News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

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

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 jtanner@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your space.

Chamber Connection on Friday

The Connection will be hosted in the Life Link III hangar at the Willmar Municipal Airport (6600 MN-40, Willmar). Please park in the main airport parking lot, then proceed to the gate just south of the Airport Terminal and the display jet, where a Life Link III staff member will greet and guide you to the hangar.

Life Link III

Connection Schedule

Chamber Celebrates Community Leaders

The Willmar Lakes Area business community came together at GrandStay Hotel and Suites on Friday morning for the Chamber Community Leadership Celebration. Together, we recognized what makes our community so great - the people who step up to lead, volunteer, and inspire the future of Kandiyohi County. We also recognized membership milestones and retiring Chamber Board members: Jeff Duininck (Duininck), Andrew Lindquist (Marcus Construction), Kathryn Mueller (Christianson PLLP), and Jon Rambow (Rambow). Special thanks to our emcee Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess, Inc) and keynote speaker Mike Kutzke (Ridgewater College).

Kelsey Hedlof, Hormel Foods

Emerging Young Leader

Jennifer Lindquist, LEAD and Business Education Network

Exemplary Leadership Award

Doug Kuehnast, United Prairie

Milo Award

Dr. Jeff Holm, Willmar Public Schools

Legacy Award

Goodness Coffee Company Opens on First Street

Goodness Coffee Company is open at its new First Street location! Stop in to say hi to owners Nick and Candace Aaker and their crew: Tomasz Juarez, Makenna Olson, Eva Toedter, Abby Woods, and Erika Aaker. You can expect the same freshly brewed coffee, delicious baked goods, savory sandwiches, and friendly faces in a new location across from McDonalds in the Dols Suites. Celebrating alongside the Goodness team are Ambassadors: Dan Hubbard (On The Run Promotions), Julie Anderson (Kensington Insurance Agency/ Nesbit Agencies), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Mitch Ashburn (Edina Realty), Fernando Cano (Weichert Realtors), Vicki Davis (Fladeboe Land and City of Willmar), Sam Quam (Bethesda), Michelle Marotzke (Kandiyohi County & City of Willmar EDC), Fernando Alvarado (FIAFOTO), Kris Gulbrandsen, Doug Kuehnast (United Prairie), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology, Inc.), and Amber Barber (320 Real Estate Co).

Goodness Coffee Company

Last Chance to Register!

Hawk Creek Animal Shelter Celebrates 10 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Casey Rajewsky and Jenny Bork of Hawk Creek Animal Shelter for 10 years of membership! Hawk Creek is the humane society of Kandiyohi and Meeker Counties. It is a non-profit with the purpose to help abused, neglected, abandoned and stray animals as well as to educate the public on the proper care of animals and to promote the spaying and neutering of companion animals. Their next low cost dog/cat vaccination clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23rd at Robbins Island from 5:30-7:00PM. The time, talent and financial gifts from the community allow Hawk Creek to continue to be successful in their mission. Pictured representing the Chamber Board and/or Diplomats Committee are Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Jon Schmidt (holding Goose; DATASuccess, Inc), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), and Jon Rambow (Rambow).

Hawk Creek Animal Shelter

Last Chance to Register!

Glacial Ridge Curling Celebrates 10 Years

The Chamber Diplomats were proud to recognize and thank Glacial Ridge Curling for 10 years of membership at its 16th Annual Novice Bonspiel hosted last weekend at the Blue Line Arena! Glacial Ridge Curling is a non-profit organization with 100+ members, an average of 175 active weekly participants, and 160 yearly bonspiel participants. In addition to adult leagues, GRC organizes and facilitates several other community curling programs with partner schools, junior curling, and Community Ed and Rec Open Curling. As they celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, GRC is looking forward to building a new standalone curling facility to host regional and national bonspiels, providing an economic boost to the Willmar Lakes Area. The vision includes a vibrant hub for social and recreational activity, with plenty of space and more ice time for curlers, hockey players, figure skaters, and recreational skaters. It will be a place for people of all ages and abilities to experience the great sport of curling and more! Gifts of all sizes are welcomed and appreciated. Pictured representing Glacial Ridge Curling are Ron Noyes, Dianne Johnson, Sharon and Don Nelson, Norm Kveene, Jake Vlamick, Tom Amberg, and Art Benson. Representing the Chamber are Diplomats Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones, also a curler), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), and Chamber President and curler James Miller.

Glacial Ridge Curling

6th Street Logistics Celebrates First Dollar

Congratulations to Christopher and Krista Nehk (owners), Kurt Schmidt (HOS), and Britany Doty (Office Assistant) of 6th Street Logistics on their First Dollar with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber Ambassadors! The 6th Street team has over 67 years of combined experience in all areas of transportation and asset hauling. Chris has been in the industry for over 30 years and Krista has 20+ years with a single corporation. They have worked alongside Brit for 13 years and Kurt for 9 years. The Nehks attribute the success of their business to their team and people they surround themselves with and work with everyday.

State of Business Retention & Expansion Study

Grow Minnesota! will be conducting its second annual report to examine business expansion trends. Part of this study will include a brief survey on overall business conditions and expansion related issues. This survey will provide critical insights on how businesses are making decisions about future investments and what they need to grow/expand in their local community. The findings will help chambers and economic developers better understand what can be done to drive more business investment in our communities. The survey will be emailed out to the primary contacts in ChamberMaster. Please watch for the survey in the timeframe of March 18th-April 5th.

neXt Lunch and Learn

Leading With Confidence comes down to one thing. A belief that in every situation, you have all the tools you need to overcome any obstacle. But… is it easier said than done? Join us at the Willmar Conference Center as Desiree breaks down 10 different mindset shifts and life hacks to help you overcome self-doubt and show up as the best version of yourself. Even on the days when you feel like you feel like you’re building your confidence from scratch. What’s currently holding you back? You have to choose to leave it behind so you can keep moving forward and Lead With Confidence!

Career Exploration Partners Needed

Fraud Awareness Training

Student Job Fair & Career Expo

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.