2023 October Chamber Horizons Newsletter

Thank you for attending our Fall Luncheon - We’re in this Together!

The Chamber of Commerce held its fall luncheon on Wednesday, September 13 at Crooked Willow. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Dr. Will Miller, therapist, certified PTS clinician, Purdue University faculty member, and police trauma specialist offered strategies for mental wellbeing as we build a community of support.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Chamber 101 (details on page 5)

Tuesday, October 3 from 7:30-8:30 am

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event

Visit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, October 6 from 7:30-8:30 am

Mount Carmel Ministries 800 Mount Carmel Dr. NE

Nonprofit of the Day: Unity Foundation

Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD)

Monday, October 9 from 11:30 am - 1 pm

Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center | 2100 Arrowwood Ln. NW

Listen & Learn: ADA Compliance and the Hospitality Industry (details on page 2)

Special thanks to our event sponsor:

Douglas County Caregiviers were able to attend for free thanks to support from: Funding support provided by the Blandin Foundation.

Wednesday, October 11 from 10-11 am

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event

Visit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Listen & Learn: HR for Small Businesses (details on page 2)

Thursday, October 19 from 12-1 pm

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event Visit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, October 20 from 7:30-8:30 am

Grand Arbor by Knute Nelson 4403 Pioneer Rd. SE

Nonprofit of the Day: Zion Lutheran Church & School

When you support local it...

Expanding economic tax base, creating volunteers, and supporting local nonprofits is something businesses can’t do if they don’t have local support from people like you!

Dr. Will Miller, Chamber Fall Luncheon Speaker

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.

ADA Obligations and the Hospitality Industry

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 FROM 10-11 AM

Virtual event: Register at www.AlexandriaMN.org

In a world of ever-changing rules and regulations, ensuring welcoming and inclusive accommodation to guests is more important than ever. Minnesota Council on Disability and Hospitality Minnesota representatives will explain what the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is, and how it applies to your business. Get your questions answered on how your business can achieve compliance in the areas of accessibility, service animals, technical specifications, building code, website requirements, and historical designation. Learn best practices, get up-to-date on current regulations, and ensure your business is ready to welcome all!

James Wedgwood

Comedy Ventriloquist

James Wedgwood 651-336-3663

james@jameswedgwood.com

www.JamesWedgwood.com

HR for Small Businesses

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 FROM 12-1 PM

Virtual event: Register at www.AlexandriaMN.org

Many small to midsize businesses don’t have the budget for a Human Resource staff member; however, if they have employees, they still have a Human Resource need.

This session will provide an overview of general HR topics including Record Keeping, Employee Handbook, Job Descriptions (including Employee Classifications), At-Will Employment, Discrimination, Harassment, Accommodations, Interviewing and Hiring, Onboarding and Training, Benefits, Performance Evaluations, Terminations, and more.

Wind Down Massage

Home Heal th Ca re

Angelica

Rivera 939-400-9983

mkbyluna@gmail.com

www.MaryKay.com/ARiveraMorales

Sheyenne Ritter 624 Broadway St., Ste. 103 320-491-4883

winddownmassagellc@gmail.com

Wind-Down-Massage-Therapy.square. site

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

Home health care, where your progress is our priority.

“Before I started recovering, I couldn’t do anything. Knute Nelson changed my life .”

- Jay Walter, Former Home Health Care Client

knutenelson.org | 320.287.6960

Natalie Remund Chief Business Development Officer, Multi Business Solutions

David Fenley ADA Director, Minnesota Council on Disability

Angie Whitcomb President/CEO, Hospitality Minnesota

Mary Kay by Luna

“Luna”

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.

September Hosts

Runestone Museum Foundation | Sept. 1

206 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Covenant Church

The famous Kensington Rune Stone is on display in the Runestone Museum along with Scandinavian Heritage, First People’s, and MN Wildlife exhibits, a Children’s Discovery Room, open air Fort Alexandria, gift shop, and more.

Important Election Notice!

Following is the proposed slate of candidates for the 2024 Chamber Board of Directors. The proposed slate was recommended by the Chamber Nominating Committee and approved by the Chamber Board at its regular meeting on September 21.

Any member may request to be added to the ballot by filing a petition at the Chamber office bearing the signatures of ten (10) other members in good standing on or before October 15. At that time, nominations shall cease and the proposed slate will become the nominating slate.

Proposed Slate:

Tyler Notch, Grand Arbor

Representing Healthcare

Term #2 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Brad Lenertz, Alexandria Clinic, A Service of Alomere Health

Representing Healthcare

Term #2 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Shari Prause, Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center

Representing Lodging/Tourism/Hospitality

Term #2 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Kelly Jenzen, Johnston Law Office, PA

Representing Professional Services

Term #2 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Nick Paulsen, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP)

Representing Professional Services

Term #1 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Amy Christopherson, State Farm Insurance

KXRA-KX92-Z99 Radio & VoiceOfAlexandria.com | Sept. 15

1312 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Vikingland Band Festival

KXRA-KX92-Z99 Radio and VoiceOfAlexandria.com are part of Leighton Broadcasting and cover the West Central MN region. The stations cover a mix of talk shows, Cardinal sports, classic rock, today’s hits, and more.

