NOVEMBER 2018 Connecting - Owatonna, MN · NOVEMBER 2018 18 Business Tours and Career Exposure 150+ Juniors and Seniors Annually through Made in Owatonna Days Number of Students Assisted

BUSINESS BRIEFowatonna area chamber of commerce & tourismN O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

2018

Business Tours and Career Exposure150+ Juniors and Seniors Annually through Made in Owatonna Days

Number of Students Assisted130 directly with Workforce Coordinator

Students Hired Locally35 directly through this program

Job Shadows/Internships20 seniors without a post-high school plan placed at local business

Connecting Employer & Students

Community Partners

Business Investors*

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM

** *

*Denotes funders of the Workforce Entry Coordinator position in the high schools of Steele County.

1 NOVEMBER 2018 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

CHAMBER Leaders EVENTS Update | Rhonda Guthier, Director of Operations

Pat McDermott, ChairJC Press

Andy Cowell, Vice ChairProfinium, Inc.

Julie Rethemeier, Past ChairFederated Insurance Company

Todd Trout, TreasurerUS Bank

Jennifer Martin, Tourism RepBaymont Inn & Suites–Owatonna

Kim Schaufenbuel, At-LargeUnited Way of Steele County

John Champa, At-LargeCybex

Wayne Starman, Ex-OfficioCash Wise Foods

Nathan DotsonDotson Woodworking

Randy DoyalAl-Corn Clean Fuel

Graham FrieMayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna

Brian SpeasFareway Stores, Inc.

Brandon WayneAmeriprise Financial –Dufresne, Wayne & Associates

Stacy WilsonOld Town Bagels

2018BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2 NOVEMBER 2018 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Business After Hours

NOVEMBERTuesday, November 13, 2018 **Note Date Change**5:30 – 7:00 pmSponsor: United Way of Steele CountyLocation: Steele County History Center1700 Austin Road, Owatonna

2018

Tourism Takes It On The Road!Karen Pehrson spent a week this fall traveling over 900 miles through 3 states in 5 days! Owatonna along with Explorer Minnesota Tourism, Eagan, MOA, Mystic Lake Casino & Meet Minneapolis set out on a sales mission to promote all their great attractions to group tour planners. The group of 6 were able to sit down with over 35 planners to help them plan itineraries to stay and play in our great cities!

Chamber Welcomes New Tourism Associate Emily Volkmer just recently graduated from the University of Northwestern- St. Paul with a degree in Marketing. Throughout her time at UNWSP, she gained hands on experience digital marketing by creating a digital marketing plan for a local coffee shop. Emily also managed the social media sites for the university’s men’s club hockey team. Her digital marketing and social media experience lead her to her internship and part time marketing assistant with CrossFit Slipstream during the spring of 2018. Emily has managed the gyms social media, website, and marketing materials. She also successfully planned two events for the gym. In her free time Emily like to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with her dog, Gotham. Emily will work coordinating group tours in the community and working closely with Karen Pehrson, Director of Conventions and Tourism on many marketing projects throughout the year.

TOURISM Update | Karen Pehrson, Director of Conventions and Tourism

DECEMBERTuesday, December 4, 2018 **Note Date Change**5:30 – 7:00 pmSponsors: KOWZ & KRUE Radio and Owatonna County ClubLocation: Owatonna County Club

MAINSTREET Update | Shirley Schultz, MainStreet Director

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism www.owatonna .org | 3Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism www.www.owatonna ..org org | 32 NOVEMBER 2018 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

2018 OACCT MembersThe OACCT is pleased to recognize the following businesses who have renewed their Chamber Membership between September 16, 2018 and October 15, 2018. We appreciate their continued support!

NEW Members

Carroll Seating CompanySteve Grubish

285 SE 18th ST, STE D | Owatonna (507) 413-6216 [email protected]

Allina Health Home Oxygen & Medical EquipmentBerkshire Hathaway Home Services Advantage Real EstateCarquest Auto PartsDeming Home InspectionsEndres Window Cleaning

Kath Moving & TransferMizuki FusionNorth Bluff Townhome Assoc.Profi num Inc.Skjeveland EnterprisesSouba Greenhouse & Garden CenterZach Spinler Construction

The KernelThe KitchenThrivent Financial - Nick LewisTri M GraphicsTurtle Creek NurseryWorld of Wheels

MEMBERSHIP Update | Craig Thompson, Membership Director

Flower Orchid MassageJenny Chen

1830 A S. Cedar AVE | Owatonna (507) 351-2909

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Holiday Fun in Owatonna

Want to join the fun? See below for another fl oat from last year’s Holiday Lighted Parade in Downtown Owatonna to spur your creativity!

Shop Small is Saturday, November 24th! It is dedicated to supporting your small businesses. A great idea for every week out of the year!

What’s going on in Owatonna for the Holidays?

Watch for the poster and brochures that are going up around town mid-November for Holiday events. Starting with the Holiday Lighted Parade in Downtown Owatonna on Thursday, November 29th at 6:30 PM, followed by the Art Center and the Steele County History Center activities to follow in the next few days. There will be tons of activities for you and families.

