Place your message on 1,100 business desktops for only $100. 

Your message can announce a sale, new hire, upcoming event or anything else you'd like to share.  Email Michelle to reserve your spot TODAY at communications@dcrchamber.com.

Chamber News

------------------

Direct Member Benefits

Your Dakota County Regional Chamber at work for you! Your direct member benefits for the last week:

 - Your DCR Chamber of Commerce through the Hope For Tomorrow program and member, Fairview Ridges Hospital, provided 26 middle and junior high school girls from Eagan, a glimpse at careers in the health care sector.  Thanks to the staff at Fairview Ridges for planning an informative session and hospital tours for our 8th and 9th grade students!

 - Your Chamber provided three emerging businesses with new business development information and consulted on how they can expand their businesses in the marketplace.  Did you know that 63,000 businesses were started up last year in Minnesota?

----------------

New Members

Below are the most recent New Members of the DCR Chamber

Smoke Free Lodging

2395 University Avenue West, Suite 310, Saint Paul

651.646.3005

www.ansrmn.org

Contact: Bernadette Chlebeck

Hotel, Motels, Bed & Breakfast, Inns

Non-Profits

----------------

Umbria Pizzeria

1965 Cliff Lake Road, Eagan

651.332.5332

www.goumbria.com

Contact: Craig Douden

Restaurants, Cafes, & Taverns

----------------

Eagan

Eagan's Founder's Day Lunch and State of the City Address- Friday, March 5 - 11:30 am-1:00 pm - Eagan Community Center, Eagan

Join Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire as he presents at Eagan’s Founders Day Lunch and State of the City Address at Eagan Community Center.  Let's celebrate the occasion of Eagan’s Sesquicentennial for a glimpse of Eagan’s past and a proud look forward.  Cost is $20 which includes lunch. 

****The Eagan 150th Founders Day luncheon organizers reminder you to bring canned goods to the luncheon being held on Friday, March 5.  The goal of the Eagan food drive is 150,000 pounds of food.

Sponsored by 

-----------

Coffee Break - Thursday, March 11 - 8:30-9:30 am - FASTFRAME, Eagan

Start your morning off with a fresh cup of coffee, a business card and a visit to FASTFRAME located at 1960 Cliff Road in Eagan.  Join us for a great morning and casually network while gathering in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere.  For more information click here.

-----------

Celebrate the Eagan Sesquicentennial with us by helping the City of Eagan reach its goal of donating 150,000 pounds of food. 

The DCR Chamber is one of the participating drop off locations.  You can drop off food or monetary donations to 1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102, Eagan.  For more information contact Ruthe Batulis at 651.288.9201.

Farmington

Farmington State of the City Address - Thursday, March 25 - 8:00-9:00 am - Farmington Eagles, Farmington

Join Farmington Mayor Todd Larson as he presents the State of the City Address at Farmington Eagles.  This is a great opportunity to hear the successes of the last year and what the future will bring for the Farmington community.  Cost is $15 which includes breakfast.  Click here for registration form.  RSVP needed by Monday, March 22.  Sponsored by 

For more information on sponsorship opportunities click here  

---------------

Farmington Economic Growth Committee

At the February Economic Growth Committee meeting it was determined that the EGC will monitor the results of the EDA's upcoming strategic planning work session.  The EGC will change their monthly meetings to quarterly meetings, with the start date still to be determined.

---------

Farmington Area Business Council Breakfast Meeting - Farmington Eagles, Farmington

Jane Vanderpoel, management analyst for Dakota County updated the 20+ attendees on the economic trends of Dakota County during the February meeting. 

Rosemount

Rosemount State of the City Address- Tuesday, March 9 - 7:30-9:00 am - Rosemount Community Center, Rosemount

Join Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste as he presents the State of the City Address at Rosemount Community Center.  This is a great opportunity to hear the successes of the last year and what the future will bring for the community where you live, work or play.  Cost is $10 which includes a continental breakfast.  Please RSVP at communications@dcrchamber.com by Friday, March 5.  Click here for the registration form. 

Sponsored by  

-----------

Rosemount Area Business Council- Wednesday, March 10 - 7:30-8:30 am - Paul Eggen State Farm Insurance, Rosemount

Join us for this monthly meeting to "Drive the New Agenda for Business" in Rosemount.  Please RSVP to rbatulis@dcrchamber.com regarding your attendance.

West St. Paul/Mendota Heights

West St. Paul/Mendota Heights State of the City Address- Thursday, March 4 - 7:30-9:00 am - WorkForce Center, West St. Paul

Join Mendota Heights Mayor John Huber & West St Paul Mayor John Zanmiller as they both present their State of the City addresses at a joint event at the WorkForce Center.  This is a great opportunity to hear the successes of the last year and hear what the future will bring for the community where you live, work or play.  Cost is $10 which includes a continental breakfast.  Please RSVP at communications@dcrchamber.com.

  Sponsored by 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Business Briefings - We want to hear your news!

Check out the new deals on the Hot Deals Page!

