July 20, 2020
Dakota County Regional Chamber Partners With Federal Reserve

Due to the stress related to COVID-19, the  Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis   is tracking the ongoing effects on businesses across the Ninth District, a region that includes Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, parts of Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We are partnering with state and local chambers of commerce, economic development associations, and other business groups in each state to collect your feedback.
 
Please take the 5-minute survey to help the Minneapolis Fed and President Neel Kashkari better understand effects on individual firms as well as local, regional, and state economies more broadly which, in turn, will help the Federal Reserve System shape monetary policy to help businesses weather this economic shock.  If you get this survey from multiple sources, please respond to the survey only once.
 
All responses are anonymous. We expect to share respondent comments with survey partners, and potentially the public, to better spotlight challenges facing all businesses. To maintain anonymity, please do not include any self-identifying information in any comments. We will also share findings with partnering organizations (that sent you this survey) and will publish a summary article on the Bank website (see article on May survey  here ) .

Take Survey Here
DCR Chamber Urges Governor to Not Adopt the California Vehicle Emissions Standards

To understate the point by a fair margin, 2020 has been a stressful year for so many. All Minnesotans – especially businesses in our state – have been hit hard by the pandemic physically, emotionally, and financially. 
 
Unfortunately, amid all this uncertainty, the Walz Administration is proposing to add even  more  economic uncertainty by proceeding with rule-making to adopt California’s vehicle emissions standards, handing the regulations of Minnesota’s auto emissions over to an unelected bureaucracy in California. Currently, there are federal lawsuits between several states and the EPA. Instead of working with the Legislature to pass a law that works for Minnesota businesses and families, Governor Walz wants the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to bypass our elected officials and turn over authority of our air standards to California, which can’t be modified by Minnesotans to fit Minnesota’s needs. 
 
What might this mean for businesses? The result will be higher costs for consumers. The Auto Dealers Association estimates a range of $800-$2,500 added to the price of  all  new vehicles – not just the “cleaner” sort – to pay for the rule’s implementation. And as we know, the cost is the most important consideration for Minnesotans when considering what vehicle to buy. It would also be difficult for Minnesotans to get the vehicle they  want  to buy, because dealers can only sell cars that are approved by California, meaning many of the vans, trucks, and SUVs that are most popular in the state might not be available.
 
The Governor’s stated objective is to get more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road to combat climate change however the demand for electric vehicles remains very low in Minnesota. A recent poll conducted by the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association shows that only five percent of voters, regardless of party, would “very likely include EVs” among their next vehicle choice, while 66 percent are not interested in EVs at this time. During this pandemic and recession, our elected officials should be taking steps to make things  easier  for Minnesota’s consumers and businesses, not adding additional uncertainty and stress. Pursuing adoption of California’s vehicle emissions standards, which the MPCA can’t even define with any precision, and Minnesotans aren’t even close to convinced on, would surely make things more difficult for all concerned.
 
With all the uncertainty and need to put our economy back on track, we think Governor Walz should take this proposal off the table and make sure we are doing what is best for consumers and the auto industry. We will continue to advocate to promote and ensure our business environment be successful for the future.
Business Support Series: Building A Stronger Future for Dakota County

Join us Wednesday, July 22, from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM for our Business Support Series Webinar: Building A Stronger Future for Dakota County. Heidi Basset, Attorney Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC, will be talking about understanding the legal side of COVID-19 and providing creative solutions to business challenges. Some topics she will cover are:

  • Employer obligations and employee expectations during re-opening.
  • Rules and regulations for businesses during re-opening.
  • Honoring, renegotiating or cancelling contracts during a pandemic (including COVID-19 as a potential Force Majeure event).
  • A brief update on court access and proceedings during the pandemic.

Register for this event HERE
 
If you have any questions please contact Diane Mavis, Director of Programs and Events, at dmavis@dcrchamber.com.
Unite the North: Minnesota Vikings Season Preview

The Minnesota Vikings and Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted the Unite the North: Minnesota Vikings Season Preview Thursday, July 16, 2020. Paul Allen, Radio Voice of the Minnesota Vikings, led the conversation with Minnesota Vikings front office and players.

