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Chamber Newsletter - October 2018

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<strong>October</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />

Community Connections<br />

“Powering up business throughout Martin County”<br />

PM Exchange marks new chapter<br />

Inside<br />

This Issue<br />

Page 2 - Vote for Our<br />

Community<br />

Page 3 - Preparing our<br />

Youth for Success<br />

Page 3 - Teachers Banquet<br />

Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs<br />

Page 5 - Annual <strong>Chamber</strong><br />

Membership Drive<br />

Page 7 - Think Local First<br />

Page 7 - Ambassador Visits<br />

Page 7 - Glows Parade Call<br />

for Entries<br />

The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />

of Commerce hosted a PM Exchange<br />

on Thursday, September 6<br />

in the Footlight Lounge of <strong>Chamber</strong><br />

member Fairmont Opera House to<br />

welcome our new <strong>Chamber</strong> President<br />

Ned Koppen. <strong>Chamber</strong> members<br />

turned out in force to greet<br />

the recent addition to our <strong>Chamber</strong><br />

organization.<br />

The evening was filled with<br />

laughter and congratulations, great<br />

conversation and quality networking<br />

opportunities. Dinner featured<br />

an impressive display of food and<br />

drink, catered by <strong>Chamber</strong> member,<br />

The Blazer Bar & Grill. Over<br />

50 individuals were in attendance<br />

to meet (Continued on page 6)<br />

ABOVE: <strong>Chamber</strong> members gather at the Fairmont Opera House for a PM<br />

Exchange to welcome Ned Koppen as our new <strong>Chamber</strong> President.<br />

Local candidate forums set<br />

As Election Day <strong>2018</strong> approaches, our right, our<br />

privilege, and our civic responsibility to make our voices<br />

heard at the polls begins to weigh more heavily on our<br />

minds. Your Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> will be assisting in<br />

Election Candidate Forums for local offices to help you<br />

make an informed decision and put your mind at ease<br />

before you reach the ballot box on November 6.<br />

Candidate forums for state and national offices<br />

were held on Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 3rd from 7pm to 9pm.<br />

Fairmont city office candidate forums will take place on<br />

Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 10 from 7pm to 8pm, followed by<br />

the School board candidate forums between 8pm and<br />

9pm. Forums for county offices<br />

will round out the local coverage<br />

on Thursday, <strong>October</strong> 11th from<br />

7pm to 9pm. All forums will be<br />

held at Fairmont City Hall in the Council <strong>Chamber</strong>s. They<br />

will be broadcast live and rebroadcast periodically leading<br />

up to the elections on local access television.<br />

You can find the full list of candidates, a city precinct<br />

map, forum rebroadcast times and other valuable<br />

election information on our website. Go to www.fairmontchamber.org<br />

and click on "LOCAL ELECTION INFO"<br />

to find out more information!<br />

323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org • Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>


Chair<br />

Les Anderson<br />

Martin County<br />

Farm Bureau<br />

Vice Chair<br />

Sara Pierce<br />

Pierce Accounting<br />

and Tax Services<br />

Deb Barnes<br />

Lakeview Methodist<br />

Health Care Center<br />

Stephanie Busiahn<br />

Visit Fairmont<br />

Zephanie Cole<br />

Align Chiropractic &<br />

Acupuncture, PLC<br />

Dave Cone<br />

Kahler Automation<br />

Corporation<br />

Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce is an advocate for promoting a healthy business clim<br />

Board of Directors Officers:<br />

Board of Directors:<br />

Staff:<br />

Past Chair<br />

Kerry Nagel Allen<br />

MRCI<br />

Treasurer<br />

Tom Lytle<br />

Bank Midwest<br />

Brandon<br />

Edmundson<br />

Krahmer, Shaffer<br />

& Edmundson, Ltd<br />

Mandi Kosbab<br />

Edward Jones<br />

Luke Long<br />

Hy-Vee<br />

Steve Pomerenke<br />

Compeer Financial<br />

Ann Terfehr<br />

Dan’s Appliance<br />

Ned Koppen<br />

President<br />

president@fairmontchamber.org<br />

Kandi Menne<br />

Office Manager/Director of<br />

Communications<br />

info@fairmontchamber.org<br />

Benjamin Landsteiner<br />

Marketing & Social Media<br />

Coordinator<br />

benjamin@fairmontchamber.org<br />

Miranda Larsen<br />

Finance Coordinator<br />

finance@fairmontchamber.org<br />

Contact Information:<br />

Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />

323 East Blue Earth Avenue<br />

P.O. Box 826<br />

Fairmont, MN 56031<br />

Phone: (507) 235-5547<br />

www.Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org<br />

Vote for our community<br />

By: Ned Koppen - <strong>Chamber</strong> President<br />

I am just now starting my second<br />

month on the job as the new<br />

President of The Fairmont Area<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce and I needed<br />

