Whenever Thanksgiving comes around, we inevitably start thinking about what we are thankful for. Of course, the cliches are important: family and friends, good health, and a roof over our heads. Or, in the Chamber world, those answers are more like our members, our volunteers, and our community. That said, this year we are thinking beyond the obvious into the slightly less mainstream things on our list. After all, sometimes it's the little things, such as...

• Top hats that aren't one-size-fits-all. Could make for some interesting photos...
• An occasional leftover lunch or two from noon meetings at the office so we can treat ourselves. Yep.
• Name badges. Talk about little lifesavers, right?
• Giant scissors. Ribbon cuttings would be a little lackluster without them. 
• Business cards. Keep 'em coming!

In all seriousness, we are - of course - incredibly thankful for you. You are what makes the Chamber work, through your involvement, your expertise and your passion for business. So, thank you for everything you do to make Central Minnesota great - you're on the top of our list!

Join us for the 34th Birthday Celebration of Chamber Connection on Friday, December 1st at the Best Western Kelly Inn!

Register now to attend Lunchtime Learning: Everyone's a Critic - Managing Online Reviews on Wednesday, December 6th.

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.

• Sauk Rapids Chamber hosted by Statewide Property Inspections (11/16/2023)
• Chamber Connection: Dennis Smith Training (11/17/2023)
• Chamber Connection 34th Birthday Party (12/1/2023)
• Business After Hours hosted by St. Cloud Technical and Community College (12/5/2023)
• Lunchtime Learning: Everyone's A Critic - Giving & Managing Online Reviews (12/6/2023)

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

Highway 10 and 23 update: Hwy 10 and Hwy 23 are now open to four lanes in each direction until spring 2024. Learn more about this and other road projects here.

 

Disruption coming to Highway 75. The bridge that connects St. Joseph to the rest of the St. Cloud metro area will be closed for about six months. Learn more

 

Small Business Development Center: Are you or someone you know considering starting your own business? Contact the SBDC at SCSU for great resources and assistance.

 

Need a meeting space? Working with the St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is a great option for planning an unforgettable event. Learn more

 

STATE & NATIONAL

Applications are now open! Apply now for Better Business Bureau’s most prestigious honor of the year: The Torch Awards for Ethics. Learn more and appy.

 

Earned Sick and Safe is coming. Businesses must provide a Sick and Safe Leave Notice for employees by January 1st, 2024. The state has drafted this sample document to get you started. 

 

Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program - This new state-funded program provides low-interest loans to nonprofit corporations. Lenders can receive up to $600,000 at one time to provide loans to the small businesses they serve. Join the info session on November 20th at 3pm to learn more.

• 320 Insurance Agency LLC DBA 320 Insurance
• Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Services
• Hands on Healing Massage Therapy
• Hoffman Insurance Agency
• Midco
• MSI (Metro Sales Inc.)
• Ridge Consulting & Therapy, LLC

- Sponsored Content -

Stearns History Museum

 

Our past and our future in one click! There’s still time to join the Stearns History Museum this month, with 5% going to the Boys & Girls Club of Central MN.

Don’t delay! Join today! 

The Central MN Farm Show 2024 is right around the corner, and sponsor and vendor booths are filling up fast! Learn more about these opportunities to get in front of several thousand agriculture professionals, farmers, students and more. 

Sponsor the Farm Show

Farm Show Exhibitor Booths

The Central MN Farm Show is the largest indoor show of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Attendees come from Minnesota and the tri-state area to enjoy two days of focused agricultural opportunity.

• 200+ Exhibitors
• 350+ Booths
• 3,500 visitors from MN, SD, WI, IA and NE
• Speakers, agriculture scholarships, prizes and giveaways, and more!

Want to learn more about the 2024 Central MN Farm Show?

It's your LAST CHANCE to advertise in your Chamber's annual publication. Secure your spot now for ad placements in our exclusive 2024 Regional Profile & Membership Directory. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to showcase your business.

REMINDER: Make sure your company information is correct for your directory listing. Login now to verify your information.

At the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, we mean business. When it comes to affordable professional developement, access to legislators, and unparallelled networking opportunities, the Chamber is the number one resource in Central Minnesota. To learn more about how we are growing the business community, visit us online.

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com