Whether your a rookie Chamber member or a long-time pro, there's always something new to learn about the Chamber. But it can be hard to know where to start, so let's break it down:

• Single: Come to a networking meeting. Try out a Friday morning Chamber Connection. Or if mornings aren't your thing, give the noon hour a shot at Waite Park Chamber or Sauk Rapids Chamber. Business After Hours and New Member Mixers are another easy way to start networking and learning more about Central Minnesota businesses. 
• Double: Attend professional development opportunities and special events. Lunchtime Learning is a great way to learn more about various topics, with built-in time for networking - and lunch! Plus, there are a ton of special events to try, like the Chamber Open, Star Celebration, Farm Show, Business Showcase, and Business Awards Luncheon to name a few. 
• Triple: Try out a longer program, such as the Leadership Program, the Supervisor Development Program, or NEXT Emerging Leaders. You will build great relationships and grow personally and professionally. Or volunteer to share what you know at a Lunchtime Learning or by writing an article for Business Central Magazine. You're smart - show it off!
• Home Run: Volunteering on a committee is one of the best ways to maximize your Chamber membership. You can build relationships with other committee members, learn more about the business community, and be a part of the operations of the Chamber - we couldn't do it without our volunteers!

Whether you're swinging for the fences or more comfortable with bunting, the Chamber staff and volunteers are here to help you learn more and get the most out of your membership. Reach out to the Chamber with any questions!

Join us for Legislative Connections: 2023 Session Wrap-Up Breakfast on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:30am at CentraCare South Point. Please register in advance to attend.

Lunchtime Learning is on June 7th at noon, featuring speaker Carl Newbanks with the Initiative Foundation talking about Creating a Culture of Giving. Register now!

Here are a few more important dates to put on your calendar, but don't forget to check out our full events calendar for even more.

• Chamber Connection: Emotion in Motion (6/2/2023)
• Business After Hours (6/6/2023)
• Legislative Connection: 2023 Session Wrap-Up Breakfast (6/7/2023)
• Lunchtime Learning: Create A Culture of Giving (6/7/2023)
• Chamber Connection: Pineview Park BMX (6/9/2023)
• NEXT - Chamber's Emerging Leaders Meeting - (6/13/2023)
• New Member Mixer at Iron Street Distillery - (6/13/2023)
• Chamber Connection: Batteries Plus (6/16/2023)

With the goal of keeping you informed and up to date, these news bites feature local, regional and national news items that relate to the business community in Central Minnesota. 

 

LOCAL

Attend the Ag Summit for Free! The Midwest Agriculture Summit is on June 6 and is available to you for FREE via Livestream in partnership with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. Register now! 

 

Local projects in bonding bill. Several St. Cloud Area projects are included in a $2.6 billion bonding bill approved by the Minnesota State Legislature. See which ones

 

5 businesses get main street grant funding. The St. Cloud Economic Development Authority selected the five recipients from a group of 10 applicants. Learn more

 

St. Cloud’s Juneteenth Celebration is from 3 - 9 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at Lake George. This free event features musicians, dancers, DJs, storytellers and poets performing from 3-9 p.m. Food trucks and St. Cloud EMS, fire and police personnel are also rolling in for the festivities. The Westside Band will also perform. Learn more

 

STATE & NATIONAL

Who are the part-time workers? Women make up a large share of the part-time workforce, but part-time employment also varies by age, race, and ethnicity and for different reasons. Learn more

 

Paid family and medical leave program: Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program has become law. The benefit program and accompanying payroll tax won't start until 2026. Read more 

 

2023 State of Business Retention and Expansion in MN: This report is an initial attempt to collect data and insights on Minnesota’s business expansion trends, providing a launching point for further investigation and research. Read more

- Sponsored Content -

Graniteman Triathlon is on June 4, June 24, and August 5th.

 

Attracting participants from across the U.S. and Canada, the Graniteman Triathlon is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023! These treasured Minnesota summer events feature courses with beautiful country and lake views. Each includes a sprint and Olympic distance triathlon and opportunities for a 2- or 3-person relay team. Challenge yourself and register today!

Click the link above to register at ActiveCentralMN.org

Thank you to all of these Chamber members who celebrated milestone anniversaries of Chamber membership in April and May 2023. We are so grateful for your continued support!

1 Year in May

• ANATOMY_IT.
• Ann Daniels Healing Salon
• Bernie Perryman for House
• Central MN Dementia Community Action Network (D-CAN)
• Mavericks Steak & Cocktails
• PH Marketing Mgmt Agency, Inc.
• Physicians Revenue Services MN
• RION Equipment
• WestRock Company
• What Would Bri Do

50 Years in May

• Bremer Bank
• Momentum Truck Group

Professional Dialogue Groups

The goal of a Professional (formerly Executive) Dialogue Group is to foster open and frank communication among small groups of business owners (principals, partners, etc.) who are members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. Each group meets in a setting that affords on-going contacts and provides a confidential relationship among the group’s members.

HOW IT WORKS

• Program applicants are split into small groups (10 ? 14 people) of non-competing businesses. A day of the week and time of day will be set, but not meeting dates.
• A facilitator is selected for each group.
• At the first meeting (in September) your group will determine which dates you will meet; locations to meet; and what topics you want to focus on.
• Groups meet monthly for about 1-1.5 hours, September ? May.

TOPICS VARY AND MAY INCLUDE:

• Increasing profitability
• Finding and keeping good employees
• Managing growth
• Compensation policies
• Writing a business plan
• Balancing family and work

If you have any questions or to sign up, contact Laura Wagner. 

How you can get involved:

• Advertise in the magazine to reach over 6,000 interested readers every other month. Contact Melinda to get started!
• Send your press releases in to be included in the News Reel.
• Pitch article topic ideas to Emily - we are always listening!
• Share the magazine online - all issues can be found on BusinessCentralMagazine.com and uploaded to Issuu.

Click below to read the latest issue!

Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:

• SCSU Lemonade Arts Fair
• Liberty Block Party with Peter Noone 
• Granite City Days Parade
• Chalk the Riverwalk
• 1k/5k Run
• Family Fun Fest

Happy Summer!

Starting on 5/26, the Chamber office will be closed at noon on Fridays through the summer.

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com