ROCH ESTER A Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Publication
May 2021
Leadership Greater Rochester Interview with Program Chair Tyler Niemeyer •+ Leadership Greater Rochester Project Highlights
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MEET THE MEMBER Powers Ventures
2021 ANNUAL CELEBRATION Featured Speaker Mark Lindquist
OLMSTED COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE Vaccine Rollout Status
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Feature
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Interview with LGR Program Chair Tyler Niemeyer
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Meet the Member Powers Ventures
Newsreel Ribbon Cuttings
May 2021
What’s Inside
Where is the Advantage? Advertising Information:
Brent Ackerman backerman@RochesterMNChamber.com
Advantage Information and Questions: Katie Becker kbecker@RochesterMNChamber.com
STAFF President Ryan Parsons 507-288-1122
Membership Brent Ackerman Development Director 507-424-5666 Administrative Assistant Cherie Thurlow 507-288-1122
2020-2021 CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS Chair of the Board Lizzy Haywood
People’s Food Co-op
Director of Operations Cheryl Krage
Vice Chair Christy Blade
507-424-5699
Post Bulletin, LLC
Communications Director Katie Becker
Treasurer James Kelly
507-424-5661
Construction Partnership
Director of Programs Sam Gill
Secretary Emily Benner
507-424-5687
Membership Director Tim Shea
507-424-5663
Preventice
Chamber President Ryan Parsons
2020- 2021 CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS
Laurie Ackerman
Sarah Miller
White Space
Dr. Christine Beech Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
Matt Morehead
Carlson Capital Management
Chad Behnken
Hamilton Real Estate
AnJuana Napue
Mayo Clinic
Aaron Benike
Benike Construction
Dan Nistler
Merchants Bank
Steve Dunn
Taco JED
Nate Nordstrom
Brandhoot
John Eckerman
RSP Architects
Omar Nur
Somali American Social Service Assoc.
Scott Eggert*
Broadway Plaza
Sylwia Bujak Oliver 125 Live
Jessica Eidem
IBM Corporation
Dave Pederson
Dunlap & Seeger, P.A.
Cathy Fraser
Mayo Clinic
Jack Priggen
Cardinal of Minnesota
Marge Kelley
Express Employment Professionals
Joselyn Raymundo Rochester Home Infusion
Sharon Schneller
Olmsted Medical Center
John Reed*
Rochester Airport Co.
Dr. Lori Carrell
University of Minnesota - Rochester
Teresa Czaplewski
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home
Opportunity Services
*Denotes at large members of the Executive Committee
VISION
MISSION The Chamber promotes business success which supports a thriving community.
Rochester-area businesses are empowered to succeed in a diverse and collaborative climate.
VALUES As a service organization, the Chamber is committed to conducting our work in accordance with the following values:
Collaboration | Diversity |Innovation Integrity | Proactivity Chamber Advantage USPS 446-900 is published monthly by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce at 220 S Broadway Ste 100 | Rochester, MN 55904 | Phone: 507-288-1122 Issue #4 Volume #13 Periodical Postage paid at Rochester, Minnesota | Annual Subscription: $20 (free to Chamber members) | Lizzy Haywood, Chair of the Board | Editor: Katie Becker Printed by Johnson Printing | Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chamber Advantage, 220 S Broadway Ste 100, Rochester, MN 55904 or email: chamber@rochestermnchamber.com
Note from the President N
Note from the President D ear Members,
Welcome to the first issue of the new Advantage business magazine! The Advantage will be essential in the Rochester Chamber’s efforts to connect, highlight and inform our members and the business community of the Rochester region. In addition to showcasing opportunities for members to engage with the Rochester Chamber, the Advantage will provide us a platform to highlight members, share information relevant to Rochester businesses and feature stories of trends, successes, and challenges of the business community. Katie Becker, our new Communications Director, and the team have done excellent work in evolving the Advantage publication for the May issue, and we are not done yet. Stay tuned in the months ahead to see what else the Rochester Chamber team has in store for the Advantage business magazine. Just as the Rochester Chamber team is developing our communications to engage and inform members, we are also creating events and programming to connect our members with fellow businesses, professional development opportunities, and local leaders. This includes the Business Development Exchange (BDX) series and the April 27th Local Government Connect programs. Both are new to the Rochester Chamber, and we appreciate the welcoming receptions from our area business community to each. The BDX series is an opportunity for our organization to showcase the best practices of members to assist others in a range of business development areas. The BDX is an important platform to highlight and provide resources to Rochester Chamber members, and we encourage you to join us for the May 11th session as we partner with SMART-HR and Kwik-Trip to share insights into the stages of hiring new talent, developing position descriptions, interviewing candidates, and more. The Rochester Chamber was joined by leaders from the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Rochester Public Schools on April 27th for the first Local Government Connect event. Each entity shared with members details of ongoing projects, priorities, accomplishments, and outlooks into the months ahead. This event was an important opportunity to connect area businesses with our local community leaders, and we look forward to future discussions. Thank you all for your engagement and support of these programs and more in recent months. Stay tuned to the Advantage and other Rochester Chamber publications as we continue to evolve our efforts to connect and inform members.
