Your Chamber’s Board chair Ted Lillie and I were part of a productive fly-in to Washington with Ramsey County Board members to meet with Minnesota’s congressional delegation earlier this week. In addition to meetings with Senators Coleman and Klobuchar, we met with Transportation Committee Chairman Oberstar and Fourth District Congresswoman McCollum I also had a one-on-one meeting with Senator Klobuchar’s Chief of Staff Lee Sheehy. Sheehy, well respected in Minnesota for his tenure with the Metropolitan Council, brings a great deal of expertise to Senator Klobuchar’s office on transportation planning and funding.
Sandra Westerman, your Chamber’s vice president of public affairs, made a presentation on the formation of our own Central Corridor Partnership to chamber of commerce colleagues at the U.S. Chamber’s Great Lakes Region Government Affairs Conference last week in Chicago. Many other communities across the country are looking at similar strategies to advance their own region’s transportation issues - whether roads, bridges or transit. The exchange was a great opportunity to share examples of business leadership on transportation issues.
An October 12 Issue Forum on Transportation Funding in the metropolitan area will highlight current transportation funding mechanisms, including federal, state and local sources, discuss unmet funding needs and potential future funding sources. Your Chamber is a host, along with the Minneapolis Regional and TwinWest Chambers, of this Issue Forum which will be held at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville from 7:30-10:00 a.m. Help contribute to your Chamber’s strategy for the 2008 legislative session by attending. Investment: $25. To register, call George at 651.265.2795.
The Vadnais Heights City Council will convene Tuesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. and vote on whether the existing Wal-Mart will be able to redesign and expand at the Village of Vadnais Heights. Wal-Mart currently possesses an existing development agreement with the City of Vadnais Heights to add a 30,000 square-foot grocery store to its existing 130,000 square-foot store. Initially, the council denied the application, but voted to reconsider. Based on core economic development principles, your Chamber supports the proposal.
Thank you to everyone who attended the successful 8th Annual Regional Business Organization Conference! Nearly 300 people turned out for networking and to hear your former Board chair Cyndi Lesher speak on the impact of the Republican National Convention next year. Cyndi gave an update about potential business opportunities, future needs for volunteers and a preview of how planners will provide an experience for those who are not convention delegates.
Reserve your space today in the ADvantage Mail Pack, which is mailed in November to nearly 4,100 business decision-makers. Investment is only $450. Deadline for inclusion in the mailing is October 11. For additional information or reservations, contact Amanda Faletti at 651.265.2778 or amanda@saintpaulchamber.com.
Join Board of Directors Chair Ted Lillie, of Lillie Suburban Newspapers, and other Chamber leaders at the next East Metro Area Social Event! This casual social hour will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 2905 Center Pointe Drive, Roseville on Wednesday, September 26. RSVP by calling 651.265.2795 or register online at www.saintpaulchamber.com.
Don’t miss your chance to personally welcome the Minnesota Wild back for the 2007-2008 hockey season! Join us at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul – Riverfront on Monday, October 1 for the Face-Off Luncheon presented by American Bank! Lunch and program will take place from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Investment: $50. Register online at www.saintpaulchamber.com before September 27.
Your Chamber’s Charitable Foundation will hold the first Applied Leadership Academy course starting on October 10. Just a handful of spots remain! For more information visit the Applied Leadership Academy webpage at: http://www.saintpaulchamber.com/Foundation/appliedLeadership.asp
Your Chamber’s suite at the Xcel Energy Center is available to lease for the College Ice Breaker Tournament, October 12-13, $1,750; and Keith Urban, November 17, $1,750. Each event includes 16 tickets. Contact Stephanie Moore at 651.265.2786 or stephanie@saintpaulchamber.com.
Member Reward Coupons
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Click Here to view "Rewards Coupon" offers from your fellow Chamber members. To add your "Rewards Coupon" click here. Your Membership ID# is %%User1%% + the last four digits of your main phone number..