News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:

The 30th Annual Caring & Sharing 9-Hole Scramble is a fundraising event benefiting people seeking treatment at Project Turnabout Centers for Addiction Recovery. Save the date and register today!

*This advertisement is sponsored by Project Turnabout.

Please note that there will not be a Chamber Connection on September 2nd, and the Chamber office will be closed on September 5th in observance of Labor Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Interested in hosting a Chamber Connection? Contact Jami at jtanner@willmarareachamber.com to reserve the last opening of the year: October 21st.

United Prairie Celebrates 20 Years

Congratulations to Market President Darin Strand, Isaac Loe, Beth Bruhn, and Doug Kuehnast of United Prairie on 20 years of membership! United Prairie is a family-owned, financial services provider headquartered in Mankato offering banking, insurance, and investments. Special thanks to United Prairie for their involvement and volunteerism with the Chamber. Darin Strand serves as the Chair of the Chamber Fest Committee, Doug Kuehnast has been a long time member of the Ambassador Committee in addition to serving as the Chair of the Golf Classic Committee, Dawn Lippert is a dedicated Board member, Chamber Connection emcee, and Ambassador, and Isaac looks forward to joining neXt and Leadership Perspectives in September.

Pictured with the United Prairie team are Chamber Diplomats Carla Kahle-Miler (Design West Ltd), Jon Rambow (Rambow), Jessica L Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), and Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank).

RELCO Celebrates 40th Anniversary

40 years ago, RELCO started from humble beginnings and has grown far beyond what could have ever been imagined. This journey took courage, passion, and boldness. The passion remains the lifeblood of RELCO and continues to translate into value delivered to customers and the community. 2020 marked a new phase as RELCO became a part of Koch. The shared values created a culture of friendship, collaboration, and challenge.

Support Needed for New Vision Foundation

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber Business Education Network (BEN) is partnering with New Vision Foundation to bring its dynamic computer coding training program for disadvantaged youth to our community and we need your help!

New Vision Foundation (NVF) is a statewide nonprofit founded by East African information technology professionals "to create pathways to success for disadvantaged youth and young adults through coding and digital literacy classes." Credentialed by the Minnesota Department of Higher Education, NVF offers IT career readiness training and industry-recognized certifications most needed by employers that help propel economic mobility and financial stability among lower-income East African and other disadvantaged youth 13 – 18 years old and young adults. All NVF instructors are East African to create a culturally responsive learning environment and inspire students to see themselves as future tech professionals.

In 2019, NVF served over 1,200 students, 100% of who were disadvantaged youth and 55% girls.
NVF is currently engaging over 1,000 youth at 12 St Paul and Minneapolis partner schools.
In 2020, NVF expanded beyond the Twin Cities to offer computer coding classes and certifications in St Cloud to 35 low-income East African youth, all of whom demonstrably gained digital literacy and computer coding skills.
Since its founding in 2016, NVF has retained 90% of students year to year with all graduating seniors enrolling in two and four-year colleges.
Earlier this year, NVF became a National Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC) partner, provided training at four Twin Cities BBTTCs, and connected 84 youth from these sites to paid summer internships with employers such as Best Buy, Target, Kraus Anderson, and Health Partners.

At the invitation of and in partnership with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, NVF will launch a Wilmar Lakes Area program. NVF has leased commercial space in Willmar to offer 30 disadvantaged, mostly Somali, middle and high school students computer coding classes, certifications, mentoring, career exploration, and cultural learning activities after school and during school breaks at no cost to their families. NVF will provide healthy meals during program hours and, for those in need, free laptops, affordable home internet access, and door-to-door transportation service. The Chamber will work with regional employers in our network to provide older youth with paid summer internships and companies with workers with needed tech skills.

NVF has secured partial funding for a Willmar-based East African instructor from partners such as Best Buy and 3M, however, more resources are needed to transform its local site located at 313 Litchfield Avenue SW into a fully equipped training center and to offer its continuum of services to disadvantaged youth here. The construction and equipment costs are nearly $20,000 and, with fuel and food costs rising, NVF is challenged with providing youth meals and transportation. Funding is also needed for staff to coordinate internships and provide older youth with college and career exploration activities.

NVF’s innovative and proven model holds the tremendous promise of creating local career pathways for disadvantaged Willmar youth and incentivizing them to stay in our community for the long term. We hope you will help launch this program with a generous contribution! For more details about how you can make a tax deductible contribution, please contact Chamber President Ken Warner at (320) 235-0300 or kwarner@willmarareachamber.com.

Save the Date: Saturday, October 8th!

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to present High & Mighty as the headliner for its 12th annual fundraising event – Chamber Fest (formerly known as the Red Carpet) on Saturday, October 8th at Bill Taunton Stadium / Baker Field. Thank you to West Central Tribune for their support as the major event sponsor!

LIVE MUSIC. DANCING. GERMAN FOOD. GAMES. FIREWORKS

ABOUT HIGH & MIGHTY

High & Mighty is a high energy show band playing the best R&B, Pop, Funk and Soul dance music from the 70's through today's top hits. Based in Minneapolis, High and Mighty is known for high-end musicianship and a killer horn section that will keep you on the dance floor. Their renowned horn section and top notch vocalists make them one of the most unique and powerful live music experiences!

EVENT TIMELINE

4:00pm – Gates open

4:30 - 5:30pm – 3D performs a variety of Rock to Country music in the picnic area

6:00 - 8:00pm – High & Mighty performs near the pitcher’s mound on Baker Field (dancing is encouraged on the field in front of the stage)

8:00pm – Fireworks sponsored by Heritage Exteriors & Restoration

TICKET SALES TIMELINE

Due to limited seating, tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. An email with individual and group ticket prices and packages will be sent to the primary contact at each member business to reserve the seating of your choice based on the timeline below.

August 22 – Chairman’s Circle level members

August 29 – Executive Premier and Premier level members

September 6 – Advocate level members

September 12 – Partner and Supporter level members and the public

neXt Kick-Off

As an affiliate of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, neXt is a volunteer-driven local organization formed to attract and retain young talent in the community, while developing the next generation of leaders. Focused on young adults, we use fun social activities and structured educational opportunities to help you grow your network, learn new skills, and develop as a leader.

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Chamber Community Job Board

Are you hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions at chamber@willmarareachamber.com or (320) 235-0300.