Business Monthly

October 2019

This past week we celebrated the Chamber’s 139th Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration. On behalf of the

Board of Directors, congratulations to the following award winners:

Ambassador of the Year: Bobbie Jacobs, CCF Bank

Volunteer(s) of the Year: Mary Nelson, Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services, and Julia Thompson, the Shopper

Worksite Wellness Achievement: Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services, Innovance and Albert Lea Area Schools

Business of the Year Nominees: The Pet Authority, Hanson Tire, CCF Bank, Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda, Innovative IT Solutions and Mortarr. The winners were

o Small Business: CCF Bank o Medium Business: Mortarr o Large Business: Albert Lea Area Schools

Lifetime Achievement Award: Susie Petersen The Chamber is looking forward to many exciting things coming in the next few months.

The application to become a designated Main Street community has been submitted. This designation will provide a time-tested framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization of our historic downtown district.

The offices of the Chamber and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) will be moving to a common location downtown this week. The new location (at 132 North Broadway) will increase our visibility and access for both groups. We expect being co-located with ALEDA and across the street from the CVB is will greatly improve collaboration, particularly as we work on developing a strategic plan for the community. The Chamber offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, October 10-11 for the move. Both entities will open in their new location on Monday, October 14.

The Chamber, along with other community partners, will be working closely with ALEDA on a joint economic development strategic plan. Chamber members are encouraged to participate as opportunities are presented along the way.

As we thank our outgoing Board Directors, Kathy Sabinish (Dave’s Phone Booth/Frames-R-Us) and Catherine Buboltz (Thorne Crest Senior Living Community), we look forward to welcoming new Board members. We are currently accepting applications to become a Board Director; if you or another member of your organization is interested in becoming a director of the Board, please complete the application and return to Geri Jensen (member@albert.org or 507-373-3938) on or before October 18. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce in our efforts to promote and develop a healthy and positive business climate.

Message from Outgoing Board Chair, Tricia Dahl

The purpose of a newsletter is to provide specialized information to a targeted audience. Newsletters can be a great way to market your product or service, and also create credibility and build your organization’s identity among peers, members, employees, or vendors.

First, determine the audience of the newsletter. This could be anyone who might benefit from the information it contains, for example, employees or people

interested in purchasing a product or requesting your service.

You can compile a mailing list from business reply cards, customer information sheets, Business cards collected at trade shows, or membership lists. You might consider purchasing a mailing list from a company.

If you explore the Project Gallery, you will find many publications that match the style of your newsletter.

Next, establish how much time and money you can spend on your newsletter. These factors will help determine how frequently you publish the newsletter and its

Minnesota manufacturers are a resourceful, innovative and resilient group. Their collective value to our state’s economic vitality

cannot be overemphasized.

Consider these statistics compiled by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development:

Manufacturing represents 322,000 jobs statewide – 13% of all private-sector jobs.

The average manufacturing job supports another 3.24 jobs in other segments of the economy.

Manufacturing added $52.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2018, representing the second largest contribution to the state’s gross domestic product by an industry.

Across the state, manufacturing accounts for between 8% and 21% of total employments, depending on the region.

Manufacturing is a critical backbone of our state’s economy. As the state’s manufacturing association, the Minnesota Chamber

and our local partners encourage you to salute and celebrate the contributions of manufacturers in your communities during

Minnesota Manufacturing Week, Oct. 1-7.

