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Please Consider Donating Wine Or Beer For Reds, Whites & Brews!
We’ll share your photo on social media plus attach a tag with your logo to all items you contribute and display them at the event. Donations are needed at the Chamber office by Friday, March 15th. Email if you have questions.
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THIS WEEK: Member Luncheon
Thursday, March 14th
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Pablo's Mexican Restaurant
REGISTER
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THIS WEEK: Advocacy Work Group
Thursday, March 14th
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Zoom
REGISTER
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Reds, Whites & Brews
Friday, March 22nd
6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Canterbury Park
REGISTER
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Coffee And Connections
AND Annette Belding's Retirement Farewell!
Tuesday, March 26th
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Badger Hill Brewing
REGISTER
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Get To Know Main Street Breakfast
Wednesday, March 27th
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
O'Brien's Public House
REGISTER
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Ribbon Cutting For Justina's Pet Sitting Service
Monday, April 8th
3:00 PM
Shakopee Brewhall
REGISTER
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The Shakopee Chamber Foundation is providing three $1,000 scholarship opportunities for Leadership Academy. Click HERE for information and guidelines. | |
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2024 Rhythm On The Rails Sponsorship Opportunities
Be part of the biggest Shakopee party of the year and connect with over 30,000 attendees by being a Rhythm on the Rails sponsor! This 6-week, outdoor concert series will take place on Wednesday nights in June & July. Rhythm on the Rails is a community-based event and a collaborative effort lead by the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau & Downtown Shakopee. Check out all the amazing sponsorship opportunities that are available, then contact Heather Proskey to secure your sponsorship!
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Celebrating Women
Almost 90 women joined us on Friday for the first session of the 2024 INSPIRE: Shakopee Chamber Women's Series. A panel from the THRIVE! Speakers Collective led the group in a celebration of International Women's Day by sharing stories of both struggles and success from their professional and personal lives.
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BUSINESS INFORMATION & RESOURCES | |
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Small Business Round Table
Wednesday, March 13th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Center for Entrepreneurship, Shakopee
Join the Scott County CFE for a Small Business RoundTable. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this FREE event is tailored for you! This RoundTable is your chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share insights and experiences, collaborate on innovative ideas, and gain valuable resources and support. REGISTER
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Small Businesses Impacted By Lack Of Snow Urged To Apply For Business Assistance
As Minnesota continues to face record-high winter temperatures, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota has unlocked federal funding for small businesses impacted by this winter’s historic drought conditions. Amid the warmest winter on record, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 81 Minnesota counties. MORE INFO
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Enhanced SBA Lender Match Platform Introduced
The SBA recently introduced the next generation of its Lender Match tool for small businesses to connect to capital through SBA’s network of approved banks and private lenders. The enhanced Lender Match will provide Americans seeking funding to start and grow their businesses with a simple, online tool that will more effectively match them with the SBA’s competitive lending products and additional offerings from a trusted network of banks and private lenders.
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Loans & Grants Available
Grant to support recycling market development projects: Proposals are sought that will increase recycling feedstock value and end market capacity, divert recyclable materials from disposal, and create jobs in Minnesota. Application deadline is April 25th. INFO & APPLICATION
Grant to support wasted food prevention and food rescue efforts: Proposals are sought that will work to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s food system by expanding existing or establishing new prevention of wasted food and/or food rescue projects. Application deadline is May 2nd. INFO & APPLICATION
Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan: 0% interest loans are available to assist Minnesota’s small businesses improve their business practices to meet or exceed environmental regulations. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. INFO & APPLICATION
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New Retail Delivery Fee
Starting July 1, 2024, there will be a Retail Delivery Fee of 50 cents that applies to certain transactions involving retail delivery in Minnesota. (See Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 168E.) For additional information about this new fee, including FAQs, exemptions, and exclusions, click here.
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Support For Workforce Scholarship Pilot Program
Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau President, Tim Zunker, had the honor of testifying in front of the House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee on March 6th regarding H.F. 3194, which would create a workforce scholarship pilot program for Scott County.
Thank you to Representative Brad Tabke and Senator Eric Pratt for your work in authoring the bill. Also, thank you to Representative Ben Bakeberg and Senator Lindsey Port for signing on to the bill, supporting training, and retaining our current and future workforce in Scott County.
