FEATURES

MARCH  2017

BUSINESS MONTHLY A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERT LEA-FREEBORN

COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ag Luncheon Check Out Small Street Journal!

DEAR CHAMBER MEMBERS,

A NOTE FROM EXECUT IVE DIRECTOR , RANDY KEHR

PAGE 2 MARCH 2017

BUSINESS MONTHLY

Agriculture and Our Rural Community

March is National Agriculture Month and, once again, the Albert Lea – Freeborn County Chamber’s Ag Committee

will host the Annual Agriculture Luncheon. In its 12th year, the Agriculture Luncheon is a celebration of our

agricultural roots. At the luncheon, the Chamber’s Ag Committee will join with the University of Minnesota’s

Extension Service to name the Freeborn County “Farm Family of the Year”. This represents an ongoing tradition

dating back to 1980.

The Chamber’s Ag Committee also hosts the Annual 3rd Grade Farm Tours for all of the elementary schools in

Freeborn County in addition to their fundraising efforts for the 4H Livestock Auction at the Freeborn County Fair.

This year’s speaker represents a change in focus for the lunch. While the topic will still be Agriculture,

farmer/comedian Jerry Carroll will look at the lighter side of farm life. I feel certain that this fast paced show will

leave the attendees laughing. I want to give a special thank you to ITC, The Freeborn County Corn & Soybean

Growers Association and State Farm at the Barn – Randy Cirksena for helping to make Jerry’s appearance

possible.

The Leadership 2016-2017 class will also participate in Agriculture Day on March 21st. This day has proven to be

a truly educational experience for many of our participants. While we often think of the 3rd Grade Farm Tours as

being an “eye opener” for the kids, many of our adult participants find this day equally enlightening. While the

participants know instinctively that agriculture plays a key role in our community and has changed over the years,

this Agriculture Day provides them a wealth of information.

After beginning the day with an exercise in Leadership with Riverland’s Peggy Young, the participants travel to the

Miller Family Farm, our 2013 Farm Family of the Year. Today the Millers are milking about 125 cows and farming

about 650 acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. They also raise all of their own replacement heifers on the main

farm and feed out steers on another site. This is new experience for some of the attendees,

The group also gets a look at the operation at Albert Lea Seed House. Founded in 1923 as a family owned seed

store, it has grown into a multi-national company. Following in the footsteps of their Grandfather and Father, Tom

and Mac Ehrhardt continue the tradition established first by the founder, Lou Ehrhardt. Following the Farm Family

of the Year luncheon, the participants will journey to Glenville to tour POET Biorefining of Glenville.

Day Leaders for this energetic program are Alisa Viktora of Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, Amy Davis

and Tetyana Nielsen of Cargill along with Todd Fjeldberg of Riverland. All four are graduates of the Leadership

Program. Their goal is to make this a memorable, action packed adventure in Agriculture. We believe that the

program definitely broadens the participant’s understanding of the importance of agriculture to Albert Lea and

Freeborn County.

PAGE 2 MARCH 2017

BUSINESS MONTHLY

Chamber's Annual Ag Luncheon

Tuesday, March 21 - 12 Noon The Fairlane Building

Tickets $12.50

THANK YOU 

PAGE 4 MARCH 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

The following members renewed their membership in February

2017 Business After Hours

Thank you to Green Mill for

hosting February Business After Hours

January - Freeborn County Historical

Museum

February - Green Mill

March - Good Samaritan Society

April - Vern Eide Chevrolet

May - intellicents

June -

July -

August -

September -

October - Marketplace Foods

November - Hy-Vee

December - Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea Elevator, Inc.

Commerce Bank

Freeborn County Coop Oil Company

Leuthold's

Martin's Cycling & Fitness

Morreim Drainage

Troy Thompson Agency

Pepsi Cola of Rochester

Rotary Club of Albert Lea

Thompson Sanitation Service

Village Cooperative of Albert Lea

Etcetera Tanning & Clothing

State Farm at The Barn-Randy Cirksena

Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis

The INTERCHANGE Wine & Coffee

Bistro

Senior Resources of Freeborn County

Farmers Insurance Joe Talamantes

Agency

Intego Financial Group, LLC

Energis-High Voltage Resources, INC.

AMBASSADOR VISITS

Hi l l ,Benda , Skov , & Be rnau P .A .

