DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes that entrepreneurs in America—as a key pillar of the free enterprise system—create the jobs, innovation, and opportunity that make our nation prosperous. The U.S. Chamber is proud to provide special recognition to the small business community by presenting one business with the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club®.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, criteria, recognition levels and how to apply, click here. The award presentation will take place at the May 18 luncheon at the Omni Shoreham Hotel during America’s Small Business Summit, held May 17-19 in Washington, D.C.

Minnesota Legislature Small Business Survey

Your participation in this survey will help the legislature serve Minnesota’s small business community better. We greatly appreciate your input. Please respond to the following questions prior to Nov. 30, 2009. Thank you for your time, and all you do for your community and Minnesota’s economy! Click here to take the survey!

Public open house scheduled for Dec. 10 to discuss Highway 14 construction in Rochester

Interested individuals are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, Dec. 10, to discuss the Highway 14 beltline construction project in Rochester, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The project is scheduled for construction in 2010.,

The open house will be from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7th Avenue Southeast in Rochester. The meeting is an opportunity for business and property owners who may be affected by the project to ask questions. Community members can view updated project maps and learn about the current status of the Highway 14 beltline project.

CH2M Hill representative Howard Preston will present the final recommendations of the Traffic Study and Mn/DOT and City of Rochester officials will be available to answer questions about the concrete pavement resurfacing on Highway 14 from Highway 52 to Marion Road.

Open house for Northern Rochester Transportation Study set for Nov. 19

The public is invited to attend a public open house on Thursday, Nov. 19, to discuss the study area surrounding Highway 52 and 65th Street Northwest, according to the city of Rochester and Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Northern Rochester Transportation Study is being conducted to review existing and projected future conditions in the study area related to traffic, safety, social, economic and environmental issues.

Two informational sessions will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 55th Street Northwest. The first session is from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. with a short presentation at 4 p.m. The second session is from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. with the presentation at 6 p.m. The same information will be presented at both sessions.

The open house is an opportunity for business and property owners most affected by the project to ask questions and provide feedback about the Northern Rochester Transportation Study.

Project managers from Mn/DOT and the city of Rochester will be available to answer questions about the study and provide updates about the alternatives being presented.

The following key issues have been identified:

• Congestion and safety issues along 55th Street Northwest due to heavy traffic volumes and closely spaced signalized intersections.
• Restriction of local traffic circulation due to a lack of a west frontage road between 55th Street Northwest and 65th Street Northwest.
• Congestion and safety issues associated with closely spaced access locations along the East Frontage Road (Bandel Road) north of 55th Street Northwest.
• Desire for access to Highway 52 at 65th Street due to potential development surrounding this area.
• Need to preserve mobility, operations and safety on Highway 52.

To learn more about the Northern Rochester Transportation Study and sign up for update alerts, visit http://www.northernrochesterstudy.com/.

Chamber President John Wade recognized at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet as George Gibbs Award winner

This past weekend, Chamber President John Wade was recognized as the 2009 winner of the George Gibbs Meritorious Community Service award presented for leadership, dedication and faithful service to the entire Rochester community. Please find the text below, taken directly from the script at the celebration:

"Our first winner is known to all is not just about all of us in this room. They have resided in Rochester for many years and lead a major entity within our community. Our winner, the recipient of the George Gibbs Award for community service, embodies the spirit of all that makes Rochester a great place to live and work.

This individual is tireless in their support of activities and initiatives that move Rochester forward in a positive and meaningful way. They are always eager to help build bridges in our community across racial, economic, social and political lines. Their support for diversity is visible and continuous.

Most of us may know this from the role this individual plays in partnership with our branch to put on one of the state’s largest and I would argue, one of the country’s finest breakfast’s in celebration of the birthday of Dr. King. He has also worked hard to champion and support business diversity, and I happen to know that this was going on way back before it became an imperative in these tough economic times. Today under his guidance and leadership, diversity is a real part of the work and programming of the activities of the number one business organization in our community, and as long as he is at the helm I know that it will always be a key priority.