Ryan Parsons President
May 2021
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F Feature
LEADERSHIP GREATER ROCHESTER PROGRAM CHAIR SPOTLIGHT By Sam Gill
As the Leadership Greater Rochester (LGR)
program is set to get underway later this summer, the Chamber wanted to take a moment to sit down with the 2021 program chair, Tyler Niemeyer, to get his thoughts on the program and his vision for the year to come.
Q: First, can you please introduce yourself, the year
you went through LGR, and why you decided to volunteer to serve as the 2021 program chair? A: Sure! My name is Tyler Niemeyer, and I am the Assistant City Engineer for Rochester. I have been engaged on the LGR Steering Committee for 6 years, ever since I graduated from LGR in 2015 (best class ever!!). I decided to volunteer for the program chair role for the same reasons I serve on the steering committee – I believe the program benefits the community. I see its impacts on program participants, and I know this role will further my growth as a leader.
Q: What impact does LGR have on the businesses,
participants, and the overall Rochester community it serves? A: I believe LGR has played an integral role in developing many of the leaders we see in Rochester’s top businesses and organizations. Participants often cite growth in perspective as a takeaway from their LGR experience. Their employers and other organizations they participate in benefit from the expanded lens they apply to their work. The program also generates creative ways to benefit Rochester’s citizens with the annual Community Impact Project.
Q: What are you looking forward to when it comes
to the 2021 LGR program? A: First, the opportunity to welcome a new cohort to the experience. The pandemic disrupted many of the normal rhythms in our lives, and for those involved in administering LGR, missing a year of the program was just another reason for the last year to feel odd. I’m also really excited to have an
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Program Chair Tyler Niemeyer Rochester Public Works, LGR Class of 2015
opportunity to work with a cohort that I’m sure will come with pent-up enthusiasm for making personal connections and impacting our community.
Q: What are some ways LGR continues to impact
you, both as a business and community leader? A: As with all of LGR’s participants and volunteers, the program continually challenges me. This annual assembly of diverse, engaged, and motivated community leaders is immersed in an environment that pushes them out of their comfort zones and encourages self-examination. LGR taught me leadership is a lifelong study.
Q: When you aren’t at work with the City or volunteering out in the community, how do you like to spend your time? A: Anything outdoors. I enjoy hiking and camping with my wife (Sarah) and our two boys (Jackson & Colton). I also have particular addictions to duck hunting and fishing.
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LEADERSHIP GREATER ROCHESTER PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Stephanie Fisher, Associated Bank Christian Mogensen, Think Bank Leadership Greater Rochester (LGR) Class of 2019
Q: What is the value of the LGR program? A: The LGR program was a great way to immerse
ourselves in the community to gain perspective on economic and workforce development, sustainability practices, local government, the arts, and much more. Class members were able to sharpen their leadership skills with education, team collaboration, and self-reflection - All while having fun together and contributing to the vibrancy of the Rochester community.
Q: What was your CIP project? A: Our class partnered with Threshold Arts to deliver The CRATE Art Lending Library to our area to create
equal access to art, increase exposure for local and regional artists, and promote growth and innovation for the future of the arts. This library allowed local residents to borrow art and enjoy it in their homes or offices for periods of time. During the pandemic in 2020, the Castle Community pivoted and agreed to provide its public commons and corresponding arts and retail spaces on the second floor to Echo Church.
Mike Schmitt, IBM Prasanna Narayanan, Mayo Clinic LGR Class of 2020
Q: What is the value of the LGR program? A: The 2020 cohort entered the LGR program wide-
eyed and ready to make a change in Rochester. Our backgrounds varied from non-profits, local businesses, Fortune 500 businesses and everything in between. One of the top virtues we took away from the LGR program was the ability to bond and embrace the energy of our classmates. LGR themed monthly sessions provided education on various aspects of the community and allowed us to share our strengths and backgrounds.
