GOOD AFTERNOON BUFFALO TOMORROW at BISON CREEK

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The Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau serves our business members,

promotes our local assets and shapes the future of our community.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

CHAMBER EVENTS

TOMORROW - GOOD AFTERNOON BUFFALO

See you there at 4:30!

Next up is our Good Afternoon Buffalo at Bison Creek restaurant on November 6th at 4:30 p.m. ! Be sure to come meet and greet on a more casual basis over a sip and a sample!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20th 8:00 a.m.

12 Division Street East

Come see the "new" office space downtown and hear what's up with all things real estate! Enjoy some great networking, some coffee and treats and always - some laughs!

ARE YOU READY TO WALK THE RED CARPET?

Want to sponsor? Want to book a table? Have a prize to donate? This is always a fun event. The night goes so fast with games, food, drink, prizes and live auction! All to celebrate the Chamber and you supporting us!

Thanks to our event sponsors so far: American Family, Edward Jones, MidCountry Bank/Insurance, Natural Roots, Russell Security, State Farm/Mark Olson and Thomes Insurance! We appreciate you!

https://business.buffalochamber.org/events/details/annual-buffalo-chamber-membership-banquet-10226?calendarMonth=2026-01-01

KITES ON ICE PLANNING WELL UNDERWAY! WANT TO BE A PART OF IT?

I hate to think about winter, but we are well on our way in planning for our 8th Annual Kites on Ice event! Thank you to our Premier Sponsors so far: Culver's, Edward Jones, MidCountry Bank/Insurance, Next Level Seamless Gutters and Exteriors, the Rotary Club of Buffalo (for always supplying the free kites for kids) and State Farm/Mark Olson!

We also want to thank My Cleaning and Bolton & Menk for being a Razor Flag Sponsor, American Family/Chris Chapman for being a cornhole sponsor, and Setterberg Jewelers for being a Jack Frost sponsor. They hopped on the bandwagon early - thank you!

No event the Chamber coordinates could be done without your sponsorships!

You can be involved in other ways too! Would you like to provide an activity on the ice for kids? Would you like to volunteer? Just let us know! Feel the love on Valentine's Day and be a part of it!

DEED announced nearly $2.3 million in funding for five site redevelopment and demolition projects across Minnesota. These investments aim to create or retain 269 jobs, increase the tax base by about $2.4 million, and leverage over $157.9 million in private investment.

In Wright County, DEED awarded $867,500 for demolition and asbestos abatement at the 6.8‑acre Old Government Center site in downtown Buffalo. The project will transform the former courthouse/gas station/jail site into:

16 single‑family patio homes
Two apartment buildings totaling 201 units
18,000 sq ft of commercial space
A public marina
This redevelopment is expected to create 52 jobs, increase the local tax base by $861,644, and leverage $53.5 million in private investment.

EED Press Release

REQUEST CERTIFICATION FORMS FOR MN PAID LEAVE NOW AVAILABLE

Hopefully you are wrapping your arms around the MN Paid Leave by now, and have set up your account on line. DEED now has employee certification forms available for you to have on hand. These are the forms that the employee uses when requesting a leave. For medical leaves, a healthcare professional will also have sone part in completing the forms - in fact a big part in it! The Caring Leave certification form is 13 pages long! See the link below for the forms:

https://mn.gov/deed/paidleave/employees/forms/

MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY AND OUR FUTURE AT A CROSSROADS

Minnesota is growing slower than the national average and lagging in key indicators of success. The key indicators show that we've gone from the middle of the pack to the bottom 15 states in business growth. We know that with today's skyrocketing costs, demographic challenges and continues waves of regulations - it's eroding the advantage of having a business in our state. Just know the MN Chamber is fighting for our businesses large and small!

If you are interested in reading these publications let me know - I will gladly share them with you!

AMBASSADORS ON THE MOVE

CROSSROADS ANIMAL SHELTER

2800 10th St SE

763-684-1234

If you know me - you know I have a soft spot for animals. I have 2 dogs myself, one of which is a rescue so it's always fun but hard to see cats and dogs that have been left behind, are unwanted or lost.

