Tuesday, August 4, 2020

This week's e-newsletter brought to you by Chairman's Circle Level Member Jennie-O Turkey Store

Gurley Foods is Purchased and Stays Local

Press Release

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CANCELLED UNTIL JANUARY 2021

Due to COVID uncertainties the decision has been made to postpone Chamber Connections until January 2021. Confirmed sponsors have been calling saying they need or have to postpone or cancel hosting their scheduled Chamber Connection due COVID and physical distancing concerns. As you know our attendance had been really good (40 – 60) pre-COVID and sometimes the hosts barely had enough room or business wants to sponsor but couldn’t due to the space limitations. Many businesses are also dealing with their own respective COVID policies that prevent them for being able to participate in large groups or gatherings, As an alternative, the Chamber will still offer 2 Chamber Connections per month via Zoom through December to keep the Chamber Connection group together. Our plan will be to host them on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Stay tuned for more details to come soon. On behalf of the Chamber Connection planning team and your Chamber staff, thank you again for your support. Of course if you do have any questions, please contact me via email and I will respond to you as soon as I can.

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WILLMAR LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE IN THE WILLMAR LAKES AREA

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The public is invited to the Chamber Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Event Luncheon recognizing community leadership, volunteering and giving. The event is Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:30 P.M. at Bill Taunton Stadium and is presented by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Individual tickets are $25 include lunch and a program recognizing the recipients who will be accepting their individual awards for leadership and support of the Chamber and community. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Chamber. Tickets include a fun meal consisting of Street tacos, with grilled sweet corn, queso and chips, water melon wedges and lemonade prepared by Heglund Catering. Ticket price helps to pay for the meal and all other costs associated with the awards that are presented.

EDC on Board to take lead on CARES Act business relief

The $7.6 million Kandiyohi County, Willmar and most of the other cities and townships in the county received in total from Minnesota through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act is both an opportunity and a challenge. An opportunity because it is much-needed funding for local units of government to meet a pandemic no one expected. It is a challenge because the amount of money, the reporting requirements attached to it and short time frame could be too much for some. Following conversations with the county, cities and townships, the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is prepared to help, to lead a grant program that will provide relief to businesses and non-profits in the county. To access the applications for businesses or nonprofits, please check out the EDC’s Website at Kandiyohi.com.

Business Application

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Non-Profit Application

As of July 25, 2020, per the Governor's Executive Order, people in Minnesota will be required to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless you are alone.

Disposable Face Mask Handout

COVID Resources for our Business community Mask Pick-up Was A Success!  The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce distributed 30,000 one-time supply of masks to businesses in Kandiyohi County from the Department of Employment and Economic Development. We did a three day drive thru pickup. In three days we had the drive thru open 10.5 hours, 107 businesses participate and we gave out 600 boxes. Thank you to the volunteers who helped us out during this time, a big thank you to Northern States Supply for the gloves.

Tune Into the Same Bat Channel Next Week for the Results 31st Annual Golf Classic Golf is on! Due to Covid restrictions we were limited to 128 golfers.