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Thursday, January 5, 2017
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Join Us in Building Our Future Workforce Through STEP-UP Achieve
As a member of the Chamber, you're probably aware of the significant workforce shortage looming in our region. The latest projections show Minneapolis-St. Paul will be short 100,000 workers by 2020.
One way the Chamber is addressing this regional competitiveness issue is by hiring STEP-UP Achieve interns and asking our members to do the same.
STEP-UP Achieve-directed by AchieveMpls and part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program-is a nationally-recognized program that trains and places over 700 talented Minneapolis youth ages 16-21 each year in paid professional internships with approximately 150 top Minneapolis-St. Paul employers.
Our late friend Todd Klingel was one of STEP-UP Achieve's greatest champions, and the Chamber is proud to have hired at least one STEP-UP Achieve intern every summer since the program was founded in 2004. Once again, this year we're asking you to match our commitment to the program because it makes good business sense, empowers some amazing young people and strengthens our community.
STEP-UP Achieve employers, from large Fortune 500s to small startups, talk about how the program helps them build a pipeline of talent, including future full-time employees. In addition to getting work done, supervisors find it's a fantastic way to mentor young people and introduce them to the profession they love. Many employers say it's also a great opportunity to provide emerging leaders on their teams with a first supervisory experience.
With your help, STEP-UP Achieve helps raise up young Twin Cities leaders like Miles Swammi, a STEP-UP Achieve alum who is now a senior financial analyst at General Mills and serves as the treasurer of the AchieveMpls board!
A great opportunity to explore STEP-UP Achieve and meet current employers is attending the STEP-UP Achieve Partners Breakfast, a free "friend-raiser" on February 14 at Target Field. Details and registration available at our
website.
To discuss how STEP-UP Achieve interns can help your business this summer, contact Matt Norris at
mnorris@achievempls.org or 612-455-1565. You can also find program details
here. We look forward to your partnership!.
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Jonathan Weinhagen
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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 Welcome to Our Newest Members
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 Featured Job Opportunities!
The following member companies are now hiring:
- Minneapolis Regional Chamber - Member Development Manager | Apply
- WNAV Audio Visual - Administration Assistant | Apply
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Upcoming MnDOT Projects
 U.S. Highway 169 Edina to Golden Valley:
The project starts January 10 with the demolition of the Nine Mile Creek Bridge. MnDOT will be closing the stretch of Highway 169 from Bren Road to Fifth and Lincoln. Those exits will remain open but the closure starts soon after. Also, the ramp to southbound 169 from westbound I-394 is closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to end in October. Resurfacing of the freeway, ramp work, bridge work and other project work will start when the weather is warm enough. (Probably April) This will result in additional lane and ramp closures that we will provide updates on when available.
The specific closures that occur January 10 and detours can be found on the project website. You will find maps and a video.
Interstate 94 Nicollet Ave. to Shingle Creek Parkway:
This is scheduled to start March 20. The bids will be opened February 1. Once a contractor is on board, MnDot should have a more specific schedule in four to six weeks. Click here for the project website.
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SciTechsperience offering 50% cash match on intern wages up to $2500
SciTechsperience is a free, statewide, state-funded internship program that connects small and medium-sized Minnesota businesses with talented college STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students. Participating companies receive a wage reimbursement of 50 percent of the intern's wages up to $2,500. SciTechsperience internships help employers develop solutions to real-world challenges and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students as well as provides a low-cost solution for small companies that otherwise might not have access to qualified interns.
248 matching grants remain in 2016-2017 and are available on a first come, first hire basis.
Eligible Companies:
- For-profit, registered and conducting business in Minnesota
- Small companies; based on worldwide employee count:
- Seven-county metro area companies must have fewer than 150 employees worldwide
- Greater Minnesota companies must have fewer than 250 employees worldwide
- Offer an internship that offers hands-on STEM industry experience
- Are doing business in one of the following industries: Aerospace and Defense; Agriculture and Food Science; Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Health IT; Engineering Services; Fuels, Energy, Energy Management; IT/Computer Technology and Mining, Materials, Manufacturing and Processing
For more information and to apply go to SciTechMN.org.
