Minneapolis levy referendum: For our future workforce, vote yes
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A critical part of building our future economy is educating our children. It is well known and felt that the Minneapolis-St. Paul region is facing a workforce shortage. At every level, we need to be preparing more people, including our children, to help close this gap. One of the ways that business leaders, including the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, are working to do this is through encouraging voters to support the two-question $30 million referendum on the ballot this fall to support the Minneapolis Public Schools. We must make sure the schools where most kids in Minneapolis are educated have the funding they need.
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Friday, October 5 | 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Politics have changed. The ends of the spectrum have become more divisive, and voters have become unpredictable. Social media has impacted - well everything. Is this really the new normal or will the pendulum swing? Our speakers will engage in a candid conversation about trends, the intersection of local and national politics, and the upcoming election cycle.
Panelists:
- Representive Matt Dean, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 28B
- Ron Harris, Member, Democratic National Committee
- Annette Meeks, CEO, Freedom Foundation of MN
- Sarah Catherine Walker, Lobbyist, mza + co
Moderator:
- John Rash, Columnist & Editorial Writer, Minneapolis Star Tribune
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Candidate Forum: Bloomington Delegation
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Since the departure of Representative Ann Lenczewski in late 2015, the Bloomington area has seen incredible turnover in legislative delegation. She was replaced in a special election by Chad Anderson who in turn was replaced in the general election by Andy Carlson. Edina Representative Ron Erhart was defeated by Dario Anselmo in 2016 by less than 600 votes, and Representatives Paul Rosenthal and Ann Rest announced their decisions not to seek re-election this year. Last week, the Bloomington Chamber hosted a wide ranging candidate forum for House seats 49B, 50A, and 50B—which covers all of Bloomington and Richfield and points west.
Representative Andy Carlson and Chad Anderson are squaring off again for the seat in 50B. Carlson was explicit about his support for a higher minimum wage, restricting the sale of tobacco and increasing funding for affordable housing. While Anderson didn’t support a higher minimum wage, he articulated how he intended to work in a bipartisan fashion to support the region.
In District 50A, Richfield City Council member Michael Howard faces Army veteran Kirsten Johnson for the seat of retiring Representative Linda Slocum. On health care, Howard supports an expansion of MNCare saying it would provide a public option for all Minnesotans, while Johnson urged movement towards a more market driven health care system where costs are more transparent and insurance is carried by individuals, not provided by employers.
MetCouncil member Steve Elkins is facing off against business consultant Matt Sikich for the seat in 49B. Elkins and Sikich both spoke to the need for greater transit and transportation options in the south metro and how it was important to secure long term funding for needed investments.
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POWERING INCLUSION: Achieving the Growth We Want by Engaging All of the Talent We Have
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The Center for Economic Inclusion's new POWERING INCLUSION event series will move us from conversation to collective action to measurable impact. We'll catalyze ideas, partnerships, and opportunities as we directly face the choice: keep leading the nation in racial exclusion or pave the way to shared prosperity. Join them and other thought leaders in adopting best practices, amplifying community assets, and embracing the role we each play in creating an inclusive economy.
This event is FREE but space is limited. Registration is REQUIRED.
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Thursday, October 4 | 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Insperity at Normandale Lake Office Park
Growth and scaling are terms often used when talking about small to mid-sized businesses, but what do they mean, and what is the best strategy to expand your business? At this SMART for Business, successful local entrepreneurs will discuss the various avenues a business can take to increase revenue, build their workforce and advance their customer base.
Panel:
Dana Swindler | CEO, Martin Patrick 3
Nila Chakrabort | CEO, ShopBollyWear
Moderator:Kristin Dean | VP of People, Arctic Wolf Networks
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Artistry Fall Art Program
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Artistry offers classes and workshops this fall at the Bloomington Center for the Arts for adults and youth of all abilities - from beginners to experienced students - in clay, painting and drawing, fused glass, and much more.
All classes and workshops are led by skilled professionals with subject matter expertise and a commitment to each student's development. Plus they're fun.
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Friday, October 12 | 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Elevate Food Hall
At this inaugural breakfast, we will celebrate the companies that have recently completed the first year of the mspWellness program. We will highlight the changes these mspWellness Champions have made to their workplaces creating better health and wellness opportunities for their employees.
Guest speaker, Nichole Melton Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at Allina Health | Aetna, will share best practices for employee engagement in wellness initiatives, wellness plan implementation and potential outcomes. Join us as we salute this year’s mspWellness Champions!
mspWellness is a partnership between the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the Minneapolis Health Department. mspWellness provides enrolled companies with tools, resources and technical-assistance to create healthier work environments.
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New Strategies for an Aging Workforce: Bridging the Workforce Gap
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There is an increasingly steady flow of talent leaving the workplace. Since the youngest of the baby boomers are now turning fifty, it is only a matter of time before this entire generation has gone, taking their skills, knowledge and experience out of the work force. It’s no surprise that filling the workforce gap will be a challenge, one which we all must help to solve for. This employer conversation, hosted by SHIFT and Land O'Lakes, Inc., is for Minnesota business leaders whose organizations are experiencing the challenges of this increasing workforce gap.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
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Last week, Ceres Enterprises broke ground for their first property in MN—a Cambria Hotel in Bloomington scheduled to open Summer 2019.
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The Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Office Depot
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Office Depot and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber have partnered to provide exclusive savings on all of your business needs, including deep discounts on:
- Office Essentials
- Cleaning and Breakroom Solutions
- Copy & Print Services
- Technology
- Furniture
Let Office Depot save you time and money! Whether you're a company of five or 10,000 employees we can help!
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