December2017_ChamberNewsletter_PRINT

December 2017
Community Connections
“Powering up business throughout Martin County”
Glowing with Community Pride
Inside
This Issue
Page 2 - The New
American Dream
Page 3 - MCYF Grants
Awarded
Page 3 - Farewell Curt
Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs
Page 5 - Thank You Retiring
Board Members
Page 5 - Community
Christmas
Decoration Fund
Page 7 - Ambassador Visits
The 28th annual Glows Festival
is in the books and the joy of
the holiday season is upon us once
again. This festive celebration continues
to brighten our spirits as we
prepare to celebrate the holidays
with friends and loved ones in the
weeks ahead.
Children lined up with excitement
to meet Santa and Mrs.
Claus as they arrived at the Fairmont
Airport aboard the North
Pole Express. Area residents came
out to witness the spectacular parade
and celebrate together along
Downtown Plaza and throughout
our community with pre and postparade
festivities carrying on well
into the night. Our local businesses
ABOVE: Parade-goers gather to witness a breathtaking display of holiday
cheer at the 28th Annual Fairmont Glows Parade.
and organizations put their holiday
spirit on display by decorating trucks (Continued on page
floats and trailers, buses and bucket
6)
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.FairmontChamber.org • FairmontChamber

Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce exists to promote a healthy business cli
Board of Directors Officers:
Chair
Kerry Nagel Allen
MRCI-WorkSource
Vice Chair
Les Anderson
Martin County
Farm Bureau
Board of Directors:
Deb Barnes
Lakeview Methodist
Health Care Center
Stephanie Busiahn
Visit Fairmont
Chris Carstensen
Carstensen
Cabinetry and
Woodworking
Zephanie Cole
Align Chiropractic &
Acupuncture, PLC
Staff:
Past Chair
Ron Kopischke
Profinium, Inc.
Treasurer
Sara Pierce
Pierce Accounting
and Tax Services
Dave Cone
Kahler Automation
Corporation
Brandon
Edmundson
Krahmer, Shaffer
& Edmundson, Ltd
Mandi Kosbab
Edward Jones
Ann Terfehr
Dan’s Appliance
Margaret Dillard
President
margaret@fairmontchamber.org
Kandi Menne
Office Manager/Director of
Communications
info@fairmontchamber.org
Benjamin Landsteiner
Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
benjamin@fairmontchamber.org
Louis Hinton
Finance Coordinator
finance@fairmontchamber.org
Contact Information:
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
323 East Blue Earth Avenue
P.O. Box 826
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: (507) 235-5547
www.FairmontChamber.org
The new American Dream
By: Margaret Dillard - Chamber President
Everything you have learned
about traditional economy, education,
workforce and shopping habits
is no longer relevant without
considering that the focus of the
American Dream has shifted. New
generations have brought on this
different way of thinking about …
well, almost everything! According to a 2015 US
Census report, not only do millennials outnumber
baby boomers, accounting for about a quarter of the
population but are also “more diverse than
the generations that preceded them, with
44.2 percent being part of a minority race or
ethnic group.”
Living for the experience
“Living for the
experience has replaced
the overwhelming
need to amass wealth.
Being part of something
bigger than one’s own
wants and needs is
forcing change in how
we connect.”
has replaced the overwhelming
need to amass wealth. Being
part of something bigger than
one’s own wants and needs is
forcing change in how we connect.
Case in point, while the
national retail environment is
reeling, small business, boutiques
and mom and pop shops
are primed to answer shopping
trends.
