chamber horizons · chamber board of directors. the proposed slate was recommended by the chamber...
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Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org
OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 10
Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, October 2 from 7:30 - 8:30 amHabitat for Humanity of Douglas County Habitat Home - 1804 Woodland Park Dr. Nonprofit of the Day: Jingle Bells Foundation
Chamber 101Tuesday, October 6 from 7:30 - 8:30 amVirtual event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link
Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, October 16 from 7:30 - 8:30 amStraight Up with Irmadene | Virtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link Nonprofit of the Day: Productive Alternatives
Listen & Learn “Your Community...Your Foundation” by the Alexandria Community Foundation
Thursday, October 22 from 8 - 9 amVirtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link
Listen & Learn “Resilience in Manufacturing” by Jim Seifert of Fafinski Mark & Johnson, PA
Thursday, November 5 from 8:30 - 9:30 amVirtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link
Chamber Events
CHAMBERHORIZONS
Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommercePromoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to “live, work, play and prosper.”
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommerceVisit Alexandria MN alexlakesareachamber
BIAD program shines spotlight on local business impact
Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) was created as an opportunity for the Greater Alexandria Community and local business leaders to recognize and hon-or a company and say “thank you for being a vital part of our community.”
For the past 35 years, each honoree has been spotlighted at a luncheon and through a special publication created in their honor. This year, due to COVID-19, the event will not be held and the spotlight will not shine on one particular business. Instead, a three-week marketing campaign including newspaper articles, advertise-
ments, quizzes and social media posts, will spotlight the importance of all busi-ness and industry to our community. Starting October 5, week 1 will focus on Manufacturing, week 2 on Retail and week 3 on Service.
Follow the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission and Alexan-dria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook to stay connected and participate in the weekly quizzes taking place on October 8, 15 and 22.
ABOUT BIAD The annual BIAD honoree is selected based on the jobs it creates for the commu-
nity or region and the overall impact it has on the Alexandria Lakes Area.The program is a partnership of the Alexandria Area Economic Development
Commission (AAEDC) and Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (ALACC). Businesses are selected on a rotating basis between manufacturing, service and retail sectors based on the following criteria:
• Growth in number of employees (impact on the job market)• Increase in sales and/or unit volume (indication of continued growth)• Capital investment; (indication of commitment to increase community capacity)• Community contribution (evidence of investment of time, skills and resources
to assist in community-oriented projects).The program was started in 1984 by the Douglas County Developers to recognize
local manufacturers and distributors with the AAEDC and ALACC serving as support-ing partners. Those entities took over the program in 1999 after the Douglas County Developers dissolved. In 2003 the organizations changed the criteria to include ser-vice and retail sector recognition.
See page 4 for a list of previous BIAD honorrees.
Don’t forget to add your events to the Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy! Visit www.alexmncalendar.com and click “add an event.” Qualifying Chamber member events will be included in the weekly Events at a Glance email blast. For information, contact Katie at 320-335-2869 or [email protected].
Add events to the Community Calendar!
Mariah Prussia is the owner of MPX, LLC, 2020 North Da-kota American Mother of the Year, 2015 PFP Top 15 Person-al Trainers in the U.S., Fargo’s First Sanctioned Professional Female MMA Fighter, a Pub-lished Writer in AreaWoman Magazine, Radio Show Host
of the “Throw Down,” and single mother of two boys.
Mariah’s mission as a domestic violence survivor is to help empower, educate and teach individuals how to define their fight through motivational speaking, wom-en’s self-defense and community outreach.
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2 Chamber Horizons | October 2020
Community Event Listen & LearnListen & Learn is a one-hour virtual event hosted by the Chamber. It offers information, education and resources on topics that impact the community. Call 320-763-3161 or email [email protected] for details. The event is no charge and open to the public.
Thursday, October 22 from 8 - 9 amvia virtual event. Register at www.alexandriamn.org.
Learn to optimize your membership at virtual Chamber 101 sessionJoin us for a VIRTUAL Chamber 101 on Tuesday, October 6 from 7:30 - 8:30 am to learn more about Chamber programs, events and membership benefits. Hear from fellow members as they share their experiences of
being involved with the Chamber. This event will be held virtually. Visit www.alexandriamn.org for a registration link. For information, contact Katie at 320-335-2869 or [email protected].
Your Community... YourFoundation
The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) does incredible things to improve the quality of life in the Alexandria area, and yet so many people don’t know about it!
Join us as we learn who the foun-dation is and what it does, about the innovative ways area residents and businesses can give back to their community and how that im-pacts our area. Find out how you can get involved!
Presented by:
Holly Witt Exective Director
Josh TatgeBoard Chair
Sally SmithVice Chair
20th AnnualDOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AWARENESS VIRTUAL LUNCHEONFeaturing “Define the Fight” with Mariah Prussia
Presented by:In partnership with:
Sponsored by:
United Way of Douglas& Pope Counties
Wednesday, October 14 | 12 - 1 pmVirtual Event | Visit www.alexandriamn.org
for registration link.2 - $25 Chamber Buck Drawings!
