July 27, 2007

Congratulations to Cyndi Lesher who was honored by the Business Journal with a Career Achievement Award.   Cyndi is past Chamber chair and president of the 2008 RNC Host Committee on loan from Xcel Energy.  Your Chamber board member Diane Thomodsgard, US Bank, was honored as an industry leader.

Thanks to the business leaders who gave me a warm welcome at Thursday night’s CEO Reception. I continue to be humbled by your support for this organization and your willingness to lead in the community.  What a fantastic turnout of our business CEOs!  I also was thrilled to see about 150 YPros turn out for their first joint event with the Minneapolis Regional, TwinWest and Twin Cities North Chambers.  What a great indication that we are encouraging participation among future business leaders.  I’m also pleased to give you an update that I have met with more than 38 individuals and organizations in my first three weeks.  And I am looking forward to meeting many more of you over the next three months.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s “Unweave the Weave” project is one step closer to being completed.  Crews have opened a new bridge taking drivers from southbound I-35E to eastbound I-694 in Little Canada and Vadnais Heights. For more information on “Unweave the Weave,” visit
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/unweave/.

The Maplewood City Council has two seats up for reelection this year:  Incumbents Will Rossbach and Rebecca Cave will face candidates David Bartol, James Dykes, James Meehan, James Moreno Llanas, John Nephew and DelRay Rokke.  The September 11 primary will narrow the field of candidates.  Your Chamber encourages you to get to know your candidates in this fall’s city elections and their business views.

Monday’s Public Officials’ Luncheon features the Saint Paul School Board and Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen.  School Board members Anne Carroll, Tom Conlon, Tom Goldstein, Elona Street-Stewart and John Thoemke will attend. The July 30 lunch is $17 and held at the Chamber’s Training Room from noon-1:30 p.m. To RSVP, go to www.saintpaulchamber.com or call 651.265.2795. 

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will headline your Chamber’s political leadership event on Thursday, August 23 from noon-1:30 p.m. at 317 on Rice Park. Sponsorships are available at $500, $1000 and $1,500. Individual tickets are $50.  To reserve your seat or inquire about table purchases and sponsorships, contact Chad Kulas at 651.265.2787 or chad@saintpaulchamber.com. 

Did you know that between 2004 and 2014, employment is expected to grow by 13 percent in the Twin Cities—an addition of 224,900 new jobs.  Healthcare and social assistance will add the most new jobs (46,700), a growth rate of 26 percent.  Administrative and support services (24,400), professional and technical services (23,900), accommodation and food services (19,800) and retail trade (17,400) will also add significant numbers of new jobs to the regional economy.

Mark your calendar for the Gopher Football Kick-Off Lunch on Wednesday, August 29 at 11:30 at the Crown Plaza St. Paul – Riverfront.  Reserve your seat at www.saintpaulchamber.com.  Tickets are $40.

Enjoy a Minnesota Wild hockey game in style! Lease your Chamber’s suite at Xcel Energy Center for 2007-08 season games. Up to 23 seats are available for each game.  Participating companies will choose their game dates at a reception on August 9.  Contact Stephanie Moore at 651.265.2786.

Individual tickets are available for the following concerts:  Josh Groban, August 10, $95; Marilyn Manson & Slayer, August 14, $49.50; and Velvet Revolver, August 29, $47.