Q: What was your CIP project? A: The LGR 2020 cohort chose to address food insecurity as the main theme for our Community Impact
Project. A lack of consistent access to adequate and healthy food is a significant issue that affects many of our residents in Rochester. After interviewing numerous local stakeholders, we decided to partner with the community schools within the Rochester Public School District to help support their resource rooms. Through our fundraising efforts, in addition to household supplies and monetary donations, we were able to garner a refrigerator, washer, (and dryer?) for all 4 community classrooms in Rochester. The washer/ dryers will help students who don’t have access to regular laundry facilities, and the refrigerators will stock healthy, nutritious food for students and their families.
May 2021
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F Feature
LEADERSHIP GREATER ROCHESTER PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Amanda Golden, Mayo Clinic. LGR Class of 2017
Q: What is the value of the LGR program? A: The value and growth is immeasurable in my opinion. I
made wonderful connections with people in the community, gained a better sense of my unique and innate strengths, and I learned so much about Rochester’s history and infrastructure that could have taken me years to learn otherwise. Plus, it was 10 months of fun.
Q: What was your CIP project? A: We created the Building Blocks Party Trailer as a way to bring neighbors together to create a
stronger sense of community. The trailer is still in existence, but unfortunately, it’s a tough tool to use during a pandemic… Hopefully one day soon, we’ll see it back on the streets.
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May 2021
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M Meet the Member
MEET THE MEMBER: AN EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH POWERS VENTURES When you talk about small-town
success stories, the Powers family immediately comes to mind. From the ground up, they have built an incredibly succesful enterprise here in Rochester, and have truly become a household name. Whether you’re thinking of the incredible food and family oriented atmosphere at the Canadian Honker, or the unique and beautiful venue that is Mayowood Stone Barn, the amazing minds at Powers Ventures From Left to Right: Joe Jr. Powers, Joe Powers (Sr), Nick Powers, are behind it. We had the and Melissa Powers opportunity to chat with President of Powers Ventures, Nick Powers, to learn more about the company, how they have benefited from their membership with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the outlook of their businesses, and more.
Q: Tell us about Powers Ventures. What does your
company offer to the Rochester region? A: Powers Ventures consists of Canadian Honker Restaurant & Catering, Mayowood Stone Barn, Rochester Event Center, Pinnacle Catering, J.Powers at the Hilton, and in the near future, the historic Hubbell House in Mantorville.
Q: How did it start for Powers Ventures? A: Powers Ventures was started with Canadian
Honker Restaurant in 1984. My father, Joe Powers (Sr.) open the 40-seat restaurant, which was attached to a house about a block and a half from the current location. The simplistic approach of focusing on employees, customers, and food quality still stands today as the foundation of all our businesses under the Powers Ventures umbrella. Joe’s parents, Jim and Bunnie, were instrumental in supporting Joe’s dream of owning his own restaurant. Teaching Joe how to treat people and live a faith driven life has not only impacted his growth in business but has had a strong impact on the Rochester community as a whole.
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Q: Powers Ventures has been a member of the
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce since 1986. What do you find valuable in your membership to the organization? A: Networking has been a huge plus in being a part of the Chamber. Small businesses (more then ever) need support and a voice. Getting to know others who are in business has been a great tool for growth in our own company, and the Chamber is a great starting point. The Chamber was also a great tool in helping us navigate this past year. The many emails and webinars they offered were very helpful in an unknown time. Rules, regulations, and programs changed everyday, and it was very difficult to try and stay on top of running your business, along with keeping up with all that was happening with the outside world. The Chamber made it much easier.
May 2021
Meet the Member M Q: What’s a unique fact people should know about
Powers Ventures? A: When Joe opened in 1984 his Dad, Jim, gave him a crucifix. That crucifix is still displayed in the restaurant today, and you will also find one in every business we own. The symbolism is not to push our faith on others, but to remind us of where we came from, how important faith is to our mission of serving others, and to show our gratitude to Christ on our success we have had.
Q: What is the outlook for your business and
hospitality industry is. For instance, you can have a 15-year-old kid who is terrified of his own shadow, being that its their first job, along with a life long server that has been in the industry for 30 plus years. The bottom line is, our industry is as tough as any, and we will come out leaner and more driven then ever before. It’s been an incredibly tough year for many, but we will prevail. To learn more about Powers Ventures, visit their website at https://powersventuresmn.com/.
industry?