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Accenture
Christine Sovereign, managing partner at Accenture, was chosen as one of 100 business leaders nationwide on the Women to Watch 2016 list - created by Bizwomen. Sovereign was also chosen by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2016 Women in Business honoree.
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Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx & Achieve Minneapolis
Minneapolis Public Schools collected almost $100,000 in donations this December toward settling unpaid school lunch debt during a donation campaign. Minneapolis schools' nonprofit partner Achieve Minneapolis kicked off the donation campaign, inspired by a popular tweet urging donations to school lunch accounts. The district had about 4,000 overdue accounts with a total balance of $160,000. The Minnesota Timberwolves organization decided that in lieu of giving their employees gift cards for the holidays, they would donate that amount to this cause. In addition, employees proactively donated money as a payroll deduction. On Wednesday, December 21st , team mascot, Crunch, and CEO Ethan Casson delivered a check of $15,000 to Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff at Washburn High School's cafeteria to help the cause.
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Richfield-Bloomington Credit Union (RBCU)
Richfield-Bloomington Credit Union has named Gregory Worthen as its new CEO effective Monday, January 2, 2017. Worthen comes to RBCU from 1st MidAmerica Credit Union in Bethalto, Illinois, where he served as Chief Operating Officer/Senior Vice President. He was responsible for planning, directing, organizing, and controlling the activities of the branch operations, call center, insurance, electronic services, and investment services departments at the credit union as well as serving asthe legislative liaison for the credit union on all state and federal credit union matters.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 SAVE THE DATE!
Annual Meeting: Celebrating the City at 150
Friday, February 17, 2017
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
150 years ago it was official, Minneapolis became a city. We're throwing a sesquicentennial birthday party celebrating everything old and new that makes Minneapolis great. Save your seat for the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce 2017 Annual Meeting!
Minneapolis Marriott City Center
30 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Target and our event sponsors: Xcel Energy, Mortenson and Associated Bank
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Boost Your Brand Exposure with Chamber Sponsorship
Sponsoring a Chamber event or program is a high-impact, cost-effective way to gain company exposure in the business community. Sponsorship through the Chamber is budget-friendly for small to large businesses and provides your company with:
- Increased publicity and brand exposure
- Exclusive associations with high profile business events featuring key leaders and policymakers.
- Credible community exposure
- Highly targeted advertising placements across a variety of print and web media
- Access to new business relationships and potential customers
- Opportunity to renew and strengthen relationships with current customers and clients
Click here to Get Started!
Advertising & Marketing
Gain greater visibility for your brand with the affordable advertising and marketing options available through the Chamber.
Events Sponsorship
With a variety of events and sponsorship investment levels to choose from you can find an option that aligns with your company goals.
Programs Sponsorship
Find the best fit for your Chamber support from regional policy & advocacy work to specialized local initiatives.
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Executive Women's Council 2017 Season Pass
The Executive Women's Council Season Pass provides admission to all six council events (five luncheons and one happy hour) in 2017. As a pass holder, you will save time and money. Pass holders are automatically registered for events and receive a discount of $30 over the course of the year. Season pass holders will receive six event admissions for $140 (a savings of $30).
To purchase the Executive Women's Council Season Pass, please click here to download the form and complete and email to cgengler@minneapolischamber.org or fax to 612.370.9195. Information and payment must be received by Wednesday, January 18, 2017.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Associated Bank, N.A., CenterPoint Energy, Comcast, Lommen Abdo, P.A., Schechter Dokken Kanter CPAs and Allied Parking, Inc.
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Coffee, Eggs & Good Conversation
Can you think of a better way to start your Friday morning?
Join DRIVE Emerging Leaders on the third Friday of each month for the well attended morning rountables. Hear from guest speakers and discuss topics important to this marketplace with the members of the region's most energetic and thoughtful young professional group. Purchase your season pass now and guarantee your spot at the table.
