News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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

*This e-newsletter ad is sponsored by Healthy Fusion.

Chamber Connection

United Community Action Partnership

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.

Heritage Bank - Pennock Celebrates 40 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Bob Mathiasen, Matt Hubert, Ross Magnuson, Breck Erickson, and Mary Schmidt of Heritage Bank NA-Pennock for 40 years of membership! Heritage Bank NA-Pennock was the first established branch of Heritage Bank in Minnesota and offers personal and business finance professionals committed to the growth and development of Pennock and the surrounding Willmar Lakes Area with a special focus on ag banking. Also pictured are Chamber Board members and/or Diplomats Sam Quam (Bethesda), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess, Inc), and Jaime Martinez (CentraCare).

Heritage Bank - Pennock

Ambassadors Welcome Modern MOjO

Congratulations to Tracy Zimmerman-DeSchepper and Lisa Thielke of Modern MOjO on their First Dollar with the Chamber Ambassadors! Modern MOjO is a unique outpatient mental health clinic that strives to provide quality and individual services for their clients, no matter the age or issue. Modern MOjO is mental re-imagined. They look forward to celebrating their grand opening on Friday, and invite you to stop by to meet their team and learn more about the services they offer. Also pictured are Chamber Ambassadors Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Mary Hagen (West Central Technology), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Michelle Marotzke (Mid-Minnesota Development Commission), Julie Anderson (Kensington Insurance/Nesbit Agencies), and Renee Nolting (West Central Industries).

Modern MOjO

Review of Employees vs Independent Contractors

The Minnesota Attorney General's Task Force on Worker Misclassification is reviewing current state and federal laws regarding what constitutes an employee versus an independent contractor, among other items. Other states such as California have taken drastic approaches on this issue that devastated small businesses. While no decisions have been made in Minnesota, we need to make sure small businesses and independent contractors are not inadvertently harmed as the task force works to protect employees. If you pay people on a 1099 instead of a W2, or if you receive a 1099, then this is an issue that could impact you. Contact Brittany VanDerBill (brittany@bvanderbillconsulting.com or 320-894-2378) with questions or to get involved.

Learn More

Palmer Bus Celebrates 5 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Penny Dahlberg for 5 years of membership! Palmer Bus Service has been serving the Willmar Lakes Area by safely transporting students since 1982. A family-owned and operated business, Palmer is looking for a school bus driver. If you are interested, please contact Penny. Also pictured are Chamber Board members and/or Diplomats Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess, Inc), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Jon Rambow (Rambow), and Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones).

Palmer Bus

neXt November Educational

Save the date and join us to learn more about financial planning from some of the area's top experts! There will be plenty of time for Q&A, so bring your questions! Please RSVP to ensure we have enough food and seating for everyone. This event is free for neXt members and $40 for non-members.

RSVP

Lunch with Leaders Recap

Thank you to everyone that joined us for the Lunch with Leaders DEI panel. It was great to have a full room for this important discussion. Special thanks to Bremer Bank for their hospitality and to our fantastic panelists: Shay Marlowe, Diversity Recruiter for the Minnesota Department of Human Services; Fadumo Hussein, owner of FAJ Language Services LLC; Pablo Obregon, Director of Community Growth for the City of Willmar, Minnesota; Abdirizak Mahboub, owner of West Central Interpreting Services, LLC and VaLoris Anderson, Executive Director of Advocacy & Inclusion Matter of West Central MN.

Letters of Support Needed for Broadband

Letters may be emailed to sarah@kandiyohi.com or sent to the EDC at PO Box 1783 Willmar, MN 56201.

Holidaze Saturday, November 18th

Schedule of Events:

2:30 PM - Free Holiday Movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol at The Barn Theatre

4 PM - Free Hot Chocolate and cookies with Q102 & Big Country by Selvig Park (while supplies last)

4 PM - 6 PM Activities and Crafts at The Barn Theatre & Lakeland Building

4 PM - 6 PM Pictures with Santa and Mrs Claus at The Goodness Coffee House

4 PM - 6 PM Festival of Trees & Gingerbread House Displays at The Barn Theatre

4 PM - 6 PM Holidaze “Touch a Truck” on 4th Street

6:30 PM Holidaze Lighted Parade. Cookes and hot chocolate to follow at First Presbyterian Church.

Learn More

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.