to consider what I felt ready to<br />

write about after this short period<br />

of time. I have learned a lot and I<br />

continue to learn something new about the job or<br />

our members every day, but choosing something to<br />

write seemed difficult. After thinking about what<br />

my topic should be I decided to fall back on a basic<br />

small community concept that I believe in<br />

and I continue to hear our <strong>Chamber</strong> members<br />

talk about. Shop Local or Shop Local First.<br />

In our world today there<br />

are so many choices and the<br />

world seems to get smaller for<br />

all of us more and more as time<br />

goes on. There are so many<br />

choices to look at online and<br />

driving an hour, two hours or<br />

three hours certainly doesn’t<br />

seem to be a huge obstacle to<br />

many of us. It seems to be easier<br />

and easier to chase the “Good<br />

Deal”. The question is are all of<br />

these deals we chase down online<br />

or in other communities<br />

always the best deal? Do we always save money? I<br />

believe from my experiences that we can often find<br />

the same or similar products for close to the same<br />

investment. And when we do everyone in our community<br />

benefits.<br />

I found this from a source called the “The<br />

Local Good” (www.thelocalgood.ca). They listed 10<br />

reasons why Shopping Local and Buying Local are<br />

beneficial for the whole community. Here they are:<br />

1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you<br />

purchase at locally owned businesses, more money<br />

is kept in the community because locally-owned<br />

businesses often purchase from other local businesses,<br />

service providers and farms. Purchasing local<br />

helps grow other businesses as well as the local<br />

tax base.<br />

“If we shop locally we<br />

are investing in our own<br />

community. We are<br />

investing in ourselves.<br />

I can’t think of a better<br />

cause.”<br />

with your<br />

wallet<br />

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.<br />

Local business owners donate more to local charities.<br />

3. Unique Businesses Create Character<br />

& Prosperity. The unique character of your local<br />

community is defined in large part by the business<br />

that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your<br />

overall satisfaction with where you live and the value<br />

of your home and property.<br />

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.<br />

Small local businesses usually set up shop in the<br />

town/village center, providing a centralized<br />

variety that is much friendlier to a community’s<br />

walk score than out of town shopping<br />

malls. This generally means contributing<br />

less to sprawl, congestion,<br />

habitat loss and pollution.<br />

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided<br />

By Local Businesses.<br />

Small local businesses are the<br />

largest employers nationally.<br />

Plus the more jobs you have in<br />

your local community the less<br />

people are going to have to commute<br />

which means more time<br />

and less traffic and pollution.<br />

6. Customer Service Is Better.<br />

Local businesses often hire<br />

people with more specific product expertise for<br />

better customer service. You are also going to see<br />

these people around town and they are less likely<br />

to blow you off or be rude because they have to face<br />

you day after day.<br />

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.<br />

Local businesses are owned by people who<br />

live in this community, are less likely to leave, and<br />

are more invested in the community’s welfare and<br />

future.<br />

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public<br />

Costs. Local businesses require comparatively little<br />

infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public<br />

services.<br />

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To<br />

More Consumer Choices. (Continued on page 6)<br />

2


ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.<br />

Help prepare our youth for lifelong success!<br />

3<br />

Junior Achievement has proven to be<br />

engaging and fun, while stressing the importance<br />

of an education, as economic concepts<br />

and information about the world of work<br />

are introduced to students. For the future of<br />

our community, it is essential for businesses<br />

to work with the schools so our children are<br />

aware of the opportunities here in virtually<br />

any occupation which they may be interested.<br />

Junior Achievement is an excellent way to start<br />

this process.<br />

The Junior Achievement program has<br />

included grades K-6. We are still in need of<br />

22 volunteer teachers to serve one hour each<br />

week for five weeks, during the school day.<br />