Representing Professional Services

Term #1 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

Andrew Rickers, Bremer Bank

Representing Banking/Finance

Term #1 effective 1/1/24 thru 12/31/26

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.

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.

September Visits

Cenex Midtown Express is a convenience store located at 1705 Broadway St. It was initially established in 1955 and renovated in November of 2022. It offers premium diesel fuels, a propane filling station, live bait and tackle, and more.

Dawn’s Quilt Shop is located at 522 Broadway St. It specializes in novelty fabrics and provides quilt kits and patterns. It includes an upper-level Retreat Center that contains three apartments and can sleep 21.

Douglas County HRA

Britta Richtner, Special Programs; Sarah Alstead, Accountant; Janelle Bennett, Rehab Coordinator; Tiffany Heinrich, Property Manager; Emajean Hanson-Ford, Executive Director; Sandi Otto, HCV Manager (Section 8)

Douglas County HRA is located at 1224 N Nokomis St. SE and offers a variety of voucher programs with a main goal of providing affordable housing services to Douglas and Pope County residents.

Natures Wave, located at 1307 Hwy. 29 N., Ste. 80, is owned by Shelly Stanek and specializes in Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequencies. Treatments ease sore muscles, arthritis, migraines, allergies, chronic pain, joint issues, and more.

Natures Wave

Shelly Stanek, Owner

Dawn’s Quilt Shop

Dawn & Todd Gieseke, Owners

Cenex Midtown Express of Alexandria

Alison Beving, General Manager; Shanna Johnson, C-Store 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.

September Visits

Alex Brick & Stone celebrated 25 years in business by merging its three businesses into one called Nordic. Nordic has locations in Alexandria, Willmar, and Nisswa and offers brick and stone, fireplaces, landscaping, outdoor finishings, pipe supply, custom requests, and more.

Nordic - Business Merger/Rebrand

Market your events for FREE!

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

Brian Fuder is the franchise co-owner of the Taco John’s in Alexandria. He purchased the location with his sister in 2020. They also own three other locations. The Alexandria store recently had a major remodel with a new look inside and out.

Learn to optimize your membership at Chamber 101

Join us for a Virtual Chamber 101 on Tuesday, October 3 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.

Visit alexandriamn.org to register. For more information, call the Chamber at 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org.

Taco John’sNew Ownership/Remodel

Brian Fuder, Franchise Co-Owner; Jesse Craft, Store Manager

Jacob Malone, General Manager; Colton Thomas, Inventory Management; Randy Jansen, Sales; Neil Jenzen, President/Owner; Wayne Jenzen, Previous Owner; Mike Denker, CFO/Controller

Business Buzz

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association recently received two Boarder to Boarder Grants. More than 214 households in the “Buckskin” project and 122 households in the “Carlos” project will be getting fiberoptic connectivity.

Samantha King, DNP, FNP-C joins WELL & Company, PLLC with a specialty in weight management and disordered eating. Samantha will be at both the Alexandria and Sartell locations and is open for booking in October.

In August, SunOpta celebrated 65 years of service at its two plants in Alexandria. SunOpta specializes in the sourcing, processing, and production of organic, natural, and non-GMO plant- and fruit-based food and beverage product. Locally, SunOpta produces almond, soy, oat, and rice beverages, as well as teas and soup broths.

Meghann Edwards was promoted to retail manager at Gate City Bank in Alexandria. She previously served as personal banking supervisor, personal banker, Bank Secrecy Act and fraud Investigator, electronic banking specialist, and customer service representative.

Damaris Anderson joined Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors as a full-time independent sales associate working out of the Alexandria office. Anderson has more than five years experience in residential real estate sales.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota added two health professionals to its team in Alexandria: Heather Cogger is a licensed professional clinical counselor who provides counseling to individuals ages 10 and older, couples, and families. She is also a licensed drug and alcohol counselor. Erik Rundquist is a behavioral health practitioner and will provide counseling to individuals of all ages, couples, and families.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recognized 85 honorees from across the organization with the prestigious 2023 Spirit Award at a luncheon in St. Cloud. Alexandria area honorees include Rose Peterson, direct support professional, disability services; and Carol Baune, designated coordinator, host homes.

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

Alex Brick & Stone celebrates 25 years with ‘Nordic’ rebrand

Alex Brick & Stone celebrated 25 years in business by merging its three businesses into one brand known as Nordic. A ribbon cutting was held September 13 in honor of this rebrand. Nordic has locations in Alexandria, Willmar, and Nisswa and offers brick and stone, fireplaces, landscaping, outdoor finishings, pipe supply, custom requests, and more.

Ribbon cuttings are a service of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.