Small Business Saturday
is a new twist on the Midwestern
Crazy Daze promotion. It's
an annual shopping tradition
dedicated to supporting small
businesses and celebrating communities across the
country. Founded by American Express in 2010,
Small Business Saturday is celebrated every year
on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The board of
directors at Fairmont Area Chamber expressed the
desire to participate in this effort, so for the past
two years, we have been recognized as a “Community
Champion” thereby receiving resources and
materials to lead an effort to encourage people to
shop local. Both years, we’ve chosen to facilitate the
Passport Program. The Shop Small Passport is part
scavenger hunt, part souvenir for shoppers to collect
stamps from all their favorite places. Each time
shoppers made a purchase at a participating place,
they received a stamp. When they shopped at other
small businesses, that stamp got them something
special—like a discount or hot chocolate. Thank
you to participating Chamber Members: Dan's Appliance
& TV, JL Computers, Minuteman Press, NAPA
Auto Parts, Sovell Jewelry, Twelve Baskets Re-Sale
and The Visual Identity Vault and other Participating
Businesses: The Cutting Edge Salon, Dees Floral,
The Extra Touch and Sommer Outdoors.
Another shift now widely recognized
is that young professionals will forego
financial compensation to live in communities
that feature safety, quality
educational options, affordability,
recreational amenities and
a variety of local healthcare facilities.
For years, we’ve heard
and readily accepted that rural
America is dying. We believed
that as we sent our youth off to
acquire their key to success and
happiness – a four-year degree
– we were sealing the fate of
small communities because they
would never find the American
Dream of yesteryear (otherwise
known as the six figure salary)
back home. Research of Ben
Winchester, at Minnesota’s Extension
Center for Community
Vitality further supports that millennials do not
shoot for the same goals as their parents. The “Fairmont
Area Life” project is a collaborative venture
of the City of Fairmont’s Economic Development
Authority, Fairmont Area Chamber and local stakeholders
that adopts an aggressive approach to recruiting
and retaining talent using social media and
websites as well as traditional media and personal
contact to showcase quality of life indicators, local
human interest stories and testimonials unique to
Martin County, Minnesota.
In addition to ex-
2
(Continued on page 7)

mate through leadership, communication and education for its members in the greater Fairmont area.
MCYF Awards Grants
The Martin County
Youth Foundation
held its Donor
Recognition and
Awards Presentation
on Monday, November
13, 2017 at the Fairmont Elementary School.
Grants totaling $13,580 were awarded to help fund
eight area organizations/projects during the Fall
2017 Award cycle. As of November 2017, the foundation
has awarded more than $385,000 to assist in
funding over 280 local youth-oriented projects.
The Martin County Youth Foundation was
founded in 2000. The organization is committed to
acquire, manage and distribute funds to enhance
the lives of youth in Martin County, contributing
over $30,000 each year in grants to support youth
related programs and activities in Martin County.
For more information, visit
www.martincountyyouthfoundation.org
Farewell Curt
This fall, the foundation awarded grants in
the following amounts to these local organizations
and projects:
Martin County Historical Society $600
Annual School Visitation Program
Martin County Library $2,000
Code Academy
Martin County Preservation Assoc. $500
Childrens' Theater Workshop
GHEC School (ISD #2536) $2,400
Preschool Tuition
Fairmont Area Schools (ISD #2752) $2,380
Strong Fathers/Strong Families Program
Fairmont Area Kinship $3,100
Scholarships and Staff Training
Fairmont CER (ISD #2752) $1,000
STEAM Adventures Workshop
Fairmont CER (ISD #2752) $1,600
Minecraft Camp
The board and staff of
the Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce would
like to thank Curt Foster
for his years of service as
our Director of Finance &
Operations. After nearly
three years at the chamber,
Curt has moved on to pursue new opportunities
in the development of his professional
career.
His kindness and sincerity will be
greatly missed by all of us at the Fairmont Area
Chamber of Commerce. We wish him all the
best in his future endeavors as he begins this
new chapter in his life. Thank you Curt!
1 RAOS
TO JOIN THE CHAMBER
TDY
1. Referrals to Potential Customers
2. Free and Discounted
Information Seminars
3. Invitations to Chamber Events
4. Free Listing on our Website
5. Unique Sponsorship and
Advertising Opportunities
6. Member to Member Networking
7. Increased Consumer Favorability
8. City and State Advocacy
9. Free Business Resources
10. Brochure or Card Placement
11. Free Media Exposure
12. Member Only Discounts
13. Social Media Visibility
14. Region-specific Business News
15. Online Presence Assistance
Join the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce between
October 1 and December 15 and receive member benefits for
the remainder of the year at no charge. Just pay next year’s
dues in full at time of joining to receive the remainder of this
year absolutely FREE! You’ll receive up to 20% OFF your total
dues through the end of next year.
