FEATURES

AUGUST 2017

BUSINESS MONTHLY A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERT LEA-FREEBORN

COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

6 Best Days of Summer!!! August 1st -  6th

Business of the Year Nominations Due in September!

   AUGUST 2017

2017 Business of the Year

BUSINESS MONTHLYPAGE 1

COULD THIS BE YOUR BUSINESS ?

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce is asking the citizens of Freeborn County and,

in particular our members, to nominate businesses for the Large, Medium and Small businesses of the

Year. Business of the Year is the top business award presented by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County

Chamber of Commerce. Award winners will be announced at the Chamber's Annual Meeting on

Thursday, October 26, 2017. Nominees are reviewed by a committee based on the following criteria:

involvement with the Chamber, community service, customer service, and commitment to employees,

continued business improvement and growth. To be eligible, the business must be a current member of

the Chamber. Not sure if a business is a member? You can find a complete membership listing on our

website www.albertlea.org.

Business owners and employees of any Chamber member business are encouraged to nominate their

own business. This sis a perfect opportunity to shine the well deserved spotlight of public attention on

your business. Many of our members easily qualify for this award but are never nominated either through

an oversight for humility. Please don't hesitate to nominate your own business. The three categories are

determined by the size of the business; small, medium and large business. A small business nominee

employs 19 or fewer employees. Medium Business nominees employ between 20 to 49 employees.

Large Business nominees employ 50 or more employees. All nominees will be acknowledged at our

Annual Meeting in October. Each nominee will be contacted directly by a committee member. The

committee is composed of current Chamber Board members and representatives of the last year's

winners - Hyvee, Vern Eide Chevrolet & Culligan. In order to obtain background information for

evaluation., each nominee will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to assist the committee inn their

evaluation process.

The three Businesses of the Year will be recognized in the media and the questionnaire will be supplied

to the media. Additionally, nominees will be recognized through articles in the Chamber's publication of

Business Monthly and E-Biz Weekly as well as weekly radio broadcasts and at our Annual Meeting in

October.

To nominate a business, fill out the nomination form and submit it to the Chamber at 1725 West Main

Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Nomination Forms will soon be available at the Chamber Office or online at www.albertlea.org.

DEAR CHAMBER MEMBERS,

A NOTE FROM EXECUT IVE DIRECTOR , RANDY KEHR

PAGE 2 AUGUST  2017

BUSINESS MONTHLY

The negativity and the personal attacks that have been on display of late are nothing new and are not only

directed at the current challenges. Negativity is a part of every community. Should it be? I don’t believe so.

Challenging the authority is always good. It makes them see all possibilities and select the best option.

However, it should never be personal. Think it over since, as this 1915 poem points out, the solution lies

within all of us. This optimist plans to read this every day.

Speak Well of Your Town

It isn't your Town-

It's YOU!

If you want to live in the kind of a town

Like the kind of town you like,

You needn't slip your clothes in a grip

And start on a long, long hike.

You'll only find out what you left behind,

For there's nothing that's really new,

It's a knock at yourself when you knock your town

It isn't your town-it's YOU!!

Real towns are not made by men afraid

Lest somebody else gets ahead.

When everyone works and nobody shirks,

You can raise a town from the dead.

And if, while you make your personal stake

Your neighbor can make one too,

Your town will be what you want to see.

It isn't your town-it's YOU!

.

THANK YOU 

PAGE 4 AUGUST 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

The following members renewed their membership in June!

2017 Business After Hours

January - Freeborn County Historical Museum

February - Green Mill

March - Good Samaritan Society

April - Vern Eide Chevrolet

May - intellicents

June - Freeborn County Historical Museum,

Library & Village

July - No After Hours

August - Thorne Crest Senior Living Community

September - Mayo Clinic Health System

Albert Lea

October - Marketplace Foods

November - Hy-Vee

December - Albert Lea Tribune

Community Concierage

Glen Parsons is ready and willing to help

connect your new employees to the Albert Lea

Community. Whether they are new to Freeborn

County or have been here for sometime but

feel disconnected, Glen can help find them

organizations, churches , clubs and interest

areas that they have and connect them to

others with similar interests. Contact Glen at

507-383-9224 or

info@experiencealbertlea.com

Albert Lea Seed House Americana Insurance Group, Inc.

Comfort Inn Commodity Marketing Co.