The following sessions are available.<br />

OCTOBER START CLASSES<br />

3rd Grade – 1 volunteer teacher needed<br />

4th Grade – 4 volunteer teachers needed<br />

6th Grade – 3 volunteer teachers needed<br />

JANUARY START CLASSES<br />

2nd grade – 3 volunteer teachers needed<br />

MARCH START CLASSES<br />

1st Grade – 1 volunteer teacher needed<br />

5th Grade – 4 volunteer teachers needed<br />

APRIL START CLASSES<br />

Kindergarten – 6 volunteer teachers needed<br />

All materials for your session are provided<br />

along with a training manual. If you or<br />

anyone in your business is interested in volunteering<br />

for this important community program,<br />

please call the <strong>Chamber</strong> at (507) 235-<br />

5547.<br />

Please consider helping the Junior<br />

Achievement program in any way you can.<br />

Your future workforce depends on such initiatives.<br />

We appreciate all past involvement and<br />

we hope that you can help again this year. We<br />

cannot do it without you!<br />

Please send your donation to:<br />

Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />

P.O. Box 826, Fairmont, MN 56031<br />

Join us as we honor our area educators<br />

Teacher Recognition<br />

Banquet<br />

The Business Education Committee of<br />

the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> is sponsoring the<br />

Teacher Recognition Banquet to welcome new<br />

teachers to the Fairmont area and honor those<br />

that have been in the district for twenty-five<br />

years or more.<br />

The banquet will be held at the Interlaken<br />

Golf Club on Monday, <strong>October</strong> 29th beginning<br />

at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person.<br />

We encourage you to attend and get acquainted<br />

with our local educators.<br />

This is a good time to meet and extend<br />

a warm welcome to our new teachers and to<br />

honor those who have taught our children over<br />

the years. We invite area businesses to donate<br />

items to be included in the gift bags which are<br />

given to our teachers.<br />

If you would like to attend the banquet,<br />

sponsor the meal of a teacher, or donate items<br />

to be included in the welcome bags, please<br />

contact the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> by Friday,<br />

<strong>October</strong> 19th. Call Kandi at (507) 235-5547<br />

or email her at info@fairmontchamber.org for<br />

more information.<br />

Tri-County Implement<br />

St. James<br />

Martin County Implement<br />

Truman<br />

Tri-County Implement<br />

Jackson<br />

Feature your business ad<br />

in full color for<br />

only $70 per month<br />

with your annual contract or $80 per month.<br />

www.deerequipment.com


<strong>Chamber</strong> member business briefs<br />

Ameriprise Financial<br />

(507) 238-9722<br />

Stock Market movements can cause panic for investors,<br />

especially those approaching retirement,<br />

but market volatility does not have to cause emotions to run high. One way to<br />

ease concern is to concentrate on your financial goals. Stocks have uncertainty,<br />

so it is important to ensure that your portfolio is designed to reach your goals,<br />

not a specific market outcome. Short-term market swings are common for investors,<br />

so it is important to focus instead on broad, persistent trends when making<br />

investment decisions. The best way to assess your portfolio is based on your<br />

current risk tolerance and retirement date. If you have concerns about the effect<br />

of market volatility on your investments and want additional support, consult a<br />

financial advisor who can review the details of your unique situation.<br />

Century 21 - Gillian Tunnell<br />

(507) 399-9211<br />

When readying your home for sale, DO sweat the small<br />

stuff! Small things can make big impressions, especially<br />

when they are numerous! For instance, cracked or dirty light switches, skirting<br />

board that is hanging off or peeling, broken outlets or those without covers, all<br />

reflect lack of care. Sinks, baths, or toilets that are stained are very off-putting<br />

to prospective buyers. Screens with holes, locks that are difficult to open, dirty<br />

windows and blinds – all these smaller problems make would-be buyers think<br />

twice about making an offer, or may bring in lower offers. Buyers may think<br />

there could be bigger problems because there are so many small ones. So before<br />

you list it, check around your home with a critical eye, and get the small<br />

things taken care of before they become big problems!<br />

Hy-Vee Fairmont<br />

(507) 238-4323<br />

Hy-Vee - 1-90 Battle! Chops for Charity: During<br />

<strong>October</strong>, a portion of sales from each stuffed<br />

pork chop will go to a local Charity. Fairmont’s proceeds will go to Project<br />