THE SOONER YOU ACT, THE BETTER THE DEAL!
3
Fisher Group
323 East Blue Earth Avenue | Fairmont, MN 56031
507-235-5547 | www.FairmontChamber.org
JEFF GREISCHAR CCIM
Sales & Leasing Agent
1961 Premier Drive
Suite 404
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 236-4980
jeff.greischar@cbcfishergroup.com
www.cbcfishergroup.com

Chamber member business briefs
Carpet Plus
(507) 238-4554
Carpet Plus Fairmont, Five Lakes Centre, is excited
to announce the addition of a new flooring
sales and design consultant to our team in Fairmont. Stacey Thom of Fairmont,
joined us in October, and will be consulting with residential and commercial
clients and their flooring needs. She will also be giving her personal attention
to each order as it arrives and preparing the orders for installer and customer
pick ups. Stacey has past customer service experience as an executive in the
hospitality field. Feel free to stop in to Carpet Plus and meet Stacey.
Edward Jones Investments - Mandi Kosbab
(507) 235-8524 - Member SIPC
Time to Review Your Investment Strategy
for the Year. As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to review your
progress toward your financial goals. You could start with the performance
of your investment portfolio. Did it provide you with the return you need,
given your risk tolerance and time horizon? If not, you may need to make
some changes for next year. But don’t be too quick to get rid of investments,
especially if their fundamentals are sound. Investment performance isn’t
the only thing you should consider when looking at your financial picture
over this past year. What changed in your life? Factors such as a new child
or a new job can lead you to make some important moves, such as adding
life insurance, opening a college savings plan or investing carefully in a new
employer’s retirement plan. Whether it's your portfolio's performance or
changes in your life, you will find that you always have some reasons to
look back at your investment and financial strategies for the past year – and
to look ahead at moves you can make for the next.
Yes, you can join the Chamber!
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - $102
NAME:
ADDRESS:
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b
Fairmont Area Kinship
(507) 238-4440
Kinship is the mentoring program for all of Martin
County. Mentoring through Kinship is FUN!
Mentoring matches in the program spend 3-6 hours per month together baking,
playing basketball, hiking, biking, kayaking, going out to eat or to the
movies together, and so much more! Mentees improve self-esteem, leadership,
problem-solving, and socialization skills, and develop greater hopes and
dreams for the future. Kinship has 11 boys and 8 girls waiting for mentors, so
we need your help! Volunteers can complete our online application at sites.
google.com/site/fairmontareakinship. You find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fairmontareakinship
or call the office at (507) 238-4440 for more
information.
Century 21 - Gillian Tunnell
(507) 399-9211
How much time do you spend in your garage? Probably
more than you think! For the majority of people, it is the
entrance/exit used most often. The garage is also an area for easily accessed
storage, a dumping-ground for items you can’t find a space for elsewhere, and
for hobbies or projects too messy to do in the house itself. However, garages
are often overlooked when sellers are preparing their homes for the market.
Having an organized and clean space can create a very positive impression on
prospective buyers – especially if their own garage is not up to that standard
and it may even add value to the home! So get out in that garage and add some
shelves and storage bins! At the very least, you will have the satisfaction of enjoying
your organized space every time you pass through the garage!
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont
(507) 238-8100
We’re excited to announce that Andrew
Brevik, D.O., is joining our primary care team to provide internal medicine
services to patients. Dr. Brevik, who most recently served as a hospitalist at
Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, starts at Mayo Clinic
Health System in Fairmont on Dec. 11. Dr. Brevik is board certified by the
American Board of Internal Medicine. He received his Doctorate of Osteopathy
from University of Health Sciences Kansas City in 1998.