Country Inn & Suites Master Plumbing LLC

Overhead Door Company of Albert Lea Albert Lea VA Clinic

Alden Advance RCV

AMBASSADOR VISITS

W e l c o m e t o t h e C h a m b e r P r o C e l l u l a r

A T & T  

PAGE 5 BUSINESS MONTHLY

Board of Directors Catherine Buboltz,  Chair 

Director of Sales & Marketing 

Thorne Crest Senior

 Living Community

(507) 373-2311

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

AUGUST 2017

SMALL STREET JOURNAL

PAGE 8 AUGUST  2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

Enjoy Music, Food, Arts & Crafts

Be sure to mark your calendars and join the fun this summer Downtown

Albert Lea for Wind Down Wednesday!! Perfect spot to spend your

Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 2017. Always good music & food and

shop through the arts and crafts displayed at the many kiosks along our

beautiful Downtown Albert Lea!

Stock up on Everything Healthy

Don't forget about the Farmers Market, Wednesday's from 3:30 - 5:00

pm, NorthBroadway parking lot and Saturday's from 9:00 am to Noon,

Northbridge Mall parking lot. You will be sure to find lots of locally grown

fruits and vegetables along with

baked goods & gift ideas!

Info at: albertleafarmersmarket.org

Albert Lea Community Theatre (ACT) announces 2017-2018 Season

"Rumors" October 19-28, 2017 "Don't Hug Me, We're Married Feb 22 - March 3 2018

"The Miracle Worker" April 19 - 28, 2018 " Beauty and the Beast" July 20-21, 2018

For more information or ticket information go to actonbroadway.com

COMMITTEE UPDATES

PAGE 6 AUGUST 2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

The Chamber Ambassador Committee - The Scholarship Golf Outing was a success

once again this year.

The Worksite Wellness Committee - did met on July 21. The 8th Annual Bike Rodeo was

excellent; 50-60 bikes. More marketing is being worked on for next year. Families really

enjoyed the poker walk. The Poker hands were collected, reviewed, winner was determined,

and prize basket was picked-up. A donation from the Moose Lodge consisting of 2 new bikes

with helmets came in on Friday afternoon for the event. A drawing was done for these. The

Worksite Wellness Committee was out there, Agilis, Cargill, and Hy-Vee. Thank you to all

who donated items for the prize basket, and to those who were able to participate. Everyone

was invited to the Healthways “Coffee Table Book” roll out on Tuesday, July 25th from 3:30 to

5:00 pm at the Albert Lea City Hall in the Council Chambers. This is the book on Albert Lea’s

journey to become a Blue Zones community. SHIP is asking to get your requests in for yearly

grants. Freeborn –Mower is sponsoring the August 23rd community picnic at Frank Hall.

Volunteers, Company Sponsorships, and donations are still needed. If able to contribute or

volunteer contact Ellen or Carole. Still needing sponsors for the other 2 locations,

Wedgewood and Shoreland. If no one sponsors, the Blue Zones will go, but will need help.

Agilis, Minnesota Freezer Warehouse, REG and ProAdvantage are still working on Blue Zones

designation. Susie will be doing the school Bus Tour, and the comprehensive book about the

community can be provided then.

The Green Committee – did met on July 19. There are now 8 Nominees for the Environmental Leader Award. The Nominee questionnaire needs to be filled out and returned by September 15th. Award ideals were discussed. The winner and

nominees will be recognized at the Annual Chamber Meeting.

The Chamber Agriculture Committee - The 4-H Livestock Auction will be held August 5th

at the fairgrounds.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CVB

PAGE 9 AUGUST 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

SUSIE PETERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- ALBERT LEA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

MINNESOTA CHAMBER INFO

PAGE 10 AUGUST  2017 BUSINESS MONTHLY

Work Begins Now on 2018 Legislative Agenda

By Doug Loon

The 2017 Legislature is history, and the 2018 session won’t convene until February. Contentious debates over important public

policies at the Legislature are the last thing on most people’s minds as we all enjoy Minnesota summer in its full glory.

Summertime is a great opportunity to connect with your legislators and explain firsthand the impact of their votes to ensure that

Minnesota is ready for the future – ready for change and ready to grow. You have their full attention and the chance to connect with

them at your worksites.

Your conversations will be most effective if you are armed with ammunition. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 2017 Voting

Record is a guide to help you evaluate your lawmakers’ leadership on our priorities at the 2017 Legislature. The votes reported reflect

the priorities of our 2,300 members across the state. Each vote is on an issue that’s of daily consequence to Minnesota businesses and

identified through regular discussions with members and our local chamber of commerce partners.

