August 2023 Chamber Horizons Newsletter

Introducing the 31st Leadership Alexandria cohort!

The Alexandria Chamber has trained existing or emerging leaders through the Leadership Alexandria program for 30 years. This nine-month program provides opportunities for participants to develop leadership skills and learn about the community they live and/or work in. We are pleased to introduce this year’s class!

Stacey Doege ProfitMax

Liz Drevlow The Dashery

Matt Hagstrom Hagstrom Engineering

Kristy Fyhrie Edgewood

Lacey Grinager Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Macy Johnson Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

Angie Hasbrouck Horizon Public Health

Katelyn Kack Widseth

Bryan Kellerman Bell Bank

Carl Kvale Kvale Real Estate

Josh Kling Alexandria Industries

Chris Krangenbring Kalon Prep Academy

Cassandra McKernan Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical

Patrick Beattie Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union

Cody Blevins Marcus Construction

Jordyn Cantalope Alexandria Area Economic Development Commision

Scott McLaughlin 3M Abrasive Systems Division Plant

Heather Molesworth West Central Minnesota Communities Action

Kelsi Timm Timm Agency Insurance

James Ross Alexandria Police Department

Brenda Thomson Northern Lights Council - Boy Scouts of America

Karl Wimmer Hilltop Lumber

Luke VanOverbeke The Church of St. Mary

Sherri Maanum American Cancer Society

Listen & Learn

Upcoming Chamber Events

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, August 4 from 7:30-8:30 am

AFLAC (Anderson) | 700 Cedar St., Ste. 185

Nonprofit of the Day: Runestone Off-Road ATV Riders (ROAR)

Midwest Cybersecurity & Technology Summit

(See page 6 for registration QR code)

Co-hosted by Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and many other Chambers from across the Midwest

Thursday, August 17 from 8-11 am

Delta by Marriott Fargo | 1635 42nd St. SW, Fargo, ND OR tune in virtually for freeVisit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, August 18 from 7:30-8:30 am

Minnesota Market (The Dashery & Yesterdays)

517 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Ecumen Bethel Manor & Winona Shores Apartments

Listen & Learn: Dementia in Douglas County

Tuesday, August 22

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | Virtual Event Visit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Welcome! July new members

EAT Nutrition & Wellness

Christa Johnson

700 Cedar St. eatwithus@ eatnutritionandwellness.com

edit Aesthetics & Wellness

Ashley Swenson

700 Cedar St., Ste. 115 320-298-1550

edit.aesthetics.wellness@ gmail.com

EditByAshley.com

Laurie Healy Consulting, LLC

Laurie Healy 17351 Kodiak Ave., Lakeville 651-353-2165

laurie@lauriehealy.com www.LaurieHealy.com

The Laundry Basket

Marie Vatnsdal

2310 S Broadway St., Ste. 100 320-760-4451

thelaundrybasketofalexandria @gmail.com www.LaundryBasketMN.com

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

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.

DEMENTIA IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

Diagnosis, resources, experiences, and more.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 FROM 12-1 PM

Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

Learn about Dementia in Douglas County – the diagnosis, resources, experiences, and more at a one-hour, informative, virtual Listen & Learn event on Tuesday, August 22, from 12-1 pm.

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a single disease, but an overall term that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions. Join in the conversation to hear from Roy and Patty Wicken of Alexandria on their experience in getting a dementia diagnosis, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and the impact it has on the caregiver. Jenny Theis, Senior Community Engagement Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota-North Dakota will also share resources that are available in Douglas County for both those living with the disease and those who are caregiving.

Learn more at knutenelson.org/hospice or call 320.288.1334.

“I received wonderful support . All of the letters, follow-ups, and kindness that is given help you through the journey.”

- Terri Bursch, wife of former hospice patient

Jenny Theis, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND

Roy & Patty Wicken, Person with Dementia & Caregiver, Alexandria Family

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.

