Chamber Newsletter January 2021
Remember the saying “the light at the end of the tunnel”? Yep. And then some smarty-pants says “it may be the light of an oncoming train.”
Well, 2020 is on the way out and 2021 is coming in, like a steam engine, hot and heavy. As I write this, the hope for a stimulus package looks likely, and Christmas is literally days away. There may be light at the end of the tunnel, but we have a couple of curves and hills to manage as we exit the tunnel. The vaccine has arrived in Hutchinson, and we are experiencing a divide among us regarding vaccinations. Social Distancing and masking will still be required for some time, oh… and…. We still have businesses not open. Our small businesses are struggling, and our strongest citizens are weary from work and worry. Not a great outlook; I get it.
BUT, HOWEVER, ALSO, NONE THE LESS, YET, STILL….
We will celebrate our beloved holidays, ring in the new year in new ways, and we WILL persevere.
During great challenges our country is known for rising up.
I could list past wars, plagues, and terrorism.
But let me give you a slightly different list:
  • Holiday flowers being sent to simply uplift teachers and businesses
  • A group of people making sure nursing home residents have flowers for the holiday season
  • Citizens working together to thank teachers with a carry out meal
  • Families driving hours to deliver gifts and visit through the window
  • Business owners are still FIGHTING for their business, tooth and nail, uphill, both ways, barefoot, in the snow, during a blizzard… you get the point
  • Retailers are running out of Christmas decorations and lights, and our streets are lined with more lights and goodwill than past years
  • John Krasinski brought back “Some Good News- holiday edition,” and it included a Brainerd story of 900 vehicles in a row paying it forward, which totaled more than $10,000 paid forward.
  • Families and fire depts are bringing bucket lift trucks to raise people to the windows of loved ones on higher floors of senior care facilities and hospitals.
  • Unexplained gift cards mailed to struggling business owners
  • There’s HOPE in Hutch, oh wait…. #HOPEinHUTCH… I like it, a lot.
I could type all day with stories of people helping. People choosing to do something thoughtful for someone else.
In the season brought to us to remember HOPE and LOVE, I wish for you and your loved ones a happy 2021. Possibly you’ll find ways to help others who could use a smile, a hand up, a moment of hope. I choose to see the oncoming train’s light as reminder for a new day, and a new year. I invite you to jump on board!
Annual Event
We are excited for our Annual Event! We are now just DAYS away!


New day! New time! New Structure!

Don't worry, this virtual event will be unlike any other you have attended.... This one will be FUN, interactive and may seem as if the surprises never end!

Save Wednesday, January 27th Noon on your calendar for Hutchinson: A Community You Can Bet On.

Lunch and Event package will be included with registration. Registration deadline is Jan. 13th.

EVERYONE is welcome. Yes, everyone... you do not have to be a business owner or a Chamber member... just be you!

Chamber Check in Friday---- NEW!
Are you missing our Friday morning Business Connections? We are too!

We miss it so much we have decided to add Chamber Check in Friday! Learn what's new in Hutchinson, share your own business updates and enjoy community conversation.

Join us for our second Chamber Check on January 8th @ 7:30am.

-All you need to do is register and we'll see you there!
Utilize your membership to it's fullest potential
Are you allocating membership points towards Newsletter inserts?

Perfect! Newsletter inserts are a great way for you to advertise your business, remind the community of your services or to display a sale or promotion.

New this year, we decided to make this process even easier!! Now you can utilize the Newsletter inserts a few different ways.
  1. Send a PDF by the 25th of the prior month at your convenience.
  2. Send Cegi a variety of PDF's to display for specific months
  3. Send one PDF and Cegi will automatically insert throughout the year.

Also new this year is a Newsletter Sponsor for 4 points. This consists of your business logo displaying at the bottom of all newsletters. Be sure to call the Chamber with any questions.
Goodnight Hutchinson
Books are HERE! Call us to have your book reserved. Shipping is available for you to send a book to a loved one or pick up at the Chamber.
New & Renewing Members

Thank You to the following members for continuing their Membership
  • Adult Training & Habilitation Center
  • Albers Insurance
  • Allina Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment
  • American Family Insurance- William Young Agency, Inc.
  • Animal Medical Center, Inc.
  • Aveyron Homes, Inc.
  • Bernick's
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Caribou Coffee- CashWise
  • CashWise Foods
  • CenBank
  • Citizens Bank & Trust Co.
  • Citizens Insurance Agency
  • City of Hutchinson
  • Cobblestone Hotel & Suites
  • CorTrust Bank
  • Creekside Soils
  • Crow River Golf Club
  • Dobratz Hantge Funeral Chapel
  • Dostal Electronic's
  • E.G. Rud & Sons, Inc.
  • Ecumen Oak's & Pines
  • Edward Jones- Pat Chapman
  • Excelsior Homes West, Inc.
  • Fahey Sales Agency, Inc.
  • Hager Jewelry Inc.
  • Hanson & Vasek Construction, Inc.
  • Hassan Valley Lodge #109
  • Holiday Gas Stations
  • Hometown Realty, Inc.
  • Hutch Bowl / Squeaky's Grill & Bar
  • Hutchinson Countryside Retreats
  • Hutchinson EDA
  • Hutchinson Event Center
  • Hutchinson Family Dentistry, P.A.
  • Hutchinson Fire Station
  • Hutchinson Jaycees
  • Hutchinson Parks & Recreation
  • Hutchinson Police Services
  • Hutchinson Public Schools
  • Hutchinson Utilities Commission
  • James Young & Associates, Ltd.
  • Jay Malone Motors
  • Juul Contracting Company
  • KDUZ/KARP Radio
  • Kraft Walser Law Office
  • Kock's Jewelry, Inc.
  • L & P Supply Co.
  • Laraway Roofing, Inc.
  • Larry & Connie Fraser
  • Liquor Hutch
  • Lynn Card Company
  • MidCountry Bank
  • MidCountry Insurance
  • MidCountry Investments Inc
  • McKimm Milk Transit, Inc.
  • McLeod County Abstract & Title Services, LLC
  • MITGI
  • Muddy Cow
  • Oakdale Golf Club
  • Parkview Dental
  • Peace Lutheran Church
  • Primary EyeCare
  • Prince of Peace Senior Apartments, Inc.
  • Quade Electric Inc.
  • Regional Eye Specialists, P.A.
  • River of Hope Lutheran Church
  • Skyview Dairy, Inc.
  • Slumberland Furniture
  • Southwest Eye Care
  • St. Anastasia Catholic Community
  • State Farm Insurance- Michael McGraw
  • Subway- Hwy 7
  • The Village Shop
  • Title Mark, LLC
  • Town & Country Tire
  • United Way of McLeod County
  • Wendling Financial & Insurance Services
  • West Central Industries
  • Westlund Associates, Inc.
  • Wright Farms
Business of the Month
All Hutchinson Area Businesses... Everyone needs a little pat on the back for their effort. Know that you are needed for this community and you can do it!
2020 Ag Person of the Year is.... Kelli Reiner
Congratulations to the 2020 Ag Person of Year, Kelli Reiner!

Thank you to the Chamber's AgriBusiness Committee for their work throughout the year.

Thank You to all individuals that attended the virtual Ag Seminar.
PULSE
Are you under 40 and looking for a professional group to be apart of? Look no further... PULSE is here.

PULSE is a group of Professionals Under 40, Leading, Socializing, and Educating. This group hosts monthly lunch & learn events and holds four social events throughout the year.