Weekly Update: April 24, 2017
Sponsored in-part by: 
Chamber & Community News
Did You Know?

Minnesota Senate approves bill blocking cities' wage, sick-leave ordinances
Bill to overturn requirements in Minneapolis and St. Paul passes, 35-31. 
From the Star Tribune, By Erin Golden Star Tribune  April 21, 2017 

The state Senate voted Thursday (4/20/17) to overturn new paid sick-leave requirements in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and to block all Minnesota cities from raising the minimum wage or enacting other workplace rules.

The House passed a similar measure last month, as Republican majorities in both chambers push back against a growing list of local labor ordinances they say could hurt businesses and the state’s economy. The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 35-31, with just one DFL senator joining every Republican member in supporting it.

As you can imagine, a patchwork of inconsistent labor standards from city to city and county to county, or both cities and counties, would be extremely confusing and a significant burden on Minnesota businesses, and especially small businesses,” said Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, the bill’s chief author.

Time to Get Hooked on the River Heights Chamber!

The River Heights Chamber's Membership Opener will kick off on May 1st, so get ready to cast your nets and go fishing for new members with the River Heights Chamber!

What you should know:

  • Campaign will run May 1st- May 31st
  • Watch for a video from our sponsor Mississippi Pub each week to see what they caught as the Membership Special of the Week
  • Members who refer a prospect will get 1 entry in the drawing for the Grand Prize 
  • Members who get a new member to fill out an application (& get payment) will receive 2 entries in the drawing for the Grand Prize
  • Every new member will get a chance to be entered for the Grand Prize if they are picked as the Catch of the Week
  • Every week, members who have either referred a new member or recruited a new member will get in a drawing for a special prize that week

The Grand Prize2-hour Happy Hour for up to 8 people including drinks and appetizers.  Some exclusions apply.  Grand Prize drawing will be held on June 1st onsite at Mississippi Pub for a casual get together. 

Stay tuned and start making your list of prospective members! We encourage you to invite them to a networking event to see how great we are!

Contact Your Guide to Membership, Maggie Doody, here!

Ambassador Visit
Ambassadors welcomed Evergreen Construction to the River Heights Chamber!

Thank you to Becca Roberson for meeting with our Ambassadors!

To find out more about them, visit  www.evergreenconstructionm
Chamber Meetings & Events This Week:

Wednesday, April 26:
  • 7:30 a.m. - South St. Paul Local Issues @ Central Square Community Center, SSP

Thursday, April 27:

  • 9:30 a.m.  - IGH CVB Board of Directors @ River Heights Chamber Office

Economic Development News - Progress Plus

SSP WELCOMES RIHM KENWORTH to 401 CONCORD STREET SOUTH

Rihm Kenworth is one of the oldest and largest Kenworth dealers in the United States. Founded in 1932, they have a rich heritage of providing products & service to the trucking industry that spans four generations of family ownership. 

Rihm Kenworth has 84 years of experience in domestic & international sales of new trucks, used trucks, and truck & diesel engine parts.  Their service department, and body shop & paint shops are well respected locally and nationally.

Plans were approved in January; closing in April for a tentative groundbreaking 4/26.  The developer is investing more than $11M and the average salary will be $74,732.

Upcoming Chamber Events
CoffeeNet 
Wednesday, May 3
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Tandem Printing, Inc.
2970 Lexington Avenue South, Eagan 

Join us for complimentary coffee and refreshments at this early morning networking event!  Bring your business cards and start your day off right! This is a free networking opportunity open to all members and prospects! Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Sponsored by: Tandem Printing Inc.
Keep it Local for Lunch 
Tuesday, May 9
11:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Mississippi Pub
4455 66th Street East, Inver Grove Heights

Join the Chamber on the second Tuesday of each month to support a local restaurant and keep it local for lunch!  Feel free to bring your staff, spouse, colleagues, friends, clients, or just join our fellow Chamber staff for lunch!

Sponsored by: Mississippi Pub
Business Card Exchange 
Thursday, May 18
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Snelling's Home
9080 90th Court, IGH, MN 55076

Please join Sue and me at our home to celebrate all that is great about the River Heights Chamber. Please invite your employees and your friends as well, especially if we’ll like them. We will provide food and beverages, most of which will be of above-average quality. No singing or dancing, unless you’re good at it. No mimes at all. There will be a chain saw demonstration and a log splitting event after beverages. Host reserves the right to take away your business cards if you’re not having fun. If no one shows, we’re still writing off the expenses. Thanks if you read this far.

Thank you,
Steve and Sue


Sponsored by: Snelling Law Office
River Heights Chamber Golf Classic
Monday, June 26
Southview Country Club, West St. Paul

We're looking for great donations to the Online Auction this year!  
Submit your donation online here!

Thanks to our task force members, tournament planning is in full-swing with contacting sponsors, auction donors and more! If you'd like to sponsor the tournament, donate a product/service to the auction or volunteer your time and talents to this event, please contact Jennifer here!

Download the Sponsorship Form and Sign Up here
Host a Networking Event in 2017!

The River Heights Chamber's networking events have had record attendance this year!

Only a few spots remain to host a Keep it Local for Lunch or Business Card Exchange this year - don't miss out!

Choose a networking event and reserve your spot!
Get Free Event Reminders
Join the River Heights Chamber Text Club!
Text RHChamber to 20673 to receive upcoming event reminders from the River Heights Chamber of Commerce.
Member News & Events
Welcome New Chamber Member:
Simply Strings Studio
Sadie Benson - Violin Instructor/Owner
650 Stewart Ave
South St. Paul, MN 55075
651-402-0694
Roadware 10-Minute Concrete Mender Featured in Concrete Contractor Magazine - March 2017

Check out the article here

Community Social @ VisitaPrairie at River Heights Senior Living Community

Thursday, April 27
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
744 19th Ave. N. South St. Paul, MN 55075

April's community gathering features our Ice Cream of the Month: Blueberry Cheesecake! Enjoy an afternoon of friendly conversation and a fun treat. This is a community event open to all community members!

RSVP's appreciated at 651-326-6502. 

Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 
Advantage Life Chiropractic

Thursday, April 27
4:00 - 6:30 p.m. (4:00 Ribbon Cutting)
7832 Cahill Ave.
Inver Grove Heights


Join Tony and Sarah Nguyen, chiropractors and co-owners of Advantage Life Chiropractic, celebrate the opening of their new chiropractic clinic. Joint Ribbon Cutting with Dakota County Regional Chamber will be promptly at 4:00 p.m. 


There will be gift card giveaways from local businesses and complimentary stress relief massages.  Food will be catered by Fresh & Natural Foods.

Open House & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: American Family Insurance - Tim Wallace Agency

Thursday, April 27
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. (4:45 Ribbon Cutting)
218 13th Ave. South
South St. Paul

Come celebrate their new location! Ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 4:45 p.m. 

Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Bring your business cards as they will be having a drawing for prizes!

Ambassador of the Month for March:

Jackie Paul
360 Communities
501 East Highway 13, Suite 102
Burnsville, MN  55337
(952) 985-4048
jpaul@360communities.org
https://www.360communities.org

Check out the Ambassadors webpage here

Member Benefits, Hot Deals & Job Postings
Administrative Coordinator
From River Heights Chamber of Commerce

This position is the first point of contact at the Chamber office and electronically. In addition to performing office administration responsibilities, this position requires a professional customer service approach with all current, past and future Chamber members. This position shall accomplish the duties in a way to maintain a good image of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce, Progress Plus and South St. Paul Future. This is a non-exempt position.