May 2023 Chamber Horizons Newsletter

Congratulations Leadership Alexandria 2023 Graduates!

The Chamber celebrated the graduation of 25 community leaders from its Leadership Alexandria program in April. The nine-month program includes touring the community to learn about local history, government, education,

business, personal wellness, and more. The class also visits the State Capitol and takes behind-the-scenes tours of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and U.S. Bank Stadium.

Apply now for next Leadership session

The Alexandria Chamber is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 Leadership Alexandria program. Visit alexandriamn. org/leadershipalex to view the brochure and to apply.

For information, call Jess at (320) 763-3161 or email her at jess@alexandriamn.org.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, May 5 | 7:30 - 8:30 am

Scandinavian Gift Shop

509 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day:

Alexandria Band Boosters

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, May 19 | 7:30 - 8:30 am

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Rebecca Brinkman, Alomere Health; Kelli Minnerath, Alexandria Education Foundation and Cardinal Athletic Foundation; Ryan Blakesley, Viking Bank; Darcie Zirbes, Alexandria Police Department; Lukas Gotto, Alexandria Public Schools; Jay Fiskness, Glenwood State Bank. (middle, left to right) Brandon Plotz, Edward Jones; Nolan Steidl, Hilltop Lumber; Jason Crannell, ITW Heartland; Cally Endres, Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds; Kasey Morris, Bold North Cellars; Andrew Holte, Bell Bank; Jon Botz, Widseth; Kari Ziesemer, McCarten Design; Julie Rambow, Randy Fischer Real Estate; PJ Malin, First Lutheran Church; Tonia Kvale, Kvale Real Estate. (front, left to right) Stanley Nelson, Contech Engineered Solutions; Joe Korkowski, Explore Alexandria Tourism; Cyndi Magnuson, Knute Nelson; Gabrielle Giannonatti, Geneva Capital; Sam Williams, Alexandria Covenant Church; Sophia Watt, Horizon Public Health; John Zipoy, Brenton; Jeff Walsh, 3M Abrasive Systems Division Plant.

Kalon Prep Academy

1877 Aga Dr., Ste. 220

Nonprofit of the Day:

Kiwanis “Golden K” of Alexandria

Listen & Learn:

Alexandria Senior Center - Setting a

Vision for the Future (see page 2)

Wednesday, May 24 from 12-1 pm

Virtual Event

Visit alexandriamn.org to register

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right)

Business Buzz

Heartland Orthopedic Specialists and its Clinic and Sports Medicine Director, Andrea Allyn, MBA, LAT, were recognized in the national industry publication, Becker’s Spine Review The clinic was listed in the “25 Orthopedic Practices to Know in 2023.” Allyn was listed in the “10 Sports Medicine Leaders to Know.”

Alomere Health CEO Carl Vaagenes was appointed to the American Hospital Association (AHA) Rural Health Services (RHS) Committee. This committee plays an important role in actively advising the AHA on advocacy positions, public policy issues, and RHS strategies. At the state level, Alomere Health’s CFO, Nate Meyer, was appointed chair of the Finance Committee for the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). In this role, Meyer has the opportunity to direct MHA’s attention toward the financial concerns rural health systems are facing.

Dr. Vance Thompson of Vance Thompson Vision was named on The Ophthalmologist Power List 2023. This year, the spotlight is on individuals who have demonstrated 10 years of excellence and impact in ophthalmology.

KIKV-FM was a finalist for the 36th annual Crystal Radio Awards by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The NAB Crystal Radio Awards recognize radio stations for their year-round commitment to community service.

Starting May 15, 2023, Max J. Beilke VA Clinic will be open at its new location at 410 30th Ave. E in Alexandria. The new location is one-third larger than its previous location with a larger parking lot. The clinic currently has about 34 employees in full and part time positions.

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

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. 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 Senior Center Setting a Vision for the Future

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 FROM 12-1 PM Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

What is next for the Alexandria Senior Center? The Center has played a key role in combating loneliness and helping seniors maintain their independence for nearly four decades. What changes does it need to make to meet the changing needs of a growing senior community (projected to be at 44% in Douglas County in 2030)?

This presentation will share information on the current status of the Center and highlight key findings from statewide research on what other communities are doing to provide engaging programs and services for seniors as they prepare for a “silver tsunami.”

Rendezvous Farm

Dawn’s Quilt Shop

Dawn Gieseke

522 Broadway St. 320-763-7011

dawn@dawnsquiltshop.com

www.DawnsQuiltShop.com

Minnesota Canoes

Keith Martinson

3015 State Hwy. 29 S, Ste. 4040, Viking Plaza Mall 320-762-0342

minnesotacanoes@gmail.com

www.MinnesotaCanoes.com

Deanna Alvord 12839 County Rd. 7 SW, Farwell 320-259-5762 rendezvousfarm@outlook.com www.RendezvousFarm.org

Timm Agency Insurance

Kelsi Timm 510 22nd Ave. E, Ste. 300 320-763-4516 kelsi@timmagency.com www.TimmAgency.com

Verge of Fantastic Emily Fickes 22 1st St. SE, Glenwood 320-334-3062 vofgifts@gmail.com www.VergeOfFantastic.com

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

Learn more about hospice care at knutenelson.org or call 320.288.1334.

"For the family, hospice means answers , reassurance , and empathy ."

- Denise Hadley, Knute Nelson Hospice Spiritual Care Provider

At Knute Nelson Hospice, our bereavement services keep loved ones moving forward.

Shelli-Kae Foster, Executive Director, Alexandria Senior Center

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.

April Hosts

Chamber News Pot of Gold Winner

Minnesota Canoes won the Pot of Gold valued at $5,702 at Wake Up Alexandria hosted by Diamond Buick GMC and Diamond Waves & Wags on April 21! Donations include discounted services, gift certificates, and promotional items. Donors are promoted through Chamber email blasts, at the event, and on the Chamber website.

