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Reflections on 2025
This is our final weekly newsletter of the year as Chamber offices close December 22–January 2. I want to end the year—and begin this week’s blog—with sincere gratitude for YOU, our members. Your Chamber exists to serve you and guide us toward a sustainable, growing future.
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Wednesday, January 21 | 7:15 AM
Join us for a moderated discussion with St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as they address their 2026 priorities, what challenges lie ahead for our cities, and how businesses can support and promote the Twin Cities region.
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Wednesday, January 28 | 8:00 AM
Attend the Roseville Business Connect and meet with other Roseville business owners, employees, and residents to hear important information about our community.
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Thursday, February 26 | 5:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we bring together more than 700 members, guests, public officials, and community leaders to celebrate the successes shaping our region and the Chamber initiatives driving the St. Paul area forward.
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Know someone who should enroll in LSP 2026? Applications are open now!
What is LSP? Leadership St. Paul (LSP) is the premier cohort learning program in the Twin Cities for emerging and current civic & business leaders that prepares, challenges, and engages leaders to strengthen the St. Paul/East Metro region.
Find out more information here and tell your friends and colleague to apply.
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The Marketplace brings together trusted, Chamber-vetted businesses and showcases exclusive offers for our community. If you haven’t explored it yet, now is a great time to take a look—and if you’re a Chamber member, you can even add a coupon or special offer directly through your profile to attract new customers.
Let’s continue strengthening our local business community together.
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The Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE) are teaming up once again – this time to celebrate the hockey moms who keep the State of Hockey moving while helping a local nonprofit stock up on supplies.
The Minnesota Frost Hockey Mom Celebration presented by TRIA will take place during the Frost’s home game on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. versus Boston at Grand Casino Arena. The game will feature special recognitions, appearances by the 2026 World Junior Hockey Mom All-Stars, and a personal care essentials drive benefiting Tubman.
Read the full PRESS RELEASE HERE.
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Support Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her’s 2026 Inauguration
Saint Paul is preparing to celebrate the historic inauguration of Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her in January 2026, with the official date and location to be announced soon.
We are currently inviting businesses, organizations, and individuals to join us as event sponsors and help make this a welcoming, community-centered celebration for all of Saint Paul.
To learn more about sponsorship levels or to get involved, please contact Kristen McMullen at kristen.mcmullen@unitedstrategiesllc.com.
| | | Catholic Charities Twin Cities today announced the annual Giving Tree, a festive family-friendly event that provides community members of all ages with easy ways to give back and spread some holiday spirit! The two-day event features opportunities to shop for someone in need; participate in quick volunteer activities; learn more about the work of Catholic Charities; and meet therapy animals, including alpacas, llamas, dogs, cats, and rabbits. Giving Tree will take place at Mall of America (Macy’s Court) from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21. | | |
The Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation (SPDDC) announced today it has purchased the Empire Building, a 55,000-square-foot property located at 360 N. Robert St., and the adjacent Endicott Arcade located at 134 5th Street, immediately north of the Minnesota Museum of American Art and historic Pioneer Endicott. SPDDC is not disclosing the full financial details of the transaction beyond that the $745,000 purchase was fully funded by private investment and no public funds were required to secure the property. Cushman and Wakefield will serve as property manager.
Read the FULL STORY HERE.
| | Are you looking to upgrade your delivery fleet with sustainable vehicles next year? The MPCA's E-bikes for Business Grant offers up to $24,000 to help businesses purchase ebikes for delivery and commercial services! Applications are due by January 15, 2026. If you have questions about making the switch to ebike deliveries, Move Minnesota is here to help! Reach out to Gaby at gabyg@movemn.org. | | | | |
The Wild are headed home for the holidays! New games have been added to your exclusive offer. Start planning your next outing to the rink today!
Unlock your exclusive offer by using "MNCHAM" when checking out.
| | Work is underway in Saint Paul to build the World's Largest Hockey Puck during the city's World Junior celebrations. We're inviting community members and organizations to be part of this exciting project by chipping in help make it happen - this is intended to be a community pride project, and any contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Make a donation today. | | Discover how the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more inclusive workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. | | EDINA, Minn. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces Michelle Myers as Branch Manager of its Edina office. In this role, Myers will lead the team in delivering exceptional service, building strong relationships with Members, and ensuring smooth and successful branch operations. Read the full press release. | | Discover how the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more inclusive workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. | | |
The Women’s Professional Committee is taking time to reimagine how we support and uplift women in our business community. Your voice and experiences matter, and we want to ensure our work truly reflects what you need and value. By responding to this short survey, you’ll help shape our 2026 programs, events, and connection opportunities—so they feel meaningful, relevant, and supportive to women at every stage of their career.
Thank you for taking a moment to share your perspective. It genuinely makes a difference.
| USA Hockey today named 28 players to the preliminary roster of its 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, including nine players who helped the U.S. win its second straight gold medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship a year ago. | | |
The Minneapolis Fed conducts a Business Pulse Survey each month to get a ground-level view of economic conditions from business leaders like you across the Ninth District, a region that includes Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, northwestern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Please sign up to give us your insights. If you become a participant, you can expect to receive the survey at the start of each month. The survey only takes 2–3 minutes to complete. That’s it. And your insights will give us critical intelligence on current business conditions.
You’ll also benefit by participating. We send survey highlights to our respondent pool and links to full results online within two weeks of the survey’s close.
| | Ramsey County invites you to apply for CEO Next, a dynamic peer-learning program designed for business leaders ready to take their companies to the next level. This program brings together CEOs to address the challenges of scaling and provides access to high-quality research and expert support. Through a partnership with Dakota, Scott and Hennepin counties, CEO Next is available at no cost to individuals leading companies with annual revenues over $1 million and between 10 to 99 employees. Get more details and apply at RamseyCountyMN.gov/CEONext. | | |
This December, the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship celebrates its 50th anniversary right here in the State of Hockey. Over 29 games and 11 unforgettable days, fans from around the globe will experience not only world-class hockey, but also the best of Minnesota hospitality, events, and culture.
The World Juniors Puck Partners program is your chance to help welcome the world and show why Minnesota is the State of Hockey. Participating businesses will be featured in the official World Juniors visitors guide, gaining direct exposure to thousands of fans. By offering special promotions, events, or extended hours, you’ll help create an atmosphere that makes this milestone tournament one to remember—and keeps fans coming back to Minnesota long after the final horn.
Businesses can CLICK HERE to Register.
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Yorth Group Term of the Month: Blue-green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure refers to trees and woods, gardens, parks, green roofs, open spaces, and other “soft” elements in the built environment; similarly, blue infrastructure means features like lakes, streams, fountains, storm drainage, ponds, etc. Together, blue-green infrastructure comprises those elements of urban landscapes that make the environment a pleasant, healthy, and desirable space to live, work and play.
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DEED’s business financing programs help companies and communities retain existing jobs and create new high-quality jobs. Not all businesses are eligible. Qualifying companies must meet specific job creation and wage goals.
Trying to grow your business? Minnesota’s tax credits programs can help. Businesses must meet certain criteria to be eligible for tax credits. Requirements are set by each program.
| The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 and includes $10 billion for state, territory and tribal business finance programs. Minnesota has been approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for up to $97 million for small business financing support. This is the second SSBCI initiative – Minnesota received $15 million through the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Minnesota will receive funds in three disbursements over several years. DEED has received the initial disbursement of approximately $29.5 million. Watch the webinar recording providing information on the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Program Overview. | | |
Is your small business a certified Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) being impacted by the US DOT Interim Final Rule (IFR)?
If so, please share your story so we can prepare resources to address your concerns.
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