July Hosts

Sacred Journey Academy | July 7

4133 Iowa St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Area Youth for Christ

Sacred Journey Academy will open fall of 2023 as a Kindergarten through 8th grade community discipleship school rooted in the life and love of Jesus. It was created to serve Christian families within a 75-mile radius of Alexandria.

Business Buzz

Noonan Sport Specialists announced two new hiresKaylee Seifert and Connor Koebernick. They will conduct semi-private personal training sessions with clients.

Alexandria Industries announced the addition of Todd McChesney as the Director of Business Development. McChesney has a versatile background in manufacturing along with honed critical-thinking skills.

The Fernholz family of Alexandria was named Douglas County’s 2023 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota. Pete Fernholz is co-owner/operator of the farm while his wife, Nicole, is executive director of the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission. The family will be recognized in a ceremony on August 3 at Farmfest near Redwood Falls. A local recognition will be held Saturday, August 19 at 9 am in the Erickson Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Matt Gilbertson of Viking Bank received the 2023 Service to Mankind award presented by the Alexandria Sertoma Club. This award is the highest honor a non-Sertoman can receive and honors a community member who goes above and beyond.

The Minnesota Historical Society announced the recipients of 28 Minnesota Historical Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($10,000 and less), totaling $216,285 in 19 counties. The Douglas County Historical Society received a grant of $9,473. It will be used to improve collections care and management through an updated system.

Arvig was named one of Minnesota’s top Workplaces for 2023 by Star Tribune, making it the only service provider to rank in the newspaper’s annual survey this year.

Amy Christopherson - State Farm Insurance qualified for the company’s President’s Club, which recognizes the top 100 agents (out of 19,000) in the company. They will be honored later this month in Nashville, TN.

Gate City Bank | July 21

1630 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Autumn Cottages by Knute Nelson

Gate City Bank is celebrating 100 years in 2023. Since its inception, the company has grown to include 44 locations in 23 communities in ND and MN. It was listed #4 in Best Bank in the U.S. by Forbes in 2023, has been included in the 50 Best Places to Work list for the past consecutive nine years, and is the #1 mortgage lender in ND.

The Answer Company, a print and promo distributor based in New York City, has joined American Solutions for Business. The Answer Company helps clients run their businesses and promote their brands in an efficient way that saves them time and money.

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

“The da Vinci technology is a game changer. Along with more accuracy, the minimally invasive format means patients can recover quickly. And because Alomere is the first health system in West Central Minnesota to offer it, you don’t have to travel to the big city to get quality care.” –Allen Medway, MD, MBA

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.

July Visits

Deja Bleu House of Coffee, located at 612 Broadway St., is a boutique/coffee shop in the heart of downtown Alexandria. It offers a variety of beverage and food options. Its upstairs loft is also available to reserve at no additional cost.

JIVE Hair Studio, owned by Jill Swanstrom, is a local hair salon that specializes in cutting, coloring, extension work, and curly hair. It is located at 123 6th Ave E. Jill is also the co-host of a hair education podcast, The Hairaopy Podcast.

T-Mobile by Arch Telecom has been offering its services in the Alexandria area for about seven years at 915 Broadway St. Specializing in 5G coverage, T-Mobile requires no contracts and sells a variety of phones, tablets, and accessories.

Tickets to the 2023 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) luncheon honoring Pike & Pint Grill as the BIAD award recipient are $30 per person or $350 for a reserved table of 10 and may be purchased at alexandriamn.

org/businessandindustrialappreciationday.

Monday, October 9 from 11:30 am to 1 pm Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.

JIVE Hair Studio Jill Swanstrom, Owner

T-Mobile by Arch Telecom

Quinton Goss, Mobile Expert; Jacob Worlie, Mobile Expert; Samual Macho, Mobile Expert

Deja Bleu House of Coffee Patty Dusing, Owner

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.