The OACCT office will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 so staff can spend time with family and friends during the Thanksgiving Holiday. The OACCT Board of Directors and staff wish each of you a safe and blessed holiday season.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota along with more than 270 Big Brother Big Sisters affi liated across the country, today unveiled a new, modern look and brand reposition with a goal of recruiting more diverse volunteers. Learn more about the new brand positioning and the logo and messaging at bbb.org/bigpotential. Federated Insurance is solidifying plans for the location of its recently announced Mankato, Minn., processing offi ce. The company has entered into an agreement to purchase the building at 2000 Technology Drive. Habitat for Humanity of Steele-Waseca and Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity will merge to better serve the community, both organizations announced today. Under the new name – Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity, Executive Director, who formerly led Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity will oversee and manage home construction, rehabilitation and repair services for fi ve Minnesota counties: Waseca, Steele, Olmstead, Dodge and Wabasha. The organization will maintain offi ces in Owatonna and Rochester and oversee the Rochester Area ReStore. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Horizon EyeCare Professionals is excited to welcome Dr. Eric Dillinger to our team of eye care professionals. Dr. Eric is passionate about caring for patients of all ages. Call Horizon EyeCare today to schedule appointments with Dr. Eric for you and your family!

Johnson Doerhoefer & Miner PA is pleased to announce the acquisition on August 1, 2018 of the accounting practice of Ellen E. Stebbins LLC of Blooming Prairie. All services provided by Ellen and Elaine Stebbins will be moving to 314 E Main Street, Blooming Prairie. Clients can also be seen by request at our New Richland or Owatonna locations. Existing phone numbers will continue to be operational. Owatonna Foundation recently received a gift of $50,000 from Federated Insurance to assist the Foundation with their efforts to fund capital projects related to the community, arts, recreation, and education. RE/MAX Venture is pleased to announce Janita Paulson as the newest agent to join the Owatonna RE/MAX offi ce at 118 N. Cedar AVE in Owatonna. RE/MAX Venture serves Steele County and the surrounding areas, specializing in residential, small acreage, investment and commercial properties. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce CliftonLarsonAllen Foundations (CLA) $20,000 grant to support minority-owned business leaders through the Prosperity Initiative. The Prosperity Initiative is able to continue to provide culturally-sensitive programming, while also creating a unifi ed and coordinated resource structure, informing partners of best practices and creating opportunities for minority populations to network and access the business community. All resources are free for participating businesses.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking applications for Early Childhood Grants. Grants up to $20,000 are available to independent 501(c)(3) organizations, units of government or public agencies in SMIF’s 20-county region. Applications are due November 13, 2018 at 4 pm. Visit www.smifoundation.org/ecgrants for full guidelines and application.SpareTime Entertainment is pleased to announce Jennifer Jensen as their new Sales and Event Planner. Ms. Jensen will be providing sales services for catering and events, both off-site and at SpareTime. She brings ten years of Event Planning experience and has organized events for some of Owatonna’s local businesses in the past. Steele County Humane Society is seeking board members. If this is something you would be interested in, please submit a letter to: [email protected]. Meetings are every month on the third Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. United Way of Steele County each year honors a Blooming Prairie community member that embody the LIVE UNITED philosophy in Steele County. Award recipients are exemplary in their charitable giving, strong advocates for projects, programs or initiatives that change lives, and demonstrate an above average amount of volunteer time with a diversity of community organizations and our United Way. The LIVE United Award was presented to B to Z Hardware, a.k.a. “The Hardware Guys”

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER Events

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS November 13 **Note date change** | 5:30 pm – 7pm Location: 1850 Austin Road, STE 103 Sponsor: United Way of Steele County

BUSINESS BOOT CAMP November 15 | 12:00 – 1pm Topic: Think Faster, Learn Easier, Perform Better Speaker: Darci Stanford, Learning Rx Owatonna Public Library-Gainey Room, 105 N. Elm Sponsor: TBD

SMALL BUSINESS DAY November 24

LIGHTED HOLIDAY PARADE November 29 | 6:30 pm South on Cedar Ave to Central Park

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY WEEKEND November 29 – December 2

CHAMBER PACK INSERT DEADLINE Supply 550 copies of your promotional insert by November 28 for December’s mailing; $150

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS December 4 **Note date change** | 5:30 pm – 7pm Location: OCC-1991 Lemond Road Sponsor(s): KOWZ & KRUE Radio and Owatonna Country Club

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS – SOCIAL December 6 Location: KC Hall – 820 Elm AVE South, Owatonna Time: TBD

BUSINESS BOOT CAMP December 20 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm Owatonna Public Library-Gainey Room, 105 N. Elm Sponsor: SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna

CHAMBER PACK INSERT DEADLINE Supply 550 copies of your promotional insert by December 26 for January’s mailing; $150

For a complete list of events, visit: owatonna.org

4 NOVEMBER 2018 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

BUSINESS BREAK Member Announcements | Please submit by the 15th of the month

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM320 Hoffman Dr | Owatonna, MN | owatonna.orgP: 507.451.7970| E: [email protected] | F: 507.451.7972Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Business Brief is published by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism