mechanic - F/T | Apply
- New Horizon Academy - Lead Infant and Preschool Teacher | Apply
- New Horizon Academy - Lead Preschool Teacher and Assistant Toddler Teacher | Apply
- Snap Fitness - Personal Trainer and Fitness Sales Manager | Apply
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Fundraising Campaign Assistant | Apply
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Fundraising Campaign Manager | Apply
|
|
Bridging Inc - Critical Need for Bed Linens
Attention hotels, retailers and corporate donors:
Bridging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Twin Cities is in desperate need of BED LINENS - donated gently-used and new!
WHAT LINENS DOES BRIDGING ACCEPT?
- Bed linens/sheets: pillowcases, flat sheets and fitted sheets (All sizes: Twin, Full, Queen & King. Sets not required)
- Blankets/comforters/bedspreads: all sizes
- Duvet covers and bed skirts: only if accompanying comforters.
- Mattress Pads: all sizes
- Complete list of acceptable items
WHAT LINENS WE DON'T ACCEPT:
- Poor quality linens; esp. tears, stains and thread bare
- Pillow shams or decorative fabric strips from end of beds.
NEXT STEP:
Connect directly with Steve Jameson, Operations and Logistics Manger, to determine what items will be accepted and the best way to get them to Bridging.
|
|
Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown
Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown is part of a Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group partnership with bike rental company Spinway to offer a new urban biking program. The hotel, along with Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago, are the 2 North American hotels in the pilot program. The bike corrals are located in front of each hotel, and allow guests access to rent bikes to explore the city. The hotel offers guests complimentary helmets and bike locks as well as a bike route map. All bicycles are branded with the Radisson logo.
|
|
Hennepin County Medical Center
A partnership was announced between U.S. Bank Stadium and Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). As the exclusive medical service provider, HCMC will provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency medical response personnel for events in the stadium, backed by the full services of the healthcare system. Paramedics and emergency medical response teams will provide care to event participants and fans with EMS coverage or first aid support for Vikings games and other major events at U.S. Bank Stadium. If ambulance transport is needed to the hospital, HCMC's main campus, including Level l adult and pediatric trauma care, is just one block away. HCMC serves the healthcare needs of downtown residents, workers, and visitors today and is currently building a new, 377,000 square foot clinic and specialty center close to the new stadium.
|
|
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 65 Best Places to Work 2016
This is the 18th year of Minnesota's longest-running awards program recognizing top workplaces. Chamber member businesses represented among the 2016 honorees are:
- Small (25 to 49 Minnesota employees): Agosto
- Medium (50 to 249 Minnesota employees): Siteimprove Inc.; Solution Design Group Inc and Venture Bank
- Large (250+ Minnesota employees): Ameriprise Financial Inc.; C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.; Gillette Children's
- Specialty Healthcare; Loffler Cos. Inc; Marco; U.S. Bancorp and Welsh & Colliers International | Minneapolis-St. Paul
|
|
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota has launched 100 startup companies over the last 10 years based on technology developed through University research. These startups were launched since the Venture Center was formed in 2006 as part of the Office for Technology Commercialization and mark a milestone in the University's efforts to assist faculty and staff in forming new companies to commercialize their inventions. Three out of four startups are based in Minnesota and 82 percent are still active today, well above the national average. In total, the companies have raised more than $219 million in investment capital.
|
|
RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
|
|
SharePoint Credit Union
 5300 Hyland Greens Drive
Bloomington, MN 55437
www.sharepointcu.com
SharePoint Credit Union President & CEO Phil Kopischke cuts the ribbon on their new location in west Bloomington.
|
|
|
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
|
Good Morning Minneapolis: The Event Economy
Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
The Depot | Hiawatha Room
220 South Third Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55401|
View Map
By the end of 2016, Minneapolis will have hosted an array of special events, like the international Ryder Cup golf tournament, the 34th running of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and the annual celebration of winter in Minneapolis, Holidazzle. What makes MSP and the city of Minneapolis an attractive location? Our presenters will shed light on some of the logistical challenges, the economic impact these diverse events have on the local economy and the role business plays as both sponsors and promoters.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor:
Xcel Energy
Thank you to our series sponsor:
DLR Group
Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event for a refund.
All no shows will be billed. Substitutes are accepted.
|
|
|
Public Affairs Forum: Third Congressional District Debate
www.minneapolischamber.org/publicaffairs
The Bloomington, Eden Prairie and TwinWest Chambers of Commerce invite you to join fellow members of the business community for a debate between candidates for the Third Congressional District, State Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL) and Congressman Erik Paulsen (R). This debate will focus specifically on issues important to the business community.
Wednesday, August 17 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Members: $35
Non-Members: $60
Minneapolis Marriott Southwest
5801 Opus Pkwy
Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event for a refund.
All no shows will be billed. Substitutes are accepted.
|
|
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.
Join the Office Depot Chamber Program today and receive this special offer.
Did you know... as a Chamber member business, your employees save at Office Depot and OfficeMax, too! Just in time for back-to-school.
Members save on every single item in Office Depot/Office Max stores.
Plus, save up to 50% off school supplies and these Hot 100 items.
Simply show your Chamber Store Purchasing card at checkout - don't have a card?
Text "ChamberBTS" to 555-888
|
|
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!
|
|
|
 |
Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
Tuesday, August 9
7:45 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
|
|
Business Matters/Safety Matters: Crime Stoppers
Thursday, August 11
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
|
 |
U.S. Bank Stadium Breakfast and Tour
Tuesday, August 16
7:30 to 9 a.m. / U.S. Bank Stadium - Buffalo Wild Wings Club
|
 |
Chamber Town Talk:
City of Minneapolis Sick & Safe Time Ordinance-What's Next?
|
|
Happy Hour Networking at Ike's Food & Cocktails - Bloomington
Thursday, August 18
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. / Ike's Food & Cocktails - Bloomington
|
|
DRIVE Roundtable: Team USA at Hazeltine - The Ryder Cup
|
|
Northeast Networking Night: Fair State Brewing Cooperative
|
|
 |
|
|
|
