June 2020
ANNUAL MEMBER & COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
LIVE CONCERT! JUNE 4TH | 7PM
STREAM FOR FREE AT
ROCHESTERMNCHAMBER.COM
2019-2020 Chamber Board
OFFICERS Chair of the Board Aaron Benike
Benike Construction
Treasurer James Kelly
Construction Partnership
Secretary Emily Benner Preventice
Chamber President Kathleen Harrington
MEMBERS Laurie Ackerman Opportunity Services Chad Behnken Hamilton Real Estate
MISSION The Chamber promotes business success which supports a thriving community.
VISION 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
Christy Blade Post Bulletin, LLC Jonathan Buck Five West Kitchen + Bar Dr. Lori Carrell University of Minnesota Rochester Steve Dunn Taco JED John Eckerman RSP Architects Scott Eggert Broadway Plaza Jessica Eidem IBM Corporation Cathy Fraser Mayo Clinic Greg Griffiths Dunlap & Seeger, P.A.
Kathleen Harrington PRESIDENT 507-288-1122
Brent Ackerman ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 507-424-5666
Sam Gill DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS 507-424-5687
Lizzy Haywood* People’s Food Cooperative Kevin Higgins Olmsted Medical Center Marge Kelley Express Employment Professionals Samuel Kwainoe Farmers Insurance Sarah Miller White Space Matt Morehead Carlson Capital Management Michael Muñoz Rochester Public Schools Dan Nistler Merchants Bank Ryan Nolander Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.
Cheryl Krage DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 507-424-5699
Nick Rethemeier
Tim Shea
MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR 507-424-5670
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND DEVELOPMENT 507-424-5663
Nate Nordstrom Brandhoot Jack Priggen Cardinal of Minnesota Joselyn Raymundo Rochester Home Infusion John Reed* Rochester Airport Co. Therese White Think Bank *Denotes at large members of the Executive Committee
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Cherie Thurlow RECEPTIONIST 507-288-1122
Friends, Clear your calendar for the evening of Thursday, June 4th for the annual Chamber Member & Community Celebration - Rochester Rocks Together! This year’s celebration is going to look a little different, although the mission of the event remains the same: to celebrate the strength and solidarity of our community. Order out from your favorite local restaurant, then sit back on your couch OR get up & dance with your family to celebrate the unity of our community. The event will be produced by ABC 6 News with live streamed music from the Castle on YouTube and Facebook Live. Entertainment will be provided by The Fabulous Armadillos with Collective Unconscious, and Rochester’s own Loud Mouth Brass will also make an appearance. Just because we can’t gather in person this year to celebrate, doesn’t mean that we can’t be together as one. The Chamber is here to serve you and our path forward is one we take together – as a community. So get ready to tune in and rock together!
Kathleen President
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce
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 #6 Volume #12 Periodical Postage paid at Rochester, Minnesota | Annual Subscription: $20 (free to Chamber members) | Aaron Benike, Chair of the Board | Editor: Kathleen Harrington and Sam Gill Printed by Johnson Printing | Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chamber Advantage, 220 S Broadway Ste 100, Rochester, MN 55904 or email: chamber@rochestermnchamber.com
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N E WS R E E L S Allegro Allegro is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Three decades of serving the community through quality dance education provided the depth and strength needed to make a speedy and successful pivot to online classes in March when the governor issued his stay at home order. Personal connection to students and families has always been a cornerstone of the Allegro tradition. It was only natural that Allegro would find an innovative way for students to remain connected to their regular routines and teachers. Owner Janet Johnson said, “Now, more than ever, we need the arts to lift our spirits and move our bodies.”
Custom Alarm Custom Alarm has been named “Installer of the Year” (small to midsize company) by Security Sales & Integration in April for their 2020 Sales & Marketing Awards (SAMMYs). The SAMMY Awards is the only one of its kind in the security industry to recognize and honor dealers and integrators for their marketing, business, installation and overall excellence. “Without the hard work and dedication of the entire Custom Alarm team, recognition like this would not be possible”, states Melissa Brinkman, Custom Alarm CEO. “We are proud to provide award winning service to all of our customers.”
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Beth Fondell Beth A. Fondell joined Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) on April 13 as the Director of Finance and Accounting & Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining SMMPA, Fondell served as CFO and Director of Financial and Administrative Services at Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) since 2011. Prior to joining OPU, she served as Vice President of Finance and Facilities at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN and as Regional Audit Coordinator for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Merchants Bank
Jarett Jones Jarett Jones has joined Merchants Bank as VP/Commercial Banker to serve local businesses as a trusted financial advisor. He brings more than 20 years of commercial and small business banking experience in the Rochester and Southern Minnesota markets to the growing Merchants business team. Jarett was previously a Commercial Banking Team Lead and Business Relationship Manager for Wells Fargo. Merchants Bank has two locations in Rochester. Loans are subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.
