Dear Chamber Member,

As another year draws to a close, we want to thank you for your support and partnership. May your holiday season be full of joy and your new year one of hope and light.

From our families to yours, Happy Holidays.

 

Sincerely, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

 

Connect, learn, grow!

Lunchtime Learning is on Wednesday, January 3rd. Kick off your new year right with  Lessons in Leadership - Growing Through Conflict. Oh, and Lunch!

If you are a new Chamber member or representative, attend Membership Maximizer on Thursday, 1/4 to learn more about all the Chamber has to offer!

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

2024 Torch Awards for Ethics Application: The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics recognizes marketplace role models who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to ethics and integrity in all they do. Learn more

 

$25 million grant for road improvements. The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving a $25-million grant to the Highway 210 project in Brainerd to rebuild the road, add sidewalk upgrades, resurface the Mississippi River Bridge, and build two roundabouts. Learn more

 

The Sauk Rapids Comprehensive Plan draft is now complete for review. There will be a final open house where attendees will have the opportunity to review the primary components of the plan on December 19th, 2023 from 4-6pm at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. Learn more

 

Register now for the January 4th QBR. The QBR Review is a must-attend event for organizations and business leaders in the Greater St. Cloud area as it provides a comprehensive look at the economic and business landscape of the region. Learn more and register

 

2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants: The St. Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO) has been awarded $120,000 by the US Department of Transportation for safety projects and strategies. Learn more

 

STATE & NATIONAL

New year, new flag! The State Emblems Redesign Commission has slimmed the roster of potential Minnesota flags to 3 designs. Learn more

 

PFAS WEBINAR: Beginning January 1, 2024, the sale and distribution of food and beverage packaging containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals will be prohibited in Minnesota. Watch this webinar to learn more. 

 

Are your posters current? A number of new laws take effect on January 1, 2024. Is your business in compliance with the latest labor law posters? Learn more.

 

Over $2 million in grants for startups. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $1 million in Launch Minnesota Education Grants to entrepreneurial support organizations and more than $1.16 million in Innovation Grants to startups statewide. Learn more

 

Cannabis this news... The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is has launched a new monthly newsletter, Cannabis Implementation Insider. Subscribe to stay in the know!

 

Welcome New Members!

A warm welcome to all of these members who joined the Chamber in November of 2023. We are so happy you're here!

 

Supervisor Development

Are you...

New to a supervisor role?

Looking for some additional managerial training?

Hoping to expand and strengthen your leadership skills?

Responsible for helping your employees grow their skillsets?

 

The Supervisor Development Certificate Program is a great way to help you or your employees grow managerial skills!

Effective supervisors must have many different qualities including flexibility, adaptability, strong leadership skills, and commitment to goals. Supervisors are often seen as teachers, counselors and mentors. The Supervisor Development Certificate Program at the St. Cloud Area Chamber offers you courses in six distinct areas, giving you the necessary tools to become a more effective supervisor.

Session topics include:

  • January 30: Hiring for Retention
  • February 15: Supervising Others - A Team Approach
  • February 29: Conflict Management 
  • March 26: Employment Law - Keeping You and Your Employer Out of Trouble
  • April 2: Helping Employees Achieve Peak Performance
  • April 25: Interpersonal Communication Skills for Managers
 

Unite for Success Scholarships

The “Unite for Success” Scholarship Program recognizes area high school seniors for their excellence in high school and encourages continued success in post-secondary institutions.

The History

The Chamber’s scholarship program for area high school graduates has grown over the past 44 years. In 1978, six sponsors contributed $1,400. In 2023, ten businesses and organizations contributed over $19,000.

The Chamber of Commerce believes the business and education communities must partner to build a successful future for the St. Cloud area. 

Get Involved

You can make a difference in the opportunities available to area high school seniors. Join with other Chamber members to provide financial resources for post-secondary educational experiences for our area youth. After all, they are our future leaders! The deadline for 2024 contributions is January 31, 2024.

 

Submit your nomination.

Now accepting nominations for the 2024 Business Awards! We are looking for the owners who are leaving a legacy, the innovators who are blazing new trails, and the leaders who are impacting the future. If you know someone who deserves this recognition, we encourage you to submit a nomination for review.The deadline for submission is January 8th, 2024.
 

Central MN Farm Show

The Central MN Farm Show is February 27th and 28th, 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. 

 
 

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com