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The Chamber office will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Monday, Oct. 26.
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President's ReportSupport Your Local Chamber Day is WednesdayWednesday, Oct. 21, is National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day. Across the country, it's a thank-you to about 4,000 local chambers. Locally, it's a reminder of who makes up the Laurentian Chamber: bankers, miners, the small businesses on Main Street, electricians and plumbers, financial planners, tourism support, the folks who show up for Breakfast Connections, and many more. Five ways to support your Chamber this week:
Board of Directors: welcome to our newest directorsThe board has appointed two members to fill open seats:
Nominated to join the board in 2027The board's Nominating Committee has put forward the following candidates for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2027:
Employers: how is Paid Family and Medical Leave working for you? Minnesota's PFML program has been in effect since January, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is running its second survey of the year on how it's affecting businesses. Even if you took the first round in March, take this one too, since they're tracking changes over time. The results will shape advocacy heading into the 2027 legislative session, where PFML is expected to be a top issue.
One question for you. Our board meets in November to set the Chamber's priorities for the years ahead. Hit reply and tell me the one issue you want us working on for your business. I read every response.
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Upcoming Chamber Events
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Chamber Recaps
Breakfast Connections: inside the MnDOT Virginia HQ job siteAdolfson & Peterson Construction hosted us Oct. 14 at the site of the new $86 million MnDOT Virginia headquarters. The new salt shed is already in use, and the main building is on track to finish in November 2027. More than 25 members and guests also shared updates, from The Title Team's new Virginia office to new Habitat for Humanity homes in the Ridgewood neighborhood.
Thank you to Matt Sjoberg and AP for hosting.
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Chamber Member News
United Way needs Lunch Buddies mentors so students can start this monthUnited Way of Northeastern Minnesota's Lunch Buddies mentoring program is set to start this month, but several schools are on hold until more mentors sign up. Help erase the wait list:
Photo by Patricia Canelake
Hometown Focus gets its own candy thanks to Canelake's CandiesTwo Virginia businesses teamed up on a one-of-a-kind candy that represents both of them. Hometown Focus editor Abbigail Pratt has the story of how the idea became something sweet.
MiningMinnesota and Twin Metals share Range voices on responsible miningMiningMinnesota and Twin Metals Minnesota have released a series of short videos featuring people who live and work here, from a fisheries biologist to a fourth-generation Ely local, on why strong regulations and a healthy environment go hand in hand with mining.
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Opportunities for Your BusinessJoin the Shop Indie Local holiday campaign
Free for Main Street businesses
The American Independent Business Alliance and American Booksellers Association campaign pairs well with Small Business Saturday. Partners get a listing on the campaign webpage, weekly marketing ideas, and ready-made press release and social media templates. Sign up free
Levitt Festival Grants for nonprofit members
Apply by Friday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m. Central
Grants up to $5,000 (no more than 30% of festival expenses) for 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor festivals in 2027 with paid professional musicians. Read the grant FAQs
Bois Forte Sobriety Feast
Thursday, Oct. 22 | Woodlands Ballroom, Fortune Bay Resort Casino
Vendor booths run 9 a.m.-noon, and the feast runs 1-7:30 p.m. Big Woods Transit offers free round-trip rides from Virginia, Cook, Nett Lake and Vermilion. Share it with employees and customers, and call 1-888-757-1540 to reserve a seat.
Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Virginia Sheriff's Office
A simple one to pass along to your staff: a safe place to drop off unused or expired medications.
Age-Friendly Arrowhead Exchange
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Minnesota Discovery Center, 1005 Discovery Drive, Chisholm
By 2030, more than one in five Minnesotans will be 65 or older, and closer to one in four in Greater Minnesota. That shift changes who your customers are and who is available to work. The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging's exchange includes a breakout on age-friendly businesses and employers, plus time to set regional priorities with city leaders and partners. Register for Oct. 28
A virtual statewide session with national experts runs Tuesday, Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register for the virtual session
Donate to the Range Treatment Courts Thrifting Market
Donations: Monday, Nov. 2 | 1-3 p.m. | St. Louis County Courthouse, 300 S. Fifth Ave., Virginia (lower level conference room)
Clearing out clothing, housewares or personal care stock? Everything donated is given away free to the community at the Thrifting Market, Nov. 3-5.
Table at Eveleth Community Connect
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Eveleth Community Center, 801 Jones St., Eveleth
Put your services in front of residents at a free resource fair with a free meal, housing and health resources, and free Fairview flu shots (no insurance needed). Arrowhead Transit gives free rides on existing routes. Sign up to table
Display Our Recovery, Our Community
Free posters, window clings and wall art
St. Louis County Public Health's campaign shares local recovery stories through portraits, to reduce stigma and show recovery is possible. Reserve materials for your storefront or break room by emailing Kaitlyn Krob at krobk@stlouiscountymn.gov. See the stories
Thank you to Maggie Lord and St. Louis County Public Health for keeping our region up to date on community health resources.
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Labor Market UpdateSeptember and second-quarter numbers for Northeast Minnesota from Carson Gorecki, Northeast regional analyst with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Want numbers for your industry, county or city? Contact Carson at carson.gorecki@state.mn.us.
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Available TrainingsSCORE offers free and low-cost webinars and workshops for small business owners, live and recorded, on everything from marketing to financing.
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