May 2020
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.
Brent Ackerman
Kathleen Harrington PRESIDENT 507-288-1122
Sam Gill
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 507-424-5666
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
Nick Rethemeier
Cheryl Krage
Kyle Hoffman MEMBER SERVICES ASSISTANT
Ryan Nolander Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 507-424-5699
MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR 507-424-5670
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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Tim Shea DIRECTOR OF SALES AND DEVELOPMENT 507-424-5663
Cherie Thurlow RECEPTIONIST 507-288-1122
To show our support, Forum Communications has established a one million dollar matching grant fund to assist locally-owned businesses during this most challenging time. We are committed to helping our locally-owned businesses reach their customers. We invite all to apply today for a matching marketing dollars grant. GROW YOUR BUSINESS & Reach Customers
WE STAND WITH YOU!
LEARN MORE BY VISITING: REGISTER.FORUMCOMM.COM/GRANT 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 #5 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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To help business plan for safe and successful reopening, the Rochester Chamber is offering a new series of webinars - ‘Path Forward.’ This new series will cover a broad range of topics from employee and customer safety, workforce redevelopment, leadership challenges, and marketing innovations as the ‘new normal’ emerges. Held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the webinars will be from 2 - 3pm and taught by subject matter experts and include time for questions and answers.
5 Steps to Reopening your Business SAFELY | Tuesday, April 28 Liability Concerns for Reopening Your Business | Thursday, April 30 Workforce: Return & Re-organize | Tuesday, May 5 Small Business Continuity: Your Operational Checklist | Thursday, May 7 Marketing Innovations: Optimize Your Digital Presence | Tuesday, May 12 Marketing Innovations: New Tools & Techniques | Thursday, May 14 PPP: Ensuring Compliance and Maximizing Forgiveness Modify your Business Plan for the New Environment
| Tuesday, May 19
| Thursday, May 21
Leadership Challenge: Comfort and Confidence | Tuesday, May 26 Innovating at the Speed of Light | Thursday, May 28
To register or view past webinars, visit www.rochestermnchamber.com/path-forward-webinars/
PA R T N E R U P DAT E
SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest
As a SCORE Volunteer, Kevin Blanchard plays with words and colors to help small businesses and non-profit organizations focus their marketing message to achieve measurable results.
network of volunteer, expert business mentors. More than 11,000 volunteers share their talents and expertise with the small business community in four different volunteer roles: ▪ Mentors offer confidential business mentoring services, either in person or online ▪ 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 their skills in marketing, tech, finance, fundraising and more to help expand the outreach of SCORE
Kevin has more than 30 years of marketing experience working with corporations, small businesses, and non-profits. His expertise is in writing, editing, presentations, trade shows, budgeting, project management, event planning, and public relations. Kevin enjoys volunteering with SCORE because of the variety of
companies and organizations he meets, who often share common marketing challenges.
https://seminnesota.score.org/
Roch Strong Shop local and connect with resources during these challenging times. Together, we are #rochstrong. Food takeout and delivery options Local shopping Community donations Activities and volunteer opportunities More resources
Free download only at
rochstrong.com Volunteer effort led by:
Scan with iPhone or Android camera to install app.
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N E WS R E E L S Saint Mary’s University Kate Utterback Kate Utterback has been named director of campus operations and programming. In this role, she will be responsible for ensuring effective and efficient campus operations to support student learning, instruction, and institutional administration, as well as managing outside rental of the facility, Saint Mary’s usage for meetings and events, and visiting K-12 groups. She will be responsible for developing, presenting, and overseeing all facets of programming at Cascade Meadow (K-12 education, camps, community education, partner programming, etc.).
Saint Mary’s University Molly Bigelow Molly Bigelow has been named director of Rochester partnerships and enrollment counselor. In her new role, Bigelow will continue admissions activities with prospective students in the Rochester area, a role she has performed since 2011. In addition to her role with admissions, Molly will more actively engage prospective institutional partners (corporate, health care, and community) to grow Saint Mary’s programming, market share, and identity in Rochester and surrounding communities.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center Colleen Foehrenbacher Colleen Foehrenbacher has been chosen as the next Executive Director at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro, effective April 1. She succeeds founding director Joe Deden who started the organization in 1979 as the Forest Resource Center and retired in 2018. John Torgrimson served as interim director for the past two years. Colleen has been part of Eagle Bluff for 10 years as a Naturalist, Adventure Coordinator, and Education Director. Foehrenbacher will manage a team of more than 30 staff at Eagle Bluff’s 250-acre campus, serving a range of clients from preschool students to adult learners. 25893 8x2.5 4c
Kraus-Anderson Kraus-Anderson (KA) has been awarded a Governor’s Safety Meritorious Award in recognition of excellence in injury prevention performance. KA has one of the best safety records in the construction industry, a performance that for 27 years has earned the company the Governor’s Safety Award. “KA’s commitment to our people’s safety is reflected in the company’s outstanding record of receiving this award,” said Al Gerhardt, president and COO of KrausAnderson. “No other recognition gives us more gratification.” Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards have honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with state and national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program.
Hawkins Ash Hawkins Ash CPAs announced that it has successfully completed a rigorous peer review of its accounting and auditing practice and received the highest mark possible for an accounting firm, a pass. “The results prove our entire team is committed to providing services that meet the highest quality standards,” said Randy Miller, Quality Control Partner at Hawkins Ash CPAs.
Merchants Bank Stephen Swenson Stephen Swenson has joined Merchants Bank as Chief Information Officer. He will help ensure the Bank’s digital banking tools evolve with customer needs and expectations while maintaining a disciplined focus on information security and customer privacy. During his 25-year career, he has provided leadership and consulted for U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Cornerstone Bank and others to implement large-scale technology solutions, facilitate change management and improve operational processes. Merchants has two locations in Rochester.
