2024 March Chamber Horizons Newsletter

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Chamber Celebration spotlights 2023 successes and plans for 2024

Thanks to all who attended the Chamber’s 2024 Annual Celebration February 5 at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center. The event celebrated the successes of 2023 and gave a glimpse of what to expect in 2024. Here are a few highlights!

The gavel is passed

Ron Branch named 2023 Friend of the Chamber

Ron Branch was named the 2023 Friend of the Chamber. Ron is the market manager for the Alexandria Farmers Market, secretary for the Vikingland Curling Club, member of the Alexandria Lions Club, and board member for the Douglas County Farm Bureau. He is a strong advocate of Chamber membership and has been instrumental in several organizations joining. He is a regular attendee at Chamber functions, and serves as a welcoming ambassador to newcomers.

2024 President Brad Lenertz, Administrative Director for Alexandria Clinic, A Service of Alomere Health, accepted the gavel from 2023 President, Tyler Notch, former Executive Director of Grand Arbor and Manager/Owner of Alexandria Shooting Park. Notch received a caricature as a parting gift that features his love of archery and elk hunting, along with his family, and his career paths.

Kayla Fearing of Hilltop Lumber was named 2023 Membership Team Member of the Year.

Lynn Jenc of Alexandria Public Schools was named Ambassador of the Year for 2023.

The Chamber and Echo Press Newspaper partner to honor young professionals who are doing amazing things in the community. Honorees are selected through a nomination process based on professional achievements, community involvement, and overall depth of qualities. This year’s honorees included:

Kasey Morris, Bold North Cellars

Saundra Lauer, WELL & Company

Chelsea Lee, Leighton Media

Matt DeBoer, Knute Nelson

Mike Hawes & Dustin Schlichting, Noonan Sport Specialists/Renovant Fitness

These young professionals were featured in the February newsletter.

More Annual Celebration highlights can be found on page 2.

Annual Celebration cont.

President’s Award

The President’s Award is given by the outgoing Chamber board president to someone who best exemplified the Chamber theme for the year. 2023 President Tyler Notch selected Chris Kragenbring, director and co-founder of Kalon Prep Academy, as the person who best exemplified the “Better Than Yesterday” theme. Kragenbring has more than 30 years of teaching experience and holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Notch noted that Kragenbring makes the community ‘Better Than Yesterday’ in several ways. By realizing that public school isn’t the answer for everyone, she developed and implemented an innovative education system for youth in our community. She is engaged and involved in the community to make connections that can assist her mission, such as the Chamber’s Wake Up Alexandria.

Alomere Health was recognized as the top Chamber Bucks business partner for keeping $112,387 local in 2023!

Listen & Learn

Listen & Learn is a one-hour virtual event hosted by the Chamber. It offers information, education and resources on topics that impact the community. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION

A Community Response to the Opioid Epidemic

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 FROM 12-1 PM

Virtual event: Register at AlexandriaMN.org.

Join this panel presentation to learn about challenges posed by the opioid epidemic. This call to action will help us as a community to understand opioid use and misuse and how to save lives. By attending, you’ll be contributing to the collective strength of our community, working toward a future where everyone has the support they need to thrive. Let’s navigate these challenges together and build a stronger, healthier community for all.

Chris Kragenbring, School Director, Kalon Prep Academy

Douglas Machine was the second top Chamber Bucks business partner for keeping $12,595 local in 2023.

Dr. Allison Juba, Alomere Health

Amy Reineke, Horizon Public Health

Sgt. Brandon Kruse, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Kyra Kjeldahl, Horizon Public Health

Kesha Anderson-Trinka, Region 4 South Mental Health Consortium

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.

February Hosts

Unity Recovery | Feb. 2

503 Hawthorne St., Ste. 55

Nonprofit of the Day: Lutheran Social Service & NuVantage

Unity Recovery offers outpatient substance use disorder education and treatment. Services include comprehensive assessments, individual and group counseling, family services, and DWI education. Treatment plans are based on the needs of each individual.

Alexandria Martial Arts & Movement | Feb. 16 415 Fillmore St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Lake Community Church

Alexandria Martial Arts & Movement offers martial arts for all ages as well as empower boxing, self-defense training, personal training, and home school martial arts. Classes are designed to support physical, mental, and emotional development and improve physical health and wellness.

Chamber News

Upcoming Chamber Events

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, March 1 from 7:30-8:30 am

ConnCrete Realty Solutions

504 Broadway St., Ste. 304

Nonprofit of the Day: Selective TV

Hello Neighbor! Tee Time Hangout (details on page 6)

Hosted by Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission & Alexandria Chamber

Tuesday, March 12 at 5 pm

HOOK & Slice | 2921 Hwy. 29 S

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, March 15 from 7:30-8:30 am

Central Specialties, Inc.