Must be “present” to win.
October 2020 | Chamber Horizons 3
Wake Up Alexandria
September Hosts
Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a nonprofit Chamber member.
United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties is an organization that fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the community. It does this by making grants to local nonprofits and filling identified gaps within the com-munity through its own programs.
UnitedWayofDouglas&PopeCounties|Sept.4503 Hawthorne St.
NonprofitoftheDay:RuralMinnesotaCEP,Inc.
The Runestone Museum Foundation houses the Kensington Rune Stone and also includes artifacts that relate to Mid-dle-Age Nordic explorers, a Children’s Discovery Room, a 40-foot replica Viking trading ship, a wildlife exhibit, First Peoples exhibit, the open air Fort Alexandria, and more.
RunestoneMuseumFoundation|Sept.18206 Broadway St.
NonprofitoftheDay:DouglasCountyHistoricalSociety
Important Election Notice!Following is the proposed slate of candidates for the 2021 Chamber Board of Directors. The proposed slate was recommended by the Chamber Nominating Committee and approved by the Chamber Board at its September 17 meeting.
Any member may request to be added to the ballot by filing a petition at the Chamber office bearing the signatures of ten (10) other members in good standing on or before October 7. At that time, nominations shall cease and the proposed slate will become the nominating slate.
Proposed Slate:
CraigBuysse,AndersonFuneralHome(representingProfessionalServices)Term #2 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
MattGilbertson,VikingBank(representingBanking/Finance)Term #2 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
Lynn Jenc, Alexandria Public Schools (representingEducation)Term #2 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
BradLenertz,AlexandriaClinic-AlomereHealth(representingHealthcare)Term #1 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
ShariPrause,ArrowwoodResort&ConferenceCenter(representingLodging/Tourism/Hospitality)Term #1 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
KellyJenzen,JohnstonLawOffice(representingProfessionalServices)Term #1 effective 1/1/21 thru 12/31/23
Chamber News
Membership TeamVolunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.
4 Chamber Horizons | October 2020
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September Visits
6th & Broadway Clothing and Decor
Kari Lempka, Owner6th & Broadway Clothing and Décor of-fers a wide variety of women’s apparel, accessories, children’s items and home décor. The store opened in May 2020 at 528 Broadway St. in Alexandria. It is owned by Kari Lempka.
BrucknerMediationSherry Bruckner, Owner
Bruckner Mediation is owned by Sherry Bruckner and is located at 324 Broadway St., Ste. 208 in Alexandria. Sherry offers mediation, coaching, and training pro-grams for individuals, families, and busi-nesses.
MuvadoRhonda Stuewe, Owner
Muvado is located at 1307 State Hwy. 29 N in Alexandria and is owned by Rhonda Stuewe. It offers pulsed electromagnet-ic field therapy (PEMF) as an alternative therapy for pain relief, depression, blood circulation and more.
Geneva Capital 2019Hilltop Lumber and Rental Center 2018Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service 2017Carlos Creek Winery 2016Trumm Drug 2015Ecumen Bethany 2014Past 30 Years of BIAD 2013Douglas Scientific 2012Elden’s Food Fair 2011Gardonville Coop Telephone Assoc. 2010Aagard Group 2009Cullen’s Home Center 2008
Knute Nelson 2007SunOpta 2006Cowing Robards 2005Pete’s County Market/Cub Foods 2004Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center 2003Independent School District 206 2002REA-ALP Internet Services 2001Tastefully Simple 2000Widseth Smith Nolting 1999Henry’s Foods 1998Rural Cellular Corporation 1997Palmer Industries & Pro-Tainer 1996
Brenton Engineering 1995Northern Milk Products 1994Donnelly Custom Molding Co. 1993ITW Heartland Components 1992Juno Tool & Plastic 1991Continental Manufacturing 1990Alexandria Extrusion Company 1989Douglas County Hospital 1988APV Douglas Machine 1987Alexandria Technical College 1986Fingerhut 19853M Abrasives Plant 1984
Previous Business and Industrial Appreciation Day honorees
Equipment Financing3.99%APR up to 60 months with 20%
down for New Equipment
Apply Online at MMFCU.org/business/lendingAPR = Annual Percentage Rate. Limited Time Offer. Loans subject to approval. Certain restrictions apply. Federally Insured by NCUA.
Low rates on used equipment also available. ALEXANDRIA 405 50th Ave W, #106 | (320) 762-2686
mmfcu.org
AmbassadorsThe Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.
October 2020 | Chamber Horizons 5
September Visits
Uptown Court | New BusinessJon Gaugert, Owner
Jon Gaugert owns Uptown Court at 3904 County Rd. 42 NE. Formally, an event center known as Phoenix Event Center, Uptown Court now offers a blend of both residential and business space.
