News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

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

*This e-newsletter ad is sponsored by Transworld Business Advisors.

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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.

As always, but especially during this season of gratitude, we would like to say thank you to our generous members and dedicated volunteers that make the Willmar Lakes Area a better place to live, work, play, and conduct business. We are grateful for your continued support and wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

Jennie-O Turkeys Pardoned by President Biden

Two Willmar-raised Jennie-O turkeys, Liberty and Bell, were presented by the National Turkey Federation and formally pardoned by President Biden yesterday during the 76th National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation at White House. Steve Lykken, Jennie-O president along with Jose Rojas, assistant vice president of live production formally presented the birds. Following the Thanksgiving festivities, the turkeys will be relocated to the University of Minnesota in St. Paul to live out their lives.

*Image is property of Jennie-O Turkey Store.

Bethesda Breaks Ground on $4 Million Dollar North Pointe Expansion

Congratulations to Bethesda on the groundbreaking for North Pointe's expansion! The project is managed by TerWisscha Construction and includes the addition of a saltwater wellness pool, steam room, and ten additional living units. Celebrating alongside Bethesda President/CEO Michelle Haefner and Vice President of Operations Sam Quam are Chamber Ambassadors Michelle Marotzke (Mid-Minnesota Development Commission), Mary Hagen (West Central Technology), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), James Miller (WLA Chamber President), Amanda Erickson and Lisa Groff (Lake Region Bank), and Kami Anez (Anez Consulting).

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Small Business Saturday

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber is proud to represent small and large businesses. Small Business Saturday is a way to increase awareness and support of small businesses that are making an impact in our community. Thank you to the businesses that support the community as members of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce! Click the image above to view the membership directory.

Business Education Network

The Business Education Network recently presented Classroom to Career at Central MN Christian School with Jeff Duininck from Duininick, and for the first time at the New London-Spicer middle school with presentations by Riley Cronen of CDS, Kate Dimler of Bethesda, James Miller of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber, and Bradley Pederson of Christianson PLLP. The presenters spoke with students about choices they have in paving their future. Classroom to Career gives professionals the opportunity to engage with students about their career choices in the Willmar Lakes Area. They also discuss how the decisions in high school 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.

Willmar Public Schools also welcomed CDS and Healthy Fusion. Students had a chance to try free samples from Healthy Fusion, and answer questions about accounting to win free doughnuts. Zero Hour is the first hour on Wednesdays at high school 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 us the opportunity to showcase businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area.

If your business would like the opportunity to connect with students, please contact BEN coordinator Jennifer Lindquist at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.

Bethesda's Sweetest Christmas Soiree

Bethesda is accepting donations of baked goods, gift certificates, gift baskets (value $50-200), or items to that can be assembled into gift baskets to be auctioned off.

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neXt Financial Literacy Recap

Thank you to John Patock with Christianson Financial Advisors and Andrew Kveene with Edward Jones for sharing their expertise on financial planning with a full room of young leaders. Special thanks to Christianson PLLP for hosting the event and for providing lunch. neXt members learned that every dollar has a purpose and that it is important to review your financial plan regularly to ensure your goals and strategy are in line with where you want to be in the future.

neXt Warhawks Game

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.