I want to highlight a couple of things for you this week. First, in case you missed it in the Pioneer Press print or online edition, I submitted an op-ed opposing St. Paul’s ballot initiative to partially fund early childcare through mandator property tax increases. At the November election, St. Paul voters face a crucial decision: whether to approve a mandatory property tax increase for the next 10 years to fund early-childhood care and education initiatives. While I believe the goal of this ballot measure is commendable, its implementation raises serious concerns regarding prioritization of pressing municipal issues and fiscal responsibility. As part of my own due diligence, I spent a good deal of time studying the initiative. The importance of this topic warrants serious consideration. I listened to the City Council presentation in September of this year; I read the 48-page report summarizing the plan and reviewed overviews of both the need as well as proposed financial projections; we invited Councilmember Noecker (the plan sponsor) to present the program to our Public Affairs Issue Forum; I spoke with Art Rolnick, whose professional work in the area of economics and early childhood development (and his support for this program) are very well known and respected. I do agree that investing in our children is critical to our future. And, at the same time, I can’t support the proposed program on Election Day.

Second, and continuing with the election theme, we’re one week away from election day. Which has me thinking about the importance of elections to our democracy. The most important: make your voice heard and vote!

Read more in my blog, It's Our Business. Each week I post thoughts and a quick read on things I think you should know.

See you in the trenches.

B

B Kyle

President & CEO

St. Paul Area Chamber

Lunch with Leaders: Downtown Real Estate Development

Come join us for our November Lunch With Leaders, focused on economic development. Saint Paul’s real estate market is challenged. What is the plan moving forward? Joe Spencer of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance will share his organization’s Downtown Investment Strategy. And he will facilitate a discussion on economic development and how it’s impacted by community process, other projects underway, and even public safety.

Congratulations to our awardees!

Our Celebrate Business Success Award winner is Mortenson Construction and Real Estate Development, and out celebrate Service Award winner is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity!

Tomorrow: Equity Leadership Series: Voices of LatinoLEAD

Join us on October 30th for an insightful and engaging session at the Minnesota Humanities Center, where you'll get an exclusive preview of a new project created in collaboration with the Minnesota Humanities Center and LatinoLEAD, a network of 3,000 Latine professionals.

Tomorrow: LSP Masters: Rice & Larpenteur Walking Tour

This event is part of a series that gathers our Leadership St. Paul alumni, and is open to all. Register now for our next LSP Masters Event, Oct. 30 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm – we will be touring the St. Paul Reigonal Water Services water treatment plant followed by a brief standing tour centered on the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance area. Our tour will conclude with appetizers and a drink for happy hour at Nepali Kitchen. Bring yourself and your Leadership St. Paul classmates!  

Network, Shop, & Learn with Larissa Loden & the Women Professionals Committee

Join us to network with St. Paul area CEOs and Executives in a fun and relaxed environment! We will host an Executive Roundtable, where young professionals will connect and ask CEOs and Executives questions in small groups. Come and learn more about topics such as leadership, how to grow your career, and advice for young professionals.

1 drink ticket and light appetizers are included with registration.

Roseville Business Exchange

Wednesday, Dec 4 | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Holiday Chamber Connect - Save the Date

Tuesday, Dec 10 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Young Professionals: Holiday Party - Save the Date

Thursday, Dec 12 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join the 1st session of the Hmong American Partnership's event series: Cultivating Connections 2.0: Understanding the Mental Health and Wellbeing Needs of Southeast Asian American Women and Families. Join them for an enlightening conversation about the mental health and wellbeing needs of Southeast Asian American women and families. Register now.

MORE is gearing up for their annual Winter Giveaway to provide essential personal and household items to the students they serve. Their students are learning

English to empower themselves while building new lives in Minnesota. View MORE's Amazon wish list or donate now.

The Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) recently presented Julie Wearn, CEO of Visit Roseville, as the recipient of the 2024 Roger Toussaint Award at its annual conference.

Crew Carwash announced today that it is donating over $22,000 to Animal

Humane Society in Minnesota. During a special two-day fundraising event, Crew Carwash provided a free Ultimate Wash (a $22 value), with any donation to Animal Humane Society. The event took place on Friday, October 11, through Saturday,

October 12, at all four Minnesota locations including St. Cloud, Maple Grove, Wayzata and West St. Paul.

Join Move Minneapolis for their 2024 Transportation Summit to explore the issues businesses experience when facing construction around transportation infrastructure projects near their locations, and to contribute to a cross-sector conversation on how to support local businesses. Learn more.

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