The Minnesota State legislative session kicks off on February 12th, sending us into another year of quick change and a lot of information coming to the public. It can be overwhelming, and tempting to tune it out as the session progresses, but don't be deterred. 

 

The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is your connection to making sure you are informed and that your voice is heard at the Capital. With events like the Session Preview, Evening at the Capital and Washington D.C. Fly-In, we are here to help you voice your concerns, ask your questions, and learn more about the legislative process and how it affects business. 

 

Want to learn more? Register now to attend Session Preview on Wednesday, January 17th to hear from a panel of local legislators about their priorities going in to the 2024 session. All are welcome, and questions are encouraged - we hope to see you there!

Waite Park Chamber is on Wednesday, 17th from 11:30am to 1pm hosted by the St. Cloud VA, sponsored by Royal Renovations. Register now!

Sauk Rapids Chamber is hosted by Falcon National Bank on Thursday, 25th from 11:45 - 1pm at The Clearing. Register now to make sure you're in the lunch count!

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.

• Legislative Connection 2024: Session Preview (1/17/2024)
• Waite Park Chamber Meeting (1/17/2024)
• Chamber Connection: Holiday Inn and Suites (1/19/2024)
• Sauk Rapids Chamber Meeting (1/25/2024)
• Downtown BOLD+BRIGHT Winter Event 2024 (1/25/2024 to 1/28/2024)
• Chamber Connection: Advanced Manufacturing Center of SCTCC (1/26/2024)
• Supervisor Development Certificate Program 2024 - Session 1: Hiring For Retention (1/30/2024)
• Chamber Connection: Summit Academy (2/2/2024)

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. 

 

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior

Today we recognize and honor the significant contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. May we reflect on his teachings and acknkowledge how his work is still impacting us today, while appreciating that there is still much work to be done.

 

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

LOCAL

$3.675 million in grants: St. Cloud's Wastewater Treatment Facility received $3.675 million in U.S. Department of Energy Grants to work on its green hydrogen innovations. Learn more

 

Changes to the TIP need your feedback. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a multi-year program of transportation improvements for the Saint Cloud Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA). The St. Cloud APO is asking for resident feedback on proposed changes, share your thoughts here. 

 

Child Care Summit: Register now to attend the Child Care Summit on January 18th, which is designed to unite our local business community in shedding light on the community-wide challenges of child care scarcity while fostering dialogue toward a collaborative, community-driven solution. Register now.

 

MNDEED Commissioner visits St. Cloud. Matt Varilek, the current Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, presented “Delivering for Minnesota ? With Help From the Rotary” during a joint Chamber of Commerce/St. Cloud Rotary meeting. Read more

 

STATE & NATIONAL

MN Office of Cannabis Management Newsletter: As laws and regulations change quickly, stay up to date on what you need to know about cannabis in MN with by subscribing to the newsletter here.

 

Election 2024: Save these important dates on the 2024 election calendar - learn more.

 

Corporate Transparency Act: The Corporate Transparency Act, which goes into effect in January 2024, may require your small business to report information about ownership to the government. Here's what you need to know.

 

Federal Beneficial Ownership reporting now available: Many companies are required to report information to FinCEN about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. Learn more

• B Social by Brick & Bourbon
• Bee On The Beach
• Cruze Welding LLC
• Dooley's Petroleum
• Fluid Interiors
• Inhale to Exhale Spa, LLC
• OneCommunity Alliance
• The Design Team

March is currently available to host a Business After Hours! Get your company name in front of St. Cloud's most influential professionals by hosting a Business After Hours. This is a great way to introduce your staff and facility to your fellow Chamber members and your professional connections. Here are the details...

• Hosted monthly by a different Chamber member at their location, or a location of their choosing.
• It is an open-house style event that attendees can come and go from as their schedules allow, from 4:30-6:30pm.
• Hosts pay to reserve a date and are responsible for providing food and beverages to attendees plus anything else as desired such as giveaways. 
• The Chamber helps get the word out - events on the calendar and social media, email invitations, social media reminders, text invitations and more. 
• During the event, the Chamber will help hand out name badges and collect business cards of attendees. Hosts receive all business cards afterwards. 

Click here to learn more or Contact Laura to start planning your Business After Hours!

Thursday, January 25th

1:30pm and 7:30pm: Winter Dance Party - Paramount Center

John Mueller's "Winter Dance Party" is the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the BIg Bopper's Final Tour. Get tickets here. 

 

Friday, January 26th

6PM: Cinema St. Germain - Outdoor Film

Bring the whole family down to watch Super Mario Brothers for an ultimate MN winter experience... an outdoor movie! Grab some takeout, bring a blanket and enjoy the show.

4-7pm: Open House at Gnarly Bard Theater

Live music with The Ted Godbout Trio and art display from Sarah Riley.

8-11pm: Live Music

Live music at The Veranda Lounge by Reed and The Perhaps

Saturday, January 27th

11am-4pm: Winter Market

Shop the winter market located in The Nest, Baby's on Broadway and Arroy Thai + FIlipino Restaurant

1pm: Ice Carving Demonstration

Watch live as MN Ice carves the state of Minnesota into a block of ice + check out additional statues

1-4pm: Curling on St. Germain

See the St. Cloud Curling Club demonstrate live curling on West St. Germain and test out your skills or learn how to play.

5pm: Night Parade

Featuring floats from area businesses, bundle up, grab some dinner downtown and find a viewing spot for a bold and bright night parade.

7pm: Laser Light Show

Stay downtown after the parade to watch the sky light up with a musical laser light show.

7-10pm: Grand Opening of Gnarly Bard Theater

Celebrate the grand opening with Fred Savage and the Unbeatables

8-11pm: Live Music

Enjoy free live music by Rob Stokes at the Veranda Lounge

 

Sunday, January 28
10am-1pm: Brunch + Boutiques
Shop, Drop & Brunch: wrap up the weekend with brunch and shopping downtown!

St. Cloud Area Business Showcase highlights a variety of Chamber member businesses at the River’s Edge Convention Center on April 9, 2024 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. The event is open to Chamber members and the public. Enjoy great food samples, a cash bar, fun exhibitor games, door prizes, and more! Vendor booths and sponsorship opportunities are still available, but going fast! 

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