6325 County Rd. 87 SW

Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Figure Skating Club

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:

Friday, March 22 at 3 pm

The Spice & Tea Exchange | 604 Braodway St.

Listen & Learn: From Awareness to Action - A Community Response to the Opioid Epidemic

Wednesday, March 27 from 12-1 pm

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce | Virtual Event Register at Alexandriamn.org

Welcome! February new members

Central MN Realty Alexandria

Tasha West

320-363-4363

308 3rd Ave. E clients@CentralMNRealty.com

CentralMNRealty.com

HOOK and Slice

Matt Geiselhart

320-391-5353

2921 Hwy. 29 S matt@hookandslicemn.com HookAndSliceMN.com

Prairie Archery

Susan Lammle

218-338-6030

1025 S Otter Ave.

Parkers Prairie prarcher@arvig.net

PrairieArchery.com

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

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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.

February Visits

Alexandria Dollars for Scholars is a non-profit foundation that supports the academic success of Alexandria area youth. Each year, Dollars for Scholars hosts “Honor’s Night,” distributing more than a hundred scholarships to local students.

The Alexandria Figure Skating Club offers year-round programming for skaters from Alexandria and surrounding areas. Lessons are offered for those as young as 3 and as old as 80!

Dahmes Photography, owned and operated by Amanda Dahmes, is a photography company located in the Alexandria Lakes Area. Amanda specializes in family, individual, graduation, bereavement, and more.

SolarGen of Minnesota strives to take a holistic view to generating solar power and show versatility of photo-voltaic systems through its projects. The company cultivates projects around the world, with their latest being in Alexandria.

Suja Roberts, MD OB/GYN

Anne Gilbertson, CNM Midwifery

Annie Liljegren, CNM Midwifery

Alexandria Figure Skating Club

Kris Juettner, Learn to Skate Director; Paisley Olson, Skater; Michaela Olson, President

Dahmes Photography

Amanda Dahmes, Owner

SolarGen of Minnesota

Carmine Iadarola, President; Pat Goodale, Director/Assests & Acquisition

Alexandria Dollars for Scholars

Jeff Patience, Molly Comer, John Severson, Board Members

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.

Pinecasa Rentals - New Business

Herzog Property Management, LLCNew Headquarters

February Visits

Pinecasa Rentals is owned by Kari Ziesemer and Courtney Childers. The company features the Starling House, a spacious historic home on the shores of Lake Winona that is available for overnight and hourly rentals.

Studio Vino at 1804 Broadway St., Ste. 180 is a paint and sip experience owned and operated by Jen Halman. Anyone can join a class or host a private event. Snacks and drinks can also be brought in.

Studio Vino - New Business

Herzog Property Management, LLC constructed a new headquarters at 3155 Pioneer Rd. SE in Alexandria. The company offers a variety of professional services to property owners and their tenants, including management, maintenance, leasing, and administrative.

HOOK and Slice is a new business that opened at 2921 Hwy. 29 S in Alexandria. It offers four simulator bays and other activities to entertain the family, business clients, friends, and date nights. Food and drink are also available.

HOOK and Slice - New Business

www.wellandcomn.com

Travis Seidel, Leasing Manager; Sheri Stevens, Director of Finance; Samuel Herzog, President; Stephanie Seidel, Administrative Assistant; Amy Doherty, Alexandria Property Manager; Brooke Singsank, Accounting Associate

Jenn Slavik, Head Bartender; David Spencer, Executive Chef; Matt Geiselhart, Owner; Alayna Eldred, Golf Pro

Kari Ziesemer and Courtney Childers, Owners

Jen Halman, Owner

Learn ways to optimize membership at upcoming Chamber 101 session

Join us for a virtual Chamber 101 on Tuesday, April 2 from 7:30 - 8:30 am to learn more about Chamber programs, events, and membership benefits. Hear from fellow members as they share their experiences of being involved with the Chamber. To register, visit alexandriamn.org. For additional information, contact Jess at jess@alexandriamn.org or 320-763-3161.

Business Buzz

The Douglas Area Trails Association (DATA) was awarded the Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails Director’s Award during the MnUSA Rendezvous held February 8-11 in Ottertail. The Director’s Award is presented to an individual or group for significant contributions to snowmobiling in the state.

U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach was named “YMCA Congressional Champion” in Washington, D.C. in February for her leadership on the bipartisan Investing in Rural America Act, a YMCA legislative priority. Jackie Peters, CEO of the Alexandria Area YMCA presented the award during the YMCA of the USA’s National Advocacy Days.

New York Life Insurance Company once again received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

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