New Volunteer Leadership Announced
Your Chamber's Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term commencing October 1, 2016.
These individuals include:
- Lisa Franxman, Anchor Bank - Third term
- Mark Lofthus, Dakota Electric - Second term
- Dan Sjolseth, Superior Service Center - First term
- Emily Bohmbach, Minnesota Vikings - First term
- Suzi Ohlhues, UTC Aerospace - First term
Ex-Officio Members
- Brent Cory, Eagan CVB
- Vicki Stute, DCR Chamber
Additional candidates for consideration may be added to the slate by letter addressed to: Nominating Committee Chair; and signed by at least twenty (20) voting Chamber members in good standing and returned to the Chamber office prior to August 19, 2016. For questions, please contact
Vicki Stute at 651.288.9201.
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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Get Out and Vote: Primary Day is August 9
Everyone is encouraged to head to the polls on Tuesday, August 9 to vote in the State Primary Election. The last day to submit an absentee ballot is Monday, August 8. Voters no longer need a reason to vote early by absentee ballot. To learn more about absentee voting, what's on your ballot and where to find your polling place visit www.mnvotes.org.
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The WomEn's Circle: Women in Policy & Politics
Join us for an insightful panel featuring women entrenched in the political arena. Our moderator will guide us and the panel through the crazy world of politics and policy.
Panelists include:
Shar Knutson - Retired President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO
Rebecca Klett - Partner in Charge of State Government Relations at Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen
Kristen Sheehan - Consultant at Kristen Sheehan Fundraising & Consulting
Join us on August 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Valleywood Golf Course. Register today.
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Calling All Ambassadors - Current, New and Potential!
Are you interested in learning more about our Ambassador Committee and what they do for the Chamber? If so, please join us for a social hour on Tuesday, August 16 (location TBD) from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
This will be an opportunity to meet and greet with our new Ambassadors and also learn about our Ambassador Committee to see if this is something you would like to become part of! Our Ambassadors provide a crucial link between the Chamber and its members, insuring that all members are receiving the maximum return on their membership investment. It is a great opportunity to network with community leaders, develop business contacts and gain exposure! Please RVSP to
Lori Oelrich at 651.288.9200 by August 11.
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Events Calendar
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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8
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9
Primary Election Day
3:30 p.m.
Business Excellence Awards Committee
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10
8:00 a.m.
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11
8:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
Highway 110 Construction - MH Businesses
4:00 p.m.
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12
8:30 a.m.
Chamber PAC
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15
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16
Noon
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17
7:30 a.m.
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18
7:45 a.m.
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19
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22
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23
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
8:00 a.m.
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24
8:00 a.m.
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25
7:30 a.m.
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26
7:30 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
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29
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30
7:00 p.m.
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31
8:00 a.m.
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1
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2
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Did You Know?
Don't forget that your Chamber is
hosting a blood drive this Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at our office, 3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201, Eagan. There is currently an emergency need for blood. Help save lives by
signing up to donate today.
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Educators Connect with Local Businesses to "Ready" Students
Nearly 50 educators from School Districts 6, 196, 197, and 199 spent a full-day touring and exchanging ideas with representatives from CHS, Waterous, Thomson Reuters, and Fairview Ridges Hospital. The intent of this event was to provide relevant information and create new partnerships that will assist the education community as they move forward with providing students the best experiences possible to meet their career and college readiness needs. With low unemployment, slowing labor force growth and an aging workforce, employers across the Dakota County region will need to be creative in retaining current workers and recruiting new ones. Partnerships between business and education will be more critical than ever before.
As we learned from CHS, the top five skills employers look for include:
- Communication
- Sense of Urgency
- Professionalism
- Life-long Learner
- Problem Solving/Decision Making
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
Eagan City Council meets August 8 - see the agenda West St. Paul City Council meets August 8 - see the agenda
West St. Paul Economic Development Authority meets August 8 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets August 10 - see the agenda
West St. Paul City Council meets August 11 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets August 12 - see the agenda
Check out the City of Farmington's fall edition of City News & Recreation Guide. The guide announces what is happening in city government, features parks and recreation opportunities, and provides answers to frequently asked questions.
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Member Spotlight: Critical Piece to Success
Rachael Reiling, Spire Credit Union
I am the Business Development Manager for SPIRE Credit Union, a not-for-profit member owned cooperative with 16 branches. We are a full service financial institution and are very focused on improving the financial well-being of our member-owners. My role with SPIRE is to create co-op awareness by bringing onsite credit union benefits to employers as a benefit to their staff. I serve the Dakota County Regional Chamber through many different avenues and this has been instrumental in growing our memberships and making life long connections. SPIRE is a proud sponsor of Meet the Chamber, where I get to meet new members first. Since my focus is B2B, I have also been able to make the connections I need through serving on the Ambassador Committee. I appreciate the comradery and opportunities I have received directly from the Chamber and know this community has been a critical piece to my success.
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Board Planning Conference Held
Your Board of Directors met last week to begin planning for the 2016 - 2017 fiscal year. Discussions were had in regard the program audit that was recently conducted, updates on the progress of our three-year strategic plan along with a presentation by Doug Loon, President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to the St. Paul Saints and Weber Johnson Public Affairs for helping to make it a great day!
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Hobby Lobby - Eagan
H & R Block Eagan - Cliff Road
H & R Block Eagan - Town Center
H & R Block - Rosemount
H & R Block - Farmington
SBA Global Logistics
Emmy Canada
2999 County Road 42 West, Suite 145
Burnsville, MN 55306
651.365.7655
Visit website here
The SBA global network provides customers reliable and cost-effective freight shipping solutions for cargo transportation and transport logistics services worldwide since 1972. We handle domestic United States traffic as well as international freight shipping. Our transport logistics services include ground transportation, full truck loads, local Twin City pickups and deliveries, air freight, ocean freight, imports plus clearance. Oversized or high value shipments, white glove services nationwide - no problem. Full tracking and tracing, documentation services offered. 24/7 coverage.
Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.
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Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
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Congratulations to Lin Nelson, Director of Legislative Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, on celebrating 10 years with the company. Lin is currently on your Chambers Board of Directors and leads the Government Affairs Committee.
Twin Cities Premium Outlets is turning two! Eagan and Dakota County are lucky to be home to this awesome shopping destination.
Oasis DEG recently hired Kris Williamson in the role of Professional Employer Consultant. Welcome to the Chamber Kris!
Congrats to Chaz Johnson from the Farmington Yellow Ribbon Network Steering Committee who recently won the prestigious Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). This award program is designed to recognize individuals and organizations who, by superior performance, acts of heroism or meritorious service, make a contribution to the goals of NGAUS. 
