THE
PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE
Business Excellence Awards Celebration
Maureen Scallen Failor, DCR Chamber President

We have moved into my favorite season, Fall. The vibrant colors and the crisp air are welcomed after a hot summer! Speaking of fall, a tradition of the DCR Chamber is our Business Excellence Awards Celebration coming October 28. I am excited to announce the 2022 Business Excellence Awards finalists have been chosen. We have an outstanding group of businesses and individuals, and I guarantee it will be hard to select the winners.  

Large Business of the Year
  • Comcast
  • Minnesota Energy Resources
  • Twin Cities Orthopedics

Small Business of the Year
  • Evolution Accounting & Consulting
  • Sovran, Inc.
  • VENDELLA euro boutique & coffee haus

Emerging Leader of the Year
  • Andrew Hasek, Goff Public
  • Nicole McCarthy, Minnesota Energy Resources
  • Anh Phan, Living Well Disability Services

Nonprofit of the Year
  • Kids 'n Kinship
  • Living Well Disability Services
  • The Open Door 
2022 Legacy Award Winner Announced

Along with announcing the finalists for the 2022 Business Excellence Awards, I am also thrilled to announce our 2022 Dakota County Regional Chamber Legacy Award Winner, Jon Althoff!

Jon Althoff has been involved with the DCR Chamber for ten years and has been active since day one! He served as Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors from 2017-2018, currently serves on the DCR Board, and is on the DCR Charitable Foundation as its Secretary.
Congratulations, Jon!

Please join us for a fabulous night of celebration, fun, laughs, and an overall good time! Registration is now open!

Upcoming Elections and the 2nd Congressional District Debate

We are 40 days out from the 2022 midterm elections. Early voting is now open. For more information click here. I cannot stress enough the importance of voting in this upcoming election. There is a lot on the line for many businesses and our residents. In a time when both parties’ bases are energized, and independent voters are torn between Democrats’ warnings on abortion and Republicans’ overtures on inflation, crime, and immigration, the House is far from a foregone conclusion.

Minnesota’s Congressional District 2 is predominantly in Dakota County and is one of the most highly watched races in the Country. The contest to represent the 2nd District is a rarity in congressional politics – a tossup, according to analysts like the Cook Political Report.

The DCR Chamber along with its partners Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), Minneapolis Regional Chamber, Shakopee Chamber, and Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a CD (2) Candidate’s Debate with incumbent DFL Congresswoman Angie Craig and Republican Challenger Tyler Kistner on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at DCTC. This event is open to all businesses in Dakota County and Scott County and registration is required. Click here to register.
Meet A Board Member

Erica Kairis
Manager Community Relations (Government), Thomson Reuters

Role with the Chamber: Board Member

What is one thing you would tell a member about being in the DCR Chamber? The DCR Chamber is here to advocate, lead, support, and collaborate with our members. We support our members in providing valuable resources to help your organization to grow and flourish within your community!

What is your favorite thing to do in Dakota County?
My favorite thing is volunteerism! There are so many amazing community partners within Dakota County that help support the communities where we live and work!
Letter to the Editor - Investment in Energy Projects

I submitted a letter to the Editor that was published in the Sun Thisweek titled “Make meaningful investment in energy projects.” America has the energy resources to be a leader in ending this energy crisis, and we should be doing everything we can to make sure supply is meeting demand. We would like to see meaningful investment in energy projects to create new access, which will bring prices down and get us out of this crisis. Congress needs to act and act now. View the full letter here.
DCR Chamber, The President's Perspective

Issue 4
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