West Central MN Communities Action | Apr. 7

1910 Aga Dr., Ste. 206

Nonprofit of the Day: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Inc. (WCMCA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that collaborates with other entities to address community needs and challenges. WCMCA offers resources in the area of energy assistance, housing, children and education, older adults, finances, health, and transportation.

Diamond Buick GMC/Diamond Waves & Wags | Apr. 21

5803 State Hwy. 29 S (Diamond Buick GMC)

Nonprofit of the Day: Central MN Chapter Red Cross

Diamond Buick GMC offers a vareity of new and used vehicles and an experienced service and parts department. The team strives to make the car buying process as quick and hassle-free as possible. Diamond Waves & Wags offers a variety of car wash packages, tire shine, vacuums, and a self-service dog wash center!

Keith Martinson of Minnesota Canoes accepted the Pot of Gold prizes at the April 21 Wake Up Alexandria. The pot was valued at $5,702! The business was only a member for a week before it was drawn as the lucky winner.

Chamber Job Board

Looking to expand your team? The Chamber website offers an online job board! Current Chamber members can post to this job board at no charge, or upgrade to a featured listing which will pin their job to the top of the page, highlight it, and publish it to the Google Jobs Network. Once jobs are posted, employers can view their jobs, make changes, see the number of views the post has received, review applicants, and renew or upgrade the post. Log in to your online member portal with your username and password and click on “Submit a Job Opening” to get started. For assistance, contact the Chamber at info@alexandriamn.org or 320-763-3161.

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.

April Visits

The Alexandria Area Hockey Association (AAHA) is a not-forprofit organization that serves more than 380 kids ages 5 to 18 per season. Its mission is to provide a quality environment for youth hockey players to learn and enjoy the sport.

Alexandria Covenant Church is an Evangelical church located at 4005 Dakota St. It offers onsite and online Sunday worship services including traditional and contemporary services. It also offers a variety of group ministries and youth programs.

Dentistry at the Center has been serving the Alexandria area since 1985. It is located at 2306 S Broadway St., Ste. 4. The team of three dentists and five hygienists offer a variety of dentistry services.

Integrated Therapy Solutions is a mental health practice serving all ages. Owner Deann Reese is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and is trained in a variety of approaches.

Membership Team visits continued on page 6.

Alexandria Covenant Church Sam Williams, Church Administrator

Dentistry at the Center Dr. Elizabeth Amundson, Dentist; Dr. Tyler Whiting, Dentist

Integrated Therapy Solutions

Deann Reese, Owner/Therapist; Petey, Therapy Dog

Alexandria Area Hockey Association Joel Loveland, Vice President; Brian Klimek, President; Josh Waldorf, Board Member

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.

April Visits

C & L Distributing, which was established in 1980, acquired H. Boyd Nelson in 2022. After the acquisition, it moved to 4017 Nevada St., which is one of six locations. The full service beverage distributor serves 28 counties in Minnesota and supplies to 1,968 retailers.

Premier Collision recently opened at a new location at 206 Lake St. The company is owned by Sam Fischer and offers complete auto body repair services for all makes and vehicles.

Josh and Kelsi Timm recently purchased Timm Agency Insurance from Josh’s parents. The agency is located at 510 22nd Ave. E, Ste. 300. It offers various personal and business insurance and risk management solutions to clients throughout Central Minnesota and six other states.

Market Your Events!

Want to market your event? Add it to the local Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy! Visit the website 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 1,300 emails weekly!

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

Premier Collision - New Location Roylie Fischer, Auto Body Technician; Sam Fischer, Owner; Jordan Schiermeister, Auto Body Technician

Timm Agency InsuranceNew Ownership

Kelsi and Josh Timm, Owners/Agents

C & L DistributingBusiness Acquisition/New Location

Tom & Joe Dick, Owners

Membership Team visits

continued from page 4...

Legislative Corner

With just a few weeks left in this legislative session, the trends seem to be increased spending paid for by raising taxes on employers and employees.

Just for Kix - Alexandria

Crystal Hoepner, Alexandria Program Director

Just for Kix has more than 200 programs in 11 states and has been serving the Alexandria community for more than 35 years. The Alexandria studio is located at 503 Hawthorne St. and offers a variety of dance styles to kids between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18.

As proposed, the Legislature is set to increase state spending by a 30 percent over the previous biennium. Despite a $17.5 billion surplus in the next two years and an additional structural surplus of $5 billion the following two years, policymakers are pushing enormous tax increases on employers and employees. In total, legislators are proposing to raise taxes by a net $4 billion over the next four years.

Contained in the Minnesota House tax proposal are two concerning tax increase provisions. The first would create a new fifth-tier income tax rate of 10.85 percent, the fourth highest in the nation behind New York, Hawaii, and California. The second increases taxes on multinational corporations via mandatory combined worldwide reporting. This would be the first tax of its kind, not just in the nation but around the world. The state seems to be sending a message to entrepreneurs and employers to do business in more tax-friendly, pro-economic growth states.

The biggest tax increases are outside the tax bill, including a $2.9 billion payroll tax increase to pay for the 24-week paid leave mandate, a metro area sales tax, tab fee increases and more. Contact your legislators today to share your concerns!

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS:

Glacial Lakes Radon

Kevin Boike, Owner

Glacial Lakes Radon, owned and operated by Kevin Boike, is a radon measurement and mitigation business serving central Minnesota. Radon is an undetectable gas that seeps into structures. The company’s mission is to work with homeowners to reduce radon levels and give families peace of mind.

Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R) District 9 (218) 205-5062 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 (218) 640-1707 rep.tom.murphy@house.mn