PAGE 5 BUSINESS MONTHLY

Board of Directors Catherine Buboltz,

Board Chair

KIMT TV

641-903-5240

Amy Davis, Vice Chair

Cargill Cooked Turkey and

Meats

377-2526

Patricia Dahl, 2nd Vice Chair

Mayo Clinic Health System-

Albert Lea and Austin

Jeff Woodside, Past Chair

Albert Lea Select Foods

379-9265

George Gonzalez

Dave Syverson Auto

373-1438

Julia Thompson

Freeborn County Shopper

373-1310

Justin Oman

Security Bank MN

373-1481

Kathy Sabinish

Dave's Phone

Booth/Frames-R-Us

377-0848

Jeff Eaton

Eaton Sport and Spine

377-1570

Dr. Adenuga Atewologun

Riverland Community

College

433-0607

Kim Nelson

Freeborn County Historical

Museum

373-8003

Angie Kolker

Freeborn-Mower

Cooperative Services

373-6421

Kelly Anderson

Erbert and Gerbert's

473-2033

March 2017

Sou th Cen t r a l Pe t Ca re

Cabin Coffee Albert Lea

COMMITTEE UPDATES

The Chamber Worksite Wellness Committee- The Committee met on February 17.   Bria Schrieber with the Albert Lea Area Schools was

introduced to the committee as a new member. Chris Chalmers with Community Education presented an enhanced brochure to

highlight activities and facilities available at the boathouse. They have an employer-sponsored Rock Gym/Boathouse membership

program in place. Ellen handed out a Blue Zone update form listing the top twenty worksites.  Agilis is now assessed and looking at the

top twenty moving to the top fifteen.  Pro Advantage has been assessed. Worksite Summit will be April 27th at the Freeborn County

Museum.  Speaker will be Dr Maggi Adamek as a food policy expert. She led the execution of the Minnesota Food Charter, a statewide

movement to reduce obesity and diet-related disease across the state. Breakfast will be funded by SHIP and the National Vitality Center

has applied for a grant through Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services for materials. There will be three business presenters. Starting at

Noon until 4pm there will be a food policy and systems workshop for groups looking more in depth at the food systems. Third annual Just

Play date is set for June 24th. It was agreed to do the poker walk and integrate this with the Just Play event. Family bike rodeo is the

anchor of Just Play. Ellen asked for worksites that would be willing to have employees bring in bikes for the bike rodeo giveaway.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Freeborn County’s Worksite Volunteer of the Year will be chosen by the wellness committee and

they will recognize the winner and everyone who was nominated.  The committee will chose in March to celebrate in April. There will be

a full page ad in the Tribune to recognize all volunteers. Alice sent out grant application for SHIP. Also handed out Freeborn County

Breastfeeding Coalition window clings which note breastfeeding is welcome here at the business

PAGE 6 MARCH 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

The Chamber Green Committee- 

There was not a meeting this month. Next meeting will be March 15, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Chamber Board room.

The Business/Education Committee-  Albert Lea High School updates: Student surveys will go out next week to evaluate the first

semester of the new calendar. Every Student Succeeds (replaces No Child Left Behind) is a new focus on assessments, etc. ACT and other

testing will begin soon. The school is looking at a single assessment for the students; depending on direction from the state Legislature

and MDE. Successful teacher-led staff development days were held. The district is looking at the student use of Chromebooks. The

Greater Ed Foundation will meet Jan. 9. District 241 School Board update: New school board members were installed and will attend a

School Board convention in January. New officers were appointed. The district is looking forward to getting the new Austin/AL Spec Ed

Co-op up and running. Increasing career awareness:  Monthly guest columns continue. Recent coverage of Riverland’s IMMR/Hormel

partnership on KAALTV: http://www.kaaltv.com/news/hormel-partnership-riverland-college/4363228/?cat=10151.  Local businesses

continue to participate in the presentations at Southwest Middle School. AL Community Education:  The new CE Books out with class

offerings. Most ECFE classes start the end of Jan.  Comm. Ed reports good participation numbers, great topics for moving/healthy eating,

etc. The CE Advisory Board is looking for new tour ideas, class topics, etc. Riverland College updates: The new semester started 1/9/2017.