1590 - Kids Just Want to Have Fun Group - they are fundraising to build a<br />

Mini Golf Course! Stop and Shop at the Fairmont HyVee to see which store is<br />

winning. Fairmont - Albert Lea – Austin stores are participating in the I-90<br />

- Chops for Charity Battle – Lets do this Fairmont!<br />

Fairmont Opera House, Inc.<br />

(507) 238-4900<br />

In the world of Vitaly Beckman, paintings<br />

spring to life, photographs become mini-movies,<br />

and audience members see their faces vanish from their own driver's licenses.<br />

Come enjoy this show on <strong>October</strong> 7 at 4:00 PM. Come back to the Opera<br />

House for a group named after a haunting Bob Dylan song, Farewell Angelina.<br />

They are an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic<br />

songwriters and impressive multi-instrumentalists. Farewell Angelina will be<br />

performing at the Opera House on <strong>October</strong> 20th at 7:30 PM.<br />

Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce will b<br />

Heritage Acres<br />

(507) 236-1257<br />

Heritage Acres Fall Festival will held on Sunday, <strong>October</strong><br />

21, <strong>2018</strong>. Ecumenical church service will be<br />

held at 10:00 AM in the chapel. Soup dinner served<br />

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the Prairieville building. There will be 5 kinds of<br />

soup, egg salad sandwiches,buttered bread, assorted lunch meat & cheeses,<br />

beverages & desserts. The cost is adults: $8.00, 6- 12 yrs $5.00 & 5 & under<br />

free. Activities all afternoon. There is no gate fee just a charge for the<br />

meal. Market Square will be there with their vendors & music. They will<br />

be corn picking, bean combing, pressing apples for samples of fresh apple<br />

juice baking in the house &. Antique cars, engines & much more. Train<br />

rides for kids, wagon rides for everyone. Please come & enjoy the day. The<br />

church service & dinner will be held rain or shine. For more information<br />

contact Jerry Simon at 507-236-1257.<br />

Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont<br />

(507) 238-8100<br />

Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo!<br />

Join Mayo Clinic Health System and Martin County Public Health experts<br />

at the Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Learn about<br />

health and well-being tips for you and your baby and celebrate the grand<br />

opening of the Fairmont Area Baby Café. The event will take place in the<br />

main classroom at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, 800 Medical<br />

Center Drive, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fairmont Area Baby Café, a free<br />

resource for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, is open every Wednesday<br />

from 9 to 11 a.m. in the medical center’s main classroom. The free event is<br />

open to the public and light refreshments will be served. For more information<br />

on the Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo, contact Darla Nelson Phillips<br />

at 507-238-817, or for questions about the Fairmont Area Baby Café,<br />

please contact Patti Kasper at 507-238-4757.<br />

Sweet Financial Services<br />

(507) 235-5587<br />

Sweet Financial Services is hosting a Tax Planning<br />

Workshop on Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 24th<br />

at the Holiday Inn, Fairmont, featuring guest<br />

speaker Christopher P. Hennessey, “All you Need to Know about the New<br />

Tax Reform”. There will be two sessions: 3:30pm for CPA’s & Accountants<br />

(CE credit provided) and 5:30pm for Business Owners and anyone<br />

else who wants more clarification on the IRS determination. Women Forward<br />

of Sweet Financial Services is very excited to announce the return<br />

of Renee Rongen at the Opera House on Friday, <strong>October</strong> 19th. Renee will<br />

have you laughing & she’ll have you crying as her messages are powerful,<br />

poignant and always hysterically funny. Both of these events are open to<br />

the public so if you are interested in attending either one or just want<br />

more information, please contact Marsha at Marsha@sweetfinancial.com<br />

or 507-235-5587.<br />

4


e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> member business briefs<br />

Kahler Automation<br />

(507) 235-6648<br />

CONGRATS to Jim Marushin, who was recently<br />

promoted to Electrical Design Supervisor. Jim has been an electrical<br />

designer at Kahler Automation for several years, having previously worked<br />

elsewhere as a Master Electrician for more than a decade. His knowledge<br />

and leadership is greatly appreciated at Kahler. Also, KUDOS to Software<br />

Specialist Max Haake and Training Coordinator Amanda Philipp for putting<br />

together a very successful series of Advanced Software Training sessions in<br />

