Member Brief Bytes
The Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau serves our business members,
promotes our local assets, and shapes the future of our community.
EMPLOYERS WITH OVER 100 EMPLOYEES...

More than 4,800 Minnesota businesses would have to comply with an incoming federal rule requiring workers at businesses with 100 or more employees to get vaccinated or tested weekly for coronavirus, the state’s employment agency said, impacting 1.4 million Minnesotans, or about half the state's workforce, who have a job. The state is waiting for the final language and to determine if teachers fall under the new requirement.

President Biden made the announcement last Thursday, saying it’s his job as president to protect Americans from the deadly disease. Doug Loon, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, said businesses large and small are reaching out to his organization for answers about potential impacts to workforce and costs associated with the yet-to-be written federal rule. “We didn’t expect it to go as far as it did,” he said. “I fear this new layer of government engagement or mandate on their business and all the litigation we’re expecting creates this continued level of uncertainty that has a caustic effect on our recovery here in Minnesota.”

Lawsuits challenging the move by the Biden administration appear imminent. The Republican National Committee threatened to sue once the requirement is in place and Republican governors have made similar pledges. But Jill Hasday, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, said the Biden administration would likely have a strong argument, citing previous decisions by the courts with deference to federal agencies’ rules, like those made by OSHA. “The law has a long history of taking serious steps to contain contagious diseases and the courts have a long history of upholding those,” Hasday said. “What the Biden administration is saying is that as part of OSHA’s responsibility pass regulations that maintain healthy and safe workplaces, having a vaccine requirements is part of that.”

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry said once the rule is adopted by federal OSHA, the state’s agency has 30 days to do the same. Stay tuned...
CHAMBER EVENTS
CUSTOM ROASTING
TOMORROW September 16th 8:00 a.m.
311 12th Ave S
763-682-4604

Come and see the roasting process and sample some delicious coffee while networking with other business leaders. Just follow your nose!
MEMBER VISITS
RYAN CHEVROLET

We stopped in and spoke with Scott Goodmanson at Ryan's. Would have loved to take this big sporty truck for a test drive! Like all dealerships, they are waiting on more vehicles to come in. In the meantime, do you homework and know what you want so you are ready when they do!
BUFFALO CHAMBER KNOWS IT ALL!

Last week the Chamber was the guest speaker of the weekly Rotary meeting. Instead of just sharing what we do - we thought we would have a little fun. Let's see what you think of the following questions:

Which of the following phone calls pertains to Buffalo, MN?
  • "Do you know a rancher that will let my daughter go elk hunting on their property?"
  • "Do you sell Buffalo Bills tickets?"
  • "Do you have the serial number for the gun I bought at your gun show?"
  • None of the above
Answer: None of the above. The callers were looking for Buffalo, WY, NY, & OK

Which phone call has the Chamber received?
  • "I can't locate my birth certificate, can you help?"
  • "I would like to buy a reverse bingo card"
  • "I am a blind lady from New Hope who is looking for a female tax accountant that is a Jehovah Witness."
  • All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.

True or False: Did the Chamber receive the following phone call?
  • "Do you know who the realtor was on the billboard in Buffalo?". She didn't know where the billboard was, or when she saw it, or where she was going when she saw it, or the first name of the realtor, or the color of the billboard. The realtor had dark hair and was kind of good looking and was famous for selling houses.
Answer: True
THE WORKFORCE DILEMMA
The worker shortage is not new news. There are so many different believed causes of why we are lacking the necessary employees across most all industries. Even if you get someone to accept a job - do they show up?

Read the article below for some good ideas to help you stand out and be an employer of choice. The Chamber feels your pain and is doing what it can to help.

MEMBER HAPPENINGS
HOW AWESOME IS THIS!

American Family/Chris Chapman Agency gives out two scholarships every year to local seniors. Below are this years' recipients. Congrats to Amy and Alyssa and thanks to Chris and his employees for making this possible!
GET YOUR COFFEE AT THE CABIN

The Caribou Cabin is set to open this Friday, September 17th. This is a drive through with limited bakery items, but lots of coffee options! Stop in and welcome them in their second location and please be patient as the staff learn the ropes!
CLA OFFERS WEBINARS -
OPEN TO OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS

It's always good to learn about investment planning and how to reach your goals as well as tax strategies before the tax year end. Maybe there is something we don't know that could have a tax implications good or bad. CLA offers free webinars throughout the year. Check here for details: https://www.claconnect.com/events/2021/financial-health-webinar-series-for-individuals
INTEGRIPRINT INVITES YOU TO THEIR PAW-RTY/OPEN HOUSE!
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW

Quick-link to the recent City of Buffalo public meetings:
Why do calculators make great friends? Because you can count on them!
Be sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce
763-682-4902
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