We are fortunate to have had Crossroads animal shelter and now veterinary clinic in our community! They have worked hard for years, to serve our four-legged friends! Right now, adoptions are low and expenses (like surgical supplies) never end, so if you have a heart for animals too, bring some dog or cat food in! They offer the food in their pet pantry to pet owners who need assistance to care for their pet. It's available anytime and they will give a months' worth at a time.

Crossroads now has a full time and part time vet that can handle surgical things and provide wellness and preventative care. This service was added just a year or so ago and is used!

The Ambassadors got to see and hold a few cats and say hello to several dogs. They have dog and cat visitation rooms and a cat colony where multiple cats can stay -getting them socialized to go homes with other cats. Kittens stay in the main room - they are of course - the ones that usually go home the fastest. They currently had 8 kittens that all were named after trees! Melissa is holding Willow. She too is an animal lover wtih a dog and two cats at home! I got to meet and greet Ally boo-boo, a brindle coated pit bull. She was a mom in a puppy mill and she was so very sweet!

Crossroads relies on foster families too, to help them with their animals until adoption. I know if I were a foster - I would never be able to let them go and would adopt them all - so it's good to have people who can fill that role well.

Go to their website to help if you feel the calling: https://crossroadsshelter.org/how-you-can-help-us

Below are Chamber Ambassadors Jayme/MidCountry Bank, April/Family Counseling, Jen/American Family Chris Chapman, and Megan from Crossroads and miss Ally Boo Boo posting perfectly!

This cute terrier is looking for a home - and then there's Logan on the right - the 18 pound hunk of love cat!

What it takes to feed the animals - lots of dish and toy washing!

MEMBER HAPPENINGS

MENTOR A STUDENT IN THE CEO PROGRAM

Hopefully you are aware, as they sure visit a lot of businesses, that the Wright Tech Center has a CEO program where students create their own business, business plan and all. During the school year they visit many businesses in the early morning hours and learn from them. This helps them understand what it takes to own your own company!

They are looking for mentors for each student....someone that meets with them once a month for a few months - reviews their business plan, supports their ideas and champions them through the process. It doesn't take a lot of your time, and the reward is well worth the investment! I know as I've been one!

If you are interested please reach out to Mark Lee at mark.lee@wrighttech.org

WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE TO BUFFALO STRONG ALL YEAR LONG!

We all know that Coborn's typically has the cheapest gas in town. Now you can fill up feeling good that a portion will go to Buffalo Strong!

Go to Pump 5 at Coborn's and 3 cents a gallon will be given to Buffalo Strong. It's that easy! Thank you Coborn's for this opportunity and thank YOU for filling with gas and making a difference in our community!

THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND - GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

This Friday/Saturday - November 7/November 8th at 7:00 p.m. Sunday November 9th at 2:00 p.m.

We all know the board game Clue right? This musical is based on that and it's interactive! The audience gets to help solve the murder! It follows 6 guests that were invited to a dinner party by an anonymous host, each given an alias like Mrs. Peacock or Colonel Mustard. they soon discover they've all been blackmailed by their host, and are gifted a weapon and a choice: Pay double or kill the butler. The evening descends into mayhem, with everyone a suspect and 216 possible endings!

www.bctmn.org

KID'S HAVEN IS OPENING A NEW LOCATION IN WAVERLY!

The community gathered on October 8 for the groundbreaking of the new Kid's Haven Child Care & Preschool in Waverly, marking an exciting milestone in expanding local childcare capacity.

This project was made possible through a strategic financing partnership between Citizens State Bank of Waverly & Montrose and The Initiative Foundation, combining hometown banking support with regional community-development investment. We’re grateful for this collaboration and look forward to the positive impact this new center will have for families and children in the Waverly area.

Childcare in more rural areas has been a struggle in our state for the last several years. What a great step Missy Sjolin is making, growing this family-owned business in our area!

BE READY TO SUPPORT SMALL ON PINK FRIDAY - THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!

There are over 15 shops that are participating in this day - staying open until 8 p.m. for you! They will have deals, free gifts and more to make this boutique shopping experience one of a kind for you!

PUZZLES FOR YOU - WOULD MAKE A GREAT GIFT ITEM!

We know winter comes and many of us puzzle! We have a few 300 piece Bison puzzles available for $22 if you would like one for yourself or for a gift. Just email me or give us a call! sue@buffalochamber.org.