July Visits

Alexandria Shooting Park (ASP), 6533 County Rd. 87 SE, is under new ownership. ASP offers trap, skeet, 5 stand, and 3D archery. ASP also has an event center for rent in addition to 140 + RV Campsites with access to a dump station.

Cricket Wireless recently moved into a location at 2715 State Hwy. 29, Ste. 109 in Alexandria. The wireless cell phone company offers unlimited talk, text, and data access with no annual contract.

Paffy’s Pest Control established a location in Alexandria at 9046 County Rd. 28 in addition to its 26 locations. The company services a variety of pests for residential and commercial properties.

Tradehome Shoes recently relocated within the Viking Plaza Mall, which is located at 3015 Hwy. 29. The new space is more than double the square footage of the previous one and allowed the store to update to its new branding.

Cricket Wireless - New Location Christian Rodriguez, Area Manager

Paffy’s Pest Control - New Location

Amy Clauson, Customer Service Representative; Don Geer, Pest Control Specialist

Tradehome Shoes - New Location Payton Gessford, Sales Associate; Joey Trypuc, Manager; Damion Olson, Co- Manager

Alexandria Shooting ParkNew Ownership

Steve Gould, Co-Owner

Ribbon Cuttings

Ribbon Cuttings are a service offered by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. To learn more, email info@alexandriamn.org or call 320-763-3161.

DON’T LET YOUR BUSINESS FALL BEHIND.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17 • 8 TO 11 A.M.

Delta by Marriott Fargo • FREE livestream available

of the department, systems services. City’s led availability throughout Mattmiller technology imaginations alike, organizations AI to and

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Saturday, July 8 to commemorate the completion of the community mural in Alexandria. The mural was painted by community members of all ages and abilities and features a lake scene in shades of blue. The wall was donated by Real Estate by Jo and can be seen across from Big Ole Park on 2nd. Ave.

The cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving, and now is the time for individuals and businesses to learn about the latest threat intelligence, collaborate and be prepared. This summit will cover major industries, business attacks, remote workforce, emerging tech, national security, artificial intelligence and much more.

The intersection of technology across Midwestern industries is crucial to sustaining the region’s competitive advantage, as well as our everyday life. Communities must prioritize new technology and innovation to remain stable and secure. Whether it be in the supply chain, in the warehouse, in the storefront, on the roads or in the skies, industry leaders must continue to take steps forward. The Midwest Cybersecurity & Technology Summit will bring together industry leaders and security and technology experts to participate in a cutting-edge discussion.

PREMIER SPONSORS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17 • 8 TO 11 A.M.

Delta by Marriott Fargo • FREE livestream available

Creative Touch Boutique held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 28 to celebrate the opening of its new building at a new location. The new space at 504 Broadways St. is three stories high. The main floor is retail space with the second floor serving as warehouse space for products, staff space, and a photo studio. The third floor of the building has office space and conference rooms for rent.

The cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving, and now is the time for individuals and businesses to learn about the latest threat intelligence, collaborate and be prepared. This summit will cover major industries, business attacks, remote workforce, emerging tech, national security, artificial intelligence and much more.

The intersection of technology across Midwestern industries is crucial to sustaining the region’s competitive advantage, as well as our everyday life. Communities must prioritize new technology and innovation to remain stable and secure. Whether it be in the supply chain, in the warehouse, in the storefront, on the roads or in the skies, industry leaders must continue to take steps forward. The Midwest Cybersecurity & Technology Summit will bring together industry leaders and security and technology experts to participate in a cutting-edge discussion.

PREMIER SPONSORS

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She to the President’s Committee, on Libraries

role, of the city’s consolidated department, modernization systems and migration services. In addition, Michael City’s digital skills education led a broadband program availability of gigabit broadband throughout the city. Mattmiller will discuss technology grabs headlines imaginations of businesses alike, as well as the unique organizations have to harness AI to drive value faster and shape the future of

She has served in presidential to the National Science President’s Information Committee, and the U.S. on Libraries and Information

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