Rep. Angie Craig is planning to introduce legislation aimed at lowering the federal tax burden on small businesses. The bill would lower the current 21% corporate tax rate to 18% for the first $400,000 of revenue for businesses. This rate cut would only apply to businesses making less than $5 million total. The legislation as currently written applies to the corporate tax rate, so businesses that are organized as “C Corporations”. In order to cover the cost of the legislation, it would end the “carried interest loophole,” by taxing carried interest at ordinary income levels. Email Tim Zunker, Chamber President, if you would like to speak with Rep. Craig about this legislation.

Area companies could earn regional recognition and a tool to help attract and retain employees by vying for the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board’s 2022 Employers of Excellence Awards. Interested employers can complete a survey to compete for the award. Personnel Dynamics Consulting will analyze the survey data and calculate turnover rates, growth percentages, promotion percentages and benefit packages for each company. In May, the Workforce Development Board will recognize the businesses experiencing the best results in employee retention efforts and providing the best work environments. Each participating company will receive a confidential, personalized report detailing how they compared with other area companies and suggestions for improving their work environment. All employers in Dakota and Scott counties are encouraged to participate. Click here to take the survey.

Southwest News Media's annual Best of the Best contest has officially kicked off for 2022. Readers may vote once per day in each of the nearly 75 categories listed in the contest. This contest is intended to highlight the great businesses that serve Chaska, Chanhassen, Carver, Shakopee, Jordan, Belle Plaine, Prior Lake, Savage, and Victoria. A complete list of the "Top 10" winners in each of the categories will be published in late March and distributed through Southwest News Media's community newspapers. Vote here.

February 17 - Building A Disability-Inclusive Workplace: More people with disabilities have a two-year degree and are looking for work than those without a disability. Learn how building an inclusive workplace can help your business meet your recruitment needs and provide meaningful, fulfilling employment. Register

May 19 - Second-Chance Hiring: Making second-chance hiring part of your corporate culture can increase employee retention rate, with 82 percent of hiring managers saying the quality of these employees matches or exceeds the quality of other employees. Learn approaches to hiring those with a criminal background, as well as how to help them thrive as employees for your business. Register

August 25 - Attracting & Retaining Veterans: Men and women who leave the military are a diverse group with diverse skills that go outside being able to fulfil specific job responsibilities, including leadership, self-discipline, teamwork and an excellent work ethic. Learn best practices on how to make hiring veterans a valuable part of your workforce strategy. Register

November 10 - Creating Racially Diverse & Inclusive Workplaces: Making your workplace inclusive goes beyond hiring diverse candidates. Delve into the benefits of diversity and inclusion as a hiring strategy, and how inclusive workplaces can contribute to long-term employee retention. Register

Our legislative leaders need to hear from you, business and community leaders who create jobs and economic prosperity across Minnesota. Three of the Chamber’s major business priorities will be explored and discussed; stay for one or listen to them all. Your participation matters! Click to register.

Addressing climate change presents us with a historical opportunity to strengthen our economy, improve our health, and create a more equitable Minnesota for everyone. To guide this work, MN's Climate Change Subcabinet has released a draft of our state’s Climate Action Framework, and we want to hear from you.  The Framework sets a vision for how Minnesota will address and prepare for climate change. We are asking Minnesotans to help us plan and prioritize how we will address climate change together. We want feedback on how this plan aligns with the needs of your community. The Climate Change Subcabinet will release a final Climate Action Framework in mid-2022.  Share your feedback.

Take a look at training opportunities and business resources available through the SBA's Minnesota District Office and their partners.

Bituminous Roadways, Inc. (BR), a local asphalt contractor, has acquired G.F. Jedlicki, Inc., an underground utility and excavation company in Chanhassen. Purchasing G.F. Jedlicki expands BR’s capabilities and positions the company to offer more competitive pricing to their customers and create efficiencies in project scheduling. Click here to read the press release in its entirety.

If you are interested in hosting a speaker or getting more information, please contact Southern Valley Alliance at svamn.org or call 952-873-4214.

The Chamber-owned billboard, located on the north side of County Road 101 near Stagecoach Road, is now available to a new advertiser. This roadway is a major artery from Highway 169 that carries a lot of tourist and business traffic into Shakopee - which means a lot of exposure for your business to potential new customers! The cost is $650/month with a minimum 12-month lease agreement. Contact the Chamber to claim this excellent local advertising opportunity!

Rhythm on the Rails is a FREE, six week outdoor concert series that will take place this summer on Wednesday nights from June 22 & 29, July 13 – 27, and August 3. Each nightly concert runs from 6:00-9:00 pm on Lewis Street in Downtown Shakopee. Rhythm on the Rails features top-notch live music, family fun and games, food and brew vendors, and so much more! Click here to find out more about sponsorship opportunities. Or email the Chamber if you want to become a sponsor!

Join us for some casual networking and a delicious lunch!