----------------

Business Day at the Capitol - Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront - Wednesday, March 10- 7:30 am-1:30 pm OR 9:30am - 3:45pm

Join Minnesota's largest business lobbying day by participating in the 17th annual Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol.  Join local chambers of commerce and trade associations as we lobby with one voice at the State Capitol on the issues that will shape the state's economy.  Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol provides all sizes and types of companies the opportunity to network with peers and see the Legislator in action - while at the same time influence public policies important to business.  Seize the chance to personally share your priorities.  Two sessions are being offered to accommodate schedules.  The cost is $60 to attend.  Register by February 26, 2010. For more information or to register click here.

----------------

The Fifth Annual Upper Midwest Labor Law Forum - Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis, South- Thursday, March 11- 8:15 am-4:30 pm

Seaton, Beck and Peters is pleased to sponsor a full day, upper-level program dealing with today's most significant labor and employee relations issues.  The program will discuss recent legal developments, trends in areas of bargaining and organizing, employment law developments and dispute resolution practices.  Though there are now imitations, this is the original program in the Midwest created solely for labor relations experts, and your presence would be a significant contribution to the program.  To the greatest extent possible, we will encourage open discussion and the sharing of ideas.  Register now!  For more information go to www.seatonlaw.com.

----------------

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Hosts Roth IRAs: Retirement Can Be Less Taxing Seminar- Old Chicago, Apple Valley - Tuesday, March 16- 6:30-8:00 pm

Join us in Apple Valley to learn about a new tax law change which removes the income restrictions for individual investors looking to convert to a Roth IRA from a traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA.  This seminar will explain the differences between traditional and Roth IRAs, features of the new tax law change and benefits of converting to a Roth IRA and important tax considerations.  Learn more by attending this seminar located at Old Chicago, 14998 Glazier Avenue, Apple Valley. RSVP at 651.322.2905 by Friday, March 12.

----------------

Minnesota WorkForce Centers- 2010 Get Jobs Job Fair- Eagan Civic Arena- Thursday, March 25

Let us help you fill your open positions from entry level to executive/ professional AND save you money at the Get Jobs Job Fair at the Civic Arena.  To look at all the benefits you will receive for your $375 entree fee click here.  This is one of the largest job fairs in the metro area.

----------------

Henry Sibley High School- Career Fair - Tuesday, May 11- 3:15-6:00 pm

----------------

DCR Chamber's Amanda Franklin Has Decided to Stay Home With New Daughter

After five great years with the Dakota County Regional Chamber, Amanda Franklin has decided to leave the organization to stay home with her daughter, Anna, born December 18, 2009.

Amanda stated, "I had an amazing 5 years with DCR and am thankful for all the opportunities and friendships I've gained.  However, I'm blessed to have the chance to stay home with Anna."

We wish Amanda continued success on her journey.  Amanda will be greatly missed.

----------------

St. Paul Senator Pat Pariseau Retires After Seven Terms in the Minnesota Senate

St. Paul State Senator Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington) will be stepping down as the Senator from the 36th district after serving seven terms in the Minnesota Senate.  "I have been carefully considering my retirement for quite a while now and want to step aside to let a new voice represent my beloved Senate district in St. Paul," said Senator Pariseau.  Minority Leader David Senjem said, "Senator Pariseau has been a model of tireless work and dedication in the Senate.  We will miss her legendary expertise and knowledge particularly in the areas of environmental resources, trapping, hunting, fishing and legislation."

----------------

MN Department of Commerce- MN Appliance Rebate Program

----------------

Funds Available for Minnesota Businesses: Safety Grants

The Workplace Consultation division of the MN Department of Labor & Industry has money available for safety projects. Workplace Consultation, the non-regulatory arm of Minnesota OSHA, sponsors matching grants for safety related equipment, up to $10,000. To be eligible, you must:

• Be an employer in Minnesota
• Have been in business for at least 2 years
• Carry workers’ compensation insurance

MNOSHA doesn't’t define what constitutes a safety project, other than equipment that will help improve safety for employees. This could include AEDs, security systems, new forklifts, manufacturing equipment, back-up cameras for fleets, ergonomic equipment (chairs, keyboard trays), ventilation, sprinkler systems, etc.

To submit this application you must have:

A quote for your project

• A grant application
• A survey showing the need for equipment
• Injury log information for the prior year
• Financial information

Complete Health, Environmental & Safety Services, Inc. (CHESS) has helped companies receive over $750,000 in grant awards. For more information on the grants, look at:

• MN Department of Labor OSHA Consultation
• http://www.dli.mn.gov/Wsc/Grants.a
• CHESS, Inc.
• http://www.chess-safety.com/index.html
• Or, contact CHESS at 651-481-9787 or carkey@chess-safety.com

--------------------

Send us your news!

The Business Briefings section is for DCR Chamber members to make announcements, offer sales, or share other news worthy items with your business peers and potential clients and customers. There is NO COST to put your information here and it hits over 1,100 desktops.

Email your items to communications@dcrchamber.com.

 To unsubscribe to the DCR Chamber Weekly Update, click here and put REMOVE in the subject line.