A: Powers Ventures is in the stages of rebuilding,
similar to most in our industry. Fortunately, we have a stable portfolio which is diverse. Each business we own has its own separate challenges, but we are committed to keeping true to our foundation of high standards in customer service, food quality, and treating our employees as our #1 asset. This simple formula has proven to be successful in the past, and it will continue to help us navigate through this rebuilding stage. Our industry is extremely unique in many ways. Our labor pool alone will show how diverse the
Executive Chef Hodapp working at J.Powers at the Hilton. This elegant new space is SE Minnesota’s premier venue.
May 2021
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C Chamber News
2021 SUMMER ANNUAL CELEBRATION Join the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce
in celebrating our membership and focusing on the future of business at the 2021 Summer Annual Celebration. This event will feature engaging speakers, member highlights, and local entertainment. Whether you join us in-person or virtually, be prepared to celebrate our local business community. *Please note, we are planning this event in partnership with the Mayo Civic Center team in accordance with the state guidelines to encourage the safety of all attendees and MCC staff, including limiting the amount of guests in the space, following food and beverage instructions, and providing ample social distancing space. Given the nature of the situation, the format and timing of this event is subject to change. The Chamber will ensure that all sponsors, attendees, and members are notified of any updates or scheduling changes to this event.
Also, in-person attendance to this event will be capped, so make sure to reserve your space soon! Table sponsorships are also readily available. To reserve your table of eight, please contact Sam Gill at sgill@RochesterMNChamber.com or at (507) 424-5687.
Featured Keynote Speaker Mark Lindquist, a world-touring entertainer and Veteran
Mark Lindquist - Featured Keynote Speaker Mark Lindquist will be the featured keynote speaker at the 2021 Summer Annual Celebration. Mark Lindquist has appeared in ABC’s LOST, CBS’ Hawaii Five-O, and is a world touring entertainer who has performed live for over 3 million people in 22 countries and 44 states throughout his career. He also speaks for and consults with Fortune 100 companies like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Walmart. Mark is a former Sergeant in the United States Air Force and an Afghanistan War veteran who currently resides in Moorehead, MN.
Program Agenda: 5:30pm-6pm: General socializing 6:15pm: Start of program 8pm-8:30pm: Networking
Guests enjoying great networking at the 2019 Annual Celebration
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hank you to our current sponsors for supporting the Chamber and local businesses through sponsoring our Summer Annual Celebration. We’d like to thank our Platinum Sponsor: Mayo Clinic, our Silver Sponsors: Olmsted Medical Center, Wells Fargo, and Kraus-Anderson, and our Media Sponsor: Livewire Entertainment. We appreciate your support. There is still time to become a sponsor at different levels. Contact Sam Gill at sgill@RochesterMNChamber.com or at (507) 424-5687 if you are interested in sponsoring this Summer event. Platinum Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Media Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsors: RSP Architects West Bank Minnesota Energy Resources Rochester Airport Company Table Sponsors: Altra Federal Credit Union Home Federal Bank KNXR - Minnesota 97.5 Merchants Bank Minnwest Bank Premier Bank Rochester Rochester Airport Company Rochester Community and Technical College Smart-HR
May 2021
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C Chamber News
EGGS AND ISSUES: LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONNECT RECAP Following a successful “Higher Education Outlook”
event in February, Eggs and Issues was back on April 27 with “Local Government Connect”, a virtual event featuring representatives from Olmsted County, the City of Rochester, the Rochester Parks Department, and Rochester Public Schools. Each department had an opportunity to present to the Chamber members in attendance, highlighting key accomplishments and outlining 2021 goals and priorities. As our community continues to reopen, this event afforded attendees with a great opportunity to hear from our civic leaders -- all in one spot -- on how they’ve planned to continue our path forward to recovery.
Series Sponsors:
Session Sponsor:
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May 2021
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE
Chamber News C
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE (BDX): HIRING TALENT 101 Date: Tuesday, May 11 Time: 11:30am-1pm Featured Guest: Valerie Folk, Smart-HR and Erin Henry, Kwik Trip Join us for the next edition of our new series, Business Development Exchange (BDX). This BDX will highlight member best practices in hiring new talent. This includes promoting and developing position openings, identifying/interviewing applicants, vetting candidates and more.
