What's New

Dakota County Regional Community & Business Resource Guide

The DCR Chamber is excited to again provide an interactive digital and video magazine called the Dakota County Regional Community & Business Resource Guide. The Guide will spotlight our Chamber members, community businesses, and city partnerships in a new digital and print publication. The Guide is a full-page colored magazine and will be included on the Chamber website, sent via email and shared by social media, which will allow your advertising to be directly linked to your company’s website. We will continue to offer printed copies for our member businesses and community partners.

The Guide is being published by Town Square Publications and is scheduled to launch January 2024. You will be contacted by DeDe Harmell from Town Square Publications to participate in this Guide and the advertising opportunities (dharmell@metromediapublishers.com or 417-850-4670).

A Morning with Congresswoman Angie Craig

Join us on Tuesday, October 10 to hear from Congresswoman Angie Craig. Representative Craig will be speaking on the work she is doing to build a strong community and business environment in Dakota County. She will be touching on what is currently happening in Congress and what is to come.

Leaders in Local Government Awards

The City of Farmington was a finalist for the Leaders in Local Government Awards for the category Communications and Marketing. They presented their Farmington “Unexpectedly Bold” campaign.

Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator from the City of Farmington was a finalist for the Rising Star category.

The Eagan Police Department was a finalist for the category of Public Safety.



Congratulations to the winners of the Leaders in Local Government Awards!

Business Retention & Expansion

City of Oakdale

Communications and Marketing

Dakota County Bison Reintroduction Campaign

Innovation

Woodbury Police Department- Otis the Community Support Dog

Planning, Land Use & Public Works

Washington County Parks

Public Safety

Ramsey County Juvenile Justice Initiative (Board, Attorney, Sheriff)

Rising Star

Eric Petersen, City of St. Paul

Elected Official of Note

Amy Brendmoen, St. Paul City Council President

Pilates Loft Ribbon Cutting

Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, September 20. We will cut the ribbon at 4:30 PM. There will be giveaways, snacks, drinks, tours, and you can meet the instructors. Pilates Loft offers classes that are fun, informative, and effective. With class sizes limited to 7, they emphasize form and a personal approach.

Let’s Connect Happy Hour

Join us on October 5 for a Let’s Connect Happy Hour at Fireside Restaurant & Bar for great evening hosted with Rosemount Beyond The Yellow Ribbon. Since being established in 2010, they have led a growing local effort to improve veteran’s lives through community outreach and services.

Coffee Break - City of Eagan

Join us for a Coffee Break hosted by the City of Eagan on Thursday, October 12. Start your morning off with a cup of coffee, meet city officials, and network with fellow Chamber members. Learn how Eagan has become one of the largest employment bases in the Twin Cities region, with over 2,000 businesses representing a range of diverse industries.

UniFirst Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

Chamber members, Ambassadors, and UniFirst corporate executives cut the ribbon to celebrate their new facility in Eagan. There was a tour following the speaker presentation for attendees to learn about the impressive state-of-the-art operation. Speakers included: Brett Grandmont (GM), Steven Sintros (President and CEO corporate), Jon Althoff (Chamber President), Matt Croatti (Senior VP corporate), and Mike Croatti (Executive VP corporate).

Coffee Break at Sovran, Inc.

Chamber members attended the Coffee Break hosted by Sovran, Inc. in Eagan. They networked with each other while enjoying a cup of coffee and breakfast treats. John LaSalle and Traci Leffner informed the group as to what is happening at Sovran and announced their Fall Appreciation Celebration. 

New Members

Holly Home Renovations, LLC

790 Emerson Avenue West 

Mendota Heights, MN 55118

(651) 706-0972

Rivers of Life, Eagan

2811 Pilot Knob Rd.

Eagan, MN 55121

(651) 262-2500

Renewed Members

Kwik Trip – Eagan – 7 years

Spectro Alloys Corporation – 4 years

Apelgren Dental – 4 years

King and Companies – 3 years– 3 years

Mulberry Business Solutions – 4 years

Leader Development Partners – 1 year

Westview Park Apartments – 61 years

If you have any questions or concerns about your membership renewal, contact Anna Schueler at aschueler@dcrchamber.com or 651-288-9204.

Ambassador Stop-In Program



Janet Fawcett (Twin Cities Premium Outlets) and Denise Olsen (Enjoy Eagan), both are DCR Chamber Ambassadors who stopped in to visit some of the members. The Chamber Ambassadors are making stops to say hello to members and answer any questions they might have. Their stops included Trent Thompson State Farm, Town Square Television, and Royal Credit Union – Inver Grove Heights.

Anthony Strangis

Sadly, we have learned that Anthony Strangis recently passed away. Anthony worked for VR Business Brokers and contributed his talents to the SCORE program. He was a Chamber Ambassador and part of the Chamber’s Enlightened Leads group. More information is posted here.

South of the River Chamber of Commerce Event with Minnesota Twins

Enjoy the annual South of the River Chamber of Commerce event with our first place Minnesota Twins! Bring family and friends and celebrate with others from all over the southern metro. Great third baseline seats. Saturday, September 23, 1:10 PM. Sign up here.

CEO Next Business Institute

The Dakota County CDA provides scholarships for owners of “second stage” growing businesses to participate in the CEO Next Business Institute. Dakota County CDA has funding to sponsor three local businesses over an eight-month program (40-50 hours advanced research, peer learning, CEO round tables, and forum events). Businesses that are eligible are: for-profit, privately-held businesses, 10-99 employees, annual revenue between $1-$50 Million, ready to transition from small to large scale. Fill out application here.

Men Wear Pink Annual Event

As incoming Chair of the DCR Chamber Board, and current co-chair of the State of MN Men Wear Pink campaign to end breast cancer, Scott Swenson, is holding his annual bash on Saturday, September 23 at Central Park in Eagan. Come join the fun and check out the online auction. All donations go to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer awareness, education, and critical research.

Calling All Mentors! Two Rivers High School Mentoring

It's that time of year where TriDistrict Career and College Readiness Initiative again asks for your support and expertise as they work to open the eyes of 9th graders to the world of opportunities for future careers, and how they can begin to think and prepare for them. Pick a time and date to share your talents – September 29, October 27, December 1, or January 12.

Mendota Heights News

Learn what is happening in Mendota Heights, including: Street projects and road closures, Governor Walz orders special election impacting voters in Mendota Heights, Eureka Recycling Tour on September 28, Mendota Heights Fire Station Open House on October 14, and the curbside appliance pickup on October 8.

Check out upcoming DCR Chamber events on our online calendar!

Update Membership Files, Company Changes, Post your News, Hot Deals, and Job Openings

Log in by entering your username (email) and password to gain access to your company's member site to update information and take advantage of all the marketing tools included with your membership.