Weekly Update: July 10, 2017
Sponsored in-part by: 
Chamber & Community News
Did You Know?

Restaurant owners say Mpls. at the beginning of minimum wage odyssey

The progressive owners of downtown's popular Hell's Kitchen restaurant have an interesting case study.

From the MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

Council Member Blong Yang of the North Side, voted against the $15 wage because of potential harm in his economically fragile ward.

“I’m confident Target, McDonald’s and plenty of other big companies will be able to accommodate a higher minimum wage,” Yang said before the vote. “What I am concerned about are small businesses, independent businesses, minority and immigrant-owned businesses.”

Also, for the higher wage not to have unintended consequences in Minneapolis, neighboring St. Paul and some of the inner-ring suburbs, which share the same pool of workers will need to adopt a similar wage scale. If not, Minneapolis risks becoming an economic island.

...That 30 percent raise in the minimum wage to $9.50 mattered a few years ago. It’s earned by about 248,000 Minnesotans, or about 15 percent of the workforce last year. It was too long coming. It also pushed the minimum wage to “somewhat above the inflation-adjusted Minnesota minimums of the late 1970s,” according to a recent report by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. 


Click here to read more

 
Photos from Golf Classic
Thanks again to our Tournament Sponsor, Republic Services (featured in photo to the right), sponsors, golf foursomes, volunteers and staff that helped put on a successful and fun Chamber fundraising tournament! 

Check out fun photos from the day by Val Erickson and foursome group pics here
Chamber Meetings & Events This Week:

*Please note there are no regularly scheduled Chamber meetings/events during the month of July. We wish you a happy summer!

Economic Development News - Progress Plus
Visioning Session Open House for South St. Paul Businesses
 
We Want to Hear from You!
Open House
Tuesday, July 18
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
South St. Paul City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N., SSP

Your input will help guide the community direction for the next 25 years!  

Click on the flyer for more details
 
Upcoming Chamber Events
CoffeeNet at Woodlyn Heights
Wednesday, August 2
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Woodlyn  Heights Healthcare Center
2060 Upper 55th St. East, IGH
Join us for complimentary coffee and refreshments at this early morning networking event!  Bring your business cards and start your day off right! This is a free networking opportunity open to all members and prospects. Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be provided.  

Keep it Local for Lunch at Outback
Tuesday, August 8
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Outback Steakhouse
5723 Bishop Ave.
, IGH
Join the Chamber on the second Tuesday of each month to support a local restaurant and keep it local for lunch!  Feel free to bring your staff, spouse, colleagues, friends, clients, or just join our fellow Chamber staff for lunch!   

The Government Affair
September-December
This four-part educational series is perfect for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of civic affairs. Whether your experience with government is limited to voting for elected officials or you lobby your representatives on a weekly basis, this program will walk you through a comprehensive, non-partisan, grassroots experience at the local, state and federal level. This program will challenge participants to stretch their knowledge on all levels of government while learning from and networking with other business people and influential leaders.

Begins September 19th!
Register here
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Text RHChamber to 20673 to receive upcoming event reminders from the River Heights Chamber of Commerce!
Member News & Events
Taps & Apps: A Happy Hour Benefit Event
Tuesday, July  11th
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Join us for a fun-filled evening of beer, appetizers, lawn games and a silent auction! Participants at this year's event will receive two tasty glasses of brew from Wabasha's tap selection, as well as delicious appetizers from our 2017 Food Fight Champion - Cherokee Tavern. Plus, weather permitting, you'll have a chance to do a little Welly Wanging - trust us, you won't want to miss out on trying this British game, which entails throwing a "welly" boot at targets for a chance to win some great prizes! Proceeds benefit the emergency and supportive service programs at Neighbors, Inc.

Help Simon Says Give fill 10,000 Backpacks with
High Five For Supplies
High Five for Supplies is an annual school supply drive with a goal to provide as many kids as possible with the tools they need for back-to-school readiness. Their goal at Simon Says Give is to support 10,000 children each year!  

If you have school supplies you'd like to donate, please drop them off at the River Heights Chamber by July 31st!

Ambassador of the Month for June:


Ruth Bader

Allrounder Remodeling

6845 Cloman Avenue

Inver Grove Heights, MN

(651) 497-7715

ruth@allrounderhomes.com

http://www.allrounderhomes.com


Check out the Ambassadors webpage here

Member Benefits, Hot Deals & Job Postings
Passport to a Healthy Mind & Body
From Destination: Massage


At Destination: Massage, our mission is to support your healthy lifestyles by offering custom massages at affordable prices.  When you buy 2 or more massages, you qualify for great savings!  60-minutes @ $40/massage and 90-minutes @ $60/massage.