Monday, October 29, 2018
POLICY NEWS
Be a Voter
It is incredibly important to be an informed voter. We're 8 days away from election day, meaning now is the time to brush up on the candidates and issues on this year's ballot. If you've already voted, thank you for taking time to participate in our democracy even though you couldn't physically make it to the polls on November 6. If you are headed to the polls next Tuesday, make sure you understand what is at stake. There are no excuses not to vote.

Read this Star Tribune Voter Guide to prepare.
Twin Cities school districts go to voters to right fiscal ships
On November 6, you'll find not only candidates on your ballot, but referendums as well. One of those referendums supports increased funding for Minneapolis Public Schools. Our schools are sounding a familiar refrain: The state’s basic funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation. No one enjoys the prospect of paying more in taxes. But even less palatable would be a future with more of our students on the sidelines, not prepared for a meaningful future. “There's a direct connection between the city's future workforce and its schools,” said chamber President & CEO Jonathan Weinhagen.

Read more in this Star Tribune article . Read a previously released op-ed by Jonathan Weinhagen on this topic here .
Wednesday, November 7 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Kieran's Irish Pub

The votes have been cast and the results are in. We now know who will lead Minnesota and who will represent us in Washington D.C.

So what does this mean for Minnesota? What can we expect from our new representatives as they take office? How will the rookies and the old guard work together? The MPLS Regional Chamber invites you to discuss this and more with Blois Olson, WCCO Radio | Fluence Media, on November 7. 

Presenter:
Blois Olson, Principal, Fluence Media
MEMBER NEWS
POWERING INCLUSION: Accelerating Regional Growth by Investing in Businesses Owned by People of Color
This Center for Economic Inclusion event features Arlan Hamilton who built Backstage Capital from the ground up while experiencing homelessness. Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund established in 2015, dedicated to minimizing disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. To date, Backstage Capital has invested more than $5 million in 100 startups led by founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT.  And recently launched a $36 million fund for Black women founders. She’s been profiled in Fast Company, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.

Minnesota Timberwolves tickets on sale
As a member of the Minneapolis Regional, Bloomington or Northeast Minneapolis Chambers you have the option of purchasing some of our season tickets for the Minnesota Timberwolves season at the Target Center. Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. To find out what games are still available and to purchase tickets, please email Andrea Carver at acarver@mplschamber.com or call 612-370-9100 .
Saints awarded American Association Organization of the Year for fourth straight season
The St. Paul Saints continues to see success.

 Hard work in the off-season and grinding away when the lights aren’t bright has turned into success once the calendar turns to May, or this season in the month of March. From another incredible season, once again leading all of minor league baseball in percent capacity, to promotions that garnered national headlines and memorable moments both on and off the field, and more helped earn the Saints American Association Organization of the Year for the fourth consecutive season and fifth time in franchise history since the inception of the American Association in 2006.

Learn more in the press release, found here .
Wednesday, November 7 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | The Woman's Club Minneapolis

Minnesota ranks, on average, among the healthiest states in the nation. But averages alone tell an incomplete story. Health is created by more than just the absence of disease, but also by where you live, work and play. Our panel will examine how we can identify, understand and address disparities in healthcare and innovation to establish a healthier Minnesota.

Speakers:
  • Sara M. Chute, MPP, Assistant Director, Center for Health Equity | Center for Health Data, Minnesota Department of Health
  • Mollie O’Brien, M.A. Director, Health Equity, Allina Health
  • Janelle Waldock, Vice President of Community Health and Health Equity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Minneapolis College opens new $2.5M Academic Success Center
The new Academic Success Center at Minneapolis College opened its doors in time for the more than 6,700 students this fall. The Center brings a $2.5 million, 16,400 square-foot ultra-modern space, equipped with the latest breakthrough technology and services, to the College to help students reach their full academic potential and prepare for today’s workforce.

Nearly 60 part-time tutors join the director and seven full-time staff members to ensure students can obtain individualized support for academic success.

Learn more here .
Thursday, November 8 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington Minneapolis

The historic "brick and mortar" retail model is transforming at a rapid pace. Today, people rely on mobile devices and alternative channels when making purchases. The demand and expectation from customers to complete transactions at their home or on the go has become the new normal. "Community" is now an emotion that can be translated via social media. At this B.E.E.R., our panel of experts will explain how the landscape is changing and how your business can stay up to date on trends.

Speakers:
  • Sandy Anderson, Owner, Riverdale Travel
  • Tami Klimpel, Vice President, Digital Marketing, Bremer Bank
  • Bruce Nustad, President, Minnesota Retailers Association
  • Jill Renslow, Sr. Vice President Business Development & Marketing, Mall of America

Thank you to our sponsor Insperity.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
RIBBON CUTTING
School President Dr. Jeffrey Allen leads the celebration of the new site for the Adler Graduate School in Minnetonka last weekend.

Learn more about the Adler Graduate School here.
Owner Jody Winter cuts the ribbon for the Grand Opening of Cornerstone Studios, a creative work space for weddings professionals. Located in Northeast Minneapolis.

Learn more about Cornerstone Studios here .
MEMBER ADVANTAGE
The Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Sprint
The Sprint Works Program offers a discounts of 15% on select rate plans to members of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. If the customer is active on Unlimited Freedom, they will receive a $5 discount instead of the % discount associated with the company.
 
Any subscriber on the account qualifies for the Sprint Works Program discount . The name on the proof document must match a name listed as a subscriber. The subscriber does not need to be the Account Holder.
 
Visit www.sprint.com/save for details.
The Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the MN Drug Card
The FREE MN Drug Card is provided to you and your family to help lower prescription drug costs. The card helps you to receive savings of up to 75 percent (discounts average roughly 30 percent) at more than 56,000 national and regional pharmacies. This card can be used as your primary plan and/or it can be used on prescriptions not covered by your insurance plan.

Get your MN Drug Card here .