2024 April Chamber Horizons

Don’t miss the

2024 Duffers Delight Golf Tournament!

Monday, June 3 at 12 pm

Join us for the 32nd Duffers Delight Golf Tournament - the main fundraiser for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce! Sponsor a tee or green and network with the 144 golfers playing the course or inquire about newly added sponsorship opportunities, or, network with tee and green sponsors by gathering a team of four to play 18 holes of golf. Enjoy a picnic dinner and awards at the clubhouse after golfing!

2024 Pricing:

Individual Golfer

Early Bird: $150

After May 1: $175

Team of Four

Early Bird: $550

After May 1: $600

Tee or Green Sponsorship - $300 150-Yard Sign Sponsorship - $150

New in 2024 - golfer fees include lunch and strings! Golf teams are entered on a first-come basis. 2023 sponsors have first right of acceptance on sponsorship. Prospective sponsors will be added to a waitlist to be contacted as spots become available. Additional sponsorship opportunities were added in 2024. Inquire for more details.

Visit alexandriamn.org to register. For questions, call 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org.

DUFFERS DELIGHT TITLE SPONSOR:

Survivor Way the

As we struggle to survive life’s challenges, we must remember that challenges allow us to get out of our comfort zone and move beyond self-limitations. It’s how we choose to overcome challenges that makes us who we are, and our strength in times of difficulty that proves our character!

Holly Hoffman will share her experience of being on a reality show while encouraging us to think about how we live our lives. She will share 6 words to help us take on challenges and teach us that adversity is not as much about contending with problems as it is learning about who we are.

Join us at the Chamber’s Spring Luncheon as we explore our survival skills!

Holly Hoffman was the last member of the Espada Tribe and last woman standing on Season 21 of CBS Survivor Nicaragua.

SERVING: 11:15 AM

SPEAKER: 11:45 AM

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY: APRIL 22

BROADWAY BALLROOM

115 30TH AVE. E, ALEXANDRIA $30/TICKET OR $250/TABLE OF 8

Register online by April 11 at alexandriamn.org or by scanning this QR code!

Chamber News

The Spice & Tea Exchange celebrates grand opening in Alexandria!

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday, March 22 to celebrate the grand opening of The spice & Tea Exchange in Alexandria.

The Spice & Tea Exchange is a franchise locally owned by Dionne Peterson. It carries more than 125 exclusive products, curated by both its Spice Masters in-house and within other Franchise locations. It also carries a candle collection and infused honey lines. Locally, The Spice & Tea Exchange also includes a hot and cold tea bar to take your drinks on the go.

Welcome! March new members

Darling Shores

320-247-4888

1321 S Darling Dr. NW info@trunorthmanagement.us TrueNorthManagement.us

Lake Shore Services

Erin Halvorson

218-531-2055

44859 Heart Lake Rd., Vergas lakeshoreservicesff@gmail.com LakeShoreServicesMN.com

Studio 7 Custom Framing

Anita Wittmer

320-763-6179

522 Broadway St. artgallery522@hotmail.com Studio7CustomFramingMN.com

Studio E Architects, LLC

Stephanie Howe

320-634-9939

19 E Minnesota Ave., Glenwood showe@studioearch.com StudioEArch.com

Wood Lakeside Services

Brock Wood 320-491-2435

Garfield WoodLakesideServices@gmail.com

Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!

Upcoming Chamber Events

Chamber 101

Tuesday, April 2 from 7:30-8:30 am

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event Register at AlexandriaMN.org

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, April 5 from 7:30-8:30 am

Bon Jo’s Boutique & Tanning | 602 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Living Word Lutheran Church

Hello Neighbor! Seeking Family Friends?

Hosted by Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission & Alexandria Chamber

Tuesday, April 9 from 4-6 pm

Shenanigans Indoor Playground | 1410 S McKay Ave.

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, April 19 from 7:30-8:30 am

Minnesota Canoes | 3015 State Hwy. 29 S, Ste. 4040

Nonprofit of the Day: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Spring Luncheon (See details on page 1)

Monday, April 22 | Serving: 11:15 am, Speaker: 11:45 am

Broadway Ballroom | 115 30th ave. E Register at AlexandriaMN.org by Thursday, April 11

Listen & Learn: Alexandria Police Dept. (details on page 3)

Tuesday, April 23 from 12-1 pm

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event Register at AlexandriaMN.org

Download the Chamber logo for your website!