The Minnesota Chamber’s annual “Manufacturers’ Summit: Connecting our products and services to the world” is from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Delta Hotels – Minneapolis Northeast. Please join us. It’s never been more important to understand the interconnectedness of business in local communities and around the globe. This year’s summit will examine the importance of trade agreements and the impact that trade uncertainty can have on the health of manufacturers and the overall state economy. Consider data collected in the Grow Minnesota! Partnership, our robust private-sector program focused on business retention, assistance and expansion. It is conducted in coordination with 90-plus local chambers and economic development entities. In 2015, 80% percent of businesses that exported had increased sales compared to 69% of those who did not export. In visits thus far this year, the difference is 79% to 65%. Manufacturers are six times more likely to export. In 2015, 61% of manufacturers exported compared to 13% of companies in other sectors. The respective numbers for 2019 are 60% and 9%. The dynamics of the world economy provide a perfect backdrop for the Manufacturers’ Summit. Attendees will hear from Gov. Tim Walz on manufacturing's importance to Minnesota. Martha Bárcena Coqui, Mexican ambassador to the United States, will speak to the benefits of the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and a strong trade relationship between Mexico and the United States. A panel of business leaders will share perspectives on the importance of global markets for Minnesota manufacturers. This event is always a great opportunity to connect manufacturers with vendors. Plus, manufacturers will have the option to attend a bonus session: MN Supplier Match Roundtable where we’ll connect Minnesota-based contract manufacturers with OEMs in Minnesota. This is your opportunity to meet face-to-face with sourcing leaders from OEMs to discuss general supply chain issues, best practices and opportunities to expand the supply chain in Minnesota. Many local chambers of commerce across the state coordinate events with local manufacturers to showcase facilities and promote the quality jobs available right in their back yards. Minnesota Manufacturing Week is a perfect time to showcase the strength of manufacturing as well as to help policymakers understand the necessary steps to strengthen our position in the dynamics of the world economy.

Manufacturing success at foundation of state’s economic vitality By Doug Loon

One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies and reports.

While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.

A great way to add useful content to this newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.

You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.

Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Word offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.

Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web

site. Microsoft Word offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it. A great way to add useful content to this newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.

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September Ambassador Visits

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Ambassador’s Visits

Cheers

The Children’s Center Career Force

Raleigh’s Ace Hardware

Riverland – Albert Lea Campus

Thank you! The following members renewed their memberships in September.

Kitchenmaster, Klooster &

Begalka CPAs

Edward Jones Myre-Big Island State Park

Compeer Financial Freeborn County Agricultural

Society

Peterson, Kolker, Haedt &

Benda, Ltd.

ALAMCO Wood Products,

LLC.

Freeborn County Pork

Producers

Riverland Community

College

Albert Lea Bus Company, Inc. Freeborn County Shopper Rofshus Precision Machine,

Inc.

Albert Lea Convention &

Visitors Bureau

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative

Services

Security Bank Minnesota

Albert Lea Electric Geno's Plumbing & Heating Southeast MN Workforce

Development, Inc.

Albert Lea Family Y Good Samaritan Society Reagan Outdoor Advertising

ALMCO Hill, Benda, Skov & Bernau

P.A.

Walmart Super Center

Bayview/Freeborn Funeral

Home

Jones, Haugh & Smith,

Engineers and Land Surveyors

State Farm at The Barn-

Randy Cirksena

Cedar Valley Services, Inc.-

Albert Lea Div.

KAAL Television Hollandale Christian School

City of Alden Lou-Rich, Inc. Mary Kay

Eagles Minnesota Freezer Warehouse

Company

Memories & Keepsakes

Quilts

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Chamber of Commerce

Annual Meeting

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Annual Chamber Meeting, October 3, 2019

Committee Updates

CHAMBER BOARD – met on September 25. Main Street Application will be submitted soon. We will be moving to new location soon. Annual Meeting is coming up. Speed Networking was a success. 2019-2020 Budget will be discussed at October’s meeting. Tricia was thanked for her service as Board Chair.

AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE – Held the 3rd grade farm tours on September 24-26! AMBASSADORS – Didn’t meet the month of September. GREEN COMMITTEE – Didn’t meet the month of September. GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Didn’t meet the month of September. WORKSITE WELLNESS COMMITTEE – met on September 20. Ellen reported there were enough responses in the Gallup Survey for a qualifying result. Results should be available in late October/early November. Their next newsletter will feature the AL Select Foods Art Show and the Great American Smokeout. The committee discussed the possibility of holding the Worksite Wellness Summit every 2 years instead of annually. And this year would conduct two smaller events rather than a large one. Ellen was approached by City of Albert Lea to participate in a Community Health & Wellness Fair on Jan. 13th. BUSINESS EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE COMMITTEE – The Chamber Business Education Collaborative (CBEC) met on Friday, Sept. 13 at the Chamber offices. Highlights include: Our committee reps continue to work with ALEDA on updating the “Opportunities for Students” link, which provides information on youth, post-secondary and adult internship opportunities. The CBEC is working on Business Succession presentations in partnership with U of M Extension to help businesses transition. More details as they become available. We continue to keep child care on our radar as it affects business success. Businesses have discussed the need for workshops/short term trainings around the area of Leadership Development for employees. A sub-committee was formed to explore business needs and see where we can assist. The CBEC meets the first Friday of each month at 8:30 am in the Chamber offices. For more information, call the Chamber at 373-3938 or Val at 402-7294

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The 78th Annual 4-H Livestock Auction was held on Saturday, August 3 at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. The morning started with a breakfast at the Fairlane Building for the sponsors and buyers. A special thank you to the following:

The auction would not be possible without the help of our generous donors and buyers, listed below. Thank you for making this year a great one for our 4-H Youth. THANK YOU!!! Alamco Wood Products Albert Lea Bus Albert Lea Electric Albert Lea Select Foods American Family Ins-Cliff Wuerflein AmeriNat Bonnerup Funeral Service Cafourek Insurance Agency Church Offset Commerce Bank Conger Inn & Catering Culligan Water of Albert Lea Dave Syverson Ford Day Breakers Kiwanis Club Eastside Liquor of Albert Lea Edwards Manufacturing Company Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services Frontier Family Farms George’s of Geneva Goldman Sturtz & Halvorsen Hammer Dieser & Mangskau Home Solutions Midwest Hy-Vee ISC Financial Advisors Jensen Excavating & Trucking Jim & Dude’s Plumbing & Heating Jones Haugh & Smith Marketplace Foods Morreim Drainage Mrs. Gerry’s North American Label Co Security Bank Minnesota South Central Pet Care Thompson Electric Total Glass-Lock Ulland Brothers United Employees Credit Union US Bank Ruth Vermedahl

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Chamber Ag Committee Auctioneers & Helpers Col Tim Allison Col. Lowell Gabriel Col. Beau Jensen Col. Greg Jensen Col. Jim Manges Alex Wayne Deb Steinfeldt Wendy Weiss Geri Jensen Rhodette Groe Livestock Auction Clerks Madison Denherde Bobbie Jacobs Jean Opdahl Sarah Veldman Margo Wayne Livestock Chamber Buyers Jerry Hickman Larry Irvine John Bhend Mike Jensen

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We are Moving!

Our office will be closed Thursday and Friday, October 10th and 11th, in preparation of our move to downtown.

As of October 14th, we will be operating out of our new location alongside ALEDA at 132 N Broadway. Please come visit us at our

new site!

Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce 132 N Broadway

Albert Lea, MN 56007

ALBERT LEA FREEBORN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1725 West Main Street Albert Lea, MN 56007

Phone: (507) 373-3938

Fax: (507) 373-0344 www.albertlea.org

https://www.facebook.com/alfcchamber/

Chamber Staff

Geri Jensen Liz Johnson Interim Director Administrative Assistant geri@albertlea.org liz@albertlea.org

George Gonzalez, Board Chair

Dave Syverson Auto

373-1438

Patricia Dahl, Past Chair Mayo Clinic Health System

Albert Lea and Austin

373-2384

Mike Chandler, 1st Chair Renewable Energy Group, Inc. 507-448-0124

Board of Directors

Dr. Mike Funk Albert Lea Area Schools 379-4802 Kevin Miland Mrs. Gerry’s 373-6384 Angie Eggum Edward Jones 373-2000

Beau Hartman Hartman Law Office 507-200-0301 Kim Nelson Riverland Community College 433-0607 Angie Kolker Freeborn-Mower Cooperatives Services 373-6421

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