August. Kahler hosted 64 customer “students” from a dozen states (and as<br />

far away as Tennessee & Ohio) this summer; training returns for the winter<br />

season in January.<br />

“Business Briefs” is a complimentary service provided by the <strong>Chamber</strong> for chamber members. Please limit your information to one paragraph of about<br />

100 words. Example: expansion, new employees, awards, monumental anniversary, etc… A photo or logo can be included. NO Direct Advertising.<br />

Added value for new members<br />

State Bank of Fairmont<br />

(507) 23<br />

The State Bank of Fairmont is proud to announce the addition<br />

of Justin Miller to its lending staff. Justin is a graduate<br />

of Blue Earth Area High School and MSU Mankato. He has<br />

prior Southern Minnesota banking experience that will help<br />

him serve the greater Fairmont area businesses & individuals<br />

with their credit needs. Now having the opportunity to both work & live in<br />

Fairmont Justin is looking forward to being an active member of the community.<br />

Justin resides in Fairmont with his wife Emily, son Peyton and two<br />

daughters Madison & Sidney. In his free time he enjoys boating, carpentry,<br />

church involvement and spending time with family and Friends.<br />

5<br />

What does it mean to be a <strong>Chamber</strong> member,<br />

and why should you belong? It’s about caring for the<br />

community, making valuable connections, and creating<br />

an environment where businesses can prosper.<br />

By working together to take aggressive action,<br />

our businesses and our community can thrive! Your<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> offers many avenues to help your business<br />

get noticed as well as opportunities to network with<br />

local leaders and professionals.<br />

New members who join before December 15<br />

will receive all member benefits for the remainder<br />

of the year at no charge. Individuals and Non-profits<br />

without paid staff are also encouraged to take advantage<br />

of this opportunity. Just pay your 2019 dues<br />

in full at time of joining and receive the remainder<br />

of <strong>2018</strong> FREE! Join today and help us make a difference!<br />

Call the <strong>Chamber</strong> at (507) 235-5547 for more<br />

information.<br />

We want to encourage all current members<br />

to complete and return their annual Business Verification<br />

Form. These forms help us to keep your business<br />

information up to date, allowing us to provide<br />

helpful and accurate referrals, maintain fair and<br />

reasonable membership dues, and ensure that your<br />

business receives relevant and valuable communications<br />

from your chamber office. Please watch<br />

for this verification form in the mail and return the<br />

completed form to our office by mail or in person.<br />

AS Mobile<br />

Apple/Android<br />

THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?<br />

The Fairmont Area Community Events Calendar has a Mobile App!<br />

You can access information for all the great events going on in Martin County directly from your iOS or Android-based mobile device<br />

using the free mobile app "AS Mobile" published by rSchoolToday! Of course, you can still view upcoming community events on your<br />

desktop or laptop computer by visiting the community calendar website at www.fairmontareacalendar.com. If you have any questions<br />

or concerns about updating your events to the Fairmont Area Community Calendar, please email the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />

of Commerce at info@fairmontchamber.org.<br />

Calendar Funding Partners: Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce, Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau, City<br />

of Fairmont, Fairmont Area Schools, and Blandin Community Broadband Grant. Other Partners: Fairmont Community<br />

Education and Recreation.


Core Values: We value for our members, employees and community: integrity in all we do, collaboration with all our stakeholders, growth and develop<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> Events<br />

Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 10th - 6:00 p.m.<br />

Bureau 14 Meeting<br />

Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 17th - 3:00 p.m.<br />

Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings<br />

Tuesday, <strong>October</strong> 23rd - CANCELLED<br />

Social Media Breakfast<br />

Monday, <strong>October</strong> 29th - 6:00 p.m.<br />

Teachers Banquet (Interlaken Golf Club)<br />

Tuesday, November 6th<br />

Election Day - YOUR VOTE COUNTS!<br />

Wednesday, November 7th - 7:30 a.m.<br />

Leadership Martin County<br />

REVAMP RETAIL<br />

The Retail Committee of the Fairmont Area<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> is seeking committee members<br />

