Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber at Heritage Exteriors (3867 Highway 12 E, Willmar) on Friday, April 18th 7:30-8:30am for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. Don't forget to bring your business card for a chance at door prizes! $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: Safe Avenues. Click here to view the Connection Calendar.

Last week, Leadership Perspectives visited the Minnesota State Capitol to engage directly with local legislators, Representative Dave Baker and Senator Andrew Lang. They gained valuable insight into what motivated them to get involved in public service, and heard from several other lawmakers who shared their perspectives on policies aimed at building a stronger Minnesota.

A highlight of the day was witnessing Representative Dave Pinto and Representative Dave Baker - Co-Chairs of the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee - officially sign their budget bill, with our cohort proudly serving as witnesses. Representative Kristin Robbins also joined them to discuss the important work of the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, which she chairs.

The class was honored by a visit from Speaker of the House Representative Lisa Demuth, who offered her thoughts on the end-of-session outlook, including the looming question of whether a special session will be necessary. To cap things off, they were briefed on HF 2210 by one of its authors, Representative Andrew Myers, then had the unique chance to discuss, debate, and vote on the bill - right on the MN House floor.

More than 300 fifth-grade students will be touring Louriston and CoJo Dairy Farms during the first week of May. The Chamber’s Agri-Business Committee is looking for volunteers to serve as chaperones for this exciting educational experience.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors, whose support has made it possible to cover transportation costs—ensuring students have the opportunity to connect with farm life up close!

The Business Education Network and Willmar High School welcomed Bethesda to Zero Hour on April 2nd. Students learned about career opportunities and took home some swag.

Zero Hour is the first hour every other Wednesday 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. This provides the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like the opportunity to connect with students, please email Program Coordinator Jennifer Lindquist at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com to schedule for the upcoming year.

This free educational for neXt and Central Lakes United members will focus on:

• Boundaries: Setting limits, keeping them, and thriving - at home, work, and everywhere in between
• Stress: Recognizing positive and negative stress and coping strategies
• Burnout: Prevention strategies, recovery, and self-care practices

Whether you're climbing the ladder, pivoting paths, or seeking balance, this is for you! RSVP by April 15th to next@willmarareachamber.com. A meal will be provided.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Joseph Singhurst of Les Schwab.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

• Bernick's Pepsi - CDL Route Driver - $5,000 Sign-on Bonus

• CentraCare - EMT, Paramedic

• Employment Plus - HVAC Technician, MIG Welder/ Manufacturing Laborer

• Green Lake Lutheran Ministries - Food Service Manager/Head Chef, Seasonal Food Service Assistant/Sous Chef

• Haug Implement - Ag Equipment Sales, Diesel Technician, Professional Truck Driver, Assistant Controller, Parts Counter Professional, Ag Equipment Sales, Tire Specialist

• Haug Kubota - Service Technician

• Heritage Exteriors - Sales Representative

• Insurance by Strehlow - Insurance Agent

• Kandiyohi County Food Shelf - Inventory Specialist

• Lake Region Bank - Loan Services/RE Loan Processor

• Marcus Construction - Carpentry Field Coordinator, Construction Superintendent (Traveling)

• Minnesota Department of Transportation - Planner (Transportation), Design Technician (CADD)

• Northern Radiator - Purchasing Manager, IT Internship

• Prinsco - Payroll and Benefits Administrator

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Youth Mental Health Navigator, Speech Pathologist (Virtual, Hybrid, or In-Person)

• West Central Sanitation - Diesel Heavy Truck Mechanic, Local Route CDL Truck Driver, Transfer Station Attendant, Entry Lube Technician, Cart/Container Delivery - CDL Trainee

• Willmar Electric - Electrical Drafter

Tuesday, April 15 at 11:00am - Milestone for Kandiyohi Co Farm Bureau Federation

Wednesday, April 16 at 9:00am - BEN Meeting at the Chamber

Wednesday, April 16 at 3:00pm - Student Job Fair & Career Expo Planning Meeting

Thursday, April 17 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat on KWLM

Thursday, April 17 at 12:00pm - Membership Drive Meeting at the Chamber

Friday, April 18 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Heritage Exteriors

Friday, April 18 at 8:00am - Leadership Perspectives at MinnWest Tech Campus

Monday, April 21 at 12:00pm - Diplomats Meeting at the Chamber

Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00am - Executive Committee Meeting at the Chamber

Tuesday, April 22 at 10:00am - Student Job Fair & Career Expo Virtual Vendor Training

Tuesday, April 22 at 4:30pm - Bubbles, Burnout, and Boundaries at Conference Center

Student Job Fair & Career Expo at the Willmar High School

Thursday, April 24th

Business After Hours at New London Real Estate

Tuesday, April 29th

Business After Hours at Quist Wealth Management

Tuesday, May 20th

Leadership Perspectives Graduation at Willmar Conference Center

Thursday, May 29th

Aggie Open at Little Crow

Monday, June 16th

Registration opening soon!

Special Event at Zorbaz

Saturday, July 26th

Registration opening soon!

Golf Classic at Eagle Creek

Monday, August 18th

Registration opening soon!