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Breakfast with the Mayors
University of Saint Thomas
Woulfe Hall North
2115 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105 |
View Map
Join us for this annual breakfast as Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman address the membership of the Minneapolis Regional and Saint Paul Area Chambers of Commerce. Both leaders will speak about local government priorities, successes in 2016, and how businesses can support and promote the region.
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Bloomington Chamber's Annual Meeting
Friday, February 10, 2017
8 to 9:30 a.m.
The Bloomington Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting "Looking Forward" will celebrate the successes of the Chamber in 2016 and preview what is in store for 2017. This event will highlight the Chamber's programming and signature events, membership development, and legislative updates while featuring keynote speaker Dr. Chris Cassirer, President of Northwestern Health Sciences University.
Sheraton Bloomington
5601 West 78th St.
Bloomington, MN 55439
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Call for Nominations 
Thursday, March 23, 2017
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Share your success story! Nominate your company for one of the Chamber's Best in Business Awards listed below. Winners will be recognized on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the annual awards luncheon.
Winners will be chosen from the following five categories:
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Did you know you get Exclusive Member pricing at any
Office Depot® or OfficeMax® store?
Show the cashier your store purchasing card when checking out to see the savings!
Don't have a store purchasing card? Text "MinneapolisSPC" to 555-888 to receive one now!
Find a store near you at officedepot.com/storelocator
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Chamber Referral Program
Do you know of a business that would benefit from membership?
Click on the link below and provide the business name and contact. When your referral joins the Chamber you will receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice.
*There is no limit to the number of referrals you can submit. The more referrals you provide, the more gift certificates you receive!
Here is how it works:
- Contact the business you are referring and let them know that you have submitted them as a potential new member
- Complete the online referral form
- Chamber staff will contact your referral about membership and mention your name
Sharing how your Minneapolis Regional Chamber membership has helped your business can make a big difference!
Enhanced Listing Opportunity
Did you know that over 31,000 people visit the Chamber's website every month? And that for as a little as $150 you can show off your company to thousands of potential clients? The Chamber now offers Enhanced Listings in our Online Membership Directory. Your company is immediately bumped to the top of your category in search results and includes a YouTube video, a photo gallery, 1,600 character description, 20 additional keywords and much more!
You can check out the Minneapolis Regional Chamber's Enhanced Listing by
clicking here and compare it with your listing in our online directory.
Contact
Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 or
Brent Pavia at (612) 370-9181 today!
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Public Policy Forum: Youth Homelessness & the Economic Case for Intervention
 Friday, January 6
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Wells Fargo Center
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Wells Fargo, our series sponsor: CenterPoint Energy
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Public Affairs Forum: Legislative Preview
Friday, January 6
8 to 9:30 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to our sponsor: Xcel Energy
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Focus Luncheon Series: Digital Marketing to Grow Your Business
Wednesday, January 11
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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Executive Women's Council: Leaders in Banking
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Let's Connect!
Thursday, January 19
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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Breakfast with the Mayors
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2017 BCC Annual Gala: BCC Corral
Saturday, January 28
5:30 to 11 p.m. / Radisson Blu Mall of America
Thank you to our sponsors:
Mall of America,
Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Crowne Plaza Aire Minneapolis Airport / Mall of America,
Hubbard Broadcasting,
Normandale Community College,
Radisson Blu Mall of America,
RBCU,
Wells Fargo,
Xcel Energy,
edgProductions, Inc.,
The Westin Edina Galleria,
Sheraton Bloomington Hotel,
Fairview Southdale Hospital,
FastSigns,
Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC,
Total Wine & More,
Axtell & Haller LLC,
David M. Senness, CPA,
Donaldson Company, Inc.,
HealthPartners,
IAG Commercial,
Kraus-Anderson Companies, Inc.,
Mortgages Unlimited, Inc.,
Tunheim,
Williams & Associates, Inc.,
Wings Financial Credit Union,
Delta Air Lines, Inc.,
DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Bloomington and
Freeway Ford LLC
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