Keeping your business rolling forward Every small business needs help with the essentials. Visit wellsfargoworks.com to find strategic insights and tools that may help you with your business.
© 2020 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. IHA-25893
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RENEWING MEMBERS
RENEWING MEMBERS
Thank you for your continued investment in our community. AAA Insurance
Hermitage Farm Center for Healing
Rochester Sand & Gravel, A Div. of
Allegra
High Forest Bobcat Service, Inc.
Mathy Construction
Audrey Betcher
Hirshfield’s Decorating Center
Ronald McDonald House
Bisbee Income Tax Service
Implant & Periodontal Professionals
Seeds Of Wisdom
Brauer Roofing Inc.
Jaguar Communications
Service Pros Plumbing & Heating
Construction Partnership, Inc
Junge’s Flooring
Sexton Public Affairs, LLC
Culligan Water of Rochester
Knutson Construction Services Inc.
SLR Computers
Domaille Engineering, LLC
Kruse Lumber Co.
Southern Woods Townhome Association
Econo Lodge
Logic of English
Springs at South Broadway
Endres Window Cleaning
Meadow View Veterinary Clinic
Steve Gentry Construction
Fortress Insurance & Financial Services
MN Adult & Teen Challenge
The Waters on Mayowood
Gerard A. Goulet - Long-Term Care
Olmsted Financial Group
United Way of Olmsted County
Insurance Specialist
Preventice Technologies
Viking Electric Supply
Health -N- Healing
Pure Rock Studios of Rochester, LLC
Volunteers of America @ High Pointe
Expanding
our community in Minnesota
West Bank Team Rochester team from left to right: 2nd Vice President Natalie Jones, Vice President Mike Schletty, Vice President Don Paulson, CEO Dave Nelson, Market President Mike Zinser, 1st Vice President Michele Sursely and Client Relations Representative Deb Anderson
For more than 125 years, West Bank has placed community and relationships at the center of banking. We proudly brought that focus to Rochester in 2013 and now we’ve expanded our footprint to include St. Cloud, Owatonna and Mankato. As a local business bank, we simply focus on the things that are important to anyone running a business. We attribute our success to valuable, long-standing business relationships based upon mutual respect and enduring connections.
2188 Superior Drive NW • Rochester, MN 55901 • 507-252-2970 • westbankstrong.com • Member FDIC
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PA R T N E R U P DAT E
Keep a healthy distance.
Stay 6 feet away — even in parks & open spaces Wear a mask when in public
Keep it Local, COVID-19 Innovators Grant How is your business or organization responding to COVID-19? Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects that help your business innovate in the short term and grow in the long term. Visit DowntownRochesterMN.com/KeepItLocalGrant to find the grant guidelines and to apply. In partnership with:
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W E B I NA R S L I B A R AY
On-Demand Webinars to help you during COVID-19 LIST OF PAST WEBINARS:
The Stay Strong - Stay Productive Stay Healthy webinars are a series of sessions curated by the Rochester Area Chamber that focus on how we can care for ourselves and each other during this unprecedented time. From business planning and strategy to well-being, resilience and stressmanagement, these informative and engaging sessions are led by subject matter experts from a variety of
BUSINESS STRATEGY & PLANNING: LATEST UPDATES (DUNLAP & SEEGER, P.A.) BUILDING RESILIENCY TDURING THIS UNCERTAIN TIME
STRATEGIC COVID-RELATED BUSINESS PLANNING: WHAT’S THE LATEST? (DUNLAP & SEEGER, P.A.)
(MAYO CLINIC HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH)
SBA EMERGENCY INJURY DISASTER LOANS (SBA - MINNESOTA DISTRICT OFFICE)
WHAT WE CAN DO TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER
FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATION #1
(RSP ARCHITECTS)
(DUNLAP & SEEGER, P.A.)
WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING NOW FOR MY BUSINESS AND MY EMPLOYEES?
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
(DUNLAP & SEEGER, P.A., SMITH SCHAFER & ASSOCIATES, CPA)
(DUNLAP & SEEGER, P.A.)
Chamber partners and members. Miss a webinar? Don’t worry! They are all recorded and stored on the Chamber website for on-demand viewing.
For more information visit: www.rochestermnchamber.com/chamber-webinars/
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Thank you for your investment in our community. Tommy’s Express
Family Promise Rochester
(507) 430-8513 | www.tommys-express.com
(507) 281-3122 | www.familypromiserochester.org
Tommy’s Express is a national family of performance-focused tunnel car washes with an emphasis on speed, value, wash quality, engagement, and environmental sustainability. Download their app today to sign up for their Unlimited Wash Club!
Family Promise Rochester (formerly “Interfaith Hospitality of Greater Rochester, MN”), is a network of volunteers from 49 faith communities who offer food and shelter to families who find themselves homeless.Family Promise Rochester offers these families the basic necessities of life food, shelter and security while they are going through their personal crisis. Family Promise gives them a chance to regroup, rejuvenate and then get back on their feet with dignity.
Heyn Brothers Roofing (507) 388-4396 | www.heynbrothers.com Heyn Brothers has provided a variety of roofing services to southern Minnesotans for over 20 years. They specialize in asphalt shingles and Boral steel roofing on residential, commercial and church roofs and provide seamless gutters and downspouts, as well as leaf guard systems. Heyn’s Sales Team is able to assist with insurance claims.
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Periodical Postage
220 South Broadway, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904 507-288-1122 www.RochesterMNChamber.com
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