to join us as we work to make a positive<br />

impact in our local retail environment.<br />

Call (507) 235-5547<br />

WELCOME<br />

NEW MEMBER!<br />

Rosburg Construction<br />

Energy rebates<br />

for your business.<br />

The smart move for your bottom line.<br />

minnesotaenergyresources.com 866-872-0052<br />

PM Exchange (Continued from page 1)<br />

and greet Ned as he began his transition into the<br />

new role. We would like to thank all who attended<br />

for coming out to welcome our new president<br />

and joined us in celebration as we marked<br />

the beginning of this new chapter in the story of<br />

Fine Jewelry<br />

Sovell Jewelry<br />

Your Professional Jeweler<br />

Since 1954<br />

Full Service-In House Repair<br />

Jessica & Steve Sovell<br />

Gemologist • Goldsmith<br />

the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce. We<br />

are delighted to have Ned on board and are excited<br />

to discover what the future will hold for<br />

this organization, our area businesses, and our<br />

community.<br />

Shop local first (Continued from page 2)<br />

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses<br />

is the best way to ensure innovation and low<br />

prices over the long-term.<br />

10. You Matter More. We talk a lot<br />

about exerting influence with your purchasing<br />

choices, or “voting with your wallet.” It’s a fact<br />

that businesses respond to their customers but<br />

your values and desires are much more influential<br />

to your local community business than<br />

the businesses in other communities or those<br />

you find online.<br />

Those are 10 good reasons for keeping<br />

your business local. I am sure there are many<br />

more. I am not suggesting that everyone has to<br />

buy everything locally. That isn’t realistic today.<br />

There are going to be times when the item you<br />

are looking for isn’t available or the savings<br />

elsewhere are just too great. What I am advocating<br />

is that we look local first. Engage our<br />

local business people, find out what they have<br />

to offer, see if you can find a price here that is<br />

competitive and doesn’t take you on a day trip<br />

elsewhere or doesn’t send your dollars elsewhere<br />

when they could be spent here. Those<br />

dollars will keep working here when they are<br />

spent here. If we shop locally we are investing<br />

in our own community. We are investing in<br />

ourselves. I can’t think of a better cause.<br />

I don’t think that shopping locally needs<br />

to be a life changing event. I think we could<br />

look at it as developing a good habit. Next time<br />

you need a new hammer, you’re looking for a<br />

home loan or maybe a garden tractor, check<br />

out your local businesses. Ask what they have<br />

to offer and check out the “good deals” you can<br />

find here at home. We can make our community<br />

stronger just by staying home.<br />

One last note. I am looking forward to<br />

meeting and talking to all of the Fairmont Area<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce members. If you would<br />

like to set up a meeting or just talk please feel<br />

free to contact me. I can be reached by phone<br />

at (507) 235-5547 or email me at: president@<br />

fairmontchamber.org.<br />

Professional Window Cleaning<br />

Insured<br />

Residential &<br />

Commercial<br />

Cleaning<br />

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the windows<br />

of your home sparkling clean!<br />

Please allow us to give you a free estimate.<br />

You will be pleasantly surprised!<br />

Call Now! Matt Petrowiak at (507) 236-5207<br />

6


ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.<br />

Ambassadors recognize success<br />

7<br />

LANGE AG SYSTEMS<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> Ambassadors visit new business Lange Ag Systems in Fairmont and welcome<br />

them to our community with a ribbon cutting.<br />

Glows Parade call for entries<br />

It's time to place your entries for the<br />

<strong>2018</strong> Glows Parade! The parade will take place<br />

Friday, November 16th beginning at 6:00 pm.<br />

Clubs, organizations and businesses are encouraged<br />

to participate is this time-honored Martin<br />

County Tradition. Get creative and let your<br />

lights shine!<br />

The registration deadline is Monday, November<br />

5th. Contact Kandi at the Fairmont Area<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce to place your entry by<br />

calling (507) 235-5547.<br />

Medicare can be complicated.<br />

A Farm Bureau agent makes it easy.<br />

Call me to find a Medicare<br />

supplement plan that’s right<br />

for you.<br />

JAKE'S PIZZA - FAIRMONT<br />

Ambassadors congratulate chamber member Jake's Pizza of Fairmont as they celebrate<br />

their 50th Anniversary.<br />

THINK LOCAL FIRST!<br />

DID YOU KNOW?<br />

Apart from a small percentage of<br />

revenue paid to delivery drivers and<br />

third-party sellers, all of the money<br />

spent at Amazon and other online<br />

retailers leaves our local economy.<br />

Local retailers have a proven trackrecord<br />

of growing the local economy.<br />

507.235.5547<br />

info@fairmontchamber.org<br />

Jeff Schlomann<br />

201 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont | (507) 238-4218<br />

jeffreyschlomann.fbfsagents.com<br />

Authorized independent agents for Blue Cross ® and Blue Shield ® of Minnesota and Blue Plus ® , nonprofit<br />

independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.<br />

W-5018029 10/17<br />

(507) 238-4949


<strong>October</strong> programs at CER<br />

8<br />

The new CER Fall/Winter Catalog of opportunities for <strong>October</strong><br />