4
PHONE:
SIGNATURE:
EMAIL:
Please return this form to the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce:
323 E. Blue Earth Ave | PO Box 826 | Fairmont, MN 56031
Call 507-235-5547 or email info@fairmontchamber.org with any questions
regarding this form or individual chamber membership.
Red Rock Center for the Arts
(507) 235-9262
Red Rock Center for the Arts welcomes in the holiday
season Dec. 8 at 7pm with Glenn Henriksen’s Annual
Holiday Concert. Seating is limited and tickets are required.
Available at Hy-Vee in Fairmont, or at www.redrockcenter.org online
box office. Join us for free holiday musical entertainment by Bill Busse, Joyce
Schultz and Sandy Ettesvold at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 12 and the St. Paul’s
Lutheran all school choir and handbells at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.
Chamber member business briefs
Interlaken Heritage Days
(507) 848-4664
The Interlaken Heritage Days committee is seeking new
members and volunteers. Upcoming meetings will be held
at 6 pm on January 10 & February 21, 2018. Save the dates
in 2018: April 28 for the Spring Vendor Show, Holy Hotdish
events in April & May. Look for more information coming soon for Little Miss
& Mr. Contest, Lip Sync, and the 30th Anniversary event; June 8-10! More
information available at interlakenheritagedays@gmail.com or by phone at
507-848-4664.
“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.
Thank You
AS Mobile
Apple/Android
to our Retiring
Board Members
We would like
to thank the two board
members who will be
finishing their threeyear
terms on the Fairmont
Area Chamber
of Commerce Board
of Directors at the end
of 2017. Our outgoing
board members include
Past Chair, Ron
Ron Kopischke Chris Carstensen
Kopischke (Profinium,
Inc.) and Chris Carstensen (Carstensen Cabinetry and Woodworking). We
are truly grateful for your contributions to your chamber and for your
devotion to improving our business climate and our community through
your service on the Chamber's Board of Directors. Thank you both!
Shoe Sensation
(507) 238-9211
Shoe Sensation, a regional chain of name brand family shoe stores, is sponsoring
Socks For Troops company wide. Each store will be collecting socks
for active duty military or local veterans in or around the community. Shoe
Sensation will have military approved socks in store and customers will be
able to receive 20% off the socks donated. Customers will also be able to
bring in new socks to be donated. Socks for Troops will be going on now until
December 24, 2017. Please visit Shoe Sensation at the Five Lakes Centre in
Fairmont for details on where the socks will be delivered.
Donations Needed
We are still in need of donations to replenish
our designated Community Christmas
Decoration Fund for 2017. It costs approximately
$1,500 per year to refurbish the street
pole decorations which are provided by the
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for the
enhancement of our community. We are hoping
to purchase new decorations in the coming
years as our current ones continue to age and
deteriorate. The replacement costs, however,
are significant.
We appreciate all donations from local citizens, businesses and
organizations in any amount. These donations help to keep our community
shining bright throughout the holiday season.
If you would like to donate, you can contact us by phone at (507)
235-5547, or reach us by email at info@fairmontchamber.org
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?
The Fairmont Area Community Events Calendar has a Mobile App!
You can access information for all the great events going on in Martin County directly from your iOS or Android-based mobile device
using the free mobile app "AS Mobile" published by rSchoolToday! Of course, you can still view upcoming community events on your
desktop or laptop computer by visiting the community calendar website at www.fairmontareacalendar.com. If you have any questions
or concerns about updating your events to the Fairmont Area Community Calendar, please email the Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce at info@fairmontchamber.org.
Calendar Funding Partners: Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau, City
of Fairmont, Fairmont Area Schools, and Blandin Community Broadband Grant. Other Partners: Fairmont Community
Education and Recreation.
5

Core Values: We value for our members, employees and community: integrity in all we do, collaboration with all our stakeholders, growth and develop
Chamber Events
Glowing (Continued from page 1)
6
Wednesday, December 6th - 7:30 a.m.
Chamber Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 13th - 6:00 p.m.