Riverland Austin campus is hosting the Robotics competition-they expect 48 HS teams and 20 Mid School teams. A successful Legislator’s

breakfast was held 12/16. Increased program enrollment numbers: Law Enforcement- 62.5%, Med Asst-162%, Ag Science 300%,

Construction Electrician-56.8%, IMMR-50%, and several other programs have strong numbers. Other:  Question raised to the group:  What

can we do to help those who graduate from HS and might not yet have a career direction? What can we do to reach out and offer

resources, information, etc.?  Congratulations to: Freeborn County Historical Museum on celebrating 20 years of Discovering History

partnership with Albert Lea Schools.   The BEC meets on the first Friday of each month, 8:30-10 am at the Chamber conference room.

The Chamber Agriculture Committee- It is that time of the year to start planning for the Ag Luncheon that will be on March 21 at noon.

They meet on February 28 to pick the Farm Family of the Year.

The Chamber Ambassador Committee- The Ambassadors are meeting on  at the Chamber Board Room. They will be visiting Healing

Focus Acupuncture & Oriental Medicene LLC, Dobberstein Insurance Agency, Shoe Sensation & Touching Hearts at Home. Golf Meeting will

be Wednesday, March 22, 10 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

COMMITTEE UPDATES (CONT.)

PAGE 7 MARCH 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

The Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee -   The committee met on February 9. An item on the County Commissioners agenda is the

State’s buffer initiative. At some point the county is going to have to have to take a position on whether they want to take on the

enforcement or let the State handle it. There are differing opinions on this amongst the commissioners and they also continue to work on

mental health issues in the jail. Freeborn County received a Rural Impact County Challenge grant which is to address childhood poverty.  A

discussion was held about scanning important records with Real Estate records as the most worrisome. The UP trail was purchased 2 years

ago. Now there is a larger interest in it and having a plan for the future. City, SHIP and County are all involved.  The watershed levy has

varying opinions about it.   The City of Albert Lea has been collaborating with the museum on an archive project with over 100,000 pages

scanned. The City has reissued the FRP for Freeborn Bank Building. They also are prioritizing workforce housing on a local level with 5 years

of tax abatement for new homes The Albert Lea School and County should vote on participating with this in March.  Splash pad funds are at

a level where the city can move forward. The Super Bowl 52 projects were discussed. Chad attended Lakes Day at the Capital on February

22nd. Matt discussed the Water Credit Trading pilot program for the storm water world. He will be meeting with Steve Jahnke.  The

legislative priorities have been sent to our Legislators and the Governor.

The Chamber Board of Directors-  The Board of Directors met on February 22, 2017. After receiving reports from the City, CVB, and

Riverland, the minutes from the January meeting and the January financials were approved. The Ag Committee will get together next

week to review the nominations for Farm Family of the Year. We have received several nominations. The Chamber Ambassadors have been

receiving scholarship applications and will be reviewing these.  Ag Luncheon will be held on March 21st and featured speaker will be Jerry

Carroll a Farmer/Comedian. There is a request from Northfield regarding the MnDOT Rail Plan. They are asking that we write a letter of

support to propose a study.  Our area is considered a class 1 corridor and a study is needed to look into passenger rail for the future. A letter

of support was written by the Chamber supporting this study.  

SMALL STREET JOURNAL

PAGE 8 MARCH 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

Albert Lea Community Theater working out the final details on another production.... Just about time for another impressive production for our local community theater.

"Twelve Angry Men" opens tonight and runs through March 11th. Tickets available

online at www.actonbroadway.com or call the 24/7 Call Center at 1-877-730-3144.

You may also purchase tickets at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitor Bureau,

Downtown Albert Lea.

Chamber Member Celebrating 50 years... 4 Seasons Vacations deserves a big congratulations as they celebrate 50 years of

wonderful travel service to our community and surrounding area. If you are thinking

about your next travel destination give them a call at 507-373-2473

Healing Focus Acupuncture & Oriental Medicene LLC has a new location...

If your looking to enhance your health with a custom-tailored plan to fit your goals?

Give Cierra a call today at 507-369-4654 to set up an appointment.

A Change For Your Calendar..

Due to bad weather, Hollandale Christian School Open House has been rescheduled to

Thursday evening, March 9th from 5:30 to 7:30.

Great opportunity to tour the school, meet and visit with the teachers.

For more information call 507-889-3321

A MESSAGE FROM THE CVB

PAGE 9 MARCH 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

SUSIE PETERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- ALBERT LEA

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Did you know?  

