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Business Excellence Awards Winners Announced
 Last Thursday, we honored 19 businesses and individuals at the Business Excellence Awards. The evening kicked off with a reception in the Minnesota Vikings Touchdown Territory with a fun photo experience and was followed by a delicious plated dinner. Thank you to Crystal Lake Golf Club for an amazing evening!
The program took a quick look back at the past year as well as gave a sneak peek into the upcoming year. We also recognized four volunteers for their service over the past year including: Chris Dixon - Volunteer of the Year; Paul Eggen - Connector of the Year; Brenda Johnson - Ambassador of the Year; and Andy Schriner - Advocate of the Year.
The highlight of the evening included recognizing each of the 19 finalists and announcing the winners of each category. The winners included:
Community Leadership Award - UTC Aerospace Systems
Woman/Minority Owned Business Award - Debi McConnell, Medi-CAR Auto Repair
Young Professional/Emerging Leader Award - Katie Misukanis, Rasmussen College
Non-Profit of the Year Award - Kids 'n Kinship
Small Business of the Year Award - Gateway Bank
Business Excellence Award - Chuck & Don's Pet Food & Supplies
Legacy Award - Dan Nicolai, Castle Rock Bank
Read more about the winners and finalists. Thank you to the sponsors of the Business Excellence Awards along with the committee for planning such an amazing event!
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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Let's Rewind the 2016 Elections
 The lawn signs are down, fall television programming has been restored, and "I VOTED" stickers have lost their 'stick'. Did your candidate win? Any major surprises? David Schultz, a Hamline University Professor of Political Science and Annette Meeks, Founder & CEO of Freedom Foundation of Minnesota are our featured speakers.
Schultz and Meeks will provide a recap of the 2016 Election Results on the federal, state, and regional level. What's the changing political landscape of Dakota County? What does it mean for the next two years for Minnesota? Four years or more for the United States? Join us for a lively discussion as they break it all down.
Register today.
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Emerging Leaders: Holiday Social
Join us on Wednesday, December 7 for our first Emerging Leaders Social at Bald Man Brewing from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Network with other emerging leaders (amazing individuals under 40), enjoy a few appetizers and taste Bald Man's new brews. See you there!
Our emerging leaders will have the opportunity to come together on a quarterly basis to network, share ideas, and help each other continue to grow as leaders within our communities. Register today.
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Events Calendar
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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21
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22
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23
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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24
Happy Thanksgiving
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25
Chamber Office Closed
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28
8:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
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29
8:00 a.m.
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30
8:30 a.m.
PAC Board of Directors
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1
8:00 a.m.
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2
7:30 a.m.
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5
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6
11:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
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7
4:30 p.m.
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8
8:00 a.m.
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9
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12
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
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13
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14
8:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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15
7:45 a.m.
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16
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Did you Know?
The University of St. Thomas conducts a holiday shopping survey each year and are predicting this to be the highest year of spending in the metro area since they started the survey 15 years ago. Shoppers are expected to spend $918 per household, up $68 from last year. We hope you will choose to spend some of your dollars supporting our local businesses on Small Business Saturday which is November 26. Read more about the survey results.
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Metro Hourly Earning Report
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, SYNEVA Economics, private industry average hourly earnings in the metro equaled $28.12 in September 2016. Our metro area is performing better than most with the private industry average hourly earning for all U.S. metros at $22.83.
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Downtown Farmington Business Improvement Grants Now Available
 In an effort to improve the façade of downtown, the City of Farmington EDA has launch a new grant program for local businesses. The intent of the program is to leverage investment in the downtown business district by providing matching grants of $2,500 for façade and exterior improvements. As part of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, business owners are encouraged to improve their buildings' front and back curb appeal through façade improvements such as awnings, paint, tuck pointing, exterior lighting, decorative signage, windows, doors, gutters, accessibility improvements, etc. Read more here or call 651.280.6820 for more information.
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
Farmington City Council meets November 21 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets November 22 - see the agenda
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meets November 22 - see the agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets November 22 - see the agenda
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An Opportunity to Give Back!
There is still time to schedule an appointment to donate blood in the Dakota County Regional Chamber's sponsored Blood Drive on Wednesday, November 30th at the DCR Chamber offices. To schedule your donation,
please click here and enter sponsor code DCRCC.
Take the time this busy season to remember those that need you and donate - it's not too late to give back!
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Member Spotlight: Benefits are Immeasurable
Kari M. Erickson, Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ, P.A.
Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ, P.A. (MUCR) is a full service CPA firm located in Saint Paul. I am a senior manager in the tax department and have been with MUCR since 2001. With over 15 years of public accounting experience, I focus on assisting clients with accounting, tax planning, tax research and tax preparation services. My clients consist of partnerships, small businesses, and individuals. The benefits of being involved in the Chamber are immeasurable. I currently participate in the Chamber's WomEn's Circle Series and the Emerging Leaders Program. The Chamber events have been an excellent way for me to get involved in the community, develop my professional skills, and network with other business professionals. The Chamber has been a valuable place that has helped me grow professionally and personally. And the business relationships and friendships I have made through the Chamber are A-MA-ZING, to say the least!!
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Arby's of Rosemount
Lisa Handley - Re/Max Advantage Plus
PQH Wireless
Speedpro Imaging
St. Croix Lutheran School
Peter W. Thoreen
Kieser Kisting Logistics, LLC
Kurt Kieser Kisting
P.O. Box 439
Savage, MN 55378
(952) 374-8653
Visit website
here
Kieser Kisting Logistics, LLC is a Freight-Forwarder based in Savage, MN. With over twenty-eight years of logistics experience, we offer a wide array of global logistics solutions. Our focus on high quality service and communication sets us apart. We handle the important details required for imports, exports, air, surface and warehousing. We partner with you to move your products in our system. We take the old adage to heart "Treat others as you would want to be treated" and we do that in our business with superior communication and commitment while working together to support your logistics needs.
Orthology
Matthew Murphy
2119 Cliff Road
Eagan, MN 55122
(651) 688-7500
Visit website
here
Whether you've recently been injured, have undergone surgery, or have been suffering with chronic pain for years, Orthology can help you get better, faster. Traditional therapies typically offer temporary relief of symptoms. Orthology is different. Their innovative, proven approach treats the root cause of your pain, helping you quickly get back to doing the things you love.
Visit Orthology.com today to learn more about their treatment approach or to schedule an appointment at one of their seven Minneapolis area locations.
Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.
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Last week these awesome members renewed their Chamber membership. Thank you!!
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Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 An episode of
Into the Outdoors - an educational television series for elementary, middle and high school students - featuring
Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award. Winners will be announced during a ceremony in Chicago on Saturday, December 3.
Click here to watch the episode, entitles "Decoding the Science of Crude Oil." Congratulations and good luck!
 Our Ambassadors helped celebrate the opening of
Arby's in Rosemount with a ribbon cutting. Congratulations to Arby's and welcome to the community!
 Recently, our Ambassadors helped
Sonesta ES Suites MSP Airport celebrate the completion of their remodeling project. Congrats to Sonesta on the updated digs!
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