Bureau 14 & Agribusiness Committees
Combined Meeting
Friday, December 15th - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas Open House (Chamber Office)
Wednesday, December 20th - 3:00 p.m.
Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings
Monday, December 25th
Christmas Day (Offices Closed)
Tuesday, December 26th
Christmas Observed (Offices Closed)
Monday, January 1st
New Years Day (Offices Closed)
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS!
Edward Jones - Dan Hamlet
Pomerenke Insurance
Energy rebates
for your business.
The smart move for your bottom line.
minnesotaenergyresources.com 866-872-0052
with holiday lights and decor as they spread
good cheer and candy to the eager children,
devoted parents and dutiful residents in attendance.
Our panel of judges made their selections
for top float in each of three categories
(Commercial, Non-Commercial and Glowing).
After careful consideration for each of the amazing
entries, the following award winners were
chosen.
The Commercial Float Award was given
to Temperance Lake Ridge in Sherburn for their
beautifully crafted gingerbread house float with
glowing gumdrops and live gingerbread man.
Fine Jewelry
Sovell Jewelry
Your Professional Jeweler
Since 1954
Full Service-In House Repair
Jessica & Steve Sovell
Gemologist • Goldsmith
The Non-Commercial Float Award was
awarded to Bacon Capital USA for their baconthemed
musical float featuring Santa Hog and
his brightly lit Bacon Elves distributing candy.
The Glowing Float Award went to United
Methodist Church of Fairmont for their dazzling
nativity display adorned with signage, tinsel
and Christmas lights.
We would like to congratulate each of
our 2017 Glows Parade Float Award winners!
We would also like to thank each of the businesses
and organizations who entered the parade
for their contribution in helping to make
Fairmont glow this holiday season!
We would like to thank the City of Fairmont
Streets and Police Departments, the Fairmont
Airport, the Chamber Board of Directors,
our judges, and all of the volunteers and spectators
who continue to make this a memorable
event year after year! The Glows Festival would
not be possible without the support we receive
from each of you and from the members of our
great community.
Professional Window Cleaning
Insured
Residential &
Commercial
Cleaning
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the windows
of your home sparkling clean!
Please allow us to give you a free estimate.
You will be pleasantly surprised!
Call Now! Matt Petrowiak at (507) 236-5207

ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Ambassadors Recognize Success
7
MINUTEMAN PRESS - FAIRMONT
Chamber ambassadors congratulate chamber member
Minuteman Press of Fairmont on their grand opening
at the Five Lakes Centre Mall.
CENTER AGENCY
Ambassadors celebrate the name change and relocation
of member business Center Agency. Their new location
is at 230 South Grant Street in Fairmont.
EDWARD JONES - DAN HAMLET
Ambassadors welcome Dan Hamlet, chamber member
and new financial advisor for Edward Jones. His office
is located at 722 East Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont.
American Dream (Continued from page 2)
perience over wealth and cause over personal
wants, we also have immediate information
24/7. The conversation of yesterday was how
to integrate Facebook and websites with newspaper
ads. Now, we separate online marketing
options by audience demographics. It’s a moving
target but the business community is getting
a handle on trends in marketing, public
relations and fundraising while balancing new
ways to encourage people to come here and
stay here. Thankfully, some of these techniques
apply when reaching those who purchase
products and services and those who assist in
getting quality deliverables in the hands of the
end user on time.
The board of directors, staff and volunteers
of the Fairmont Area Chamber are dedicated
to collaborating with others to strengthen
the fabric of the Fairmont area through the
efforts featured here and many, many others.
We welcome your comments, suggestions and
ideas. Feel free to call or schedule a visit!
THINK LOCAL FIRST!
DID YOU KNOW? Studies show
that a community’s level of social
capital, civic engagement, and
well-being is positively related to
the share of its economy held by
local businesses.
