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While high energy costs and inflation remain, business investment shows surprising strength. Orders for core capital goods jumped 1.6% in August, far exceeding economists' expectations, while shipments increased 0.6%. The strength was broad enough to suggest that business capital spending remains an important source of US economic growth, with investment in AI-related equipment contributing to the increase. Source: Reuters
Layoffs remain exceptionally low. New applications for unemployment benefits fell to just 197,000 for the week ending September 19, below the 201,000 economists expected and near a 57-year low. Source: Reuters
| | New Date for 2nd Congressional District Candidate Debate! | | |
Mark your calendar for the 2nd Congressional District Candidate Debate, now scheduled for Monday, October 12, from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at Dakota County Technical College in the Dakota Room.
Hear directly from CD2 candidates Matt Little and Eric Pratt on the issues and policies impacting businesses and communities across the district. Register HERE to attend. If you registered for the previously scheduled debate, we’ve re-registered you for the new date. Please contact Kayla if you’re unable to attend. Please arrive by 3:15 as doors will close after that.
The debate will be streamed live by Town Square Television.
| | Level Up Lunch Series Kicks Off October 15 | | |
The new DCR lunch Level Up Lunch Series kicks off in a couple weeks. Our first event features Rob Friend of Sustainable Synergy Solutions sharing Things You Should Know About Business Recycling at 5-8 Grill & Tap in West St. Paul.
Be there for the kickoff and see what Level Up Lunch is all about. Register HERE and mark your calendar!
Thursday, October 15, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
1741 South Robert Street, West St. Paul
| | Women's 'Late' Luncheon at North 20 Brewing | | What a memorable and inspiring afternoon at the DCR Women’s Luncheon last week. A heartfelt thank you to Jeena Gurung Vomhof for sharing her story so openly and reminding us to simply ask “How?” Thank you as well to North 20 Brewing for the incredible setting and hospitality! | | Copper at Rosecott Ribbon Cutting | | The DCR Chamber was excited to return to The Copper at Rosecott residences, this time to officially cut the ribbon! 🎉 After getting an early look during Happy Hour & Handshakes this summer, it was great to celebrate the opening of Rosemount’s newest luxury apartment community. Congratulations to The Copper at Rosecott team, they’re officially open (and they're already 40% occupied!)! | | DCR Mayors Cup and Kick$4aCURE - FINAL CALL! | | |
The Mayors Cup & Kick$4aCure is THIS Saturday! If the 3-0 Vikes have you fired up, try your hand at kicking a few field goals of your own and help kick cancer while you’re at it!
If you can spare the time, watch the video HERE, then email Jon Althoff with 'Kick Cancer' in the subject line to sign up between 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Saturday.
Mayors Cup Fundraising
Even if you can't make it in person, you can support your local Mayor or Council Member to help end breast cancer in our lifetime. DCR Mayors Cup Donation Links are below. Click on your favorite to donate. Last year only $100 separated the top two Cities/Mayors! Let's Kick Cancer Together!
Mayor Nick Lien, Mayor Mike Maguire, Mayor Dave Napier, Mayor Jeff Weisensel,
Council Member Mike Supina
| | BEA Awards Gala Tickets On Sale | | |
The stage is set for one of the DCR Chamber’s biggest nights of the year! Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Business Excellence Awards: The Golden Standard, happening Thursday, November 5 at Royal Cliff Event Center. Get ready to celebrate the businesses, organizations and leaders who make our Region shine.
Individual tickets and full tables are available, so grab a seat or bring the whole team, break out the black and gold, and make plans to be part of the celebration! And don’t forget about the Dessert Dash, a sweet BEA tradition that adds a little friendly competition to the evening! Contact Kayla, if interested in donating a dessert. 🍰
Tickets and tables are on sale now. Purchase yours HERE!
| | The newest Kwik Trip in Dakota County is getting ready to celebrate! A ribbon cutting and grand opening will take place November 11 at Pilot Knob and Diffley in Eagan, and this just may be one of the fastest major Kwik Trip builds there's been! Register HERE to help welcome them to the neighborhood. | | Election Season Happenings and Resources | | |
Dakota County State of the County Address will be held this afternoon on the heels of a maximum 18.5% tax levy vote by the Commissioners. Other topics like housing, data centers, state and federal cost shifts and other topics will be discussed. Special thanks to DCR Members the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and MV Ventures for providing the meeting venue in the Vikings Auditorium at TCO Stadium.
REMINDER: The CD2 Candidate Debate has been rescheduled for Monday, October 12, from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at Dakota County Technical College. Register HERE and plan to arrive by 3:15 pm. The debate will also be streamed live by Town Square Television.
Search 411 for Candidate Information - 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.
| | New Members - Welcome to YOUR DCR! | | Town Square Television recorded the Mendota Heights Mayor and Council Candidate Forums for 2026. Click HERE to watch the forums. | | |
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 | | | | |
