2024 May Chamber Horizons Newsletter

Lead, connect, and collaborate for a thriving community.

CHAMBER HORIZONS

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations Leadership Alexandria

2024 Graduates!

The Chamber celebrated the graduation of 23 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 a behind-the-scenes tour of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

Apply now for next Leadership session

The Alexandria Chamber is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 Leadership Alexandria program. Visit alexandriamn.org/leadershipalex to view the brochure and to apply. Applications are considered on a first come basis.

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

Market your events for FREE!

Want to market your event? Add it to the Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy! Visit 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!

(Left to right,

Brenda Thomson, Boy Scouts of America - Northern Lights Council; Chris Kragenbring, Kalon Prep Academy; Bryan Kellerman, Bell Bank; Angie Hasbrouck, Horizon Public Health; Jordyn Cantalope, Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission; James Ross, Alexandria Police Department; Luke VanOverbeke, The Church of St. Mary; Cody Blevins, Marcus Construction; Kelsi Timm, Timm Agency Insurance; Karl Wimmer, Hilltop Lumber; Scott McLaughlin, 3M Abrasive Systems Division Plant; Macy Johnson, Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce; Carl Kvale, Kvale Real Estate; Cassandra McKernan, Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical; Sherri Maanum, American Cancer Society; Liz Drevlow, The Dashery; Patrick Beattie, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Katelyn Kack, Widseth; Matt Hagstrom, Hagstrom Engineering; Kristy Fyhrie, Edgewood; Josh Kling, Alexandria Industries; Lacey Grinager, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. (Not pictured) Stacey Doege, ProfitMax.

Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Alexandria

front to back)

Thank you for attending

our Spring LuncheonThe Survivor Way!

The Chamber of Commerce held its spring luncheon on Monday, April 22 at Broadway Ballroom. Nearly 130 people attended the event. Holly Hoffman, author/ professional speaker and contestant on Season 21 of Survivor Nicaragua on CBS, shared 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.

Special thanks to our event sponsor:

April new members

Four Season Marine and Sports

Jeremiah Martinson

Alexandria, MN

320-219-1619

FourSeasonMarineAnd Sports@gmail.com Facebook.com/Profile. php?id=100090969828070

Simply Rooted, LLC

Meg Jacobson

Alexandria, MN

970-231-8447

Meg@SimplyRootedMN.com

SimplyRootedMN.com

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

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

Bon Jos Boutique & Tanning | April 5

602 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Living Word Lutheran Church

Bon Jos got its start in 1964 and now includes two locations – one in Alexandria and another in Little Falls. The company has only had three owners. Current owner Denise Drown of Alexandria purchased it in 2023. The company features a full line of women’s clothing as well as tanning services.

Minnesota Canoes | April 19

3015 Hwy. 29 S, Ste. 4040 - Viking Plaza Mall

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

Minnesota Canoes is a premier dealer of tandem and solo canoes and kayaks, paddle boards, paddles, racks and storage options. The company serves customers throughout the U.S., and works with manufacturers on special orders. Brands include Wenonah Canoe, Grey Duck Outdoors, Northstar Canoes and Current Designs.

Chamber News

Pot of Gold Winner

Vikingland Builders Association won the Pot of Gold valued at $7,194 at Wake Up Alexandria hosted by Minnesota Canoes on April 19! Donations include discounted services, gift certificates, and promotional items. Donors are promoted through Chamber email blasts, at the event, and on the Chamber website.

Matt Gilbertson, secretary of the board of directors with Vikingland Builders Association, accepted the Pot of Gold prizes at the April 19 Wake Up Alexandria. The pot was valued at $7,194!

Upcoming Chamber Events

Wake Up Alexandria!

Co-hosted by JIVE Hair Studio and Vital Fit Club

Friday, May 3 from 7:30-8:30 am

Vital Fit Club | 112 6th Ave. E

Nonprofit of the Day: Pioneer PBS

Ribbon Cutting: The Bark Barn

Saturday, May 4 at 11 am

The Bark Barn | 2801 Aga Dr., Ste. 106

Open house to follow

Hello Neighbor: Game Night

Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 pm

The Depot Smokehouse & Tavern | 104 Broadway St.

