Happy Labor Day!
St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
"The Voice of Business in Central Minnesota"
As we approach Labor Day, we take a moment to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our labor force?the backbone of Central Minnesota's economy. This day is not only an opportunity to relax and recharge but also a time to reflect on the contributions our workers make every day. At the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, we remain committed to advocating for the growth and success of our local workforce, ensuring that the businesses and individuals who drive our community forward have the support they need to continue thriving.?
Workforce development is a core value at the Chamber, and we offer a variety of programs to help you learn, engage and succeed!
Whatever your workforce needs are, we are here to listen and to help. Contact us if you have any questions or ideas. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
?Connect, learn, grow!
Lunchtime Learning is back for the fall season! Kick it off with us on Wednesday, September 11th as we hear from a panel of local entrepreneurs on their business journey. The session is from 12pm - 1pm and includes lunch. Register now to attend!
Get a behind the scenes look at the historic restoratioin of the Foley Mansion when Arivg hosts Business After Hours on Wednesday, September 18th from 4:30-6:30pm.
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
Are you ready for paid leave? On August 7th, the Chamber hosted a DEED Paid Leave Listening Session with Paid Leave Director Greg Norfleet to inform business owners more about paid leave. View the slides here.
St. Cloud grants are still available, but not for long. The St. Cloud Downtown Exterior Improvement Grant Program provides incentives to stimulate external, visible investment in Downtown properties. Property owners and business owners are encouraged to consider improvements incorporating aesthetic, environmental, cultural and historical elements that enhance downtown character and architecture. Learn more
2024 Central MN Tour of Manufacturing kicks off in October. Communities, schools, and job seekers are encouraged to attend and learn about the manufacturing industry. Manufacturers will offer behind the scenes tours, show you how products are made, and discuss job opportunities of these paying, in-demand careers. Learn more
CareerForce is here to help you hire. From monthly hiring events to online resources, the team at CareerForce has a wide variety of tools to help you hire. Plus, save the date for the annual Career Fair at the River's Edge Convention Center on October 8th, 2024. Registration coming soon, but in the meantime you can learn more about all of their services here .
St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report is on September 19th. At the upcoming QBR Review, industry experts will provide valuable insights on the region's economic landscape. Discover the impact of recent events?including the Crowdstrike software update outage, the Trump/Vance political rally, and the decline in international trade of agricultural goods?from results of the monthly St. Cloud Area Business Outlook Survey.?Register now
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis interviewed the final mayoral candidates. You can watch their conversations online:?
Your voice is needed! Please help assess the health of our community by completing the Central Minnesota Alliance Community Health Survey. Take the survey.
STATE & NATIONAL
New minimum wage starting January 1st.?Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2025, to $11.13 an hour for all employers in the state.?Learn more
Join the monthly DEED small business call. The meeting, which is the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 2:00 p.m., is an opportunity for small business owners to have a conversation with business experts and their peers. The next call/Teams meeting, will be on Tuesday, September 10th, at 2:00 p.m.?Add recurring meeting to your calendar.
Attend the DEED Twin Cities Startup Week event. DEED's Office of Small Business and Innovation invites you to attend "How our State Supports Startup Businesses and Entrepreneurs" on Tuesday, September 17th at 9AM. Ask questions, connect with consultants, learn and engage.?Learn more ?
2024 Workplace Compliance Summit. Feeling overwhelmed by the recent changes in Minnesota's compliance landscape? This MN Chamber event is designed for employers and HR professionals like you! Learn more & register
?- Sponsored Content -?
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Happy Anniversary!
Happy Chamber Anniversary to these members who celebrated milestone years of membership in August. We are so thankful for your continued support and partnership. You make the St. Cloud Area great!?
1 Year Anniversary
10 Year Anniversary
15 Year Anniversary
25 Year Anniversary
30 Year Anniversary
40 Year Anniversary
45 Year Anniversary
The Annual Chamber Celebration
Mark your calendars for the can't-miss event of the year?the Annual Chamber Celebration on October 8th, 2024! Join us from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the Holiday Inn & Suites as we reflect on the past year at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and honor the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. This is the event everyone will be talking about, so make sure you’re there to celebrate with us!
The Quick Details
Date:?Tuesday, October 8th
领英推荐
Time:?4:30PM - 7:30PM
Location:?Holiday Inn & Suites
Who will be named the Shining Star?
The final five nominees are all incredible assets to the Chamber of Commerce, but only one can be crowned the Star. Get your tickets now to support these amazing volunteers and see who takes home the award!?
Honor outgoing chairs.
Part of the Annual Chamber Celebration is honoring our outgoing committee chairs and board members. Please join us in celebrating these incredible individuals!
Thank You Celebration Sponsors!
Lunchtime Learning Fall 2024
Lunchtime Learning takes place on the first Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted. Each presentation features a local speaker who specializes in a business related topic.
Here's the schedule at a glance:
Members:?$25/session |?Non-Members:?$35/session
SAVE $25: Purchase a season pass and get in to all five sessions for just $100!
Email the Chamber?to purchase yours: [email protected]
All Lunchtime Learning sessions take place at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 1411 W. St. Germain St. ste. 101, St. Cloud. Please register at least two days before the session by calling (320) 656-3826, emailing [email protected] , or online here . Reservations must be cancelled 48 hours in advance to receive a refund.
View the ACTION Summit Agenda Now!
Join us on October 22 for a summit dedicated to fostering community and inclusion in the workplace. This event will provide strategies that business owners and managers can implement in their own workplaces and insights into building diverse teams.
OCTOBER 22 | 8AM - 2PM | SCSU
This summit is a great fit for anyone working in human resources, marketing, or upper management of organizations of all sizes. It will take place at the Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University. Registration will begin at 7:30am and it includes lunch. The cost to attend is $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
8:00 -9:00 ? The Inclusion Dilemma: How Do You Move from Diversity to Inclusion
9:15-10:00 - Breakout Session (choose one)
10:15-11:00 - Breakout session (choose one)
11:15-12:00 DEI in practice in the workplace:
12:00-12:30 - Lunch
12:30 -12:45 - Sponsor Presentations
12:45-1:45 ? Diverse Realities Panel: Navigating Workplace Challenges Through Marginalized Experiences
APEX Groups
APEX (Advisory Peer Exchange) Groups are an opportunity for ambitious professionals to cultivate meaningful relationships with peers at similar stages and paths in their careers.
Groups are created based on professionals job level and industry. Groups will decide when and how often to meet. During each meeting, group members will present questions or challenges they are facing and engage in confidential discussion with each other.
This is an opportunity to grow your professional network and receive valuable feedback toward the success of your company. Not sure if it's for you? Let's chat!
COMING IN NOVEMBER: Financial Services & Wealth Management Directory
Unlock new opportunities in the November/December issue of Business Central Magazine! We're featuring a special section dedicated to financial and wealth management services, putting your business directly in front of Central Minnesota's key decision-makers. This is your exclusive chance to showcase your expertise with an ad and a spot in our Financial Services and Wealth Management Directory.
Don't miss out on connecting with 6,000 highly engaged readers who are looking for solutions just like yours. Reach out to Melinda today for advertising details. The deadline is Friday, September 27th.
Contact Melinda: [email protected]
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