L G R U P DAT E
Program Adopts New Virtual Format for LGR Sessions The Chamber is firmly committed to creating a positive experience for the businesses, sponsors, and participants of the LGR 2020 program. Following the cancellation of all in-person events, the program pivoted to a virtual delivery format and, so far, the Chamber has hosted three virtual sessions with leaders from the city, the county, the nonprofit and the business communities.
Stock the Shelves: Serving Those in Need
The LGR cohort of 2020 is excited to announce continued progress being made on its Community Impact Project (CIP), Stock the Shelves. Conducted in partnership with Rochester Public Schools, this project aims to provide sustainable sources of goods, services, and materials for the RPS’s four community resource rooms. All in, this project has already raised more than $12,000 in money, goods, and items from generous business donors. Interested in helping out or donating? Please email sgill@rochestermnchamber.com
Members of the LGR cohort helped to load a bus full of essential supplies for community members in need (photo courtesy of Rochester Public Schools).
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PA R T N E R U P DAT E
United We Stand Small Business Microgrant Fund To support #rochmn brick and mortar businesses along the road to recovery.
You can help by purchasing T-shirts and donating to the fund. Learn more at: collider.mn/uws
Thank you to healthcare workers, researchers, and first responders; entrepreneurs, loyal customers, and small businesses; community leaders, non-profits, essential workers, and volunteers. We’ll get through this together. Support local businesses, find community resources, and stay in touch: downtownrochestermn.com/covid-19
#HeartofRochMN
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PA R T N E R U P DAT E
As a SCORE volunteer, Laurie Mangen has over 30 years of experience in sales, business development and management.
SCORE is Seeking Volunteers. Join the team committed to helping businesses through the unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus outbreak. Continue volunteering as we recover and return to the “New Normal.” We need volunteers in these positions:
She has worked for Fortune 10 companies, small startups, and is currently running her own real estate business, for the past 17 years.
▪ Mentors who offer confidential business guidance
▪ Subject Matter Experts provide focused knowledge based on their professional skills or industry ▪ Workshop Presenters lead local workshops, seminars and events to help entrepreneurs meet their goals and achieve success ▪ Chapter Support Volunteers share your skills in marketing, tech, finance, fundraising and more to help expand the outreach of SCORE
Laurie enjoys sharing her ideas and experience with small business owners and becomes, beyond excited, when she sees them living their dream
https://seminnesota.score.org/
New Tee Time for Chamber Golf Outing In light of recent events and in response to social distancing protocols, the Chamber has rescheduled the annual golf outing from Monday, June 29 to Monday, September 28.
With this reschedule also comes a change in format. Instead of two, 18-hole waves, the outing will be split into one 18 hole wave in the morning and one 9 hole wave in the afternoon (due to daylight concerns). Golf holes will still have engaging sponsors at each tee box and the outing will still be themed! We are especially excited to partner with the Rochester Golf and Country Club to deliver a stellar golfing, networking, and community experience. So mark your calendars for Monday, September 28 -- registrations will open soon on the Chamber website www.rochestermnchamber.com.
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C O M M U N I T Y U P DAT E
The Chamber wishes you the best of luck on your future endeavors! 8
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Thank you for your investment in our community. Lock-Away Storage
(507) 282-9867 | www.lock-awaystorage.com
Philoxenia Charities
(507) 358-7260| www.philoxeniacharities.org Philoxenia Charities began as a ministry of Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in 2004. We offer free temporary housing to Rochester Mayo Clinic patients in a safe and clean environment providing comfort to those in need.
Premier Security, Inc.
(507) 281-4952| www.premiersecurityinc.org Premier Security, Inc. was formed in 1996 to provide protective agent service to a single shopping mall in Rochester. In the 24 years since, we have grown to become a sought after company providing protective agent services to a wide variety of customers. Our 80-plus employees’ commitment to 100% client satisfaction has not changed since day one.
Zumbrota Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (507 269-0994| www.zumbrotaford.com We are your dealer for the people. We offer both sales and two full service centers. We offer complimentary loaners, pick up and delivery to our customers. Call us today for your VIP appointment.
When business as usual isn’t. We’re here to help. thinkbank.com
NMLSR ID 440195 Member FDIC
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Periodical Postage
PAID
220 South Broadway, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904 507-288-1122 www.RochesterMNChamber.com
Rochester, MN
These and other Merchants Bank experts look forward to serving you.
NOW’S THE TIME TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS’S MONEY GROWING How hard are your business accounts working for you? If you’re not sure, it’s time to consider partnering with Merchants Bank. We’ll work with you to find the checking, savings or CD option that fits your business and provides the best cash flow situation possible. We believe it’s our responsibility to be a trusted advisor for your business throughout your entire journey. Call us and speak with one of our local experts to see why businesses have chosen Merchants Bank since 1875.
(507) 282-7535
1600 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester
|
(507) 535-1520
3586 55th Street NW, Rochester
www.merchantsbank.com
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