News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, August 13th, 2024

This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:

**This advertisement paid for by Glen Oaks Senior Living**

ADVERTISE IN THE E-NEWSLETTER

One top banner ad is available every week in the Chamber e-newsletter. Reach 1,500 people for just $125! Ads are on a first come, first served basis, and are also available in the body of the e-news for $100. Partner level members and up receive one complimentary e-news insert per year.

Please email chamber@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your space.

Minnesota Paid Leave Information and Engagement Session

Paid Leave is coming to Minnesota. Is your business ready?

As you know, in 2023 the Minnesota Legislature passed Paid Family and Medical Leave. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is tasked with establishing this program, and work is well underway for the January 1, 2026, effective date.

As an employer, you play an important role in Paid Leave. To help employers prepare and answer questions about the new state program, Minnesota Paid Leave Director Greg Norfleet and division staff are partnering with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for an in-person information and engagement session on the Paid Leave Program to cover the following:

• Provide employers with program updates, respond to questions, and gather feedback.

• Share information employers need to make sure they are ready when wage detail reporting begins this October.

• Connect and establish open lines of communication with employers around the state.

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber is hosting a Minnesota Paid Leave information and engagement session:

Thursday, September 5th

1:00 pm - 2:30 am

Willmar Conference Center

This is a great opportunity for you to gain important information and provide feedback to DEED leadership. All local employers are invited to attend. Advance registration is welcomed but not required. Light refreshments will be provided.

Ribbon Cutting at the Kandiyohi County Fair

Congratulations to the Kandiyohi County Fair and the members of the Fair Board on the amazing transformation at the main entrance of the fairgrounds. Thank you for inviting the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber Ambassadors to help celebrate on Day One of the 2024 Kandiyohi County Fair! From the Fair Board; Jay Larson, Dale Anderson, Tammy Paulson, Chad Lien, Sven Johnson, Katie Thompson, Sarah Gustafson, Cole Sworski, Peter Swenson, Nate Radunz, Mike Pickle, Amanda Lundgren and Tyler Dunn.

Representing the Chamber Ambassadors; Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique Willmar), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.), Julie Anderson (Kensington Insurance Agency/Nesbit Agencies), Doug Kuehnast (Retired), Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), and Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf).

Kandiyohi County Fair

Chamber Connections

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am for networking and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes!

Everyone gets a chance to introduce themselves and share a brief update on their business or community happenings. The host ends the Connection with an overview of their business followed by a drawing for door prizes. Coffee, Conversation and Connections.

Join us at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf

Vista Prairie at Copperleaf

Chamber Golf Classic Rescheduled to August 19th

This year's Golf Classic theme is Par Wars brought to you by J.D. Kreps Financial Group.

Sponsors and golfers are encouraged to have fun and to embrace the theme. We are looking for golf ball sponsors, we just need 144 logo golf balls from your business, and prize donations (gift certificates, gift baskets, etc.) to be given out at the Golfer After Hours.

A leadership program developing effective community leaders with vision, insight and the ability to get things done is what the Willmar Lakes Area Leadership Perspectives program is all about. If you want to learn more about the assets that the Willmar Lakes Area has to offer, this is the program for you.

Session Topics Include: Individual Leadership & Team Building; Heritage & Diversity; Government & Media; Health, Human Services & Volunteerism; Law & Justice; Education; Industry & Tourism; Entrepreneurship & Opportunities. Each session focuses on the issues critical to our region’s future success.

Program Dates: The program kicks off in September and runs through May with a full day session held each month. (Classes are typically held the third Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

The class is limited to 40 participants. Registration deadline is August 31st

For more information, call the Chamber at 235-0300 or email smunyon@willmarareachamber.com today!

LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES

WITHWILLMAR Comprehensive Plan

The City of Willmar is in the midst of developing a comprehensive plan, #WITHWILLMAR, a visioning document that will guide the city's development over the next two decades.

This plan is more than just a roadmap; it's a reflection of the collective aspirations for the future of Willmar. It will address current challenges and seize opportunities, setting ambitious goals for 2045. To achieve this, the City of Willmar needs your input and collaboration.

WITHWILLMAR Comprehensive Plan

Chamber Community Job Board

Hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.