December 28, 2020
Dakota County Offering Small Business Relief for Bars and Restaurants
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 15 approved more funding for the county’s Small Business Relief Grant Program, for bars and restaurants impacted by the Governor’s Executive Orders which resulted in the closing of in-person consumption. The measure provides up to $1.97 million in grants up to $5,000 for businesses with an on-sale liquor license.

Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:

• Have a physical location in Dakota County; and
• Was closed to the public for on-premises consumption by Executive Order 20-99; and
• Currently holds an active on-sale liquor license; and
• Can certify an impact of at least $5,000 in operating costs due to Executive Orders by Governor Walz and agree to apply the grant funds to those costs; and
• Is currently in good standing with the Secretary of State Office and Dakota County.

Operating costs include, but are not limited to, payroll, rent, mortgage, inventory and personal protective equipment.

Grocery, convenience and municipal stores are not eligible.

Applications are being accepted Thursday, Dec. 17–Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Apply HERE
Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces 2021 Annual Meeting Award Recipients

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Rick King, Managing Director Thomson Reuters, and Tom Egan, Dakota County Commissioner – District 3, as recipients of honorary awards at the 2021 Annual Meeting.

Rick King has been chosen as the 2020 Legacy Award Winner. The Legacy Award is given to a business leader who has been a vital part of their organization and is a business leader in Dakota County. Tom Egan will be the first recipient of the 2020 Dakota County Public Official of Note Award. This new award is given to a public official in Dakota County who has served our community through advocating and policy-making supporting the business community.

Rick King has worked for Thomson Reuters since 2000 and has held numerous executive-level roles within the company. Along with his work at Thomson Reuters, Rick has served on multiple commissions and committees for the state of Minnesota and the United States such as: Metropolitan Airport Commission, Governor’s Technology Advisory Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Telecommunication and e-Commerce Committee, and Minnesota’s Ultra-High-Speed Broadband Task Force.

Tom Egan has served the Dakota County community for over the last 42 years. Tom began his public service career in 1978 by being elected to the Eagan City Council. Tom served on the Eagan city council for 11 years before becoming Mayor of Eagan from 1990 – 1998. Since 2004 Tom has been on the Dakota County Board representing District 3. Tom has also served on several boards and committees including the Dakota County Board/Court Policy Committee, Dakota County Community Development Agency, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority Board, and Metropolitan Council.
Rick King
Dakota County Regional Chamber Legacy Award Recipient
Tom Egan
Dakota County Public Official of Note Recipient
The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Annual Meeting virtually on January 22, 2021. Registration is required to attend the DCR Chamber Annual Meeting. To learn more about the Annual Meeting please visit our website.
January Public Affairs Webinar Transparency, Civic Engagement: Logistical Considerations in a Virtual Legislative Session

The 2021 Minnesota legislative session will convene remotely via virtual meetings, with the potential to significantly affect how government operates and how the public can engage – for better and for worse. While email, smartphones, and social media have all changed the way legislators engage with each other and their constituents, the planned move to remote operations represents a profound shift away from in-person interaction.
 
Please join us at our January Public Affairs webinar on Friday, January 8, 2021, from 8:00 AM - 9:00 to hear from the experts on how to pivot and successfully navigate through a virtual session.  We will have the experts explain how this session will happen and provide the tools to advocate for your businesses.
Jeff Hayden 
Former State Senator
(Invited)
Nick Zerwas
Former State Representative
(Invited)
Thank you again to all of our sponsors Charter Communications, Flint Hills Resources, Velocity Public Affairs

Register HERE
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 2021 Regional Economic Conditions Conference 

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is hosting its fourth annual Regional Economic Conditions Conference on January 13, 2021, from 8:30 AM – 12:15 PM, The conference will focus on the economic impact of COVID-19 across the Ninth District, with special attention paid to the pandemic’s impact on workers.

The event will be keynoted by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who will talk about the challenges and opportunities for the Peace Garden State, followed by questions from Neel Kashkari, Minneapolis Fed president. The conference will also feature presentations and panel discussions with prominent economists, who will spotlight the pandemic’s impact on each state in the Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, northwestern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. 

Speakers include:

  • Doug Burgum, Governor, North Dakota
  • Pat Barkey, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana
  • Oriane Casale, Interim Director, Labor Market Information Office, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
  • Tessa Conroy, Economic Development Specialist and Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Jeremy Jackson, Director of the NDSU Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise
  • Leonidas Murembya, Economic Specialist, Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
  • Mark Quasney, State Economist, South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management

Register HERE
Networking at its Best
Registration is Required
Thursday, January 14, 2021
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Wednesday, January 27, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Renewed Members

Tapemark – 48 years
Summit Medical – 5 years
Sounds Good! LLC – 3 years
BankCherokee – 2 years  


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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