Chamber Newsletter - December 2018

December 2018
Community Connections
“Powering up business throughout Martin County”
Holiday spirits shine bright
Inside
This Issue
Page 2 - Success is Built
Together
Page 3 - Think Local First!
Page 4 - Thank You Retiring
Board Members
Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs
Page 6 - 15 Reasons to Join
the Chamber!
Page 7 - Ambassador Visits
Page 7 - Community Holiday
Decoration Fund
Page 7 - Welcome to the
Chamber Board
With the 29th annual Glows
Festival in the books and the joy of
the holiday season upon us, we look
forward to the weeks ahead as we
prepare to celebrate the Holidays
with family and loved ones. This
year’s Glows festivities appeared
to be among the best-attended on
record, with patrons from near and
far lining up along the twinkling
boulevards of Downtown Fairmont
to join in the celebration.
Scores of 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 and visitors
came to witness the spectacular parade
and celebrate together along
ABOVE: The 29th annual Glows Parade lights up Downtown Plaza in Fairmont
as residents and visitors gather to kick off the Holiday Season.
Downtown Plaza and throughout
our community with pre and
post-parade festivities carrying on
well into (Continued on page 3)
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.FairmontChamber.org • FairmontChamber

Chair
Les Anderson
Martin County
Farm Bureau
Vice Chair
Sara Pierce
Pierce Accounting
and Tax Services
Deb Barnes
Lakeview Methodist
Health Care Center
Stephanie Busiahn
Visit Fairmont
Zephanie Cole
Align Chiropractic &
Acupuncture, PLC
Dave Cone
Kahler Automation
Corporation
Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for promoting a healthy business clim
Board of Directors Officers:
Board of Directors:
Staff:
Past Chair
Kerry Nagel Allen
MRCI
Treasurer
Tom Lytle
Bank Midwest
Brandon
Edmundson
Krahmer, Shaffer
& Edmundson, Ltd
Mandi Kosbab
Edward Jones
Luke Long
Hy-Vee
Steve Pomerenke
Compeer Financial
Ann Terfehr
Dan’s Appliance
Ned Koppen
President
president@fairmontchamber.org
Kandi Menne
Office Manager/Director of
Communications
info@fairmontchamber.org
Benjamin Landsteiner
Marketing & Social Media
Coordinator
benjamin@fairmontchamber.org
Miranda Larsen
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
Success is built together
By: Ned Koppen - Chamber President
Each year the Fairmont Area
Chamber of Commerce has a membership
drive during the months of
October, November and December.
That doesn’t mean businesses and
individuals can’t join anytime during
the year, this is just the time
that the Chamber makes a concerted effort to attract
new members and continue to renew
the memberships of our current members.
All of us in the Chamber office spend time
answering questions about
what the Chamber does and
how a member benefits from
being a Chamber member. Each
conversation is unique and often
only scratches the surface
of everything the Chamber does
and what a membership can offer
a member.
Membership of the Fairmont
Area Chamber of Commerce
gives you unique learning,
networking and growth
opportunities. Membership
also gives you visibility in our
community, helps build a stronger
business community and
local economy and gives credibility
to your business. Membership
gives you a voice as we work to inform, educate
and advocate on your behalf. You also increase
your purchasing power through member’s only discounts
and perks.
There is a long list of programs and activities
that the Chamber is responsible for as well.
There are many committees that our members can
participate in. They include Agri-Business, Bureau
14 (both offer unique networking opportunities
and informative speakers), Ambassadors (visits
and ribbon cuttings at new businesses and business
anniversaries and milestones), Government
Affairs, Business Education, Glows and Retail. The
Ambassadors give out an annual scholarship to an
“the Chamber always
works to be the very best
promoter and advocate
for Fairmont, Martin
County and our business
community. Our
success is measured by
the overall success that
we all have.”
area student and Agri-Business gives out two annual
scholarships.
The Chamber raises funds and recruits volunteer
instructors for Junior Achievement which
is going on in our schools right now. We will also
be getting ready very soon for our Area Career Exploration
program where 650 sophomore students
from 12 area schools will come to the Fairmont
Area High School to explore possible careers
with 100 local employers, colleges & Technical
Schools.
The Chamber also recently
organized Santa and Mrs. Claus
arriving at the airport to greet
area children and later that evening
there was the 29th annual
GLOWS Parade which is yet another
Chamber event. Did you
know that the Chamber owns
and maintains the Christmas
decorations that hang from
Fairmont’s light poles? The
Government Affairs committee
of the Chamber organizes
and orchestrates the political
forums for local candidate elections
in the fall of election years.
The Chamber also publishes the
Visitors Guide, Fairmont City
Map and the monthly Chamber
Community Connections insert.
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
works with Fairmont Economic Development on
the Fairmont Area Life program which is an effort
to promote our community as a place our young
adults want to come back to after leaving to get
their education and to start their careers. This program
also works to connect our young adults entering
the workforce to employers with great career
opportunities right here in Martin County. There
are employers right here at home who offer training
and/or education assistance to new employees who
can make a great living working a great local job.
Social Media Break- (Continued on page 6)
2

ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.
Holiday spirits shine bright (Continued from page 1)
3
ABOVE: Midco Float (2018 Glows Parade Commercial
Float Award Winner)
ABOVE: Martin County Float (2018 Glows Parade
Non-Commercial Float Award Winner)
ABOVE: Valero Renewables Float (2018 Glows
Parade Glowing Float Award Winner)
the night. Our local businesses and organizations
wore their Holiday spirit on their sleeves,
decorating floats and trailers, buses and bucket
trucks with lights, greenery and other decor as
they spread candy and good cheer to the eager
children, devoted parents and joyful residents.
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 incredible
entries, the following award winners were chosen.
The Commercial Float Award was given
to Midco for their brightly lit service van and
trailer of glowing figures accompanied by parade
walkers distributing flashing necklaces and
lighted bouncy-balls.
The Non-Commercial Float Award was
awarded to Martin County for their cleverly arranged
float featuring a lighted model of the
Martin County Courthouse atop a pile of festively
wrapped gifts.
The Glowing Float Award went to Valero
Renewables of Welcome for their dazzling float
portraying a brilliantly lit ear of corn towering
above an illuminated stable filled with Santa’s
reindeer.
Congratulations to each of our 2018
Glows Parade Float Award winners! We would
like to thank each business and organization
who entered the parade for their contributions
in helping to make Fairmont glow during this
event and throughout the Holiday season!
We would also 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.
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.
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Chamber member business briefs
Red Rock Center for the Arts
(507) 235-9262
Bring in the holiday's with Red Rock's most loved
pianist, Glenn Henriksen on Friday, Dec. 14th at 7pm.
Capturing audiences of all ages with his charismatic
personality, he is sure to please with his collection of holiday, jazz and classical
piano ensemble. Enjoy a glass of wine or cold beer while you wait. Door
open at 6pm. Advance tickets required.
Green Mill Restaurant - Holiday Inn Fairmont
(507) 238-4771
Holidays with the Holiday Inn! This Christmas season
the Green Mill and Holiday Inn have some great
entertainment lined up. On December 8th you can
come spend an evening working with friends to solve a murder devised by
Paul Warshauer. “Murder at the Holiday Party is an engaging murder mystery
dinner for you to enjoy a delicious meal and stimulate your mind all at once.
If you’re looking for some laughs, there is also a comedy show coming up on
New Year’s Eve. End 2018 with a laugh!
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b
Shoe Sensation
(507) 238-9211
Shoe Sensation participated in the global day of giving called #GivingTuesday.
#GivingTuesday started on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black
Friday and Cyber Monday. This movement is to support local charitable
organizations during the holiday season. Shoe Sensation is supporting
#GivingTuesday by hosting its 3rd annual “Socks For Troops” companywide.
Each store will be collecting socks for active duty military or local
veterans in our local communities until December 24th. Shoe Sensation has
military approved socks in store and customers will be able to receive 20%
off the socks donated. Customers will so be able to bring in new socks to
be donated. Shoe Sensation has coordinated with veteran’s groups to distribute
the items to local veterans in need as well as shipping socks and
other items to soldiers stationed overseas in remote areas. While the military
does provide clothing including socks, extra socks are one of the top
requests of U.S. personnel overseas and the Socks for Troops program was
developed to help fill this need. Please visit your local Shoe Sensation to
donate and for details on where the socks will be delivered. To find a Shoe
Sensation near you, visit shoesensation.com.
“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.
4
Thank You to our retiring board members
Kerry Nagel Allen Zephanie Cole Mandi Kosbab Ann Terfehr Luke Long Tom Lytle
We would like to thank the four board
members who will be finishing their three-year
terms on the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors at the end of 2018.
Our outgoing board members include Past
Chair, Kerry Nagel Allen (MRCI), Zephanie Cole
(Align Chiropractic & Acupuncture), Mandi Kosbab
(Edward Jones) and Ann Terfehr (Dan’s Appliance).
We would also like to thank Luke Long
(Hy-Vee) and Tom Lytle (Bank Midwest), who
were unable to finish their three-year terms, for
serving on our Board of Directors.
We are truly grateful for the contributions
each of you have made to this Chamber.
We honor you for your devotion to improving
our local business climate and our community
through your service on the Chamber's Board of
Directors. Thank you all!

