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Women's Conference Planning Underway
DCR Chamber is pleased to announce the return of the 7th annual Women's Conference on March 9, 2017 at the Best Western Premier Nicollet Inn in Burnsville. Our Women's Programming Committee, chaired by Peggy Johnson of Dakota Electric Association, has been assembled and is comprised of 20 exceptional women who will work over the coming months to make this a great event. This annual conference is sure energize, educate & empower, with fantastic speakers and topics that will help you develop personally and professionally. This year we are also once again be awarding four, $500 scholarships to female seniors attending a high school within Districts 191, 192, 196 and 197 and graduating in June 2017. Click here for more details.
New this year, we are adding an award component that will honor influential women doing great work in their industry and their community. The winners will be featured on a panel during lunch. Tickets will be available for the full conference as well as the lunch portion only (yes, men, you are welcome to join us for lunch!). Watch your inboxes for more information this week.
The committee is currently seeking sponsors,
Health & Wellness Marketplace vendors, conference bag donors, wine donation, and
participants. Please be sure to check back regularly for updates on the event, including current sponsors, keynote speaker and breakout sessions, Marketplace availability and the day's events!
Click here to learn more.
Thank you to our current sponsors:
Premier Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
Dakota Electric Association
Eagan YMCA
Gateway Bank
Rasmussen College
Thomson Reuters
Wings Financial Credit Union
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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2017 Legislative Session: Off and Running
Last Tuesday, 201 newly-elected legislators were sworn in and the 2017 Legislative Session convened. Senate and House leadership have promised swift action on a number of important issues and your Chamber has been running alongside at each step. On Wednesday, Chamber president, Vicki Stute, participated on a panel discussion (The Opportunities and Challenges Facing Minnesota's Businesses) at OneMinnesota Legislative Conference, hosted by the U of MN Humphrey School of Public Affairs. This annual conference brings together all legislators - from both bodies and all parties - to learn about common Minnesota issues. Additionally, your Chamber's volunteers and staff members attended Minnesota Chamber's Session Priorities Dinner; and on Friday morning, Legislative Breakfast Series introduced details on Paid Sick and Safe Leave Policy, just one of your Chamber's priorities.
While many issues are of significant importance to the regions' business community, your Chamber's Board of Directors adopted a set of policies at its meeting in late December, focusing our advocacy efforts during the 2017 Legislative Session on key issues such as:
- Business Tax Relief
- Health Care Relief and Reform
- Workplace Mandates & Preemption
- Transportation Investment
- REAL ID
- Education and Workforce Development
- Lawsuit Reform
- Met Council Reform
Additionally, we will work in tandem with several partners, elected officials, and through regional and statewide coalitions to further advance the business community's agenda to ensure our region remains a competitive and strong marketplace in which to invest and create jobs. Read more for details of our 2017 Legislative Priorities - our priorities are your priorities. Or need help with an issue? Contact us today.
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Let's Meet Our Elected Officials
Over the next several weeks, we will be introducing you to our local and state officials. Today, meet the Rosemount City Council!
Serving on the Rosemount City Council in 2017-18 are, left to right, Council members Mark DeBettignies and Shaun Nelson, Mayor Bill Droste, and Council members Jeff Weisensel and newly elected, Heidi Freske. At far right is City Administrator Logan Martin, who joined the City this week.
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Legislative Reception: Take Advantage of the Opportunity
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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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9
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
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10
7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
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11
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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12
8:00 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
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13
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16
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17
7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors
4:00 p.m.
Ambassador Committee
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18
7:30 a.m.
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19
8:00 a.m.
Small Business University Committee
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20
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23
8:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
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24
8:00 a.m.
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25
8:00 a.m.
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26
8:00 a.m.
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27
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30
3:30 p.m.
Women's Programming Committee
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31
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1
4:30 p.m.
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2
11:00 a.m.
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3
7:30 a.m.
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Did you Know?