VeteransMemorialPark| New Park
Ralph Berg, Russ Oorlog, Ken Voigt and Don Johnson, Veteran Committee Members
The Veterans Memorial Park is on the cor-ner of 8th Ave. and Broadway St. It fea-tures a 9-foot granite replica of the Lib-erty Bell and granite monoliths inscribed with the names of 7,000+ veterans.
Welcome! September new members
Please consider these new businesses for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!
GlowAirbrushTanStudioNicole Mehrer700 Cedar St., Ste. 103(320) 491-0855 [email protected]
WindjammerInnResortWayne Mosher4860 County Rd. 42 NE(320) 846-2881 [email protected]
Thank you for attending our Fall Event!
Generously Sponsored By:
Silouan Green was the Chamber’s Fall Event speaker sponsored by Bell Bank. Green spoke on “Building a Community of Support for Responders.”
Silouan Green spoke to a socially distanced room of attendees and many more who joined virtually for his presentation, “Building a Community of Support for Responders” on Monday, September 28. Green is a former marine who suffered post-traumatic stress and is now an author and motivational speaker.
Green also spoke to local law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, medical workers, and other caregivers in an evening session titled, “Creating an atmosphere of resiliency and peer support during challenging times.”
Thank you to Bell Bank for sponsoring these two events as well as Hampton Inn & Suites for donating a 2-night stay for Green.
Business Buzz
6 Chamber Horizons |October 2020
The Knute Nelson Foundation elected four new officers to its board on July 23. They include Elliot Christensen, Terri Bursch, Rich Moen and Pam Carlson. Knute Nelson was founded in 1948 through a bequest by the late Senator and Governor of Minnesota, Knute Nelson, to provide care for older adults.
For the second year in a row, CliftonLarsenAllenLLP has been ranked the number one construction accounting firm in the U.S. by Construction Executive. The list recognizes the top indepen-dent construction accounting firms in the country.
Avon IndepententRepresentative -MaryBecker earned her fourth trip to the Dominican Republic. Through her sales for the company, Becker is one of less than 600 of more than 200,000 Avon representatives in the U.S. to achieve this incentive.
SERVPRO of Douglas&Otter Tail Counties was the winning team of the annual UnitedWayofDouglas&PopeCounties golf tournament. The tournament had a different format this year due to COVID-19. The “Anytime Tournament” ran from June 15 to August 15. Golfers were able to choose their day to play.
Bremer Bank donated 6,000 neck straps to Alexandria Public Schools and the Brandon Evansville ISD 2908. Made possible through a partnership with the Alexandria-based plastics in-jection modling company Donnelly Custom Manufacturing, the neck straps will be available to every student, teacher and fac-ulty member at each school for their masks.
To include business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter,[email protected].
Legislative Corner
CONTACTYOURLEGISLATORS:SenatorBillIngebrigtsen(R)Dist.8 (651) 297-8063 [email protected]
SenatorTorreyWestrom(R)Dist.12 (651) 296-3826 [email protected]
RepresentativeMaryFranson(R)Dist.8B (651) 296-3201 [email protected]
ReprsentativeJeffBacker(R)Dist.12A (651) 296-4929 [email protected]
Legislators should play their role to spur economic recoveryBy Doug Loon, president, Minnesota Chamber of Commerceand Jason George, business manager, IUOE Local 49
Our elected officials have the power that few individuals have: Legislation they pass impacts the lives of every Minnesotan in ev-ery role they play. Their inaction has the opposite effect: It stalls our state’s recovery. Minnesota legislators had multiple opportu-nities to pass a bonding bill and tax bill over the last year. These bills would include much-needed public- and private-sector in-vestment and reforms that should not wait until 2021.
A couple years ago, Minnesota adopted several business tax increases when conforming to federal legislation but didn’t adopt many of the offsets, including Section 179, which allows for immediate expensing for purchases. The 2019 tax bill treated equipment trade-in as income gain. The state didn’t offset with immediate expensing. As a result, small businesses and farmers were hit hard with retroactive tax increases.
This fix would help them reinvest, rebuild, and increase pro-ductivity. Likewise, a bonding bill would provide funding for state and local jurisdictions to inject significant resources into infra-structure and economic-development projects.
Economic challenges have put the pipeline for future construc-tion projects in question, making this bonding bill an economic lifeline for thousands of skilled workers. State-funded capital-in-vestment projects could be the only sources of work next year.
Our state and nation will continue to face unprecedented so-cial and economic challenges. Legislators cannot allow partisan deadlock to stand in the way of moving Minnesota’s economy forward. We call on legislators and Gov. Tim Walz to make bond-ing and tax bills a reality. These are their opportunities to provide meaningful tax relief, build infrastructure and create quality jobs across this state.