Sponsors:
Agenda: 11:30 - Welcome 11:35 - Valerie Folk, Smart-HR 11:50 - Erin Henry, Kwik Trip 12:05 - Break 12:10 - Q&A
HOSPITALITY 1ST ROUNDTABLE Date: Thursday, May 27th Time: 9:45am - 11:00am Hospitality 1st Roundtable is a collaboration of hospitality service providers who work in partnership with area businesses to create an exceptional community experience by focusing on great service and delivery of community assets. April’s featured speakers were the Experience Rochester and Mayo Civic Center Teams. They shared an updated forecast for 2021, sales initiatives for the remainder of 2021, marketing updates, and a Mayo Civic Center entertainment schedule. Mark your calendars for the next Hospitality 1st Roundtable Hybrid Meeting on Thursday, May 27th where Kim Purscell, owner of Etiquette Matters, Inc, will discuss being your authentic self and learning the essential people skills that can propel your career, build meaningful relationships, and improve your self-confidence.
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C Chamber News
WOMEN’S ROUNDTABLE Date: Friday, May 21st Time: 7:30am - 9:00am Women’s Roundtable provides a space for women to practice and refine skills, discuss challenges specific to women in positions of leadership, and learn together. April’s featured speaker was Peggy Paul, founder and visionary of SheTaxi. Peggy discussed how SheTaxi is a personal development community for women to focus on their inner selves and gain support from each other, while learning life tools to improve their overall well-being. She advises women to be their authentic selves in all areas of their life; including in leadership, management, and relationships. Mark your calendars for next month’s Women’s Roundtable on Friday, May 21st.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FORUM Date: Thursday, May 20th Time: 8:00am - 9:00am The Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Forum brings together women in business throughout the Rochester region who wish to share knowledge and resources to support new business creation and growth. This group was developed by the Kabara Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies of Saint Mary’s University of MN - Rochester to offer educational programming for business owners. April’s featured speakers were Amanda Leightner, Director of Communications at Collider and Christine Beech, Executive Director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at St Mary’s University of MN Rochester. They discussed using the “Business Model Canvas” as a guide to evaluate your own business and design a model that works for you. Mark your calendars for next month’s WE Forum on Thursday, May 20th where Amarilys Henderson, DiHanna DuVaught, and Louise Hanson will discuss Using eCommerce to Grow your business. The pros and cons of offering goods and services via an online e-commerce platform.
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OLMSTED COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE The global pandemic continues to have enormous effects on everyone – including businesses, education, healthcare and government services. To date, 12,879 people have tested positive for the disease and 97 people have lost their lives in Olmsted County. While these numbers are large, they would have been far greater if we didn’t have the established and strong partnerships with our healthcare systems, schools and businesses. These partnerships were a key factor in managing and controlling the COVID-19 disease and vaccine distribution in our communities.
COVID-19 vaccines began slowly rolling out in late December 2020. Many challenges had to be overcome including limited vaccine allocation, multiple vaccines, storage concerns, eligibility, along with staffing and safety procedures at vaccination clinics. Demand exceeded the vaccine supply for the first several months. Olmsted County surpasses the state in all vaccine age categories, due in part to our health orientated community and the many partnerships in place, including the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. With their help, we called upon the business community to complete an on-line COVID-19 vaccination business planning form designed so Olmsted County Public Health could quickly reach out to businesses and get their employees signed up for a vaccination when vaccine was made available to the different business categories, as defined by the Governor.
May 2021
The Rochester business community quickly responded, allowing us to fill the vaccination clinics quickly and efficiently. To date, 1,143 business forms were submitted from roughly 200 business sectors identifying thousands of staff who were interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Since late December 2020, we’ve provided nearly 20,000 vaccines to our critical workforce, their families and others wanting the added protection of a vaccine. We feel confident that our essential service workers and businesses have been contacted and offered the opportunity to be vaccinated and recently opened up our vaccination clinics to anyone over the age of 16, and now working closely with our schools to get our youth vaccinated. Vaccine supplies are becoming more consistent and over 9,500 vaccines are administered (on average) each week to Olmsted County residents through our medical providers, pharmacies, and public health. Our vaccination numbers and rates are enviable, yet there are still thousands who can still benefit from receiving one of the safe and effective vaccines to help protect against the COVID-19 disease. If you haven’t been vaccinated, please consider it and help all of us get back to doing the things we know and love and become a community of immunity.
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C Community News
START-UP EVENT GRANTS
BUSINESS MENTORING
The 2021 Downtown Rochester Start-Up Event Grant Dueling Gaden recipients have been chosen. Six organizers were awarded a total of $11,000 through the Rochester Downtown Alliance’s Start-Up Event Grant to host a COVID-19 appropriate event, program, or activity downtown. The grants have been received by the following organizations and individuals: • $3,000 to the Night Market by Tiffany Alexandria. • $3,000 to Pop-up Art Cart by Threshold Arts. • $2,000 to Creative Crawl by Beth and John Sievers. • $1,000 to Mixed Precepitation Truck Opera by Rochester Art Center. • $1,000 to Be Well Roch by White Space. • $1,000 for Interactive LED Wall by Tim Massaro. Each submitted request was reviewed by RDA staff and juried by the RDA’s Activities, Culture, and Engagement Committee for considerations including mission alignment, COVID-19 safety, uniqueness, and minority engagement.
