5 ants rented an apartment with 5 other ants…

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Niche Books is a destination for readers, known for providing high quality titles in all genres, not exclusive to bestseller lists and big-name authors. Niche Books is in downtown Lakeville and is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am-7pm. You can buy online and get books shipped to your home. You can also support the store by buying audiobooks through Libro.fm. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s new!

Thank you to Interstate PowerSystems, one of our Lakeville Works donors and our Good Morning Lakeville sponsor, for inviting us all in for their open house today!

In December, the Chamber received a $40,000 grant from the Greater Twin Cities United Way to administer a 40-hour work-based learning program for high school students. In June we completed part one, a 20-hour leadership development and career exploration camp. Students heard from several business professionals on a variety of topics, and toured 8 businesses during the week. Thank you to all of the members who made this week possible, including Schmitty & Sons who not only drove to all tours, but also created a bus route to get half of the students to and from camp.

• BTD
• Hobo Inc.
• Schmitty & Sons Bus Co.
• Loeffler Construction & Consulting
• Quad E Companies Inc & EZ Backyards
• Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard
• Lakeville Police Department

• M Health Fairview
• Allina Health Lakeville
• YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center
• Dakota County Technical College
• Dakota County Western Service Center
• Priority Living MN
• New Market Bank
• The Property Geeks

We are currently working on part two – a 20-hour paid internship. We are currently looking for businesses who will help us provide that experience for these 27 students. If you would be interested in helping us place a student or two, please reach out to Kim and she can share the options. Click here to see more information. Click image to see slideshow from week.

Kare 11 news will be doing a live feed from right here in Lakeville as we celebrate our very own Olympian - Regan Smith! Kare 11 will be visiting multiple cities in the state to highlight Olympians - and NO SURPRISE - we want our party to be the best! The high school marching bands will be there and we want to have a huge crowd there when they film our segment. Spread the word and come join us!

Attention to our members who make and serve FOOD! Taste of Lakeville is still accepting vendors to sample food at the August 15 event.

If you are interested, you can contact Rotarian and Taste of Lakeville vendor co-chair, Jim Christian. Food and beverage establishments receive the following:

• Volunteers to help transport items for set up and take-down
• One 10 x 10 three sided tent with 2 6’-8’ non-skirted tables
• Interior tent light
• Electricity
• Listing on the Taste of Lakeville website with your logo
• Opportunity to promote your establishment to 2,000 guests
• Opportunity to win an award in 3 categories. 1. Best tent/food presentation 2. Best Savory Food, and 3. Best Sweet Food

Our Chamber Ambassadors give back so much of their time and talent to the Chamber and our business community. They attend events, write thank you notes, deliver membership and anniversary plaques, and more. Throughout the year we will highlight them. Make sure and say HI when you see them around! Our next Ambassador is…

Your Name:

Anita Sprung

Title:

 CEO

Company:

MA Industries, LLC

Your Specialty:

Commercial Industrial Investment Management

Reason you like doing business in Lakeville:

We enjoy having our business close to home and Lakeville is a great community to live and work.

Years as a Chamber Member: 2

Years as an Ambassador: New

Favorite thing about being a Lakeville Chamber member:  It is great to meet local business owners and see how the Lakeville business community grows. 

Best advice you would

give to a new Chamber Member: 

Connect with other chamber members and professionals, use this opportunity to get involved in the community.

Your must-attend Chamber event, and why: 

Although I’ve not been yet, I heard the Gala is the event not to miss. I also recommend for our women business owners to attend the annual Women’s Symposium. It is a great way to support women owned businesses and to meet some new friends at the same time.

Give us one of  the best piece of business advice you have received: “Make your money work for you!!”

Favorite go-to meal at one of our restaurants: 

Lakeville Brewery Rueben Sandwich! 

Favorite thing to do for fun around town: I enjoy walking on the many trails in the community, boating on Lake Marion and taking advantage of the great pickleball courts in our parks. Now that Antler’s Park has reopened, we enjoy meeting friends at LBC on the Lake, having a beer and enjoying the view of the lake. 

Thank you to all the artists who came out Lakeville’s inaugural Pan-O-Prog Chalk Art Exhibition! Your work and dedication to your passion is amazing! We had 4 artists under the age of 18, and the youngest at 11! That is awesome! Keep it up!!

PSA - No Chamber staff member was harmed during this event. The teeth were cardboard.

Thank you for your support!