Andrew Miller, Minnesota Vikings COO, spoke to business leaders about how COVID-19 has effected the business side of all things Vikings while Rick Spielman, Minnesota Vikings GM, spoke about the off-season moves made in the free agency and the draft along with the process of navigating COVID-19 and the upcoming season. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings QB, and Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings LB, joined and spoke about their thoughts on the upcoming season and the preparation to get ready for a unique season. Finally, Mark Wilf, Owner/President of the Minnesota Vikings, expressed his gratitude towards the business community and fans for the continued support of the Minnesota Vikings

Thank You Flint Hills Resources , SKB Environmental , and Think Bank for your continued support and sponsorship of Unite the North: Minnesota Vikings Season Preview
Comcast Business hosting  The Future of Business 2020 Virtual Conference

Is your business truly ready, willing, and able to embrace the direction business is heading?  Register today to attend a free virtual conference on   The Future of Business 2020  , hosted by Comcast Business on July 23 (11 am – 2 pm CST). The conference features a keynote speech from Robert Irvine of the Food Network’s ‘Restaurant Impossible’ as well as breakout sessions from industry leaders on the new and ever-evolving future of business.

Register for The Future of Business 2020 HERE
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AT&T Invests More Than $300 Million Over Three-Year Period
to Keep Minnesota Connected

AT&T invested more than $300 million in wireless network in Minnesota, including more than $175 million in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. From 2010 to 2019, AT&T invested nearly $1.2 billion in our Minnesota network. These investments expand coverage and improve connectivity in more communities. The investment has increased reliability, coverage, and overall performance for residents and businesses, which is essential for connecting our customers with family, friends, and colleagues – no matter the distance. Read More HERE


Gateway Bank Donating to The Sheridan Story

Gateway Bank is giving back to the community by donating $25 to The Sheridan Story for every new personal checking or savings account opened now through August 31 st . Gateway Bank is a community bank based in the Twin Cities whose main focus has always been to provide outstanding client service and build strong, long-lasting relationships with their clients and their community. Visit their website to learn more about the benefits of banking at Gateway.
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City of Farmington Awarded for Two Communications Projects

The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) has awarded the City of Farmington silver awards for two 2019 communications projects. The city’s new logo and a Water Tower Reconditioning video were the projects awarded. The logo was implemented at the beginning of 2019, since then a significant work has been put into updating city materials while keeping the cost low. The video was published in July of 2019. It was a behind-the-scenes look into all of the improvements made to the water tower as it underwent a significant rehabilitation project. Read More HERE

County Highway 42 Visionary Study

Dakota County is working with the Cities of Burnsville, Apple Valley, and Rosemount to develop an updated vision for County Highway 42. How does your business relate to Hwy 42, and what types of issues or projects would you like considered? This long-term study will be underway throughout the next year and will identify and address needs for all travel modes – motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Your participation will help set priorities for Hwy 42 projects, both short- and long-term. To learn more or be apart of this study visit HERE

Register to Vote for Upcoming Primary Elections

The Minnesota State & County primary election is taking place on August 11, 2020. This election is crucial for candidates to get on the ballot for the 2020 General election in November. Due to COVID-19 voting by mail is allowed for all citizens from June 26 - August 10. Make sure you register to vote by July 21 to save time on election day. Register to vote HERE

Subscribe to Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins E-Newsletter

Looking for new ways to find out what is happening in your community? Subscribe to Commissioner Joe Atkins E-Newsletter to get the latest updates on COVID-19, Transportation, Business Relief Programs, Facility Service Re-openings, and much more. Subscribe to Commissioner Joe Atkins E-Newsletter HERE
Networking   at its  Best
Registration is Required
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Renewed Members

DARTS - 23 years
DCA Title - 6 years
Hy-Vee - 4 years

If you have questions or concerns about your membership renewal, please contact Pam Schmidt at   pschmidt@dcrchamber.com    or call 651-452-9872.
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