<strong>2018</strong> through March 2019 is now available. Copies are available at CER,<br />

local restaurants & grocery stores and online at www.fairmontareaschools.<br />

portal.rschooltoday.com.<br />

“Celebrating Cultures in Martin County” invites you to attend a<br />

learning session about inclusion in our community. The event is Wednesday,<br />

<strong>October</strong> 10, 1:30-3 pm, at the Fairmont Elementary School CER<br />

meeting room. Hosted by Fairmont CER English Language Learners Adult<br />

Class and Region 9 Rural Equity Learning Committee. Pre-registration encouraged.<br />

For information, contact the CER office (507-235-3141.)<br />

Free Adult Basic Education classes in Fairmont are available<br />

for adults through CER. Adults can prepare to take their GED Exam (if<br />

no diploma received), improve writing and math skills and more. Distance<br />

Learning classes which can be done in your own home are also available<br />

to study for your GED. Free Classes to learn English are held on Tuesday<br />

evenings (7-9 pm) and Wednesday afternoons (1-3 pm.)<br />

For an up-to date list of activities or to register online<br />

with your MasterCard/Visa, visit the CER Web Store at<br />

fairmontareaschools.portal.rschooltoday.com<br />

and click on the CER tab.<br />

A SAMPLING OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES<br />

Celebrating Cultures (1-3 pm) free <strong>October</strong> 10<br />

Upholstery/caned Chair Restoration <strong>October</strong> 11<br />

Microsoft Excel Basic <strong>October</strong> 13<br />

Cake Decorating <strong>October</strong> 18<br />

Roller Skating <strong>October</strong> 18<br />

Introduction to Flying Oct 18 or Nov 1<br />

Child & Babysitting/Home Alone <strong>October</strong> 22<br />

2D Video Game Design <strong>October</strong> 22<br />

Girls Basketball (PreK and above) <strong>October</strong> 22<br />

Archery <strong>October</strong> 22<br />

What’s New in Medicare <strong>October</strong> 23<br />

Boys Basketball Jr. Cardinal League <strong>October</strong> 24<br />

…and much more!<br />

For more information, contact the CER office located in the<br />

Fairmont Elementary School Door 15A, 714 Victoria Street, Fairmont<br />

Call 507-235-3141 or Email rdauer@fairmont.k12.mn.us<br />

Advertise in the 2019 Visitor Guide!<br />

Reserve your ad in the ultimate, all-inclusive Martin County Visitor<br />

and Relocation Guide today! Twelve thousand copies are printed<br />

and distributed each year in Martin County and throughout the tri-state<br />

area. Hundreds of copies are mailed directly to requestors who have<br />

expressed interest in visiting or relocating to Martin County. The digital<br />

version is viewed online by tens of thousands at Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.<br />

org, VisitFairmontMN.com and Fairmont.org. This guide is a valued resource<br />

for current and prospective residents as well as area visitors! Be<br />

sure your business, service or event is included.<br />

Reserve your ad today and enjoy<br />

an exclusive 15% discount on your<br />

ad plus additional benefits if your business<br />

is a member of the Fairmont Area<br />

<strong>Chamber</strong>. Visit our website for more<br />

details, rates and deadlines or contact<br />

Kandi by phone at 507-235-4457 or<br />

by emailing her at info@fairmontchamber.org.<br />

VISION CARE<br />

CONTACT LENS<br />

www.fairmontarealife.com<br />

Paul Seibert, O.D.<br />

1307 ALBION AVE., SUITE 102<br />

FAIRMONT, MN<br />

PH: (507) 238-4228<br />

James Busche, O.D.<br />

Spencer Seibert, O.D.<br />

111 E. 6TH ST.<br />

BLUE EARTH, MN<br />

PH: (507) 526-2020

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