You can post hot deals, job openings, news releases, and events by logging into your DCR Chamber account. You are also able to add a description of your company, pay bills, search other members, and more. Check it out!
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The Vikings are Coming!
Crews Begin Erecting Steel on Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center 
The new Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center set to open in March 2018 is beginning to take shape above ground.
Kraus-Anderson Construction began erecting structural steel last week and expects to celebrate the topping off of the headquarters building in February 2017. Steel erection on the indoor practice facility will follow and is scheduled to be complete at the end of March 2017. More than 19,700 labor hours are anticipated to complete the steel construction of the new buildings alone.
Since the August 2 groundbreaking, work has been moving forward on the site, with 10 Minnesota companies already spending time on the project. Several hundred thousand cubic yards of soil have been moved to balance the site and accommodate the realignment of Vikings Parkway, a new city street servicing the entire development. Retaining walls have been installed, and footings and foundations have been set. In addition, thousands of feet of underground utilities have been installed and the old Northwest Airlines simulator building has been demolished and removed from the site. More than 11,800 labor hours have been generated from work to date on the project. Click here to read more.
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MN Secretary of State Office Open Appointments: Applications due January 25
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, has released the January 2017 notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications, due January 25, 2017. 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
West St. Paul City Council meets January 9 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets January 10 - see the agenda
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Member Spotlight: Endless Benefits
Kathy O'Connell, Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau
I joined the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau two years ago in January as Sales Director. I have been lucky to promote Eagan tourism at many events, including tourism conferences and women's expos. I'm also emerging into the sports marketing scene. These events allow me to use my energy and passion to connect with people and promote Eagan!
Although I have been part of Dakota County Regional Chamber for only a short time, I felt an instant connection. It's exciting to develop new friendships, as well as get involved with events and committees. Being part of DCR Chamber allows me to continue to learn, grow and gain experiences! It's yet another opportunity to engage and connect to members of the Eagan business community. The benefits of being in the Chamber are endless!
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
AXA Advisors, LLC
American Technical Education Association
Aequo Builders
Nate Custard
1670 South Robert Street, Suite 205
West St. Paul, MN 55118
(612) 284-6414
Visit website here
Aequo Builders is a boutique general contractor
offering multiple services to meet your light commercial building needs. At Aequo, being professional and working with other like-minded business professionals is of the utmost importance to us. We work closely with our Designers, Architects, and Real Estate agents to help our clients turn their project dreams into reality.
Our skills range from budgeting, project planning, plan-and-spec, and design build. Upon completion, we will give you a space that meets your needs, is efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.
Our capabilities include restaurant builds, retail space builds, office improvements, specialty commercial projects, and more.
ARCpoint Labs
Nisha Malaviya
14690 Galaxie Avenue, Suite 110
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(651) 400-9388
Visit website
here
ARCpoint Labs is one of the nation's leading providers of drug, alcohol, and DNA testing, background screening and wellness services. ARCpoint stands for Accurate, Reliable and Confidential; our leading-edge company is committed to innovation and offers advanced, comprehensive and affordable screening and testing solutions. We offer comprehensive Lab Testing and Screening Services for Your Business, Government, Legal and Judicial Needs. We offer drug and alcohol testing services, workplace testing,
DOT testing
,
hair testing
,
nail testing
,
saliva testing
,
DNA testing services
, and
background screening service
s.
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!
 Share your news with us! Do you have any new employees, new products or services, work anniversaries, or new or remodeled buildings? We would love to help your celebrate and spread the word. Please send your updates to
Emily.
 In 2017, the team at APPRO and CERRON has much to celebrate! APPRO Development turns 30, CERRON Commercial Properties turns 15, and after 28 years with the team, Kathy Morse is retiring. Chamber members are welcome to join them for an open house at Brackett's Crossing Country Club on Thursday, January 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Congratulations!!
Kwik Trip on Slater Road in Eagan celebrated the opening of their new convenience store with our Ambassadors at the end of December. Congratulations to Kwik Trip!
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