We share your home dreams. Building a home that’s uniquely you - that’s important. It starts by talking about your goals so we can help you find a financing option that makes sense for you. As your financial partner, our team is committed to making your dreams a reality.
Smith’s Landscape LLC is a local Rochester Landscape company. In our business planning, we worked with SCORE to provide the highest quality services at a competitive price. Our motto is “Greatness in Greenery.” We love landscaping, and our customers love what we can do with their landscaping needs. SCORE Volunteers provide resources, mentoring and educational opportunities: • Simple Steps for Starting, Growing, or Exiting Your Business • How to Build a Successful Business with Family and Friends • Pros and Cons of Popular Business Entities • Building Your Brand with a Business Plan, a Website, Social Media, E-commerce SCORE can assist YOU with FREE business mentoring on almost any issue in which you need help, from pre-planning, to startup, to helping an existing business, or even exiting a business. Don’t need assistance? You can share your expertise and experience by joining us as a SCORE volunteer. Mentoring is fun and can make a real difference to local businesses. To acquire a Mentor or become a Volunteer please go to http://WWW.SEMNSCORE.ORG and follow the prompts or give us a call at 507-200-0760.
Let’s build together. Katie Lund
(507) 535-1543
Nicole Williamson (507) 536-3901
Subject to approval. Member FDIC
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SUN COUNTRY ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE FROM RST
“We are grateful for Sun Country’s commitment to bring new nonstop routes to Rochester International Airport,” said RST’s Executive Director John Reed. “Travelers from southeastern Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin can all enjoy easy access to two amazing new vacation destinations from RST. We know our region will be thrilled to use these new options.”
Sun Country Airlines just announced direct flights to Phoenix and Ft. Meyers from RST coming soon
Sun Country Airlines recently announced that it will
begin new, nonstop service from Rochester International Airport (RST) to Fort Myers, Florida beginning February 3, 2022 and Phoenix, Arizona beginning February 4, 2022. Introductory fares are as low as $69* one-way, and Sun Country Rewards Members can earn 2x points when booking the new flights.** The announcement is part of a larger expansion by the airline, as it announced 18 new nonstop routes and welcomed nine new airports to its growing network.
Sun Country’s customer experience includes free in-flight entertainment, a new mobile-friendly website with more self-service tools, and new interiors on each aircraft. Sun Country provides safe, reliable, hassle-free flights at affordable prices with warm and friendly service. The airline’s mission is to connect guests to their favorite people and places, to create lifelong memories and transformative experiences. Sun Country Rewards members who book one of the new routes before 11:59 p.m. CT on Monday, May 3, 2021 will earn two points per dollar on their bookings. These routes are on sale now at suncountry.com.
“We know folks are excited to resume traveling, and we’re happy to be able to offer them the opportunity to travel to these destinations with us,” said Sun Country Airlines Chief Revenue Officer Grant Whitney. “Rochester-area residents are familiar with our brand of convenient, affordable travel, and these new routes will make it even easier for them to get away on the warm, sunny vacations they’ve been dreaming about.” From Rochester International Airport (RST), Sun Country will offer the only nonstop flights to both Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). With today’s expansion, Sun Country Airlines will operate a total of 93 routes across 69 airports in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
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C Community News
MAYO CLINIC’S NEW RESEARCH BUILDING
“The generous commitment from the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, totaling $49.3 million, and gifts from other benefactors will enable us to create a building that fits into Mayo Clinic’s ‘2030 Bold. Forward.’ research priorities, supporting flexibility and growth for emerging scientific technologies. Mayo investigators will be able to discover and translate even more breakthroughs to address the unmet needs of patients,” says Gregory Gores, M.D., Kinney Executive Dean for Research, Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic’s new research building is growing to 11 floors
The long tradition of biomedical innovation that
makes up Mayo Clinic’s DNA will continue with the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building on the Rochester, Minnesota, campus, set to open in the fourth quarter of 2023. Research is the engine that drives advances in medical care, and the new facility will enable the team-based scientists of Mayo to continue finding care solutions for patients. Funded in part through a gift from the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation as well as other generous benefactors, the energy-efficient structure will feature 11 floors and 176,000 square feet of flexible laboratory space. Philanthropy will play a key role in its completion. The building will be located at the intersection of 3rd Street SW and 4th Avenue SW with underground connectors to the Opus and Baldwin Buildings.