Did you know? Consumers who are told that a business is a Chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of the business and 57% more likely to think positively of its reputation. Let them know you’re a member by adding a Chamber membership logo to your website. A link to download the image can be found on the online member portal at www. alexandriamn.org. For assistance, contact Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org or 320-763-3163 for details.

Wake Up Alexandria

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a 501(c)3 nonprofit Chamber member.

March Hosts

ConnCrete Realty Solutions | March 1

504 Broadway St., Ste. 304

Nonprofit of the Day: Selective TV

ConnCrete Realty Solutions was founded in 2023 by husbandand-wife team Aaron (realtor/owner) and Taylor (broker/owner) Conn. The company was founded on the values of faith, family, creativity, and financial peace, and a customized approach that is unique to each individual client. The team offers real estate buying, selling, leasing, and consulting services.

Central Specialties, Inc. | March 15

6325 County Rd. 87 SW

Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Figure Skating Club

Central Specialties Inc. (CSI) is a third generation, family-owned general contracting company serving Minnesota and the Dakotas. CSI offers asphalt paving and milling, aggregate production, site work, excavation, and grading services in the heavy highway construction market.

Listen & Learn is a one-hour virtual event hosted by the Chamber. It offers information, education and resources on topics that impact the community. Call 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org for details. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

Alexandria Police Annual report and current trends.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23 FROM 12-1 PM

Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

The past two decades have shaken up law enforcement. Silent responders were put on pedestals and labeled heroes after 9/11, then vilified after accusations of misconduct saturated media. Agencies had to reinvent to navigate these challenges. Chief Scott Kent will share highlights of how the Alexandria Police Department has reinvented and talk about current community trends and the importance of community support, especially after the tragic loss of comrades in Pope County and Burnsville.

Have your business promoted in the Visitor & Resource Center!

Did you know that all members of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce receive a spot in the Chamber’s Visitor & Resource Center at 206 Broadway? This is a great way to market your business or organization! The Visitor & Resource Center holds information for people looking for things to see and do as well as services for residents. Add your materials to the Visitor & Resource Center for more visibility! Call Jess at 320763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org for more information.

Better Women’s Health.

Alomere offers you the most comprehensive Women’s Health care in the region. Working seamlessly together, our midwives and OB/GYNs offer a full-spectrum of care for a lifetime of wellness.

Chief Scott Kent, Alexandria Police

Membership Team

Volunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.

March Visits

Cricket Wireless is a wireless provider offering prepaid mobile phones, coverage plans, and a range of mobile accessories. Its services offer unlimited talk, text, and data access with no annual contract for cell phone services.

Kimberly Albert, APR, MA is a public relations consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping businesses get noticed, build trust and grow authentically. She specializes in the manufacturing and professional services industries.

Network Center, Inc.

Network Center Incorporated is an IT solution provider serving the Midwest with proactive technology solutions and support ensuring customers achieve the highest level of business success.

Timm Agency Insurance is an independently owned agency that provides comprehensive insurance and risk management solutions in the Alexandria area and throughout Central Minnesota. It provides services for individuals, families, and businesses.

Kimberly Albert Public Relations

Kimberly Albert, Public Relations Consultant

Timm Agency Insurance

Kelsi & Josh Timm, Owners/Agents

Meeting Your Unique Needs at Home

“I wasn’t supposed to drive. To have the care team come right to my house was a plus .”

- Mary Hatlestad, Home Health Care Client

Sara McGinness, Marketing Manager; Parker Christianson, Account Manager

Cricket Wireless

Josh Thacker, Store Manager; Christian Rodriguez, Area Manager

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

March Visits

Central MN Realty Alexandria New

ORB Management is an owners-representative company that has been providing real estate, planning, and construction advice to clients since 2002 with Tom Wacholz and Kim Barse as its founders.

ORB Real Estate services offered on the commercial real estate side include building sales and purchases, real estate advisory, lease marketing, location and market analytics, and more.

Central MN Realty is a family-owned company doing business in Central Minnesota. It has offices in 14 Minnesota locations including Alexandria which tends to be its most successful market. It offers buying and selling services along with a free-market analysis and various other resources on its website.

