September 2017 - Fairmont Area Chamber Newsletter

e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.
Chamber member business briefs
Fairmont Area Schools
(507) 235-3141
The Region Nine Development Commission
in partnership with the YWCA-Mankato and Greater Mankato Diversity
Council will be holding a free public event titled “It’s Time to Talk: Forums
on Race” with funding from the Blandin Foundation and BCBS of Minnesota
Foundation. This is a YWCA trademarked racial dialogue facilitation process
utilizing trained facilitators to lead small table discussions on race. Participants
exchange ideas during the introductory conversation in a non-threatening
environment. The event will take place at the Fairmont Elementary
School, Budd Room 1017 on Wednesday, October 11 from 10:00 am – 12:00
pm. Please call Fairmont CER to register at 507-235-3141 by Monday, October
2.
Presentation College
(507) 235-4658
Presentation College is pleased to announce that
beginning in the spring semester of 2018, the college
will offer Master of Science Degrees in Nursing (MSN). “We are very excited
by this opportunity,” said Dr. Margaret Huber, College President. “Offering
graduate level education is a huge step for the college, and we hope
to take a leadership role in the healthcare industry throughout the region.”
Presentation will offer two nursing tracks for incoming students to choose
from, including a family nurse practitioner (FNP) track, and a nurse educator
(NE) track. The Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission
approved Presentation College’s request to offer the Master of Science
in Nursing degree August 1, 2017.
“Business Briefs” is a complimentary service provided by the Chamber for chamber members. Please limit your information to one paragraph of about
100 words. Example: expansion, new employees, awards, monumental anniversary, etc… A photo or logo can be included. NO Direct Advertising.
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Chamber dues and don'ts (Continued from page 2)
is recognized throughout the state and has received
funding from Southern Minnesota Initiative
Foundation and recognition from University
of Minnesota Extension.
Communication. Yet, I get weekly correspondence
from community members that we
don’t have quality jobs locally. It’s a frustrating
paradigm! So, making sure that we communicate
our message is important, as well. That’s why we
take the time to publish this newsletter, distribute
e-blasts and launch social media campaigns.
Teaching the next generation of business
people. That a small business organization
like ours is able to begin to address the workforce
challenge by collaborating with public
and private schools to teach business concepts
to children in kindergarten through 8th grade
is truly extraordinary! Each year we must raise
more than $12,000 and work with more than 35
volunteers and 50+ educators to facilitate that
program.
Encouraging youth to choose to stay or
come back. One day each April, approximately
80 businesses and organizations, showcase local
career opportunities to 650 10th graders from
twelve southern Minnesota and northern Iowa
high schools. They set up interactive displays that
show what skills are needed for their industry in
the Fairmont High School gym, while a dozen or
so young professionals pose questions to student
representatives from each school upstairs in the
Performing Arts Center. This game show demonstrates
that millennials have chosen to call our
area home! We voice to students that hundreds
of people choose to participate because they care
about them and their futures. Area Career Exploration
– Fairmont is known throughout the state
as being highly organized and effective.
Welcoming Educators. Joe Brown, Superintendent
of Fairmont Schools speaks of recruiting
80 among the 120 total staff in the past
8 years. Many are new to our community so each
October, chamber staff facilitates a banquet to
welcome them to our community. Businesses
sponsor dinner for themselves and a new teacher,
then are paired at the event. New teachers
also receive a bag of goodies from businesses and
information about our area.
Chamber staff stays busy AND focused!
I could go on about how staff provides
services for various foundations/organizations,
how many calls we field about community events
and resources, that our office is the ticket agent
for Jefferson Bus Lines, that we send baskets of
snacks and local information to career candidates’
hotel rooms and how we counsel businesses
to improve their online presence. The
point is, we do a lot of work here and, I believe it
is work that strengthens the very fabric of Martin
County.
Consider joining us! Since we don’t
rely on government dollars, memberships and
sponsorships fund our work. Businesses and
residents alike are invited to join this local Chamber
of Commerce. Individual membership is just
$99 and basic business members (complete with
online support, networking opportunities, advocacy
efforts, social media and online visibility
and more.) start at $326 annually. If you are prepared
to join soon, you will be able to begin receiving
benefits in October and your investment
will cover the rest of 2017 and all of 2018! Consider
joining the Fairmont Chamber. If you would
like more information, I would be honored to sit
down to talk!