The building initially was announced in 2019 as a four-story building. The pandemic experience has demonstrated the need to grow and accelerate scientific advancements, and science is conducted in physical space. The facility will complement community and industry partners dedicated to improving patient care, health and wellness in downtown Rochester’s DMC Discovery Square district, a research, innovation and development hub. The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation has been a significant contributor to Mayo Clinic over many years, funding various initiatives and projects in support of Mayo Clinic’s priorities. The foundation leaders’ late parents, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen, received care at Mayo Clinic for decades, and that trust and care have continued into the next generations of the family.
“Research is a key pillar of our 2030 strategy,” says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Mayo Clinic’s president and CEO. “We’re committed to advancing more cures, connecting more patients to our expanded expertise, and transforming health care for people everywhere. And that transformation starts with research.” The new building’s high-profile exterior showcases Mayo Clinic’s commitment to transformative biomedical research. The integrated work environment continues the legacy of team science and collaboration with incremental facilities for basic and translational cancer biology as well as other areas of scientific inquiry.
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May 2021
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C Community News
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
Olmsted County has approved property tax relief.
Individuals, businesses, and property owners across Olmsted County continue to deal with the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, some Olmsted County taxpayers may have difficulty meeting the May 17, 2021 deadline for the first half payment of 2021 property taxes. To provide some property tax relief during this difficult time, today the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved a one-time temporary abatement of the penalty and interest for late property tax payments. This will extend the date that late payment penalties begin to accrue from May 17 to July 15, 2021.
ELECTRIC BUS BUY APPROVED
An Electric bus purchase has officially been ap-
proved by the Rochester City Council. On Monday, April 19th, 2021, The Rochester City Council approved a contract with New Flyer North America to purchase up to four 60-foot, battery electric buses and charging equipment for Rochester Public Transit (RPT). This investment by the city of Rochester in renewable fuels and sustainable transit is funded largely through federal grants. Local matching funds will come from RPT’s operating fund balance. Rochester Public Transit intends to place an order for the first two vehicles and charging equipment yet this spring, with delivery expected in late fall.
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NEWSREEL
Updates from the Chamber member community
Councilmember Appointed
New Hire
New Hire
Think Bank Welcomes New Board Members
Councilmember Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2021 Federal Advocacy Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Schmidt Goodman is proud to announce our newest team member, Interior Designer Annalisha Schmidt! Annalisha graduated from SDSU in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. She has varied work experience as a Design Intern, College Library Associate, Sales Floor and Customer Service Associate.
DBS Group has hired Nicole Finne to join its growing Rochester, Minnesota, operations as project coordinator. Finne brings 28 years of industry experience to the design-build construction company. DBS Group has been operating in Rochester for the past year and, in February, announced plans to open an office on 40th Avenue NW.
Think Bank welcomed Kim Otte and Virginia Merritt as the newest members of its Board of Directors last week. Kim Otte has served as Mayo Clinic’s Chief Risk Officer since 2018 and also serves on Mayo’s executive leadership team. Virginia Merritt is the Executive Director of Channel One Regional Food Bank.
National Eagle Center Recieves Honors
MassMutual Central U.S New Location
The National Eagle Center (the Center) remains one of the best attractions on the Mississippi River in 2021 according to River Travel Magazine’s latest polling. With the summer tourism and travel season right around the corner, the Center was voted “Best” by members of the public for a third consecutive year.
MassMutual Central US has a new location! The Rochester location will be moving to 2480 Superior Drive NW effective May 3rd. The firm comes with a strong background of 5 Financial Advisors who have been in the industry for several years. They offer a variety of business, financial, and retirement planning.
Does your company have a new hire, recent promotion, or recognition to announce? Submit your Newsreel to Katie Becker at kbecker@RochesterMnChamber.com.
May 2021
Golf & Stay
AT THE ISLAND H O T E L PA C K A G E S N O W AVA I L A B L E
If you’re looking for the ultimate getaway, get your game on with our Golf & Stay hotel package. You’ll receive a one-night stay at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 18 holes for two with a cart at Mount Frontenac, a $50 Treasure Island gift card and $50 FREE slot play. Make your reservation today!