Market your events on the Community Calendar!

Want to market your event? Add it to the Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy and free! Visit www. AlexMNCalendar.com and click “ADD AN EVENT.”

Qualifying Chamber member events will be included in the Events at a Glance eBlast, reaching more than 1,500 emails weekly!

For more information, contact the Chamber at 320-763-3161 or info@ alexandriamn.org.

ORB Real Estate - New Location

David Johnson, Broker/Owner; Amanda Johnson, Marketing Assistant

ORB Management - New Location

Nick Wacholz, Senior Project Manager; Tom Wacholz, Project Executive

Location

(back left to right) Lee and Saige Haecherl, Lance Bailey, Shannon and Lucas Mogenson, Realtors. (front left to right) Hannah Vliem, Sammi Lindemann, Tasha West, Fatima Holm, Realtors; and Matt Imdieke, Broker/Realtor

Legislative Corner

A mid-session update on key issues

The Legislature is near the midpoint of the 2024 session. The first committee deadline has passed, as well as the release of joint budget targets for House and Senate committees. Here are some of those budget details:

• Spending of $477.5 million in FY 2024/25 biennium and $62.7 million for FY 2026/27. This is on top of the budget from last session and would result in a 37% growth of $19 billion for current biennium bringing the general fund spending to $71 billion for FY 2024/25.

• This leaves $3.2 billion on the bottom line of the projected $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2024/25, which will cover the $1.5 billion needed to balance the budget in FY 2026/27 as spending growth is projected to outpace tax growth.

• This agreement is over double the governor’s supplemental budget request of $200 million.

The MN Chamber continues to monitor a number of bills that could add to the already high cost of doing business in Minnesota if they became law, including:

• An e-waste bill that imposes a 3.2% sales tax on new electronic purchases to fund an expanded e-waste program.

• A bill that would allow cities to negotiate franchise fees on broadband providers for use of right-of-way costs.

• A bill to provide unemployment insurance for striking workers and another that seeks to reclassify independent contractors.

• Legislation that would increase the automatic inflation adjustment on the minimum wage from 2.5% to 5%.

As legislators consider these new costs and mandates on businesses, it’s important they hear the stories of employers. Contract your legislators today!

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS:

Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R) District 9 (651) 296-4875 sen.jordan.rasmusson@senate.mn

Senator Torrey Westrom (R) District 12 (651) 296-3826 sen.torrey.westrom@senate.mn

Representative Mary Franson (R) District 12B (651) 296-3201 rep.mary.franson@house.mn

Representative Tom Murphy (R) District 9B (651-296-4946 rep.tom.murphy@house.mn

Business Buzz

BeMobile earned Agent of the Year for the second year in a row. This award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions of BeMoible in providing exceptional services to its guests and driving significant growth with Verizon products and services.

Amy Christopherson - State Farm Insurance Agency qualifies for Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). The Premier Association of Financial Professionals is a global, independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 700 companies in 80 nations and territories. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client service.

Aflac (Anderson) was honored with many awards at the 2024 annual Aflac kickoff meeting held in January. Gunner Anderson was honored with the Super Fireball award. Jennifer Kunesh received the Q4 VIP and Annual VIP awards. Sheri Meis was recognized with the Q4 VIP, Diamond Pinnacle, Annual VIP, 3 for 4 VIP and the 2023 Legacy Award. Barbara Ziegelman received the Q4 VIP, Diamond Pinnacle, Annual VIP, 3 for 4 VIP, and was ranked as the #4 Top Associate in Gross Production.

JLG Architects announces three moves to expand the footprint of its national Sports Studio - Ryan Rademacher AIA, Principal was recently hired on and brings 23 years of architectural experience. Adam Davidson, a United States Army Combat Veteran and Registered Architech in ND, OR, MN, and SD, was promoted to Principal Architect, and Adam Barnett, AIA, Recreation & Sports Specialist, has also been promoted to Principal Architecht and has 15 years of experience.

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union promoted Nicole Pfeffer to Community Outreach Manager. Her role has expanded to lead all financial education taking place in the communities served by the company.

To include your business news in the Chamber Newsletter, email information to Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org.