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Attend Chamber Day at the Capitol on April 11th to hear from key legislators on the proposals impacting your business. Employer's voices are needed at the Capitol now more than ever! REGISTER
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The free National Small Business Week Virtual Summit on April 30th-May 1st will include educational webinars, exhibit booths, free business resources, and expert business advice. REGISTER
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Grow Minnesota!’s Guide to Business Funding aims to simplify the process of business funding by providing guidance on how to access different financial solutions in Minnesota, insights on when to access them, and where to find support through the process.
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Minnesota’s new Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law went into effect at the beginning of 2024 and requires employers to provide employees with paid leave that can be used for certain reasons, including when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member, or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. RESOURCES
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The Minnesota Technology Association is looking to distribute 300 small business grants, each worth up to $2,500, through their SciTech Internship Program! Companies can use this free resource to connect with pre-vetted talent and access funds when you hire STEM interns through the SciTech Program. The employer enrollment form must be submitted by May 31st. APPLY
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MN DEED has created the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) to encourage employment of people with disabilities. Small to mid-sized Minnesota employers can request reimbursement of up to $30,000 each year for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. LEARN MORE
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The Scott County Business Recycling Grant offers businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship up to $10,000 per organization to implement new or increase existing recycling-organic efforts and achieve compliance with State requirements; schools are eligible for up to $5,000.
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Sam's Club Distribution Center Ribbon Cutting
The Chamber recently welcomed Sam's Club Distribution Center to Shakopee, a state-of-the-art, 365,000 square foot facility that will provide valuable jobs for Scott County residents.
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Affinity Plus Breaks Ground For New Shakopee Branch
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union held a groundbreaking event at the end of February to mark the beginning of construction on its new branch, conveniently located off of County Road 18 in Shakopee. This new branch location reflects Affinity Plus’s commitment to serving the growing Shakopee community and surrounding area with convenient access to a full suite of banking services and member-centric programs.
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Wake Up With FOX 9 At The Shakopee Brewhall!
Wednesday, March 13th
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
As a part of their local coffeeshop spotlight, FOX 9 will be at the taproom to talk about the Brewhall and their coffee-ventures! Come say hi to FOX 9 personalities and enjoy a free drip coffee (while supplies last). Shakopee Brewhall will be releasing St. Patrick's Day coffees and doing an enter-to-win raffle for the first 50 customers of the day. Bittner’s Bakery will have St. Patrick’s Day cookies available, as well. It’s going to be a fun morning, so come represent at the Shakopee Brewhall!
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Shakopee Celebrates Reading!
It's that time of year again for the "Shakopee Celebrates Reading" event when the Shakopee Rotary Club prepares to hand out a brand-new book and backpack to every first-grade child in Shakopee (public and private schools). This program is always much-loved and well-received by all involved from our community. This year we are looking to collect enough items to fill 575 backpacks. Items with your organization name, logo and/or contact information are welcome and can include things like pencils, erasers, bookmarks, stickers, bracelets, notepads, etc. (Food and candy are not accepted.) Donations are needed no later than April 26th. Please plan your orders to allow enough time to get them to us. We are happy to arrange for someone to come and pick up the items from your business or they can be dropped off at Eagle Creek Elementary School in Shakopee during regular school hours. This is a great way for companies and organizations to reach 575 households and to give back to their community at the same time. A "win-win" for all! Please direct any questions to Shakopee Rotary Club organizer, Sheila McNeill, or Shakopee Chamber President, Tim Zunker. Thank you for your consideration and help in this worthwhile endeavor!
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The Dining Out Shakopee Passport Is Now Only $5.00!
The Dining Out Shakopee Passport, an incredible collaboration between the Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau and several amazing Shakopee area restaurants, is full of delicious discounts and deals. The Passport is good through 6/30/24. Click here for all the details and to purchase your Passport!
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The Perfect Gift For Everyone Who Loves Shakopee
This beautiful Shakopee mug is the perfect gift for all your Shakopee friends and family - and don't forget to grab one for yourself, too. The cost is $18 per mug. You can purchase your mug online, buy it at the Chamber office, or pick one up at Bluff Creek Boutique (Shakopee location).
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Membership Referral Program
Refer a member to the Shakopee Chamber and receive a $75 credit towards your annual membership renewal. No limit! Email Annette Belding for details.
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