Tri-County Implement
St. James
Martin County Implement
Truman
Tri-County Implement
Jackson
Providing specialized
financial guidance...a crucial
part of your vehicle purchase.
www.deerequipment.com
1304 Blue Earth Ave., Fairmont, MN
507-238-4786
Tabitha Bicknase
Finance Manager
(507) 238-4949

December programs at CER
8
The CER staff would like to take this opportunity to wish you
and yours a very joyous and safe holiday season. Share your time and
talents with special family and friends- this will be one of your most treasured
gifts to others. Ideas for sharing and caring opportunities are:
Read Christmas Stories with a child; Take a plate of Christmas goodies to
a neighbor or shut-in; Play Christmas Music while you work at home or
office; Put something in the Salvation Army Red Kettle each time you pass
one; Go window shopping at night during a quite winter snow; Enjoy “A
Cup of Christmas Tea” with a friend; Help an older parent or friend shop
or write Christmas cards & letters to their loved ones; Give a Gift of Life
– sign up to give blood when the Bloodmobile comes; Bake and Decorate
Christmas cookies to share with others; Give a gift to someone who doesn’t
expect it; Create an outside Christmas Tree for the birds and other little
creatures; Celebrate your Blessings by helping someone else.
Adult Winter Leagues are forming for Basketball and Volleyball
in December with play beginning in January. Thank you to the
Martin County Area Foundation for their donation to purchase a portable
scoreboard. Special thanks to the Fairmont Fire Fighters for supporting
CER’s Youth Basketball program this fall and to the Martin County Youth
Foundation for supporting the upcoming Learn-Create-Build Minecraft
Camp and Prairie Ecology Bus Center STEAM Adventures Eco-Club.
A SAMPLING OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Fabulous Friday (Grades 3-6) December 1
Adult Co-Ed Volleyball Organizational Mtg December 7
Christmas Cake Decorating December 7
Lights On For Kids II (Grades 2-6) begins December 11
Adult Basketball Organizational Meeting December 18
Vacation Open Gyms (call for times/dates) December TBD
New Year’s Eve Afternoon Roller Skating December 31
Snowmobile Safety January 6
Saturday Boys Basketball (4 yrs – Grade 3) January 6
…and much more!
For an up-to date list of activities, see the CER Web Store at
fairmontareaschools.portal.rschooltoday.com
and click on the CER tab.
For more information, contact the CER office located in the
Fairmont Elementary School Door 15A, 714 Victoria Street, Fairmont
Call 507-235-3141 or Email rdauer@fairmont.k12.mn.us
SHIP Worksite Wellness Opportunity
Did you know, for every $1 you spend on
worksite wellness programs there is $3.25 annual
return on investment for medical costs and $2.70
savings on absenteeism?*
If you’re looking for help with starting a
worksite wellness program, or, already have a program
and looking for new ideas consider joining
the Faribault, Martin & Watonwan (FMW) Counties
Worksite Wellness Collaborative, a project of
the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership
(SHIP). FMW SHIP is currently seeking worksites
to participate in our 2018-2019 Worksite Wellness
Collaborative. There is NO cost to participate
and mini-grant funding is available for new worksites
to implement worksite wellness activities.
You will work directly with our worksite wellness
coordinator to help develop a plan for starting or
improving your worksite wellness program! All
worksites are eligible to apply,
from all industry areas.
For more information
contact Alyssa Munsterman,
SHIP Coordinator at 507-
236-5376 OR Pa Houa Moua,
Worksite Wellness Coordinator at 507-779-4528.
*Baicker, Katherine, David Cutler, and Zirui Song. 2010. Workplace wellness programs
can generate savings. Health Affairs 29(2): 304-311. Baicker, http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-
3:HUL.InstRepos:5345879
VISION CARE
CONTACT LENS
COMMITMENT.
COMPASSION.
COMPETITIVE.
www.fairmontarealife.com
410 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont, MN 56031
800.795.1215 | www.techbuildersinc.com
Paul Seibert, O.D.
1307 ALBION AVE., SUITE 102
FAIRMONT, MN
PH: (507) 238-4228
James Busche, O.D.
Spencer Seibert, O.D.
111 E. 6TH ST.
BLUE EARTH, MN
PH: (507) 526-2020