August 3, 2020
Small Business Emergency Grant Offered by Dakota County Community Development Agency and Dakota County Cities
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has allocated $10 million to support small businesses that have had a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. One-time grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to eligible applicants. For more details click HERE. Apply for Dakota County Small Business Relief Grant  HERE
The City of Apple Valley will be working the with Dakota County CDA to help with the administration of the Small Business Relief Grant

The City of Apple Valley Information HERE
The City of Burnsville recognizes the hardship and impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business community. To support the business community, The City of Burnsville has created the Burnsville CARES Business Grant Program. The Burnsville CARES Business Grant Program provides grants up to $20,000 to assist eligible local, for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Dakota County has developed a Small Business Relief Grant Program for eligible Burnsville businesses up to an additional $10,000.

Burnsville CARES Business Grant Information HERE
City of Eagan
The City of Eagan will be working the with Dakota County CDA to help with the administration of the Small Business Relief Grant

City of Eagan Information HERE
The City of Farmington has dedicated $500,000 of its CARES ACT dollars to local business grants. The City of Farmington is also working with the Dakota County CDA on the administration of the application process.

City of Farmington Information HERE
The City of Hastings will be working the with Dakota County CDA to help with the administration of the Small Business Relief Grant

City of Hastings Information HERE
The City of Lakeville has created the Lakeville Small Business Emergency Grant Program. This program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses most in need of support.

City of Lakeville Small Business Emergency Grant Program Information HERE
The Mendota Heights City Council is considering providing 10% of its CARES allocation (approximately $85,000) for small business assistance when it meets Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at its regular City Council meeting

City of Mendota Heights Information HERE
The City of Rosemount will be launching its own Small Business Grant Program with the city’s allocation of federal CARES Act funds. More information will be made available in August. 

City of Rosemount Information HERE
The City of West St. Paul has created a CARES Act Program that will allocate funding to Small Businesses with grants up too $10,000. City of West St. Paul CARES ACT Information HERE
DCR Chamber of Commerce Hosts Mask Drive-Through at Skyline Exhibits in Eagan

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, the DCR Chamber, in community partnership with Skyline Exhibits, distributed masks to businesses in Dakota County. Over 350 local businesses came to our drive-through event where we passed out over 85,000 masks during the day. Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out and helped with our mask distribution.

If you were unable to make our mask drive-thru on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, be on the lookout for another opportunity we will be having in the weeks to come.

Thank Rodel Q. Photography for capturing this event
Governor Tim Walz Announces District-by-District Back to School Plan

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, along with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), announced last week   Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year . School districts and charter schools will begin in one of three models:

  • In-person
  • Distance learning
  • Hybrid model.

Experts at the Departments of Health and Education will partner with local school districts and charter schools to help determine which learning model they should use to start the school year. 
Register for the 2020 DCR Golf Classic Today

A popular event among our businesses, the DCR Chamber Golf Classic promises to be a day of relaxation, priceless networking, and friendly competition! Held at Mendakota Country Club, one of the finest golf courses in Dakota County, the event is a perfect opportunity to get out from behind your desk and connect with the community. 

This signature event raises funds for the DCR Chamber's Charitable Foundation which supports our programming, community outreach, and regional initiatives. A portion of the proceeds from raffle ticket sales will be allocated to the foundation.
 
Register HERE
2019 golf tournament
2019 golf tournament
First In-Person Coffee Break Since Start of Pandemic a Success

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, the DCR Chamber of Commerce held its first in-person event since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The American Cancer Society hosted the bi-monthly networking event at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. Chamber members spent the morning getting to know each other over coffee from a social safe distance. We hope to have more in-person events in the near future.

If your business is interested in hosting a DCR Chamber Coffee Break please contact Diane Mavis, Director of Programs and Events, at [email protected]
business_conference4.jpg
Dakota Child and Family Clinic offering free drive-thru testing for COVID-19 Starting in August

Beginning in August, Dakota Child and Family Clinic will be offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you don’t have a vehicle, a walk-up space will be available (appointments still required). Learn how to make an appointment HERE

Stonehaven of Eagan Hosting Navigating Senior Living Options & Resources Virtual Event

Navigating senior care options and resources can be confusing, and at times overwhelming. As experts in senior living, care options, and resources, we understand the many challenges that you face and are happy to help you through it. We will have a 45-min expert-led presentation followed by a 15-min Q & A. Learn more HERE

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer National Virtual Kickoff August 11

The American Cancer Society is starting its first-ever National Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Virtual Kick-off on August 11th. During this brief program, you'll hear from survivors, scientists, and Strides supporters from across the country on why the fight against breast cancer is more important than ever. Learn more HERE

Minuteman Press now offering custom sublimated face masks

Breathe easy with protective non-medical grade face covers for general public use only, per CDC guidelines. Machine washable and reusable, these masks can be printed on both sides with your company's logo or any pattern/design - let's get creative. Learn more HERE

Merchants’ Second Quarter Earnings Report Shows Stable Performance and Continued COVID-19 Relief Assistance

Merchants Financial Group, Inc. (MFGI) has announced financial results for the second quarter and details about COVID-19 assistance provided to its customers. Since March, Merchants has provided relief to more than 1,300 consumer and business loan customers in good standing in the form of loan payment deferment programs across all product categories. The Bank continues to assist business customers across its footprint with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) financing through the Small Business Administration and will be accepting applications through the August 8, 2020 deadline. Read the full press release HERE
Networking   at its  Best
Registration is Required
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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.