Chamber Urges Members to Get Informed - Attend a Candidate Forum
Your Chamber encourages individuals in the business community to be actively involved in the political process. We influence public policy decisions by providing knowledge-based programs and forums that provide information in a business context for decision makers. With that in mind during this election season, you have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for office within our region and find out who's "pro-business". Candidate forums have been scheduled in the five local communities, Dakota County, and regionally within the various Legislative Districts. Take the time to get informed and educated before you go to the polls on November 8. Register online for one or more of our Candidate Forums. Click here for a full list of candidate forums.
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Chamber Seeking Fall Intern
We're hiring! Your Chamber is seeking a Communications and Marketing Intern for Fall Semester to manage some of the day-to-day external communications. Interns have a great opportunity to make valuable connections and get hands on experience in a professional business environment. Tasks include various writing assignments: email newsletters, blog posts, internal documentation, member communication, event promotion; event planning; social media campaign and website development; and creation of marketing/sales materials.
Click here for more information.
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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Deadlock Wins; Businesses Lose
Your Chamber is deeply disappointed by the Governor's unwillingness to set aside politics and do what's best for the people of Minnesota and pass bills in which all sides agreed to in May. Businesses were to receive property tax relief and a transportation infrastructure bill that would have benefited not only the Dakota County region, but the entire state of Minnesota. We expect our legislators to work together and hope that November's elections will ensure pro-business candidates are elected to the legislature. The 90th Legislature will convene on January 3, 2017. Until then, your Chamber will continue to advocate on your behalf on local and state legislative issues.
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Dakota County Transit Study - Input Requested
Dakota County is seeking input on an East West Transit Study and would like input on locations that residents, employers, employees, visitors and others would like to travel in Dakota County via transit. To offer opportunities for input, the county launched a website that allows you to offer input on where transit trips are desired, physical challenges that exist to using transit and information on the study. There is also an opportunity to sign up for email updates on the study.
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Coffee Break, Coffee Break, Coffee Break
We've got three awesome opportunities coming up for you to network your heart out! Take advantage of these opportunities to make new connections, share your business story and enjoy some great coffee! Click each link to register.
Tuesday, August 23 - DARTS
Wednesday, August 31 - Town Square Television (joint event with River Heights Chamber)
Thursday, September 8 - Midwest Dental
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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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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
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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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5
DCR Chamber Office Closed
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6
8:30 a.m.
PAC Board of Directors
11:30 a.m.
SMYPros Committee
3:30 p.m.
Business Excellence Awards Committee
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7
8:00 a.m.
Small Business University
Committee
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8
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
8:00 a.m.
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9
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12
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13
3:30 p.m.
Business Excellence Awards
Committee
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14
8:00 a.m.
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15
11:30 a.m.
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16
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Did You Know?
Back-to-school and college spending is expected to increase to $75.8 billion this year, up from last year's $68 billion. According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average $673.57 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies, up from last year's $630.36. Get details on the full survey conducted by the National Retail Federation.
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Business Resources Online, At Your Fingertips
A Message from the Minnesota Chamber - Our Federation Partner
The Minnesota Chamber's premier business assistance program, Grow Minnesota, is pleased to announce the launch of our
Business Resources
. We view the online site as an important tool to our mission of retaining Minnesota businesses and encouraging them to expand here.
Grow Minnesota! works in partnership with Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and nearly 80 other local chambers and economic development entities throughout Minnesota to regularly visit face-to face with company leadership. The statistics underscore the scope and success of our efforts. In our 13th year, we have conducted more than 10,000 visits to more than 6,500 businesses of all sizes and types across the state. Since we started tracking in 2009, we have protected more than 18,000 jobs.
Our visits have also revealed a common frustration among businesses: the difficulty in locating relevant resources and all too often, connecting with the right person at a federal, state or local government agency in order to answer an everyday business question. This recurring complaint spawned the development and launch of Business Resources.
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
West St. Paul City Council meets meets August 22 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets August 22 - see the agenda
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meets August 23 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets August 23 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets August 23 - see the agenda
Farmington Economic Development Authority meets August 26 - see the agenda
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Meet the Chamber Provides Insight
This great group of new and prospective members came together last week at Meet the Chamber to learn about Chamber benefits and how they can get engaged to make the most out of their membership.
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Talecris Plasma Resources
Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.
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Last week these awesome members renewed their Chamber membership. Thank you!!
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Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
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We recently celebrated the new Holiday Inn Express with a ribbon cutting. Eagan's newest hotel opened on June 28, 2016. Congratulations!
Marco, a leading technology services provides, announced last week that it has purchased Document & Network Technologies, a copier/printer and business IT services company in Missouri, as part of their national expansion.
