According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 60% of American adults believe there are not enough hours in the day to complete their to-do lists. Being "so busy" has become a status symbol. In fact, research done by Columbia marketing professor Silvia Bellezza found that "people perceive others who are busy - and who use product indicating they're busy (like Bluetooth headsets for multitasking) - to be important and impressive." If being busy is trendy, then consider the Chamber in vogue, because our busy season is here! 

• Government Affairs: With the start of session, our advocacy efforts have hit their stride. From legacy events like Evening at the Capital and the Washington, D.C. Fly-In to new opportunities like It's Complicated! and an MN Chamber visit, if you've ever wanted to get involved in government, now is your chance. 
• Special Events: Some events like Business Showcase and Membership Maximizer are coming up fast, while others like the Business Awards Luncheon and Chamber Open are on the horizon - are you ready for some networking fun?
• Oh, and the usuals. Of course, the rest of our calendar keeps on rolling. From Waite Park to Sauk Rapids, from Chamber Connection to New Member Mixers, we are always busy with great ways to get engaged. 

Our busy season means you win. With dozens of opportunities monthly to learn, network and get involved, there's no time like now to connect with your Chamber. And don't feel bad if you can't o it all because you're too busy - we understand! There will always (always!) be more.

Lunchtime Learning is on April 3rd from 12pm-1pm. This session will cover the basics of artifical intellegence with speaker Jami Bestgen, SCSU. Register now!

Connecting business & the community. This vendor show is free to attend and open to the public! Sponsor, register for a booth, or just attend for some great networking!

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.

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

Looking to make a career switch? You're in the right place. CareerMinds surveyed 3,000 professionals considering a career switch to uncover which cities in the U.S. they would most want to move to. St. Cloud, MN made the top 100.

 

Botanical Best: USA Today's Reader's Choice Awards asked readers to vote on their favorite botanical garden in the US. Munsinger Clemens Gardens made the top 10 in the nation!

 

Traffic updates: Spring has arrived and crews will begin 2024 construction in full force at the Hwy 10 and 23 interchange in east St. Cloud, which is set to open to traffic by Nov. 1, 2024. Learn more about this project here.

 

Stearns County jail and Law Enforcement Center tours. The Sheriff’s Office is giving tours of the jail and center to the public Thursday, March 21 from 7:00 ? 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 from 8:00 ? 11:00 a.m. Learn more & register

 

STATE & NATIONAL

Webinar alert: Join DEED for an employer webinar on new fund that reimburses employers for costs associated with providing reasonable accommodations for employees. Learn more here.

 

You're invited to Congressman Tom Emmer's mobile office hours! If you are struggling to get help from a federal agency, let the casework team cut through the red tape and get you results. The St. Cloud session is on March 19th, register now.

 

Got snow? Minnesota has unlocked federal funding for small businesses impacted by this winter’s historic drought conditions. Eighty one counties in Minnesota are currently covered by U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declarations for drought. Learn more about this funding here.

 

Tax Time Guide 2024: The IRS has put together a guide of what to know before completing a tax return. Check it out here.

 

Backing Small Businesses grant program. This program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. Eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants by April 7th. Learn more & apply

 - Sponsored Content - 

Evenson Decker, P.A.

For 50 years Evenson Decker, P.A., has aided our Minnesota neighbors with their legal issues. We are ready to assist you in:

• Family Law, Divorce & Custody
• Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts
• Probate
• Business Law
• Real Estate
• Landlord Evictions
• Civil Litigation
• Guardianship & Consercatorship
• Family Law Mediation

February 2024 New Members

• Architecture Advantage
• CAIRO Minnesota
• Central Insurance Group Agency
• Easy Bail Bonds, LLC
• MB Consultants, PLLC
• St. Joseph Health and Wellness
• Whit's Craft

Keep these events on your radar for this spring. From permitting discussions with the MN Chamber to the annual St. Cloud State of the City and CentraCare's 11th Annual Diversity Conference - your calendar is officially full!

The March/April 2024 issue of Business Central Magazine is hot off the press! Read on below for a glimpe at the issue, or check out the full magazine online or at the Chamber office!

On the Cover: The Virnig Difference

What does it take to start a company that produces nationally recognized equipment and employs over 200 people? Loyal employees, a passion for quality, and about 500 square feet.

 

Special Focus: Learn. Adapt. Advance.

The construction industry has faced its fair share of challenges, but local companies are skilled at bracing for whatever comes next.

Feature: The Future of Work

Many companies entered the remote work world out of necessity. Most are planning to stay. 

 

Business Tools

The User Experience: Key to winning websites

Common Ground: Employee resource groups

Leveraging the Logistics Pros: 3PL for beginners

Each One Reach One is the Chamber's referral program that rewards members for qualified referrals that turn in to new members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. The member with the most referrals-turned-members wins an award at the end of the Chamber's fiscal year, with recognition at the Star Celebration in October! Here is the leaderboard so far...

...It's a 4-way tie with 1 referral each!

• Allen Brinkman, Forever Young Two Wellness & Skincare
• Heidi Chandler, Tractor Supply Company
• Rachael Sogge, Eyecon Graphics
• Melody Vachal, Rise Up Care & Wellness

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com