Call to Action From The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Pass Pandemic Relief Now - A group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill has put forward a new pandemic relief package to be passed by the end of the year.
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded this action and expressed the need for widespread Congressional support in order to address the slumping economy But this is still a fluid situation and businesses and organizations need to continue the pressure. If you haven’t yet contacted your congressional delegation to join the bipartisan effort, please consider taking the following actions:
Continue to follow all of the hard work the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is doing on Capitol Hill by checking for regular updates on their website, HERE
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Call to Action From Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Minnesota Legislature is convening for its 7th special session this year, it’s on Governor Walz and legislators to support immediate, critical assistance for Minnesota businesses.
Small and mid-sized businesses – which provide meaningful employment and quality of life across Minnesota – are struggling to survive. They are part of the fabric of our state, and their viability will be key to moving toward recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our elected officials could provide relief by, among other options:
- Replenishing the Small Business Grant Relief program, to provide much-needed cash for operations.
- Providing tax relief in the form of sales tax remittance and delays in other estimated payments.
Your business has done its part to ensure the safety and health of employees and customers. And because there was no notice for the current four-week “pause,” businesses cannot wait until the legislative session begins in January – they need help now.
We look forward to ending the “pause” in December, and know that businesses are actively laying plans for safely and securely reopening their doors to get businesses – and our economy – moving forward.
Send a message to your state representative HERE
Continue to follow all of the hard work the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is doing for Minnesota businesses by checking for regular updates on their website, HERE
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Lost Spur Golf and Event Center is offering food to go this holiday season. Look at the full menu HERE and order today!
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Governor Walz Announces Minnesota is Ready for COIVD-19 Vaccine
On Friday, December 11, 2020, Governor Tim Walz gave a COVID-19 vaccine briefing to Minnesotans. This briefing gave an outline of who and how the vaccine will be distributed around the state. Governor Walz also joined bipartisan legislative leadership and talked about the importance of getting the vaccine once available to the public. Below are some highlights from the Covid-19 vaccine briefing.
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Immunize for Impact: Maximize immediate health benefit, reduce death, and minimize the harm created by COVID-19 by starting with those most susceptible to serious complications and those who care for them.
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Equitable Distribution and Access: Make sure no procedural or structural issues impact access to the vaccine among any particular group or population. And help ensure Minnesotans in every corner and every community know they can trust the process, the safety, and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
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Transparency: Share information as quickly as possible with Minnesotans.
Read more about Governor Walz's announcement on the COVID -19 vaccine HERE.
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State of Minnesota Call for Businesses – DEED and State Agencies
The DCR Chamber participates in a weekly conference call with DEED and state agencies on updates regarding COVID -19. This is very helpful information and we will be sharing the weekly meeting that has been recorded in the Weekly Update. There is a lot of activity, so I encourage you to listen. Listen HERE.
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Information of note regarding The FFCRA leave benefits—including Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave— are set to expire on December 31, 2020. This means that employees are not entitled to receive EPSL or EFMLA past December 31, 2020, and employers will not receive reimbursement from the federal government under the FFCRA for leave taken after December 31, 2020. It is possible that Congress may extend FFCRA leave benefits past December 31st, but it has not yet done so, and it is unclear whether Congress will extend the benefits.
After the expiration of the FFCRA leave benefits, the options available to employees who experience the need for leave due to COVID will depend on the applicable leave policies, collective bargaining agreement, or employment contract.
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Support DCR Chamber Restaurants This Holiday Season!
2020 has been an up and down year for the restaurant industry. The DCR Chamber encourages our members to support one another this holiday season by dining out with some of our favorites around Dakota County. In the season of giving, please consider supporting a local business to keep their doors open by ordering out or buying a gift card during the holiday season and beyond.
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Do Not Miss the December Critical Issues Webinar: COVID-19 Updates for Businesses!
With COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise and the Minnesota government dialing back businesses, many business owners are asking what they can do. Join us Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM for our Critical Issues Webinar focused on COVID-19 updates for businesses. Every business in Dakota County is impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is actively working with our members and the business community to understand the options and impact of COVID-19.
Curious to find out the latest on the forefront of COVID-19? Join the DCR Chamber and Gina Adasiewicz, Dakota County Public Health, Daniel Huff, MN Department of Health, and Sharon Lamberton, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America, to hear about the latest updates on the virus, testing, and vaccines.
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Gina Adasiewicz
Public Health Supervisor
Dakota County Public Health
(Invited)
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Daniel Huff
Assistant Commissioner
MN Department of Health
(Invited)
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Sharon Lamberton
Deputy Vice President
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America
(Invited)
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Thank you to our sponsors CenturyLink, SKB Environmental, SPIRE Credit Union, Think Bank, and Twin Cities Orthopedics.
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DCR Chamber Celebrates Non-Profits at Holiday Celebration
The DCR Chamber of Commerce held its annual Holiday Celebration virtually Tuesday, December 8. This annual event is to highlight all the wonderful works that our non-profit members do everyday for the Dakota County community. We were honored to recognize 360 Communities, American Cancer Society, DARTS, Eagan Foundation, Guild, Kids n' Kinship, Neighbors, Inc., South Metro Score, The Open Door, Town Square Television. Please consider helping, donating, or volunteering with these organizations if you have the opportunity.
Although we were not able to come together in person, the holiday spirit still flowed through the air with the wonderful singing of everyone's holiday favorites from the Rosemount High School Choir. Thank you for spreading the holiday spirit virtually to our DCR Chamber members, Rosemount High School Choir!
Watch a recording of this wonderful event HERE.
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Thank you again to all of our sponsors Comcast, Dakota Electric Association, Minnesota Energy Resources, SPIRE Credit Union, Superior Service Center, Think Bank, and Twin Cities Orthopedics.
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Rediscover Everything the DCR Chamber Has to Offer with Meet the Chamber!
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, December 30, from 8:00 AM - 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 sponsors SPIRE Credit Union
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Drake Bank Honors Team Members as 2020 Heroes
Drake Bank has honored each team member as a 2020 Hero for their commitment to our community and company mission and vision. Community bankers are known for making a local difference in the community. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded this year, Representative Tom Emmer stated: “Community banks will be the doctors and nurses on the financial front lines leading our economy through its recovery and back to good health.” As a 2020 Hero, each team member has received a Hero 2020 pin and a special bonus recognizing their commitment as a Financial Services Sector Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker. Read full press release HERE
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Hellmuth & Johnson Tips and Tricks for Avoiding Holiday Scammers
The holiday season, the pandemic and “2020 fatigue” make our businesses and families vulnerable to scammers and opportunists. We can all avoid COVID Contact Tracing Scams, Requests for Banking Information, Fraudulent Unemployment Claims, Offers Too Good to be True with a little extra diligence. Let’s all turn up our fraud sensors this holiday season so that we can prepare for a stronger 2021 in Dakota County. Learn more HERE
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Minnesota Mayors Together Group Urges Business Relief from State Government
Late last s week a group of 14 mayors across the state of Minnesota came together and penned a letter to Governor Tim Walz, Melissa Hortman, Speaker of Minnesota House, Kurt Daudt, Minnesota House Minority Leader, Paul Gezelka, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader, and Susan Kent, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader, urging for a new relief bill from the Minnesota State Government. Read the full letter HERE
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Networking at its Best
Registration is Required
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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Friday, January 8, 2021
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
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Renewed Members
If you have questions or concerns about your membership renewal, please contact Anna Schueler at [email protected] or call 651-452-9872.
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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.
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