Mark Lofthus Takes the Reins
Mark Lofthus, Economic Development Director at Dakota Electric Association, officially took the reigns as Chair of the Board on October 1. Mark has been actively involved on the Board as well as the Executive Committee, Economic Development Committee, Farmington Area Business Council and the Golf Task Force. Over the course of the next year, Mark hopes to continue to build the brand of the Chamber as the influential voice to champion economic growth for business across the region.
The Board is joined this year by Emily Bohmbach, Minnesota Vikings, Suzi Olhues, UTC Aerospace, and Dan Sjolseth, Superior Service Center. Thank you to Debi McConnell, Medi-CAR Auto Repair, for her service on the Board over the past three years as she completes her term. Thank you also to Cindy Haas, Gateway Bank, for serving as our Chair of the Board this past year.
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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Are You Prepared to Cast Your Vote?
Casting your ballot is our constitutional right and privilege but being an educated voter is extremely important. DCR Chamber's Voter Guide provides you with information on candidates running in local and state elections throughout Dakota County. Read more about candidate views through their completed questionnaire or watch the Candidate Forums. You can also find more information on registering to vote, find your polling place, view sample ballots and watch Election Day results. Vote November 8!
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County-Wide Chamber Expo & Business After Hours
Join us at Royal Cliff on Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to network with other chamber members from throughout the Dakota County area. Event includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and exhibits by members from each of the participating chambers including Dakota County Regional, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Hastings, Lakeville and River Heights. This event is free to attend!
Interested in being an exhibitor? The cost to reserve an 8' table is $150, which includes table skirting and electricity. Space is limited to don't delay. Click here for more information on being an exhibitor and to sign up.
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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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10
11:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
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11
3:30 p.m.
Business Excellence Awards Committee
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12
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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13
8:00 a.m.
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14
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17
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18
7:30 a.m.
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19
7:30 a.m.
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20
11:30 a.m.
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21
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24
8:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
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25
8:00 a.m.
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26
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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27
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28
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31
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1
11:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
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2
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3
5:00 p.m.
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4
7:30 a.m.
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Did You Know?
October 10 is the 284th day of the year. That only leaves 75 days left to shop for Christmas! 74 days if you exclude Thanksgiving Day. Click here to read more about Mall of America's decision to close.
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Would You Like $10,000 to Improve Your Recycling Program?
Dakota County is offering funding assistance up to $10,000 for businesses to reduce waste, start or improve recycling, and start organics recovery. Businesses, organizations and multi-unit dwellings located in the County and subject to the commercial recycling requirement are eligible to apply. Applications are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to learn more.
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MN Secretary of State Office Open Appointments: Applications due October 24
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, has released the October 2016 notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications, due October 24, 2016. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. Click here for the full list of vacancies.
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
Farmington City Council meets October 10 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets October 10 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets October 10 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets October 11 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets October 11 - see the agenda
Dakota County Board of Commissioners meets October 11- see the agenda
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Member Spotlight: Continuing to Network & Learn
Debi McConnell, Medi-CAR Auto Repair
I began my career in commercial banking and transitioned my role into marketing, in the financial services industry. When the 2008 recession hit, I looked for a recession proof business to buy (there isn't such a thing). I purchased an existing business in March of 2009 and transformed it into Medi-CAR Auto Repair. Our mission is to proactively deliver vehicle healthcare services for those who live and work in Rosemount and surrounding communities. We provide long term care for our customer's cars - for better car performance and safety, and ultimately, to save them money avoiding the high cost of a new car. I have been a Chamber member since day one because I saw how active the Chamber was in the communities where I live (Mendota Heights) and have my shop (Rosemount). I participate in and value the Chamber's events and activities, including the new Small Business University -
which was fabulous!!! I am looking forward to the next round of WomEn's Circle programs and WomEn's Conference, and continuing to network and learn.
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Hy-Vee
Total Wine & More
USborne Books & More
Tami Zvolena
13491 Dellwood Way
Rosemount, MN 55068
(651) 491-4915
Visit website here
Usborne and Kane Miller books are the most exciting, engaging, and educational books on the market. They are high quality, innovative, lavishly-illustrated and best of all they are the books kids love to read. Choose from over 1800 titles covering a wide variety of subjects. Leveraging the Usborne Books & More matching grant program is a new project called Books to the Rescue! A community-wide initiative to help children in crisis by providing books to calm their fears. Items are donated to first responders and organizations who work with children, then handed out to children in crisis situations.
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!
 Congratulations to
UTC Aerospace Systems on celebrating 60 years in business! UTC is one of the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products.
 Chris Dixon, president and founder of
Insider Training, Inc. has been appointed to the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) alumni society board. The CEHD Alumni Society serves the university by creating lifelong connections with students and alumni, coordinating activities, in addition to selecting recipients of various scholarship awards.
 Allegra Marketing, Print & Mail in Eagan is celebrating 20 years in business! Congratulations to
Paul Arazny and all the staff at Allegra Eagan!
 Organizers of
Eagan's July 4th Funfest have confirmed that the event will carry on in 2017. Congratulations and thank you to all involved.
Read more.
 Kari Erickson, Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ P.A., who after obtaining her Masters of Science degree in Taxation (MST), has also become a Certified Public Accountant. Hard work pays off! Congratulations!
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