Representing Business - Enhancing Community - Promoting Growth

 
Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you happiness may it be yours this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year.
Merry Christmas from the 
Chamber Board of Directors  and Staff

THE CHAMBER'S MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER KEEPS YOU IN THE KNOW!

Recognizing Member News, Business Opportunities, Achievements and Growth
                                                                  
             
                                  
Thank you to Winegar and Canadian Pacific Railroad for sharing information about their organization with the high school students for Discover Waseca Careers.
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Looking for judges for DECA (an association of marketing students) competition in Owatonna in January.  Please consider joining as a volunteer.   Owatonna is hosting the District 1 Career Development Conference on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Christian Family Church and World Outreach Center, from 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  The building is the former Heritage Halls Museum next to Cabela's.  Approximately 150 volunteers are needed to help with this event as judges and assistants for the competitive events, event check-in and schedule monitors; receptionists for the employment interview events.  A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided for all volunteers.  District 1 consists of DECA chapters from Austin, Faribault, Mankato West and East, Owatonna, Pine Island, Sibley East, Waseca and Northfield High Schools.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern MN is a leader in innovative mentoring and positive outcomes for youth.  If you know of anyone who would like to be a volunteer or know of a child that would love a mentor, please call or e-mail the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota at 507-451-5922, or www.bbbsofsouthernmn.org.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is also looking for three more board members from Waseca County area. 
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Please submit your special announcements to the chamber office by the 10th of each month to share with the membership for inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
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SAVE THE DATE!


The annual Community Awards Event will be held  Saturday,  January 28, 2017, 6:30 p.m. at the  Starfire Event Center.   Please join us to honor the Successes of 2016.

Rotary Service Above Self - Ann Gaytko
 Community Development Award - Friends of Waseca Public Library & Waseca Public Library
Boss of the Year - Tom Lee, Waseca Public Schools
Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award - Duane Rathmann
Young Professionals Distinguished Service Award - Megan Lynch
Waseca County Distinguished Agricultural Leadership Award - Scott Singlestad 

Register Here


Check out the "Find It Here" icons on the home page of www.wasecachamber.com for all your holiday shopping.


Sign up now to host a Business After Hours in 2017.  


PERK:  For Members to Members

Increase your purchasing power through Members' Only Discounts!
The chamber is offering this benefit for our members.  Post your discounts and specials in the Membership Information Center (MIC) in the chamber website portal.  All you need to get started is enter your login and password, then enter your discount offerings.  Just click on the 'Member Login' at the top right of www.wasecachamber.com  and get started.

Example:  Types of businesses to consider using Member to Member Discount (optional)
  • Professional Services
  • Trades
      SHOP LOCAL DISCOUNTS
                      
         PERK:  Hot Deals

Can be used for the public to receive a discount from your business - you set the timeline for expiration date. 
    Examples:  Retail, hotels, restaurants, etc. 
    *Follow member login instructions for Hot Deals

Looking for a gift idea?  Purchase Chamber Bucks at the chamber office through December 22nd for your holiday gift giving.

Can be redeemed at over 100 local businesses.

SHOP WASECA FIRST - IT'S YOUR TOWN!
BUSINESS RESOURCES
University of Minnesota Extension - Rural Business Transition Study

The U of MN Extension studied business succession in a number of Greater MN communities in order to help communities better understand and support business transitions.
The aggregate results from statewide Grow MN! visits reported a significant percentage of businesses having no succession plan in place.  
"Planning for Success: Writing Your Business Plan

Creating a business plan is the first step toward success in your business venture. Gain the knowledge and tools you need with ALEAP U and Riverland's five night course, "Planning for Success: Writing Your Business Plan."    Read more....
GOVERNMENT
DEED Awards $2.87 Million for Housing Projects in Greater Minnesota

Rental housing projects in four Greater Minnesota communities have been approved for $2.87 million in grants from the Minnesota Department  of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).  The funding was awarded under DEED's Workforce Housing Development Program, which supports housing projects in Minnesota communities where businesses are struggling to recruit and retain workers because of local housing shortages.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
For more details and locations go to www.wasecachamber.com/events  
 
Wasecachamber.com has a comprehensive event calendar to help enhance our community.  Anyone can post an event happening in the Waseca area.  It's free and a great way to promote your event.  Just click on the "Submit Your Event" icon on the home page of the chamber's website.  The chamber created this in 2007 to provide members, residents and visitors a listing of upcoming events.  Businesses and residents can plan around these activity happenings.  
Chamber bucks                                        
  Chamber Bucks                Look here for commercial             Job Postings                       Rent the Chamber Conference
Redemption Directory       property to expand your business      on the chamber website             Room - Call the Chamber
Kim Foels, President                                                          info@wasecachamber.com 
Sara Pollard, Administrative Assistant                                   
507-835-3260                                                                      www.wasecachamber.com                                              

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The Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization of individuals & businesses who band together for the collective interest of developing Waseca area's future.