I got news late Sunday, news that marks the end of an era. George Latimer, Saint Paul’s longest serving mayor, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 89. The Pioneer Press wrote a nice piece on him.  

Take a moment and read the article – you’ll learn something. I sure did. Latimer’s service as Mayor preceded many of us here in Saint Paul; others have deeply treasured memories that extend to your own parents. What I have learned is that he brought innovative thinking coupled with a spirit that deeply cared about people as individuals. People have been telling me stories, about both his great successes (District Energy and the Ordway are but two) and his challenges. Most importantly, in each case people speak about how Latimer cared about people. What I appreciate the most about what I’ve learned about Latimer is his growth mindset. He focused on building up Saint Paul, on thinking bigger than we were, something we need to embrace today as well. We are at another inflection point, and downtown revitalization must remain front and center.

See you in the trenches.

B

B Kyle

President & CEO

St. Paul Area Chamber

Lunch with Leaders

Join us for our September Lunch with Leaders which will focus on small businesses and entrepreneurship. Before lunch, we will host an hour of speed networking where small businesses, entrepreneurs and others can connect! During our lunch program, we will hear from Dr. Paul Campbell about the NASA Inclusive Innovation Mashup Lab. We will also introduce the MSP Start Up Guide, in collaboration with Full Stack St. Paul. 

Chamber Connect: Allianz Field

This month we will be partnering with MN United Football Club at Allianz Field. Join us to sample appetizers from their catering partner Delaware North, hear MNUFC team updates from Chief Soccer Officer & Sporting Director, Khaled El-Ahmad, and Head Coach, Eric Ramsay, and learn about the event spaces offered at Allianz Field! 

Career Connect:

Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration

Career Connect Day is your opportunity to give back, and to inspire the next generation to join your field! Career Connect Day offers 2,000 high school students the chance to interact with local organizations and businesses. For 90 minutes, students will meet and talk with a wide array of organizations and businesses to find out what it takes to move toward their dream job. Businesses have the opportunity to interact with young people, learn about their interests, and inspire them to become future leaders and team members. Join us!

MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator Workshop

Tuesday, Sept 10 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator Workshop

Tuesday, Sept 24 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

View more Chamber & community events!

Congratulations to The Minnesota Star Tribune for the rebranding and investment covering statewide issues and partnering with other media outlets. Learn more.

A new bookstore is set to join the retail offerings at Union Depot with the addition of Story Line Books, which will welcome customers starting this fall. Story Line Books will be located in the Head House at Union Depot–between Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store and 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn and will be open daily, offering a wide variety of genres, with more curated selections for fiction and children's books. Learn more.

Drake Bank welcomes Frank Inamagua as Vice President, Commercial Banker. Inamagua brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in business and retail banking, having over 15 years at various financial institutions.

BrightSide Produce Distribution has received a grant from the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds. The grant will support their work with local corner stores, which is a foundational program for BrightSide. Celebrate the work of BridghtSide at their anniversary party on October 5th!

Recognizing the impact growing businesses make on the local economy, Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, and Scott counties, along with the city of Saint Paul, established a resource program, CEO Next Business Institute, for second stage businesses. CEO Next is currently accepting applications. Priority consideration will be given to applications for businesses in those counties received before September 15. Apply now.

The Twin Cities Metro Workforce Development Boards are establishing a new partnership with Goodwill Easter Seals, the Urban League, the Saint Paul Area Chamber and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber for the MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator program. Learn more.

The Airport Foundation MSP invites you to attend State of the Airport Annual Luncheon on Thursday, September 26 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel. The Twin Cities business luncheon brings together more than 600 local business and civic leaders to gain insights on the national air travel industry and the latest developments at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the most influential drivers of the local economy.  Register now.

# ConnectingSTP CONNT WITH US!