January 10 Membership Kick Start
18 Improve Your Excel Skills workshop 20 Lunch Mob
24 PACE 2016 Businesses of the Year Awards Breakfast
February 1 Peak Performance workshop 11 Shiver Elk River 14 Lunch Mob 24 Legislative Update with Tom Emmer
Every Tuesday - Chamber Connections 8:30-9:30am at Spire Credit Union For more info on Chamber and Community events go to www.elkriverchamber.org Find Elk River Chamber@
The brand new membership directories have been mailed to each member business! We also sent out an insert for your copy with some important corrections. Use the listings and information in the directory when you are looking for goods and services for yourself, your businesses, or a referral. Contact us at the Chamber office with any questions at 763-441-3110. ISD 728 is holding a Career Exploration Fair for on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 9 am to noon. They are currently looking for businesses to share broad-based career info with students who come to the fair. To register contact
[email protected] or
[email protected]. Did you know that temporary signs need a permit? The City of Elk River has produced a flyer with all the info you need when planning signage for your business. You can find it here, at the Chamber office, or see all sign standards in the Elk River City Code. at www.ElkRiverMN.gov (go to “How Do I”, then “View”, then “City Code”) or call the Planning Department at 763-635-1000. The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board is soliciting applications for grant funding for incumbent worker and new worker training programs. MJSP will accept applications for the Partnership and Pathways Programs. The deadline for the submission of regular applications is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2017. Short Form applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017. No late proposals will be considered. Questions? Contact MJSP staff at 651-259-7514. Our first Lunch Mob of the new year will be Friday, January 20 at 11:30 am! Bring a coworker and let your lunch hour do double duty with great casual networking. You are also invited to the February 14th Lunch Mob! Watch your email and social media for the location announcements. We’d love to see you there...the more the merrier!
Tues, Jan 10, 9:45-11:00 am Spire Credit Union 17035 Yale Ct NW
Get the new year started right by getting the most out of your ERACC membership. Explore your benefits and how to use them to improve your business! This workshop is free for ERACC members, and seating is limited. Register today at www.elkriverchamber.org or email
[email protected].
Improve Your Excel Skills Wed, Jan 18, 10:00 am—Noon Holiday Inn Mpls NW Elk River 9200 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego
This training is designed to help beginner or intermediate users learn more about the features and functionality of Microsoft Excel. Bring your laptop running Excel software to get the most out of this handson class. Our presenter, Janet McCarty, of Virtual Bookkeeping USA, has used Excel and even Lotus 123 since the early 1980's in her day to day work at a variety of office jobs. She also uses it extensively in her bookkeeping business when she needs a stronger tool to work with and manipulate numbers at a higher level. Cost: $35 /person (members) $45 for general public. Register at www.elkriverchamber.org or by calling 763-441-3110.
Input: Output – Your Business at Peak Performance
Wednesday, February 1 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Holiday Inn Most of us desire to be high-performing. Peak performance requires attention, selfdiscipline, and consistent action. Efficiency is doing things right, while effectiveness is doing the right things. Learn how to leverage your business by creating systems that run your business to produce measurable and massive results. In the end, your business will be that well-oiled machine. You have your business foundation – now build on it!! Cost is $35 per person for members. Register at www.elkriverchamber.org.
Tuesday, January 24 8:30—10:00 am The Links at Northfork 9333 Alpine Drive NW, Ramsey
Join us to honor these businesses at this breakfast event. Our keynote speaker is Traci Tapani, Co-President of Wyoming Machine. Traci is actively involved in volunteer activities that promote education, training, and manufacturing. She has been honored for excellence and leadership by The Manufacturing Institute and the Minnesota NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). Traci serves as trustee at the Initiative Foundation, on the board of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council. Cost to attend is $25, which includes breakfast. Reserve your ticket today at www.elkriverchamber.org or by calling 763-441-3110.
Tis the season...for ERACC Gift Certificates!
