Member Brief Bytes
WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUSINESS/BUILDING?
WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUILDING

A place so important for our well being - something more important now than ever!

Last weeks winner was Jennifer Carlson with Annie's Attic - the long standing antique icon off of Hwy 25! You will always find a great treasure there and will enjoy memories from your childhood as you stroll the aisles.

Email me at [email protected] if you think you have the right answer! First one in gets put in a quarterly drawing for $10 of Buffalo Bucks!
Chamber Events

TWO GREAT GOOGLE WEBINARS
Hosted by: Kelly Baltzell of Positive Based Marketing

REGISTER NOW!

Great opportunities to learn how to be sure your business is seen both now and in recovery! Register now via the links below. You will get reminder emails closer to the dates and the ZOOM link will be sent after your registration. Excited to "see" you all again!

Google Has Split Into Five Types of Searches
THIS Tuesday, May 5th
11:30-12:30Online
ZOOM (Link will be sent after registration)

Here's something we will learn more about - the speed and mobility of your website. Try this link and see where your website ranks!
TRY THIS!


Google used to be simple. All a business had to worry about was being at the top of the Google search engine. Now, Google has divided the types of searches it offers into five
different categories: original organic search, local search, AdWords, mobile search, and voice search. Plus, to be seen in all of the areas where customers are searching, a business needs to be active in all five types of search and be at the top of each category. Google is making these changes to respond to how people are utilizing its search engine, and to make sure people don’t drift over to Facebook to find information instead. Come to this online webinar to learn:

  • What each of the five types of search do on Google, and how people engage with these types of searches.
  • What a company needs to do today to be seen on Google in all five areas of search, and get customers through the door. 
  • How all five search areas interact together to form a seamless search experience for the consumer.

Register here:
 
Now What? How Do We Bounce Back From THIS? 
Tuesday, May 19th
11:30 to 12:30
Online ZOOM (Link will be sent after registration)

No one ever expected to have to run a business through a pandemic. We are writing the textbook as we go. Every day is a learning curve. As we adjust to this new normal of changing rules, with lifestyles and comfort levels we never imagined, what do we do now? How do we adjust to our current normal and plan for the future? What are some concrete things we can do now to help our business today, tomorrow, and months down the road? Come to this online webinar to learn: 

  • Key pieces of your digital business to make sure are correct and up-to-date. 
  • How to reach current and potential clients in the “new normal.”
  • Where to market depending on your demographic and suggested spending budgets.

Register here:
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE LOVE!

DELIVERIES MADE TO OUR CARE CENTERS AND SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE

Thank you as Chamber members and to the community as a whole for your donations of gift cards or cash dropped here at the Chamber or from the GoFundMe account #BuffaloMNCares2020! We gathered over $1500!

The Chamber was able to put together goodie bags filled with over $350 worth of gift cards to our restaurants and retail effected by the COVID-19 closures. It was a heartfelt thank you to the workers who care for our seniors, our most vulnerable and the children of our community.
It was a win/win and a feel good day despite the rain yesterday!

THANK YOU ALL - YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Above Kim Henrichs head of ISD 877 Food Service gladly accepts the bag to distribute to her staff on Friday when it's food service hero day! The staff at Lake Ridge were excited to share their goodies. They are busy keeping their residents safe. Workers wear both face shields and masks to protect all!
Above left is our delivery to Park View Care Center. The staff were glad to step outside and take off their face shields for a moment. We are blessed to have no COVID cases at either care center! Kudos to everyone involved. On the right Jen Rutledge accepts two bags in the entry for both locations of The Glenn - Memory Care and Assisted Living. She has residents there that drive and work- so she works hard to keep them safe as they come and go!
Tina Anderson, the team leader of our Ambassador Team helped me with the distribution. Was a feel good thing on a rainy day! Thanks Tina for your help!
ACADEMIC LUNCHEON CANCELLED
BUT NOT OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR FUTURE LEADERS

Happy to tell you that all 102 students were spoken for rather quickly and will receive a certificate showing your support! As usual - thank you for stepping up!

UPCOMING GOOD MORNING BUFFALO (GMB)

We did have a GMB set for May 15th at Biggs & Co. As a retail store, it lends itself much better to being present and actually seeing the shoppe and seeing some of their custom made items. We will reschedule.

I think we are all awaiting what Governor Walz has to say today or tomorrow about extending (or not) the May 4th stay at home order before much more can be planned. I miss seeing you all and look forward to a time we can meet and not talk about COVID-19! If that is looking unlikely- we will start doing some Zoom meetings, just to network and support each other. So be on the look out in May!
GOOD TO KNOW
New Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation During COVID-19
This past weekend saw a lot of activity on our area lakes! I'm quite sure boat and bike sales will be on the rise since being outdoors is the one thing we can all enjoy with some guidelines.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Health collaborated to create  new outdoor recreation guidelines  under the Executive Order 20-38 - applying to the public and recreational facilities. Following these guidelines will help continue to slow the spread of COVID.

Here are some guidelines you should observe whenever you’re outdoors:
  • Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from people from other households. This is not just for parks and trails—it is also essential at boat launches, fishing piers, hunting lands and anytime you leave your home.
  • Stay as close to home as possible. This is not the time to travel long distances for recreation. Cherished outdoor traditions further from home will still be there for you later, after the public health situation has eased.
  • Do not host or attend gatherings with people who aren’t members of your immediate household. This includes gatherings like outdoor cookouts or barbecues, because those types of gatherings could spread COVID-19.
  • Explore the range of nearby public lands available to you. If you arrive at a park, water access site, or other public recreation land and see that it is busy, choose a different option. This will allow you to maintain social distancing and reduce impacts on staff and resources. Also, consider visiting at off-peak times, typically early or late in the day.
  • Do not carpool to outdoor recreational activities with people other than those in your immediate household. Similarly, do not share equipment.

Questions? Contact the DNR Information Center by phone at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367, or by email at  [email protected] .

Buffalo Businesses
Operational Status During COVID-19

The list of business offerings and hours is changing daily. Please check our website for the most recent account here: https://www.buffalochamber.org/download_file/view_inline/782

Statistics from yesterdays daily update: 3 million cases worldwide/211,500 deaths...1 million cases in US/56,000 deaths....4181 cases in MN/301 deaths...314 in hospital...120 in ICU...1912 released. MN has doubled it's testing capacity since last week at this time, so numbers will continue to be rising as more are tested. Tune in today and tomorrow to Walz's 2:00 update. Will have an understanding of what his plans are for the current May 4th shelter in place order as it expires Monday.
HELPING OUR MEMBER SMALL BUSINESSES
We put this fun activity out on our Facebook page on Thursday and already had a winner! Is a fun way to support our member restaurants who are doing take out/delivery. Make a point of trying one or two spots a week! We want to keep these vital businesses in our community!

On another note, as some of you might be preparing to re-open your business depending on what we hear today or tomorrow, I do have a limited supply of masks (25) that you can have for yourself or staff as wearing masks may be part of your preparedness plan for re-opening. Just let me know if you would like one and I will get it to you. These were handmade by Immanuel Lutheran Church and they wanted to share them with our members. They have all been sanitized, are washable and you can use a filter if you would like. Just holler!
WRIGHT COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LATE PENALTY REDUCED

In an effort to help during this difficult time, the Wright County Board of Commissioners voted to reduce the penalty fee for paying property taxes late. If you pay late in May or June you will have a 1% late fee. If paid in July a 2% late fee. After July the late fee goes back to the standard 8%.
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
Quicklink to the recent City of Buffalo meeting.

Did you know that 9 out of 10 living things live in the ocean?
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Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce
763-682-4902
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