TIcasino.com | 1-800-222-7077 © 2021 Treasure Island Resort & Casino
Advantage Magazine | 23
E Event Lineup
Event Lineup May 7
May 21
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021
Virtual Women’s Roundtable
Time: 7:30am-9am
Date: Friday, May 21, 2021
Location: EVEN Staybridge Suites,
Time: 7:30am-9am
101 11th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
FREE - Registration required
FREE - Registration required
AM Espresso
Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Mayo Clinic, Think Bank
May 20
WE Forum: Use eCommerce to Grow Your Business
May 27
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Hospitality 1st Roundtable: How to Succeed in the International Arena
Time: 8am-9am
Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Time: 9:45am-11am
FREE - Registration required
Location: Mayo Civic Center,
Sponsors: Saint Mary’s University of
Ballroom 1 or Virtual Zoom
MN - The Kabara Institute for
FREE - Registration required
Entrepreneurial Studies, RAEDI,
Featured speaker: Kim Purscell,
RACC, Collider, SCORE, Rochester
Owner of Etiquette Matters LLC
Women Magazine
May 20
Business After Hours
June 3
2021 Annual Celebration
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Time: 5pm-8pm
Location: Haley Comfort Systems
Location: Mayo Civic Center
3708 N Broadway Ave, STE 150
Grand Ballroom and Virtual Zoom
Rochester, MN
Featured Speaker: Mark Lindquist
FREE - Registration required
Registration is required, in person space is limited
24 | Advantage Magazine
May 2021
Ribbon Cuttings R
RIBBON CUTTINGS Congratulations to the following members on their succesful Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies!
ISG
ISG celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting.
Sweet House Bakery
Sweet House Bakery celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting.
30 3rd St. SE, Suite 600, Rochester, MN
1219 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN
www.isginc.com
www.sweethousebakery.org
White Space
Rochester Women Magazine
319 S Broadway, Rochester, MN
PO Box 5986, Rochester, MN
www.whitespaceco.com
www.rwmagazine.com
The Pines of Rochester
Spark
4820 Alpha Parkway NW, Rochester, MN
US Hwy 52 & US Hwy 14 E, Suite 632, Rochester, MN
www.pinesrochester.com
www.sparkrochestermn.org
White Space celebrated their New Location with a ribbon cutting.
The Pines of Rochester celebrated their New Apartment Building with a ribbon cutting.
May 2021
Rochester Women Magazine celebrated their New Branding with a ribbon cutting.
Spark celebrated their New Location with a ribbon cutting.
Advantage Magazine | 25
W Welcome New Members
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! The Coating Crew
Carroll’s Corn
NextEra Energy Resources
Rochester Lapidary Jewelers
Bush Companies
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
The CBD Centers - Miracle Mile
Compcare Urgent Care
Greg Stier (507) 512-0066 424 37th St. NE, STE 2, Rochester, MN https://www.coatingcrew.com/
Mark Lennox (561) 694-3392 700 Universe Blvd., Juno Beach, FL https://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/
Kenneth Bush (507) 272-1056 1221 3rd Ave. SW, Suite #200, Rochester, MN https://bushcompanies.com/
Amber Richardson (507) 208-4096 102 17th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN https://www.thecbdcenters.com/
Seamus Kolb (507) 287-3307 20 2nd Ave. SW, Suite B12, Rochester, MN https://carrollscorn.com/
Adam Kirckof (507) 282-0447 3745 N. Broadway, Rochester, MN https://www.rlj-int.com/
Glen Lloyd (651) 287-2300 1600 University Ave. W, Suite 300, St. Paul, MN https://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/
Gia Rendon (507) 508-0936 5507 Chateau Rd. NW, Rochester, MN https://compcareclinics.com/
Do you know of a business that has recently opened in Rochester? Are you connected to a business-owner looking to expand their network? Then a Chamber membership is right for them! Please contact chamber@rochestermnchamber.com with any referrals.
26 | Advantage Magazine
May 2021
LGR PROGRAM CHAIR SPOTLIGHT WHERE IS THE ADVANTAGE?
Introducing our new magazine segment, “Where is The Advantage?” This segment allows the Chamber to highlight different members each month. Think you know what well-known, 30-story tall Rochester building The Advantage is on top of? Send your guesses to Katie Becker at kbecker@RochesterMNChamber.com for your chance to be feautured on the Chamber’s social media pages! Hint: This building is fancy enough for a Broadway star!
Periodical Postage
220 South Broadway, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904 507-288-1122 www.RochesterMNChamber.com
PLEASE SHARE THE
PAID
Rochester, MN