Each year, thousands of dollars in Elk River Area Chamber Gift Certificates are issued during the holidays. They are a great way to keep dollars local. In the past year, over $50,000 in certificates were spent at ERACC member businesses. When a customer brings one to your business, it is easy to accept, and carries no financial risk for you. Simply take the certificate as payment, then contact us at the chamber office. We’ll write you a check for the full face value. See the easy stepby-step guide below. Newly designed, updated certificates are now in circulation! You may see both versions (see samples below) for up to a year. Certificates are imprinted, hand signed, and include an expiration date. Please make sure any employees are aware of the new certificates and the procedures for accepting them. If you have any questions about accepting or redeeming gift certificates, please call us at 763-441-3110.
How to Accept and Redeem Chamber Gift Certificates 1. Have person redeeming the certificate endorse it, just like a check. 2. Verify the certificate by checking the following: A) It has the Elk River Chamber logo and is printed in two colors. B) Has GIFT CERTIFICATE screened across the face. C) Has the Chamber's check-writer imprint of the dollar amount. D) Bears the signature of Debbi Rydberg, or Victoria Berg or Karen Barta. 3. Give credit for value of certificate. (Certificates are NOT redeemable for cash). 4. Use judgment on whether to adhere to the expiration date and/or giving of change 5. Bring or mail certificate(s) to the Chamber office for reimbursement within 6 months.
Existing version - currently in circulation
Newly updated version now entering circulation
Jessica Maetzig, Owner 310 Jackson Avenue NW (612) 839-7507 http://1LT2F.biz 1LT2F Elk River Skate Shop sells pro brand skateboards, long-boards, safety gear, accessories, licensed and name brand apparel . They also offer custom apparel for personal or commercial business. The company’s mission is to promote healthy, goal orientated, active lifestyles and to help the younger generations within our communities to believe in themselves and strive for success. Todd Klingl, President 17267 Yale Street NW (763) 324-8050 www.anbmn.com American National Bank is a full service community bank with a tradition of providing exceptional service, meeting and exceeding customers' expectations. Their new Elk River location is scheduled to open in Jan 2017.
EXIT Realty Nexus announced that Sara McConnell has been named Managing Broker. EXIT Realty Corp. International provides a rigorous training program for all of their Broker candidates. Sara McConnell traveled to Toronto, Ontario, Canada recently and became a certified broker and managing partner with EXIT Realty Nexus. Sportech Incorporated was honored during the American Honda Accessory Supplier Conference. Sportech representatives were presented an award on behalf of the entire Sportech organization for the company's outstanding commitment and dedication to American Honda. Fairview Northland Medical Center took home two top honors from Press Ganey's National Client Conference. The honors included the 2016 Press Ganey National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality and the 2016 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for exceptional patient experience results in the Fairview Northland Emergency Department (ED). Decklan Group received an Honorable Mention in the Professional Services category of Minnesota Business Magazine's "Most Likely to Succeed in 2017" awards.
Thank you to the ERACC Ambassadors for welcoming and celebrating our members. Sandi Yeado, Edward Jones Chris Barta, Franklin Outdoor Advertising Pam Artmann, Edina Realty Elk River Joy Nadeau, Sherburne County Area United
Way
Danyell Wendland, ABRA Auto Body & Glass
Elk River
David Black, The Bank of Elk River Debbie Clover, Vision Staffing Solutions Rob Rydberg, Integrity Insurance Group
Tim Dolan, of Decklan Group, was named as the City of Elk River Mayor’s Volunteer of the Month for December 2016. Chamber members are invited to attend a free seminar, hosted North Star SHRM, titled: The Strategic Use of Severance and Release Agreements . It will be held at Guardian Angels Senior Services Corporate Offices (508 Freeport Avenue NW, Elk River) on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. The presentation will cover the strategies and practicalities of using severance and release agreements, including when and how to use the agreements, legal requirements, and potential pitfalls. Annie Deckert, of Decklan Group, is one of four named to the first Initiators Fellowship program--a two-year initiative that surrounds emerging entrepreneurs with training, financial support and mentorship as they develop a business or social enterprise venture that contributes to thriving communities in Central Minnesota and beyond. Deckert will pursue the expansion of her economic development enterprise to create affordable services for small and pre-startup businesses. Fellows will work with the Initiative Foundation Community, who will assist with training and education, consulting, technical assistance and financing. Elk River Economic Development Director Amanda Othoudt received her certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council. The certification is a professional credential given to individuals who complete an economic development finance training series through the Council.