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, May 17 from 7:30-8:30 am

Alexandria Motors | 3710 State Hwy. 29 S

Nonprofit of the Day: Let’s Go Fishing Alexandria Lakes Area

Now open: the most comprehensive rehab center in the region.

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

Hometown Community Bank Jacob Hintermeister, Operations; Jay Ellsworth, Vice President

Hometown Community Bank is located in Forada and offers a variety of checking and lending services. The bank originally opened in Cyrus in 1901 as the State Bank of Cyrus. The bank was renamed Hometown Community Bank in 2000 upon completion of its new facility in Forada.

E Architects, LLC

Norum, Project Manager; Stephanie Howem AIA, LEED(c)AP Principal in Charge MN Architect #24874

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

Boomerang Marine & SportsNew Location

Max Peterson, Manager

Thrivent Financial: Iverson & KostersNew Businesses

Alan Iverson and Lucas Kosters, Financial Associates

Boomerang Marine & Sports is a power-sports and marine dealership offering new and pre-owned ATVs and boats. It also has a service department, sells parts, accessories, and apparel, and offers financing.

Perfektly Charmen’ is a spa locally owned and operated by Karmen Lemm. The spa is located at 504 3rd Ave. E, Unit L, and opened in October of 2023. It offers facials, body wraps, waxing, and sugaring. Gift certificates are available.

Perfektly Charmen’New Business

Karmen Lemm,

Owner

Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization offering financial advice, annuities, investments, insurance, and banking services. Lucas Kosters and Alan Iverson are new Financial Associates with Thrivent serving the Alexandria community.

Firefly Speech & Language Therapy opened in August of 2023 and offers services for speech sound disorders, language, and fluency for kids pre-school age through middle school.

Firefly Speech & Language TherapyNew Business

Breanna Adelman, Certified Speech-Language Pathologist/Founder

SPRING SKINCARE EVENT

MAY 9TH, 5 PM - 7:30 PM, ALEXANDRIA

TREATS & DRINKS | SPECIALS & GIVEAWAYS

LOCAL VENDORS | MEMBER SWAG BAGS

Legislative Corner

More taxes could be on the horizon

Coming off a year of record spending and sitting on a budget surplus, elected leaders are considering additional taxes. While these taxes and increases support noble goals, sales are being pushed across borders to neighboring states and harming community retailers.

More than $800 million in consumer tax increases were implemented in 2023 including a 50 cent delivery fee, 10% cannabis tax, gas tax indexing, 17 local sales taxes and 1% metro tax increase.

The following are proposed consumer cost increases for 2024:

· A 5-10 cent deposit tax on most beverage containers.

· 3.2% sales tax increase on most electronics.

· Statewide sales tax increase of 3/8 of a percent for housing.

· 1% tax on digital books, music and other electronically-delivered products.

· Gas price increases are likely under the proposed clean transportation fuel standard.

Tell your legislators – these taxes are making it unaffordable to live in MN!

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

Anthony Zimny of Zimny Insurance Agency was recognized as Agent of the Year by Big I Minnesota, an organization for independent agents that represents 725 agencies and 6,500 insurance professionals around the state.

Samantha Rushing joined the team at Explore Alexandria Tourism earlier this year as the new social media marketing coordinator. Rushing owns an online boutique - Emerald and Pine Boutiqueand has worked in retail and hospitality for the past 12 years.

Ty Bentrup, Scott Syverson, and Lindsay Weller, physical therapists at Alomere Health, and Drew Paradis, physical therapist at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, recently attended a Level 1 functional dry needling course through Evidence in Motion (EIM). This training will offer expanded access to an additional treatment option for the community.

C.I. Construction was awarded Builder of the Year in the Western Region and the $25 Million Cumulative Award at Butler NEXT24.

Douglas County Chief Deputy Jason Peterson was presented with a Meritorious Service Award at the 28th Annual SOTA Training Conference banquet held in St. Cloud. This award commends Peterson for his 27 years of dedicated service to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team

JLG Architects was recognized at the Minnesota Real Estate Journal Awards as a winner of four awards for various projects including the Industrial-West Awards, Greater Minnesota Award, Hotel/Hospitality Award, and Interior Design-Hotel Award.

ConnCrete Realty Solutions welcomes Greg Bowen to the team. Greg is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson and General Contractor with 30 years of experience.

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