Travel and Tourism in Minnesota generates:

• $14.4 billion in gross sales

• More than $37 million  day

• $930 million in state sales tax

“Minnesota’s travel and tourism industry is vibrant and continues to grow,” explains Explore

Minnesota director and CEO John Edman. “The state is a premier travel destination. High-

profile events continue to put Minnesota on the map, and Explore Minnesota wants to

capitalize on that.”

Next year, the state will be handed a premier promotional event, with Minneapolis hosting

Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The daily impact is that travelers in Minnesota spend more than $37 million per day and

these dollars circulate widely into Minnesota’s local and state economies, supporting

businesses and amenities that add to Minnesotan’s quality of life.

Here’s a peak of what’s happening this month in our community:

ACT Theater – Twelve Angry Jurors – March 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Albert Lea Figure Skating Show – March 4 & 5

KATE Home & Recreation Show, March 10-12, Albert Lea City Arena.

Tigers Roar will be held March 23, 24 & 25- 7pm at Albert Lea High School Auditorium.

Concert, March 15; all performances are at 7pm in the High School Auditorium.

For a complete list of events and fundraisers, go to www.albertleatourism.org and click

calendar.

 

MINNESOTA CHAMBER INFO

PAGE 10 MARCH 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

Voters demand progress at Legislature By Doug Loon

The following appeared on Twincities.com on  February 14th

  

Don’t waste opportunity to fund roads, bridges, transit

Transportation funding once again will be center stage at the Minnesota Legislature. The debate over whether and how

to increase investment in Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure has been heating up since at least 2012, when a task

force appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton forecast a $12 billion shortfall in funding for state roads and bridges over the next

20 years.

Everyone was poised to see a funding plan pass in the 2015 session, but it didn’t happen. The debate advanced, however.

The session adjourned with broad, bipartisan consensus among leaders that we need a long-term solution that includes

substantial new investment in roads, bridges and transit. The good news is two proposals are in a House/Senate

conference committee where differences can be resolved, and a final package prepared for a vote. That’s very doable in a

short session, election year and all.

Minnesota, unlike many other states, has made progress in recent years toward boosting permanent transportation

funding.

In 2006, Minnesota voters constitutionally dedicated the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation purposes, adding

more than $1 billion to date.

In 2008, the Legislature added another $6 billion in new investment through an increase in the fuel tax and higher tab

fees for roads and bridges – plus a new quarter-cent sales tax was enacted in the metro area to expand transit. The fuel

tax had not been increased in 20 years, and tab fees were severely cut by Gov. Jesse Ventura.

These investments have led to record levels of transportation-related construction and broad benefits to all Minnesotans.

In spite of these efforts, we still face the realities of declining fuel-tax revenues and increasing costs.

We cannot sustain the current investment in transportation infrastructure without additional resources, which also will

leverage millions of dollars in federal funding recently approved by Congress that are contingent on matching funds

from the state.

The state’s sound fiscal condition with a historic budget reserve and surplus gives us the opportunity to think differently

about how we invest in our infrastructure and reach compromise on how to bring new resources into the transportation

system.

Our organizations represent a cross-section of Minnesota’s business and labor communities with a mutual interest in

transportation. Though we have not always agreed on the “whether” and “how” questions that define the funding

debate, we believe the state’s current finances present a distinctive juncture to pass strategic and sustained

transportation funding for roads, bridges and transit. Let’s not waste the opportunity.

Doug Loon is president of Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Joining him as authors of this column:

• Glen Johnson, business manager, Operating Engineers Local 49

• Dave Semerad, chief executive officer, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota

• Todd Pufahl, business manager, Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota

• Charlie Weaver, executive director, Minnesota Business Partnership

• And John Raines, executive secretary-treasurer, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

PAGE 11 FEBRUARY 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

PAGE 12 MARCH 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

RANDY KEHR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

director@albertlea.org

MICHELE BEYER

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

chamberoffice@albertlea.org

GERI JENSEN

PROGRAM AND EVENTS MANAGER

member@albertlea.org

CINDY GOLBUFF

EXEC.  ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

alfccoc@albertlea.org

Chamber Staff

Albert Lea- Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. 1725 W Main St. Albert Lea, MN 56007. 507.373.3938.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alfcchamber

Follow us on Twitter https://www.twitter.com/ALFCCOC

Southern MN Social

Media Breakfast Join the discussionon

Facebook by joining the

group,"SouthernMinnesota

SocialMediaBreakfast."

Tuesday,March 28

8 to 9:30 a.m.

City Hall