If April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring?

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Details on possible paid leave improvements

Paid family and medical leave will take effect on January 1, 2026. The Governor and Democrat members of the Legislature have said they won’t repeal the program. The MN Chamber is working with our legislators on the following business priorities:

• SF 3141 / HF 2962 (Sen. Frentz, Sen. Seeberger, Sen. Rasmusson, Rep. Baker): Paid Family and Medical Leave recommendations include: program scoping modifications and program integrity (e.g. reduced total number of weeks; modified weekly benefit formula; tightened up definition of "family"; reduced premium cap); private plan viability and functionality issues (e.g. benefit equivalency standard); seasonal employee definition fix and to cover all industries; and a small business exemption.
• SF 2300 / HF 2025 / HF 1325 (Sen. Seeberger, Sen. Frentz, Sen. Rest, Sen. Rasmusson, Sen. Dornink, Rep. Baker, Rep. Schultz): Sick and Safe Time recommendations include: repeal the “more generous PTO” change; adjusting notice and documentation provisions and addressing SST misuse issues (employer workability concerns); frontloading fix; and a small business exemption.

Session outlook with three weeks remaining

The House and Senate continue passing omnibus bills in preparation for conference committees which will determine policy and funding provisions as part of the state’s budget. A record number of bills have been introduced this session; however, few have progressed through the committee process and to the House or Senate floor for final votes. Passing the state budget no later than June 30 remains the major to-do item. They are working with limited funds available for this budget cycle and an estimated $6 billion deficit projected for fiscal years 2028-29.  

Registration open through Friday. The afternoon is jam packed with an attractions expo, keynote address, awards program and prize drawings from the attractions in attendance.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored and purchased tickets for our annual FUNdraiser! The Foundation Board meets tomorrow to decide how many scholarships we can award. Stay tuned to see how many Lakeville students will receive a scholarship!  

Last week, Tim O’Neil from DEED presented to the City of Lakeville Economic Development Commission on labor trends in Lakeville. Click the image to see the data.

We participated in our first Paid Leave employer engagement session last week. At these sessions, MN Paid Leave staff are providing an overview of the program and answering your questions to help you get ready for the January 1, 2026 program start date.

VIRTUAL - There will be webinars held each month. Watch here for registration links.

NEXT IN PERSON EVENT - Wednesday, May 14, 2025

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Weitz Center for Creativity | Larson Family Meeting Room

320 3rd St. E. - Northfield

Register for the event

Chamber Co-hosts: Elko New Market, Hastings, Lakeville, Lonsdale, Northfield, Red Wing, New Prague, Faribault.

We are starting to work on our 2025-26 member directory and community guide. Chamber members get two-for-one exposure in this, as we distribute 650 spiral bound directories to current and new Chamber members, and then we print an additional 3,000 copies, in magazine form, and circulate those throughout the community all year. We also have the digital guide on our website all year long.

All of our members are listed free on the resource pages. Members have the opportunity to purchase full color ads throughout the magazine to market your business to fellow members and the Lakeville community at large. This advertising support is also what allows us to print so many additional copies each year.

Starting this week, you will be contacted by our publishing partner, APG/ECM, to ask if you would like to purchase an ad. You can contact Kristine directly at 952-846-2047 or kristine.richter@apgecm.com.

 Our friends at the River Heights Chamber are partnering with our other friend, Erik Therwanger, on a half day session – Selling through Chaos. The River Heights Chamber is offering our members their member rate of $75/person. If you would like to register, please email RHCC President, Bob Ruhland, at bob@riverheights.com.

The Chamber has Twins tickets for sale. Click the image and then click register to see the available dates this spring and summer.

Our Chamber Ambassadors give back so much of their time and talent to the Chamber and our business community. They attend events, write thank you notes, deliver membership and anniversary plaques, and more. Throughout the year we will highlight them. Make sure and say Hi when you see them around! 

Name: Jean Thares

Title: Owner

Company: Vacation Mode Travel Agency

Your Specialty:

I’m your local travel expert specializing in cruises, land trips, and group adventures. You’d be surprised to find out it does not cost more to book with a pro!

Reason you like doing business in Lakeville:

Lakeville has a vibrant community of business professionals who are committed to supporting one another through networking and collaborative growth opportunities.

Years as a Chamber Member: I joined in 2024

Years as an

Ambassador: I am a new Ambassador in 2025

Favorite thing about being a Lakeville Chamber member:  The opportunities to meet new people and get to know them.

Best advice you would

give to a new Chamber Member: Get involved and stay involved. If you’re not comfortable attending an event alone, I’ll be your wingman!

Your must-attend Chamber event, and why: 

Annual Home Show. Great way to showcase your business to the Lakeville community, build relationships and get leads.

Give us your best piece of business advice you have received: Fish where the fish are!

Favorite go-to meal at one of our restaurants: 

Lakeville has so many good restaurants it’s hard to choose just one! I’m skipping right to dessert: carrot cake at PorterHouse.

Favorite thing to do for fun around town: I enjoy spending time outside when the weather is nice. Lakeville has such a great assortment of bars, restaurants, walking paths and parks.

Email Brenda if interested. First come, first serve.



Foursome ($820) (1 available)

• Includes golf, lunch, dinner and the Lucky Golfer Package (5 raffle tickets, 1 drink ticket, 1 mulligan, and 1 Hit the Rock course challenge) for each golfer.

Driving Range Sponsorship ($750) (1 available)

• Logo on registration page and at the driving range, name in pre/post event recognition, name in the program and lunch and dinner for 2. (A table can also be set up at the driving range, if you would like to have someone staff that prior to the start of the tournament).

Lucky Golfer Sponsorship ($750) (1 available)

• Logo on registration page and on stickers on each lucky golfer package (5 raffle tickets, 1 drink ticket, 1 mulligan, and 1 Hit the Rock course challenge) that every golfer receives, name in pre/post event recognition, name in the program and lunch and dinner for 2.

Staffed Hole Sponsorship ($450) (1 available)

• Includes a sign at your hole, lunch and dinner for 2, a 4’ table & bench at hole, a cart for you to use all day, and your name in the program.

Unstaffed Hole Sponsorship ($250)

• Logo on registration page, sign at hole (at the green), name in program.

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Make Mom’s Day Extra Special – Reserve Your Mother’s Day Brunch in Lakeville!

Treat the amazing moms in your life to a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch! From cozy cafés to elegant restaurants, our local spots are serving up mouthwatering menus and unforgettable moments.

Mother’s Day is May 12 – tables fill fast, so make your reservation today!

Find your perfect brunch destination at VisitLakeville.org

Thank you for your support!