The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development projects that 225,000 new jobs will be created between 2004 and 2014 in the Twin Cities – a 13% growth rate. Another 402,000 new workers will be needed to replace employees who have retired or left their position for other reasons. More than one-fourth of new jobs will be in education or a health related field. What does this mean for the East Metro? There will be shortages in our workforce. Your chamber is actively following labor and industry trends for our region and will make this issue a priority in 2009. To learn more, visit www.deed.state.mn.us/lmi or www.uschamber.com/icw.
Want to get your company recognized in front of 4,500 business representatives? If so, the Membership Campaign Task Force is seeking prizes to award over 130 volunteers as they help grow your Chamber while participating in the 2008 Membership Campaign. If you are interested in donating a prize or would like to participate in the Membership Campaign, Road Trip 2008 – Driving Business Success Since 1854, contact Amanda Faletti at 651.265.2778.
The 2008 bonding bill has moved through the House and Senate and into conference committee. The Chamber worked with legislators to include Central Corridor and other local projects in this bill with over $140 million of investment in Saint Paul. I encourage you to tell your legislators how important the bonding bill is to you. These investments create jobs and economic opportunity for Ramsey County and City of Saint Paul. To find your district, use MN State District Finder. If you would like to be included in a letter to be published concerning Central Corridor funding, click here.
The transportation bill’s transit-dedicated sales tax is seen as a plus for our local transportation infrastructure. The business community helped lower the original proposed rate to an amount that will meet our current transit needs and address future transportation projects in the East Metro. In order for the sales tax to go into effect, at least three of the seven metro counties must pass this initiative. If you live or work in Ramsey or Washington County, please contact your County Commissioner(s) and tell them to support the dedicated sales tax for transit. This money will help address our transit needs and hold down our local property taxes.
Ramsey County
District 1 - Tony Bennett
District 2 - Chair, Jan Parker
District 3 - Janice Rettman
District 4 - Toni Carter
District 5 - Rafael Ortega
District 6 - Jim McDonough
District 7 - Victoria Reinhardt
Washington County
District 1 - Dennis C. Hegberg, Chair
District 2 - Bill Pulkrabek
District 3 - Gary Kriesel
District 4 - Myra Peterson, Vice Chair
District 5 - Commissioner Dick Stafford, PO Box 6, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Molly Grove and I attended Tuesday’s Minnesota Senate Tax Committee meeting, supporting our members on two important items: Senate File (SF) 3731 (Senator Pappas) would remove the tax exempt status of property at Holman Field and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. This would increase the costs of doing business at a time when airlines are struggling, and put us at a competitive disadvantage. We oppose this change. Another measure, SF 3773 (Senator Moua) would extend the TIF duration of the downtown Event District. This would allow the RiverCentre to remain competitive by addressing backlogged maintenance and improvement needs, and allow the City to reinvest in the Event District. We support this as a reasonable solution to a difficult issue. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The House Tax Committee will take up the Event District proposal on Monday, March 31 at 2:15 p.m.
Representative Ann Lenczewski (Bloomington) unveiled a proposal (House File 4103) Wednesday that would eliminate certain business tax credits, preferences or exemptions, including: research and development credits, JOBZ, International Economic Development Zone (IEDZ) incentives, foreign operating corporations and biotechnology and health science industry zone incentives. The proposal would increase taxes by $171 million. We are reviewing the proposal and encourage you to do the same to determine how it might impact your business. The bill can be found at http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/HF4103.0.pdf. The House Tax Committee will hold a hearing on either March 31 or April 1. If you have any comments or concerns, or if you’d like to weigh in, contact Molly at 651.265.2771 or molly@saintpaulchamber.com.
A new Cub Foods grocery store broke ground earlier this week. The new location will open in the fall on Saint Paul’s east side, north of Phalen Boulevard and west of Clarence Street. Thanks to Councilmember Dan Bostrom and Chuck Repke for all their hard work on making this project a reality.
Your Chamber’s suite has opened up for the Minnesota Wild’s last home game on Thursday, April 3 versus Calgary. The suite is also available for Casting Crowns, April 26. Each suite lease includes 16 tickets and two parking passes. Limited quantities of lower level tickets are available for Doodlebops Live, April 4; Santana, April 21 and Rush, May 22. For more information contact Stephanie Moore at 651.265.2786.
Susan Kimberly testified for the Chamber at the Public Hearing on hours of operation for the skyway system in downtown Saint Paul. The Chamber believes skyway hours should be uniform and stated particular concerns of the building owners needed to be addressed in the final ordinance. Final adoption of the ordinance has been laid over until April 2 so building owners and city officials can meet.
The Roseville City Council approved the proposed rezoning and general concept plans for McGough Development’s 26-acre bio-medical corporate campus in the Twin Lakes redevelopment area. The proposal includes two six-story office buildings totaling 475,000 square-feet, a single story 100,000 square foot office/laboratory, two parking structures and other site improvements. The only other approved proposal for the 280-acre Twin Lakes site is a 123-unit hotel at Cleveland Avenue and I-35W.
Looking for a way to reach thousands of prospective customers while supporting an important Chamber publication? Call 651.223.5000 today to reserve your 4-color ad in the 2008/2009 Membership Directory & Saint Paul/East Metro Area Business Resource Guide. With 45,000 people visiting this fall for the Republican National Convention — visitors who will be dining, shopping and doing business in the east metro — 2008 is a critical year to be part of this magazine.
Do you have a question regarding the Republican National Convention? Send your questions to rnc@saintpaulchamber.com or visit www.msp2008.com.
Thank you to everyone who attended the first-ever Insider’s Report. The meeting featured a panel discussion on transportation, an update on the Republican National Convention, and the unveiling of the Chamber’s plan to aid downtown revitalization.
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