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Consumer spending remains strong with September retail sales increasing 0.8% to $745 billion, exceeding economists' expectations and rising 6.3% year over year. Continued spending supports retailers, restaurants and businesses throughout the supply chain. Manufacturing gains momentum with industrial production increasing 0.7% in September, with manufacturing output rising 0.3%. Production of construction supplies increased 1%, while machinery, metals and electrical equipment also recorded gains—positive developments for Dakota County's industrial economy. Employers continue retaining workers with new unemployment claims remaining exceptionally low at 199,000, marking five consecutive weeks below 200,000.
The Bottom Line: Strong consumer demand, improving industrial activity and low layoffs provide encouraging signs of economic stability, even as inflation and operating costs remain challenging. Sources: US Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, US Department of Labor.
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City of Farmington Coffee Break
Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 - 9:00 am, Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd Street, Farmington
Meet the Chamber
Wednesday, October 28, 8:45 - 10:00 am, Think Bank, 4245 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Eagan
Upstairs Community Room
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| Business Owners Roundtable | | |
October's Business Owners Roundtable brings DCR business owners together for a peer-to-peer discussion where you can exchange ideas and share experiences. Click HERE to attend.
Wednesday, November 4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
DCR Offices, 1895 Plaza Drive, Eagan *Conference room at the end of the hall
| | Level Up Lunch - Business Recycling Recap | | |
The new Level Up Lunch series kicked off at 5-8 Grill & Tap in West St. Paul last week!
Rob Friend of Sustainable Synergy Solutions led the first session discussing business recycling and ways businesses can make a difference.
Thanks to Rob and to everyone who came out to help launch this new series!
| | BEA Awards - The Golden Standard is Almost HERE! | | |
The countdown is on for the 2026 DCR Business Excellence Awards: The Golden Standard, presented by Flint Hills Resources on November 5 at Royal Cliff Event Center!
✨Tickets and tables are still available through October 26th while they last.
✨Last call for sponsorships! Contact Jane to get involved. 🍰We're also accepting Dessert Dash donations, reach out to Kayla to contribute.
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✨Golden Raffle - Feeling Lucky?
Need one more reason to attend the event? Some great prizes are up for grabs in this year’s Golden Raffle, including sporting events, overnight getaways, gift cards and more! [Must be present to win.]
Get more chances to win for less! Grab 5 raffle tickets for $100 using the QR code to the right. Tickets will be $25 each on event day, so take advantage of the advance pricing!
Don't miss one of the DCR's biggest celebrations of the year. Register HERE and get ready for a golden evening!
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| Cyber Security Training - It's Time to Register | | |
Registration is coming up for the FREE Cybersecurity Certification Training available to Members, beginning
January 11 through March 10 at Dakota County Technical College. Classes will be held in a hybrid format, combining Zoom sessions with in-person instruction at DCTC.
Reminder that the program is 100% funded including classes, materials and the certification exam, courtesy of a Minnesota Office of Higher Education Dual Pipeline Grant secured by your DCR Foundation. In addition, your DCR Chamber Foundation will provide Kwik Trip gas/gift cards to cover most, if not all, travel costs.
Upon completing the Cisco exam, students will receive a “Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity” certification. Students receive both a lifetime certification and digital badge after passing.
Classes meet via Zoom, Mondays from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, and on campus, Wednesdays from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. No class on January 18 and February 15 due to holidays.
We need names of interested participants by the end of October! If you or an employee have been considering this opportunity, now’s the time to act. Contact Jon Althoff with “cyber security” in the subject line to secure your spot!
| | Mayors Cup and Kick$4aCURE Update | | 2nd Congressional Candidate Debate Recording Available | | |
The 7th biennial 2nd Congressional District Debate was held at DCTC last Monday between candidates Matt Little and Eric Pratt. If you haven't watched the 60-minute debate, please do so HERE. CD2 is one of the most closely contested and nationally watched races this year. Over 500 have viewed the recorded debate so far!
Thank you Town Square Television, DCTC, Rosemount Police and the nine CD2 Chambers of Commerce who participated.
| | Election Season Resources | | The League of Women Voters offers a variety of election resources available at Vote411.org and will be hosting several key candidate forums throughout the DCR Region. | | 360 Communities Lewis House Groundbreaking Event | | 360 Communities held a groundbreaking event for the new Lewis House, a 24/7 domestic and sexual violence shelter and support program, in Eagan last week. A celebration of the ribbon cutting was held at DCR Member Union 32 with a fabulous turn out and great beer and wings! 360 Communities CEO Jeff Mortenson sported specially designed construction gear. | | Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Rosemount Fundraiser | | Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Rosemount held their annual Pizza and Pasta fundraiser and had another excellent turn out! | | |
Ecolab is proposing a major expansion of its 89-acre campus at 655 Lone Oak Road in Eagan, including 104,888 square feet of new construction and renovations to an additional 228,119 square feet. Plans include new laboratories, infrastructure upgrades, solar installations and geothermal systems. Construction could begin in early 2027, with City Council consideration of the required land-use amendment scheduled for October 20. Source: Finance and Commerce
The City Council approved a preliminary 2027 property tax levy increase of 4.9%, down from an earlier 6.8% proposal. The final budget hearing and adoption is scheduled for December 15. Source Eaganmn.gov
| | Farmington approves downtown expansion district. The City Council voted 4–1 to establish a new zoning district allowing downtown commercial development to expand gradually into adjoining blocks. Eligible uses include retail, restaurants, offices, housing and mixed-use development. New businesses must generally locate adjacent to existing businesses or at qualifying commercial corners. Source South Metro Scoop | | Tampa-based Chadwell Supply leased 112,520 square feet at 1500 Commerce Drive as a major distribution facility. The company initially expects to employ 25–30 people, with plans for additional hiring. Source: Mpls/STP Business Journal | | Rosemount Mayor Jeff Weisensel joined DCTC and Meta for a Be Pro, Be Proud workforce event, giving students a hands-on look at careers in the skilled trades. Through virtual reality experiences inside a specially equipped semi-trailer, students explored everything from operating heavy equipment to electrical line work and truck driving. We learned at the event that perhaps City Administrator Logan Martin and Community Development Director Adam Keinberger shouldn't be allowed to drive semis! Source: Thanks to the City of Rosemount | | |
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS YOUR DCR MEMBERSHIP OFFERS!
Log in by entering your username (email) and password to gain access to your company's member site to update information and take advantage of all the marketing tools included with your membership.
| | Check out upcoming DCR Chamber events on our online calendar! | | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL FOR EVENT PHOTOS, LAST MINUTE UPDATES & MORE | | | | |
