Dakota County and CDA Offers More COVID-19 Relief to Businesses and Non-Profits |
|
On Tuesday, January 19, 2021 the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved a fourth round of grants totaling $8.3 million to businesses and non-profit organizations suffering financially due to COVID-19.
This round of grants prioritizes businesses and nonprofits that have not received any county or state COVID-19 relief assistance, before providing additional funds to those that have already accepted some grant money.
The application period opened at noon Thursday, January 21 and closes February 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Grants will be awarded by March 15. The grant covers operating costs, payroll, rent, mortgage, inventory, personal protective equipment and other qualifying expenses.
Businesses and non-profits that have not received any funding from Dakota County or state programs will be the first priority. The second priority group includes businesses and nonprofits that have received less than $15,000 previously from the county. They are eligible for the difference between what they received and the $15,000 maximum grant.
A third priority includes businesses and non-profits that have already received the maximum $15,000. They will only be eligible to receive an additional grant if the county has funds available after completing the first and second priority groups.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Have a physical location in Dakota County
- For-profit business (including home-based and franchisees) and nonprofit organizations (such as arts organizations, museums and fitness centers, that earn revenue similar to businesses)
- 75 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees
- No current tax liens with the Minnesota Secretary of State and in good standing with Dakota County
- Impacted directly or indirectly, by a state executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- In operation on or before Nov. 1, 2020
To read the full press release about the new business relief grants, visit HERE.
To apply for small business release grant, visit HERE
|
|
WomEn's Leadership Forum Looking for Award Nominations
The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our call for nominations for the three awards we will present during the 10th Annual WomEn’s Leadership Forum, honoring women leaders. These awards were established to recognize high professional performance standards and contributions of women or woman-owned/lead organizations in Dakota County.
You are invited to submit nominations for the following three awards being presented at the event. Please submit your nomination by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021.
- Partner of the Year
- Woman Business of the Year
- Changemaker of the Year
For additional information and to submit a nomination, click HERE.
|
|
Thank you to our 2021 WomEn's Leadership Forum Sponsors |
|
Comcast
Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College
Ecolab
Hellmuth & Johnson
Superior Service Center
|
|
Start Your Morning With Virtual Coffee Break!
Join the DCR Chamber Thursday, January 26, 2021, from 8:00-9:00 AM, for our bi-monthly networking event, Coffee Break. Start your morning off right with a fresh cup of coffee from the comfort of your home and friendly networking.
Each participant will have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your business.
Coffee Break was established by the DCR Chamber to network in a comfortable atmosphere. Register for a great morning of virtual networking.
If your organization is interested in hosting this or any future Coffee Breaks, contact Heather Proskey, Director of Member Relations, at [email protected] for more information. Your virtual investment is only $150!
|
|
Meet the Chamber Presented By Andy Schmitz
Know a business that may want to join the Chamber? Looking to refresh your memory on all the great events we offer before the new year. Join the DCR Chamber Wednesday, January 27, from 8:00 - 9:00 AM, for our monthly Virtual Meet the Chamber event.
Meet The Chamber (New & Prospective Member Orientation) is a monthly meeting to provide an opportunity for new members, new company representatives, and prospective members to meet and learn all about how to get the most from their DCR Chamber membership.
Each attendee is also given the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a 30 second commercial about their business or position.
|
|
Thank you to our new Meet the Chamber sponsor Andy Schmitz Farmers Insurance Agency for supporting the DCR Chamber of Commerce.
|
|
Meet the Dakota County Legislative Delegation at the February Public Affairs Webinar
Please join us Friday, February 5, from 8:00-9:00 AM, as we introduce our newly elected Dakota County Legislative delegation. Their first task at hand will be to work on passing a state budget and tackle the pressing issues of business recovery, civil unrest, the future of transportation, education, environment, and healthcare. You will not want to miss this robust conversation with Minnesota State Senators Zach Duckworth (58) and Lindsay Port (56), and Minnesota House Representatives Kaela Berg (56B), Jessica Hanson (56A), Keith Franke (54A), and Liz Reyer (51B) as they provide insight as to will be a busy 2021 Legislative Session in Minnesota.
|
|
Sen. Zach Duckworth (R) District 58
Assistant Majority Leader
(Invited)
|
|
Sen. Lindsey Port (D)
District 56
(Invited)
|
|
Rep. Kaela Berg (D)
District 56B
(Invited)
|
|
Rep. Keith Franke (R)
District 54A
(Invited)
|
|
Rep. Jessica Hanson (D)
District 56A
(Invited)
|
|
Rep. Liz Reyer (D)
District 51B
(Invited)
|
|
Thank you to our Public Affairs Webinar Sponsors |
|
The Future of Public Safety in Dakota County Webinar
The death of George Floyd led to protests around the world. It also sparked a nationwide movement calling for changes in policing and public safety. The riots and protests in our Nation’s Capital and other State Capitals have also created a sense of urgency for our personal and business communities.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region and Dakota County are being transformed by what has taken place. Businesses are being included in city and county plans for an equitable society and many new public/private alliances are being formed.
Join us Thursday, February 18, from 8:30-10:00 AM for a conversation about what is important to our businesses and communities and how law enforcement can be reimagined to better serve us all.
|
|
Tim Leslie
Dakota County Sheriff
|
|
Robert New
Chief of Police
City of Eagan
|
|
Mikael Dahlstrom
Chief of Police
City of Rosemount
|
|
Kelly McCarthy
Chief of Police
City of Mendota Heights
|
|
Thank you to our Dakota County Critical Issues Forum Sponsor |
|
DCR Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Recap
We hosted the first of our four signature events of the year on Friday, January 22, 2021, by kicking off the new year with the 2021 Annual Meeting.
Governor Tim Walz opened our Annual Meeting with a message to over 210 business and community members who joined us. We then took a look back at all that was accomplished during 2020 and what we are looking forward to in 2021.
We recognized and told the story of four businesses that have successfully persevered through COVID-19. You can watch their stories HERE. We also honored Rick King, Thomson Reuters, and Tom Egan, Dakota County Board of Directors, with the Legacy Award and Dakota County Public Official of Note Award for their leadership and impact they have had on the Dakota County business community.
|
|
Gov. Tim Walz
Special Guest
|
|
Rick King
2021 Legacy Award Recipient
|
|
Tom Egan
Dakota County Public Official of Note Recipient
|
|
If you were unable to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting, you can watch a replay of it below: |
|
Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting the DCR Chamber of Commerce and the 2021 Annual Meeting! |
|
Greater MSP Introduces New MSP Regional Recovery Hub
Last month Greater MSP introduced their new MSP Regional Recovery Hub. The Recovery Hub is a new digital resource built for employers, policymakers and civic leaders who are looking for timely answers to questions about current economic conditions. You can watch a recap of this launch event, focusing on who the winners and the losers of the pandemic have been, how federal and state policies are impacting MSP's economic recovery, and how the Recovery Hub tools give employers the confidence to make specific business decisions in these uncertain times. Watch HERE.
|
|
Networking at its Best
Registration is Required
|
|
Thursday, January 26, 2021
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
|
|
Wednesday, January 27, 2020 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
|
Renewed Members
If you have questions or concerns about your membership renewal, please contact Anna Schueler at [email protected] or call 651-452-9872.
|
|
Update Membership Files, Company Changes
Post your News, Hot Deals, and Job Openings
Log in by entering your username (email) and password to gain access to your company's member site to update information and take advantage of all the marketing tools included with your membership.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
