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Tuesday, March 21, 2023
This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:
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*This advertisement is sponsored by VistaPrairie at Copperleaf. | |
The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC is focused on addressing economic development for West Central Minnesota's business hub. The EDC will be sharing more about the Elevate Community Business Academy which provides business education and coaching specifically tailored to underserved minority entrepreneurs, with the guiding objective of creating economic opportunities for all. The program offers hands-on training in business planning and management. Elevate also allows new or growing businesses to engage with established community members and leaders and build a network of support and accountability. | |
WLACC Website: Your Opinion Matters! | |
Subway Celebrates 30 Years | |
Congratulations to Gary Hendrickx, Mac Hendrickx, and Brook Ardoff with Subway of Willmar on 30 years of membership! Gary was also recently recognized as the Franchisee of the Year! Gary purchased Subway from original owner Russ Bennett who was a member for 27 years. Thank you for your continued investment in the Willmar Lakes Area Community. Celebrating with the Subway team are members of the Chamber Diplomats Committee and Board of Directors: Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Kathryn Mueller (Christianson PLLP), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West), Andrew Lindquist (Marcus Construction), Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking), Jon Schmidt (DataSuccess), Steve Gardner (Willmar Electric), Ken Warner (Chamber President), and Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter Seals). | |
Chamber Community Leadership Celebration | |
Tickets to the Chamber Community Leadership Celebration are $25 and may be purchased through March 28th on the Chamber website, at chamber@willmarareachamber.com, or by calling (320) 235-0300. Tickets include a breakfast buffet catered by The Schimmy Shack. | |
Mainstream Boutique Celebrates First Dollar | |
Congratulations to lifelong friends and fashionistas Dawn Lippert and Rochelle Peterson of Mainstream Boutique on their First Dollar! Dawn and Rochelle are on a mission to love, strengthen, and celebrate women in the Willmar Lakes Area through fashion. Mainstream Boutique creates every piece of denim, jewelry, tops, jackets, and beyond for women of all generations. The Ambassadors look forward to returning to celebrate their Ribbon Cutting during Grand Opening weekend March 24-26th! Ambassadors pictured: Renee Nolting (West Central Industries), Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Sam Quam (Bethesda), Michelle Marotzke (Mid-Minnesota Development Commission), Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Julie Anderson (Kensington Insurance), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology), Javier Valenzuela (Bremer Bank), Kris Gulbrandsen, Dan Hubbard (On The Run Promotions), Doug Kuehnast (United Prairie), and Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management). | |
Mark your calendars for the Partners in Ag Innovation Conference on July 25th. The conference is co-hosted by MinnWest Technology Campus and The Kandiyohi County & City of Willmar Economic Development Commission on an annual basis to bring the Ag and Animal Science community together regionally in Willmar. This event is complimentary to qualified Ag professionals. This year’s theme is Together Towards Tomorrow and will focus the Ag industry’s biggest trends and concerns that we collectively need to work together to solve. How do we increase production to meet global demand while focusing on sustainability? How do we use AI digital tools, use more precision Ag and data to drive decisions and decrease costs? How do we do we do this with supply chain and labor shortages? | |
Leadership Perspectives Visits the Capitol | |
Leadership Perspectives had their Day at the Capitol on March 8th and what a day it was! The class heard presentations from DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minority Leader Sen. Mark Johnson, Minority Rep. Lisa Demuth and Representative Dave Baker. They even had the opportunity to sit at the desk on the House Floor and actually vote up or down on the proposed cannabis bill that they received a copy of about a week before. It was defeated 16-10. Special thanks to Rep. Baker and his Legislative Assistant Emilie for securing the details for the day as well as spending the day with the class. | |
Business Education Network at Zero Hour | |
The Business Education Network (BEN) and the Willmar High School welcomed Willmar Municipal Utilities to Zero Hour at the high school on March 15th. The students had a chance to win a plaid blanket or a bag chair plus lots of free swag. Zero Hour is the first hour on Wednesdays at the Willmar High School. 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 us the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses right here in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like the opportunity to connect with the Willmar High School students, please reach out to Jennifer Lindquist, the program coordinator, at bencoordinator@willmarareachamber.com to schedule your date to attend. We have openings on April 12th and a few May dates before the end of the school year. | |
Thanks to everyone that attended the Workplace Culture workshop last week featuring guest presenter Mike Henke. It was excellent learning opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ideas with other local businesses on how to stay competitive, attract strong talent, develop your team, manage expectations, and be a preferred employer in today's ultra-competitive and ever-changing workforce. | |
Chamber Community Volunteer Board | |
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Is your organization looking for volunteers or Board members? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your needs on the Chamber Job Board! Volunteer opportunities will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.
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Chamber Community Job Board | |
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Are you 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 over 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.
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- Wednesday, March 22 at 12:00pm - Agri-Business Meeting at the Chamber
- Thursday, March 23rd at 7:00am - Chamber Board Meeting at the Chamber
- Friday, March 24th at 7:30am - EDC's Chamber Connection at Mainstream Boutique
- Friday, March 24th at 10:00am - Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Mainstream Boutique
- Friday, March 24th at 12:00pm - Chamber Fest Meeting at Green Mill
- Monday, March 27th at 11:30am - 50 Year Milestone Anniversary at CentraCare
- Tuesday, March 28th at 12:00pm - Golf Classic Meeting at Green Mill
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