Stay in the loop on all things Bloomington with legislative updates, community news, business tips and so much more.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Letter from the President
I am happy to say that it is finally starting to feel like spring. 2017 has certainly been a busy year for the Chamber. Our Annual Gala on January 28 was an overwhelming success and a roarin' good time. We held our Annual Meeting on February 10 and caught up the membership on what we have accomplished in the past year. It's hard to believe, but this month we are celebrating one year of the Bloomington Chamber Business Link Newsletter! 

Part of the Chamber's strategic vision involves keeping our members educated and in the loop as to what is happening in both the community and in the Chamber world. This newsletter has proven to be a valuable resource, providing you with information on legislative updates, community news, business tips, milestone anniversaries, and so much more. A survey of our members revealed that you value Chamber correspondence such as the Weekly Update, Business Link, and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber's eConnections. 
 
I am excited to announce that the BCC Business Link will be moving to a bimonthly publication schedule! This newsletter will continue to provide you with everything you need to know about upcoming Chamber events and happenings in the community.

In order to best serve you, our members, we ask that you continue to share:
  • Press releases regarding your business
  • Awards that your business has received
  • Newsworthy articles or information that will benefit your fellow chamber members 
I want to thank you for your continued support of this valued newsletter. As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, the Chamber will continue to offer its comprehensive programming and event schedule while providing our members with numerous benefits.
 
Thank you again for your support of the Bloomington Chamber Commerce, the Voice of Business!


Maureen Scallen Failor
President
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
2017 Bloomington Chamber Public Policy Priorities

The Bloomington Chamber supports legislation that will promote, support and enhance business prosperity, civic vitality and the quality of life for businesses and the community in the Bloomington area. For a complete outline of the Chamber's priorities, click here.

I-494 / I-35W  Intersection Update
The junction of I-35 W and I-494 is the busiest and one of the most congested and unsafe intersections in Minnesota. The I-494 corridor ranks as the 17th worst commute in the entire nation. On Wednesday, March 15 the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held a Public affairs forum featuring Karl Keel, Bloomington Public Works Director, and Scott McBride, MnDOT Metro District Engineer. The speakers gave updates on the work being done to secure funding for these needed improvements.

One of the biggest hindrances to the intersection renovation is the already struggling state of a vast portion of Minnesota's transit system. The I-494 / I-35W interchange is just one of many that are in need of repair. 50% of state highway pavement is over 50 years old. About 20% have less than 3 years of life left in them. This issue is compounded by the fact that Minnesota's weather extremes put a lot of pressure on these systems, and the cost of repairing damage done by snow and ice is climbing. 

There are more than 600 identified state road and bridge projects just like the proposed I-494 / I-35W intersection improvement that are currently unfunded. 2017 must be the year that this funding is secured. Click here for a document containing more information including what is needed to be done in the next ten years to correct this issue.
Milestone Anniversaries
Congratulations to our Bloomington Chamber members celebrating milestone anniversaries during the first quarter of 2017! We appreciate their ongoing commitment to the Bloomington community and their continued investment and support of the Chamber.

30 years
Express Employment Professionals

15 years
ServiceMaster Commercial Systems
St. Croix Promotions and Retail, Inc.

5 years
Massage Envy Spa
Seven Hills Preparatory Academy
Creating IT Futures Foundation
Galaxie Floor Stores
Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport - Mall Area
Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport South
West Side Perk
Genesee Apartments & Townhomes
American Rare Coin & Collectibles, LLC
Community News
Be sure to send us your business news to be included in the section in the future!


National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation
  • The Sixth Annual "National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation" kicks off from the Mall of America rotunda on April 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, the Challenge is a friendly, community-based competition among cities across the country that encourages residents to make their pledge to save water and reduce waste. The Mall of America event will feature an ECO-FAIR and exciting prize giveaways for those who pledge onsite - including Toro mowers, trimmers, drip irrigation kits and more. This national challenge runs the entire month of April, with the selection of five winning cities based on the highest number of pledges per population category. Additionally, individuals who pledge will have the chance to win hundreds of eco-friendly and water-saving prizes, including a 2017 Toyota Prius. To make your pledge, visit www.mywaterpledge.com
Restoration along the Minnesota River
  • This six-acre site along the Minnesota River is a part of the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. Over the past few decades, this site has become densely wooded, and the understory is now dominated with invasive plants. Volunteers will cut and haul buckthorn and invasive honeysuckle and pull garlic mustard to improve the vegetation for local wildlife and mitigate soil erosion on steep slopes. Pre-registration is required. Click here for more information.
     
Event Spotlight: 2017 State of the City Address


Whether you hail from East or West Bloomington, Jefferson or Kennedy High School, the fact remains that you are still a Bloomingtonite. The divide that has existed in Bloomington for years may soon be a thing of the past.  The City and the Chamber of Commerce have been working together to promote the idea of "One Bloomington," the theme of  the 2017 State of the City address.

The annual event was held on Wednesday, March 22 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America. It boasted a record-setting number of attendees, and featured remarks from Mayor Gene Winstead and City Manager Jamie Verbrugge. The program touched on highlights like new businesses opening in Bloomington last year and the results of the 2016 Business Survey. It also looked ahead at what's to come in Bloomington. The future looks bright! Click the photo above or click here to see more.

Welcome New Members
We would like to give a special shout out to all of the organizations that have joined the Bloomington Chamber since the start of 2017!

FMAdvantage, LLC
Encore Event Technologies
Jefferson Athletic Foundation
Bloomington Heating & Air
Luebeck Wealth Management
Media Kiln
Orman Guidance
Savers
Member Testimonial

"The thing that I've appreciated about our relationship with the Chamber is that it gives us direct access to a really important piece of the community, and that's the business people who work here. It's really important. It's a three legged stool of non-profits, the business community, and the residents who live here that help build a strong Bloomington. For that reason, I really appreciate the work that the Chamber does in order to help bring people together."

Jamie Verbrugge
Bloomington City Manager
Featured Events

Public Affairs Forum: Erik Paulsen

On Tuesday, April 18 hear from Congressman Erik Paulsen as he shares his experience and perspective on representing Bloomington and the Southwest Metro communities in Washington, D.C. Click here to register.

Happy Hour Networking

On Thursday, April 20 we will be holding a happy hour at RedRossa at the Best Western Plus Bloomington Hotel Mall of America. Come and build new connections and mingle with chamber members. Complimentary appetizers and drink specials will be included. Click here to register.

44th Annual Golf Classic

Save the Date! Mark your calendars now for Monday, June 19 and join us at the prestigious Minnesota Valley Country Club where we will enjoy a day on the greens plus networking with other members and guests!  The day will also include a silent auction, lunch, dinner and awards ceremony. Click here to register.

Thank you to our sponsors: Tournament Sponsor US Bank, 19th Hole Sponsor Mall of America, Eagle Sponsors Xcel Energy and Larkin Hoffman, Hole-in-One Sponsor Freeway Ford, Silent Auction Sponsors Centerpoint Energy, Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, The Westin Edina Galleria and TRIA Orthopaedic Center, Beverage Cart Sponsors ISG, RBCU and Radisson Blu Mall of America, Birdie Sponsors FastSigns and GR Promotions, Lunch Sponsor Kraus-Anderson, Putting Green Sponsor BWA Wealth Management Group, Driving Range Sponsor HealthPartners, and Par Sponsors Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Grand Casino, Memorial Blood Centers, Minnesota Vikings, and Pinstripes.


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