We have much to celebrate. The 2017 session was historic in its accomplishments and one of the most results driven in years. Many

of the business community’s priority issues were acted upon and advanced, better positioning Minnesota businesses to change and

grow in our global economy. For a more detailed summary of the Minnesota Chamber’s 2017 legislative achievements, click here.

Our successes notwithstanding, work remains to strengthen our business climate, especially in the area of workplace regulations. Our

recently completed Statewide Policy Tour gives us a strong start on these priorities as we look ahead to next year. We’ll be back in

many of your communities and connecting with our local chamber partners during our fall policy tour as we present our preliminary

priorities for 2018.

Minnesota continues to rank favorably as a great place to live, work and build a business. As we celebrate our state’s assets, we also

recognize that Minnesota needs to be ready for the future. We should be among the top states for economic growth rather than being

identified among the top states for cost of doing business. The Minnesota Chamber produces the Minnesota Business Benchmarks

report that sizes up our business and economic climate and underscores those challenges. Our next report is due in October.

Our policymakers can help to address these challenges. The summer break is a great chance to explain and show your legislators

firsthand how the policies they craft have an impact on your daily business operations.

Be sure to thank those legislators who voted in favor of your priorities. For those who did not, begin a conversation about how their

decisions impact your ability to own and operate a business here, and explore how we can work more effectively together to make

Minnesota ready to change and grow.

Doug Loon is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – www.mnchamber.com

MEXICOTHE LOW-DOWN

PAGE 11 AUGUST  2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

RANDY KEHR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

director@albertlea.org

MICHELE BEYER

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

chamberoffice@albertlea.org

GERI JENSEN    

ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

member@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, August 29, 2017 8 to 9:30 a.m.

City Hall

JENNIFER REDMAN

EXEC.. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

alfccoc@albertlea.org

PAGE 12 AUGUST  2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

Thorne Crest BAH poster

THE SIX BEST DAYS OF SUMMER

PAGE  13 AUGUST 2017BUSINESS MONTHLY

.

August 1 - 6, 2017

The 134th annual Freeborn County Fair is August 1 - 6 at the Freeborn

County Fairgrounds.

Many people from around the area come to this fantastic event. From 4-H

exhibits and livestock shows to the great entertainment in the Grandstand and

Entertainment Square there is something for everyone!!!

The Grandstand schedule will be one to please opening with Kane Brown on

Tuesday, August 1st. On Wednesday, August 2nd, you can catch Collin Raye.

Diamond Rio will be here Thursday, August 3rd. Friday, August 4th, Kansas will

take the stage and Saturday, August 5th, Martina McBride will be here to

entertain. All Grandstand concerts will begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Demo Derby

scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th.

The Freeborn County Fair has a host of attractions this year, such as:Swifty

Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show, Barn Yard Review (variety show), Budabi

Brothers, DON B - JUGGLERS, and many more. The "six best days of summer"

also feature two smoke free days; August 2nd (Senior Citizen Day) and August

5th (Kids Day). Smoking will only be allowed in the fenced area of the Beer

Garden and behind the Rib Rack on these days.

AFTER July 15 - August 6, they will be available for $45.00.

This year's midway will be provided by Goldstar Amusements.

Committee Updates cont.The Chamber Board of Directors met on July 26. Albert Lea Floats, the Paddle,

Pedal, Run and Autumn Blaze are coming up. Albert Lea was selected as a Green Steps Initiative program city to be studied in depth on how 500 year floods affect Albert Lea. This is to encourage other cities in Minnesota to become more sustainable utilizing the green steps initiative. The CDF is being constructed for the dredging project. A lengthy discussion was held regarding Mayo’s plans.

A motion was made to stay neutral.

The Governmental Affairs Committee - Did not meet in July.

54th Annual Chamber Ambassador Scholarship Golf Outing

The golf outing was a success again this year as the Ambassadors worked hard to raise

money to continue to fund the scholarships to be given to area high school students pursuing

post-secondary education, and one also to be given to a Riverland Community College

student. Thank you so much to all the businesses who made donations, Jeff & Staff at Green

Lea for hosting, thank you to those who donated items for the Silent Auction and most

importantly your time. Looking forward to seeing you on the course next year!!!