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Tuesday, October 15, 2024
This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:
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ADVERTISE IN THE E-NEWSLETTER
One top banner ad is available every week in the Chamber e-newsletter. Reach over 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 jtanner@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your space.
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Join Us for Chamber Connection | |
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! | |
How can the Chamber facilitate more meaningful networking opportunities for its members? Let us know! | |
Highway 23 North and South Gaps Complete! | |
October 11th marked a momentous milestone - the completion of Minnesota Highway 23 North and South Gaps Project! Federal and state representatives, local government officials, members of the Highway 23 Coalition, and the area-wide business community gathered to celebrate the expansion of the corridor which will allow four lane travel from Willmar to Interstate 94 - a big win for traffic flow, safety, and the economy! Both sides of the South Gap expansion opened Monday morning. Chamber Ambassadors pictured: Mary Hagen and Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.), Micah Larson (Intuition Brewing), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Lisa Groff (Lake Region Bank), Fernando Alvarado (FIAFOTO), Amber Barber (320 Real Estate Co), and Jim Rudnick (Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP - CDS). | |
Unlocking Inclusivity: How ERAF Can Transform Business | |
Discover how your business can benefit from the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), a remarkable initiative that supports small to mid-sized businesses by reimbursing up to $30,000 for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. | |
KCED Celebrates Ribbon Cutting | |
Congratulations to Kandiyohi County Economic Development on the ribbon cutting of its new office space located at Apple Tree Square! What a year it's been - new name, new logo, new website, new staff members, new leadership, and now, a beautiful new office to serve out its mission as a catalyst for the economic growth of Kandiyohi County! Pictured are Andres Albertsen, Amber Barber (320 Real Estate Co), Abdiweli Yusuf, Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Kevin Halverson, Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.), Jon Rambow (Chamber Board, Rambow), KCED Executive Director Patrick O'Rourke, Jean Geselius (Chamber Board, Ten Oaks Design Studio), KCED Business Development Manager Michelle Marotzke, Sara DeRoo (Christianson PLLP), KCED Marketing and Communications Specialist Kelsey Olson, Doug Kuehnast, Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management), Vicki Davis (City of Willmar and Fladeboe Land), Kandiyohi County Commissioner and KCED Chairperson Steve Gardner, City of Willmar Mayor Doug Reese, and Fernando Alvarado (FIAFOTO). | |
Ridgewater College Ag Tour | |
Ridgewater College invites the WLA Chamber’s Agri-Business Committee, KCED Agriculture and Renewable Energy Development Committee, and Chamber membership to tour their Ag Department on Wednesday, October 23rd 12:00-1:00pm. Join us for an insightful look into Ridgewater College's Agriculture and Vet Tech Departments! They'll showcase their diverse degree offerings, highlight exciting recent developments such as AED Accreditation for our Ag Equipment Mechanic program, and introduce new certificates like Meat Cutting and Ag Marketing & Communications. Plus, you'll get an up-close look at state-of-the-art teaching tools, including simulators and advanced technology spaces. Please park in the G-West Lot and enter via door 36. RSVPs are appreciated. | |
Business Education Network | |
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BEN and the Willmar Senior High welcomed Central MN Jobs and Training Services on October 9th. Students answered mental health questions while they learned more about this organization. Zero Hour is the first hour on Wednesdays. This time is scheduled every other week for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Those that do not have work to catch up on are in the commons area until classes start at 9am. This gives the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like to connect with students, please reach out to Jennifer Lindquist, program coordinator for BEN, at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.
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On October 11th, BEN kicked off its third year of the Classroom to Career presentations at the New London-Spicer Middle School. Classroom to Career allows business professionals to engage with students, talk with them about their career choices in the Willmar Lakes Area, and discuss how the decisions in high school will open future opportunities. The program is designed to show students that they are in control of their future educational goals through personal choice and educational decisions. Thank to our presenters: Brady Krupa and Riley Cronen of CDS, Jessica Hanson of Willmar Hypnosis, Bradley Pederson of Christianson, PLLP, and Jeff Duininck of Duininck, Inc.
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neXt Reclaiming Control Lunch & Learn Recap | |
"Your thoughts create your reality. If you want a different reality, you have to change your thoughts." Thank you Dr. Ashley Rath of Family Roots Chiropractic for the practical tips and mindset shifts to reclaim control, reduce stress, and find balance in business and life - a topic we all can relate to! | |
Chamber Health - Real Savings for Your Business | |
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Available through any broker, ChamberHealth by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is a collection of health insurance products from trusted partners like Medica and UnitedHealthcare designed to give small and mid-sized employers access to high-quality, affordable health insurance for their employees.
Benefits may include:
- Average of 5-10%, or more, in lower premiums
- Features and benefits for small to mid-sized businesses typically available only to large companies
- Access to local doctors, hospitals and other providers
- Providing an employee benefit to attract and retain top workers
- Additional savings with bundling of group life, disability, dental or vision
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Thursday mornings on Open Mic on KWLM, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. On October 10th James was joined in studio by Cardinal Pride board members Hal Miller, Doug Doering, and Holli Berskow. Tune in this week to hear from Jon Schmidt of Celebrate the Light of the World / Willmar Fests. Chamber Chat is also available on Spotify. | |
Chamber Community Job Board | |
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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.
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Wednesday, October 16 at 9:00am - BEN Advisory Meeting at the Chamber
Thursday, October 17 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat on KWLM
Thursday, October 17 at 11:30am - Membership Milestone for Mills Auto Center
Friday, October 18 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Project Turnabout
Friday, October 18 at 8:00am - Leadership Perspectives at Heritage Bank
Friday, October 18 at 12:00pm - Ambassador Meeting at TWC Client Experience Center
Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00am - Executive Committee Meeting at the Chamber
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