Our winner could just do his job and choose to avoid the tough issues and activities that might to some seem controversial and unpopular, but this individual has never wavered in his insistence that causes that are important to us be causes that are important to the Rochester business community, too. I happen to know, as most of you do, too, that our winner and I are on the very opposite ends of the political spectrum; I lean left and he leans right, but when it comes to equity, fairness and working hard to make Rochester the kind of city we all know it can be, we all walk together, hand in hand.

Ladies and gentleman, please join me in congratulating our 2009 winner of the George Gibbs Meritorious Community Service award presented for leadership, dedication and faithful service to the entire Rochester community, President of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John Wade."

Transportation Forums

Would you like to hear firsthand about transportation issues in the Rochester area? The first Friday of each month, September - May, members gather for a Transportation Forum at the Holiday Inn South at 7 a.m. Each month's breakfast meeting starts with a presentation on a transportation-related topic. Recent presentations include Elk Run, MnDot stimulus funds and county/city parking and planning departments. Additionally, MnDot, Olmsted County,t he City of Rochester and the Rochester International Airport regularly provide updates at each meeting.

On Nov. 6, Tim Geisler, representing the Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance, will be updated the group on the recently released Tri-State III High Speed Passenger Rail Study. For more information, contact John Eckerman at jeckerman@rochestermnchamber.com or 507-424-5687.

Registration now open for the 2009 Annual Member Celebration

One Very Special Evening.............
Click here to register

Join us for membership recognition and appreciation, entertainment and laughter as we celebrate and honor the Volunteer of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Lamp of Knowledge and more!

5:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Program & Entertainment
Hosted by: Rochester International Event Center

Entertainment featuring The Water Coolers. Think Seinfeld set to music. The Water Coolers are a high-powered, laugh-out-loud combination of sketch comedy and music about what we go through just making each day happen – life, work, kids, husbands, wives, travel, technology – and trying to balance them all. The Chicago Sun Times says that The Water Coolers are "Guaranteed to make you laugh!"

Click here for more information or to register!

Rochester Business Gives

Rochester Area Business Gives is an excellent way for businesses to receive recognition from their peers and their community for the many contributions they make to their local community. Businesses are recognized for giving cash and/or in-kind contributions to charitable organizations amounting to 2 percent or more of their pretax earnings.

Your business can participate and be recognized by completing the participation form online and submitting it to Loree Flick at the Chamber by Friday, Sept. 25. Business Gives winners will be recognized at the Annual Member Celebration on Oct. 29. Click here for more information or to apply.

Nominate a local business for one of the Chamber's annual awards. Deadline for nominations is Monday, Sept. 10.

Nominate a local business for one of the Chamber's annual awards. Deadline for nominations is Monday, Sept. 10, 2009. To learn more about the Annual Member Celebration, slated for Thursday, Oct. 29, click here.

Business of the Year Award
The Business of the Year Award is presented to a business member of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.To attain this award the business must show commitment in the areas of community service, client relations, investment in employees, business ethics, and business improvement and growth.

Criteria:

• Commitment to the Community - Assistance to Chamber, community organizationa
• Commitment to Excellence - Excellent service, business ethics, friendliness
• Commitment and/or Service to Employees
• Commitment to Business Improvement
• Commitment to business expansion and growth
  

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Jan Warfield Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is presented annually to a member of the Chamber of Commerce who has demonstrated outstanding participation and leadership in Chamber activities. This award is given in Jan Warfield's memory in honor of her dedication and commitment to the Chamber.

Criteria:

• Volunteer efforts for the Chamber
• Chamber participation at events and activities
• Leadership and motivation in Chamber activities and events

Click here to nominate a business and/or volunteer.

Fuel Rochester Happy Hour this Thursday!

It's that time again! Join us for Fuel Rochester's monthly Happy Hour this Thursday at McMurphy's Sports Cafe in Rochester. Enjoy drink specials from 5-7 p.m., connect with fellow young professionals and Fuel members and learn more about Fuel Rochester and what it has in store for the remainder of the year.

Fuel Happy Hours are open to anyone, however, Fuel members receive one free drink by showing their membership/discount card. If you have no received your Fuel card in the mail, be sure to pick it up at McMurphy's! Attendees will also have the chance to sign up for Fuel if interested.

See you there!