News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:

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Minnesota Paid Leave Information and Engagement Session

Paid Leave is coming to Minnesota. Is your business ready?

In 2023 the Minnesota Legislature passed Paid Family and Medical Leave. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is tasked with establishing this program, and work is well underway for the January 1, 2026, effective date.

As an employer, you play an important role in Paid Leave. To help employers prepare and answer questions about the new state program, Minnesota Paid Leave Director Greg Norfleet and division staff are partnering with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for an in-person information and engagement session on the Paid Leave Program to cover the following:

• Provide employers with program updates, respond to questions, and gather feedback.

• Share information employers need to make sure they are ready when wage detail reporting begins this October.

• Connect and establish open lines of communication with employers around the state.

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber is hosting a Minnesota Paid Leave information and engagement session:

Thursday, September 5th

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Willmar Conference Center

This is a great opportunity for you to gain important information and provide feedback to DEED leadership. All local employers are invited to attend. Advance registration is welcomed but not required. Light refreshments will be provided.

Join Us for Chamber Connection

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am at Bremer Bank for networking and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes!

Bremer Bank

Rooted Ink Celebrates First Dollar

Congratulations to Hannah Batres of Rooted Ink on her First Dollar with the Chamber Ambassadors! Rooted Ink is a professional tattoo studio located at 115 Litchfield Ave in Willmar. Hannah specializes in floral, fine line, and realism tattoos. Rooted Ink along with LoveBoss DivaNails celebrated their grand opening on Friday. Attendees enjoyed a night out with food, mocktails from Intuition Brewing, live music, permanent jewelry, massages, and so much more in a fun, creative, and safe environment! Celebrating with Hannah are Chamber Ambassadors Michelle Marotzke (Kandiyohi County Economic Development), Chamber President James Miller, Julie Anderson (Kensington Insurance Agency / Nesbit Agencies), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.), Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), and Renee Nolting (West Central Industries).

Rooted Ink

Wanted: Zero Hour & Career Presenters

The Business Education Program (BEN) is excited to be welcomed back to Willmar High School on Wednesday mornings from 8:00-9:00 am for Zero Hour. For some students, these mornings are spent catching up on tests or missing work. The rest of the students are waiting in the commons area for class to start. The BEN program has been given the opportunity to have one or two businesses set up tables in the commons area to interact with these students. This time is meant for your business to promote itself as an option for students to start considering as they move toward the workforce. This is not a hiring fair. The goal is to build relationships between students and businesses to help students understand the various levels of work that are available in our community. If this opportunity sounds like something your business wants to participate in, please send an email to bencoordinator@willm arareachamber.com.

Ridgewater Community Update and Forum

Chamber Community Job Board

Hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.