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Business activity remains near a five-year high, which, with the combination of strong new orders, expanding manufacturing activity and increased hiring makes this particularly relevant to Dakota County's manufacturing and service sectors.
From an economic perspective, these are encouraging signs of resilience, but significant challenges remain. S&P Global also reported that selling-price increases reached their fastest pace since August 2022, reflecting higher energy, materials and transportation costs. Businesses should view the strong growth figures alongside these continuing inflation pressures.
Source: S&P Global
| | Kwik Trip Eagan Ribbon Cutting | | |
Kwik Trip is opening its third Eagan location on Pilot Knob Road! Help celebrate the grand opening with an official ribbon cutting as you check out the new store. Register HERE!
Wednesday, November 11, 10:00 - 11:00 am
4190 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan
| | Town Square Television Coffee Break - Lights, Camera, Coffee! | | |
We're putting the spotlight on Town Square Television at our next DCR Coffee Break! Get a closer look at how this nonprofit brings local stories to life through news, sports, arts and community programming across seven Dakota County cities. Register HERE and be part of the story. Side note: check out Town Square's video handiwork at the BEA Awards Gala next week!
Thursday, November 12, 8:00 - 9:00 am
5845 Blaine Avenue, Inver Grove Heights
| | County-Wide After Hours and B2B Expo | | |
The 2026 County-Wide After Hours Networking & B2B Expo is shaping up to be a great evening, with all vendor spots officially SOLD OUT, but anyone can attend! Connect with businesses and Members from five Dakota County Chambers while enjoying complimentary appetizers, a cash bar and plenty of prize drawings. Register HERE and get in on the fun!
Note that Jon and Kayla will be at an off-site meeting that evening and we thank Josh Sargent of Luminate Bank for stepping in as our DCR host.
Thursday, November 12, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Wyndham Minneapolis South/Burnsville, 14201 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville
| | Wild Tree Wellness Ribbon Cutting Recap | | A new space focused on mental health and well-being is now part of the Eagan community! 🌿 Wild Tree Wellness recently opened its doors, and the DCR Chamber was there to help mark the occasion with a ribbon cutting. | | Beyond the Yellow Ribbon/Twin City Homes Happy Hour & Handshakes Recap | | DCR Members gathered at Fireside Restaurant & Bar for Happy Hour & Handshakes, co-hosted by Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Rosemount and Twin City Homes. Thanks to our co-hosts for the warm hospitality and a fun afternoon! | | City of Farmington Coffee Break Recap | | A little hometown hospitality was on the menu at this morning's Coffee Break hosted by the City of Farmington at the Rambling River Center. City Administrator Lynn Gorski shared that Farmington was named the 2026 “City of the Year” by Minnesota Real Estate Journal (REjournals). The recognition is especially noteworthy given Farmington's efforts to attract new commercial investment, expand its business tax base and promote development opportunities. Thanks to the Farmington crew for a great start to the day! | | BEA Awards - One Week Until the Golden Standard | | |
The 2026 DCR Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Flint Hills Resources, is just one week away!
✨A big THANK YOU to our generous sponsors for helping make this celebration possible! Check out our sponsors below.
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✨Ticket sales are now closed, but there's still time to get in on the Golden Raffle!
From sporting events and overnight getaways to gift cards and more, some great prizes are up for grabs.
Purchase 5 tickets for $100 using the QR code above before the event, when tickets will be $25 each. Must be present to win.
✨ Have a last-minute question about the event? Contact Kayla.
| | | TriDistrict CAPS (Career and College Readiness Initiative) Calling all Mentors! | | |
Two Rivers High School is looking for mentors to help 9th graders explore future career opportunities! Share your career journey, experiences and advice during the school's Warrior Seminar program. Mentors are asked to commit to three Friday sessions, approximately 1.5 hours each. Upcoming dates include November 13, December 11 and January 15.
Sign up HERE to help inspire the next generation! Contact Ben Kusch with questions.
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School Bus Safety Week (last week) highlights a critical reality – our kids are most vulnerable while boarding and exiting the bus. Most school-bus-related fatalities occur outside the vehicle, often when motorists fail to stop for flashing red lights and extended stop-arms. Click HERE to watch a video discussing the law on school bus safety and click HERE for additional information.
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Last week Meta brought the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop to Dakota County Technical College’s Fall Open House, where DCTC President Michael Berndt and Rosemount Mayor Jeff Weisensel welcomed attendees, and students and families explored the workshop. Rosemount was one of 10 stops on the program’s 10th-anniversary tour, part of Meta’s three-year partnership that has reached approximately 70,000 students nationwide.
During the event, Meta announced a $250,000 grant to DCTC for the development of their AI-Enabled Process Control & Operations Center, a lab designed to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, industrial automation and critical infrastructure. The college plans to open the center to employers, regional workforce training and K-12 career exploration as well.
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| Vikings Corporate Flag Football Results | | |
The inaugural Vikings Corporate Flag Football Tournament was a big hit! Teams took to the field for some friendly competition and team building, with Roers Companies defeating Key Contracting to claim the championship! Players ranged in age from 19 to 67 and Vikings alum Pete Bercich even suited up for the Vikings staff team! Check out event photos HERE!
| | Cybersecurity Training - Last Call | | |
LAST CALL! Interested in getting your entire DCR Membership investment back while gaining critical knowledge for your business? If you have an employee or employees who you would like to see gain the CISCO Certification for Cybersecurity, the value of this certificate program is over $4000/student. Through your DCR Membership, it's free including course and books and there is even a gas card to help your employee cover gas costs to get to class.
Classes will be held in a hybrid format, beginning January 11 through March 10. 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.
Contact Jon this week with 'cybersecurity' in the subject line. There are only 6 openings left, and registration closes next week!
| | Mayors Cup and Kick$4aCURE Update - Donate This Week | | State Referendum on School Funding | | Minnesota voters will weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment on November 3 that would increase funding to school districts through the state's Permanent School Fund. If approved, the change would take effect July 1, 2027, without raising individual income or property taxes. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce recommends approval of the amendment. Learn more about the proposed amendment HERE. | | Election Season Resources | | The League of Women Voters offers a variety of election resources available at Vote411.org. | | Coratel Inn & Suites Celebrates Ballroom Opening | | Coratel Inn & Suites in Eagan is celebrating the soft opening of its new banquet room on Friday, October 30, from 5:00 pm to midnight. Stop by for an evening of food, drinks, karaoke and live performances! Join the festivities at 1950 Rahncliff Court, Eagan. | | Crew Carwash Honors First Responders with a FREE Carwash | | |
In honor of National First Responders Day, Wednesday, October 28, Crew Carwash is offering a free Ultimate 360° Wash to all EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.
The offer is good at all five Minnesota Crew Carwash locations in West St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Eden Prairie and St. Cloud.
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| Elections take center stage this week with races and ballot questions across our cities, Dakota County and the 2nd Congressional District. We encourage you to use the five minutes you'd normally spend reading this section to research your candidates, referendums and local issues. And if you missed the recent CD2 Candidate Debate, watch it HERE. More than 570 people have already tuned in! | | |
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| | Check out upcoming DCR Chamber events on our online calendar! | | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL FOR EVENT PHOTOS, LAST MINUTE UPDATES & MORE | | | | |
