April 22, 2019
State of Dakota County

The 2019 State of Dakota County was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at the Ames Center in Burnsville. The DCR Chamber partnered with the Apple Valley, Burnsville, Hastings, Lakeville, and River Heights Chambers of Commerce with over 125 attendees from across Dakota County. A new format, which included an interactive conversation with Chair Liz Workman and County Manager Matt Smith, was very well received. Updates on the county-wide resident survey were presented.
 
Dakota County is the 3 rd  largest county in the State of Minnesota with a population of 422,000. The growth of the county in the recent years has happened in the second and third ring communities which include Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Apple Valley, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount. The county population is forecasted to grow to 475,000 by 2030. The county also has zero debt which makes the Dakota County property tax base one of the lowest in the state. The unemployment rate continues to hold steady at 2.6 percent. Workforce and public safety continue to be priorities as well. Read more about the event here.
State of Rosemount

Mayor Bill Droste addressed business leaders, chamber members, and community partners at this year’s State of Rosemount on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the Rosemount Community Center. 

The City of Rosemount continues to be one of the best suburbs to raise a family in the Twin Cities metro as well as one of the safest.  "Rosemount’s quality of life continues to be high but there is room to grow and serve more people," said Mayor Droste. Housing and retail are two specific areas the city is looking to grow in the coming year. The city continues its efforts to aggressively work with developers to bring more retail as well as provide a greater variety of housing options to bring people to Rosemount. The city’s population is currently at 24,866, with a median household income of $94,300 and the jobs are up by 6,400 between 2010-2040. In 2018, there were 256 housing permits with an increase of property values of 6.7%. 
 
A special thank you to SKB Environmental for sponsoring this year’s State of Rosemount Address.
DCR Chamber Roundtable on HF5 - Paid Family and Medical Leave
 
The DCR Chamber hosted a roundtable discussion with Representative Laurie Halverson, (51B), on HF5 - Paid Family and Medical Leave. Businesses in Eagan and Dakota County representing retail, service, manufacturing, technology, and the food/restaurant industry attended. The discussion focused around the impacts and requirements that businesses will have to account for and administer which will have a potential adverse impact on their businesses. Fraud as well as current plans that companies are offering were also discussed. One noteworthy item is a case where a restaurant provided over $150,000 in free meals to their employees and families, as well as assisting with financial and supportive benefits. These offerings would be reassessed if this legislation is passed. 
 
HF5 creates an expansive state-administered paid leave insurance program. Financed through a new tax on employers and employees, the program will fund partial wage replacement benefits for 12 weeks of paid parental and family leave and 12 weeks of paid medical leave. This is different, and in addition to, a separate proposal mandating that employees provide sick leave for routine or minor illnesses.  
 
If enacted, Minnesota would be the only state in the national with such expansive and expensive mandates in terms of eligibility, qualifying events, benefits, and employer obligation. HF5 is scheduled for a vote in the House on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. We encourage all of our member businesses to reach out to Representative Halverson at Rep.Laurie.Halverson@house.mn  to express your concerns on the impact to your business. We also ask you contact your Minnesota House of Representatives as well.  Here is a link to help you find your Representative. 
Registration Open for DCR Chamber Golf Classic
 
Always a sell-out event, the DCR Chamber Golf Classic promises to be a day of relaxation, priceless networking, and friendly competition! Held at one of the finest golf courses in Dakota County, Mendakota Country Club, the event is a perfect opportunity to get out from behind your desk and connect with the community.  Register Today!
Networking   at its  Best
Registration is Required
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 9, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Friday, May 3, 2019
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
DCTC vs. Bethel 
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 2019
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
New Members
For more information on becoming a member, please email Nicole McCarthy at nmccarthy@dcrchamber.com or call her at 651-288-9200.
Renewed Members

DSV Air & Sea Inc. - 23 years

If you have questions or concerns about your membership renewal, please contact Pam Schmidt at  pschmidt@dcrchamber.com or call 651-425-9872.
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