e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.
Chamber member business briefs
Fairmont Opera House, Inc.
(507) 238-4900
These purveyors of Americana infused Gypsy
Jazz are taking their listeners on a ride ranging
from the music of the Hot Club sounds of Paris to the deepest blues of the
Memphis Delta to the folk scenes across "every town" America on December
16th Harmonious Wail will perform at 7:30 PM. End the year on December
31st at the Opera House for our 2nd Annual Beer Tasting starting at 3:00 PM
and Madd Company and Transit Authority- tributes to the bands of Bad Company
and Chicago. Show starts at 7:30 PM.
Sweet Financial Services
(507) 235-5587
Oliver Kollofski, Director of Wealth Services, Investment
Advisor Representative, RJFS of Sweet Financial
Services completed his semiannual training with
America’s IRA Experts at Ed Slott and Company, LLC in Coronado, Calif. October
25-27, 2018. The workshop, which was attended by members of Ed Slott’s Master
Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM, provided in-depth technical training on advanced
retirement account planning strategies, estate planning techniques and new tax
laws, as well as a proactive look at 2018 year-end retirement planning deadlines
and opportunities.
Kahler Automation
(507) 235-6648
KUDOS to Kahler Automation’s four “Community
Wellness Challenge” teams for all finishing in the top 10 of Mayo Clinic Health
System’s annual friendly competition. During the month of October, teams from
participating area businesses and organizations received points for activities
such as daily physical exercise, new & healthy food choices, random acts of kindness,
and mindful living exercises. Cheers to the overall 3rd place “Automated
Turtles” (Megan, Kristi, Norma, Mari, Tom), 4th place “MAX Fitness V2.0” (Jerry,
Max, Craig, Cole), 6th place “JACCED UP” (Jessica, Amanda, Courtney, Chantill,
Emily, Dawn), and 9th place “Weigh Hoppers” (Jerome, Sam, Kent, Mike)!
Bowlmor Lanes & Lounge
(507) 235-5719
While the number of bowling alleys dwindles nationally,
Dave and Nancy Pederson have chosen to invest
in the future of bowling and Fairmont with an $89,000
purchase of a new Vector scoring system at Bowlmor
Lanes and Lounge. “From a business perspective, it
makes sense. The old system was worn out and costly
to repair,” said Dave. “And it creates a buzz, a curiosity
with regulars and new customers, keeps things new,
fresh.” The new system also makes the atmosphere
more fun for birthday and corporate parties. “Booking a party with us is a nomess,
no-fuss way to host a fun and engaging event without a lot of stress.” To
book a party, call Dave at 507-235-5719.
Yes, you can join the Chamber!
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - $107
NAME:
ADDRESS:
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.
5
AS Mobile
Apple/Android
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.

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
Tuesday, December 11th - 11:00 a.m.
Christmas Open House (Chamber Office)
Wednesday, December 12th - 6:00 p.m.
Bureau 14 & Agribusiness Committees
Combined Meeting
Wednesday, December 19th - 3:00 p.m.
Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings
Monday, December 24th
Christmas Eve (Offices Closed)
Tuesday, December 25th
Christmas Day (Offices Closed)
Tuesday, January 1st
New Years Day (Offices Closed)
Wednesday, January 2nd - 7:30 a.m.
Leadership Martin County
WELCOME
NEW MEMBER!
Dee's Floral & Designs
Energy rebates
for your business.
The smart move for your bottom line.
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Success (Cont'd - Pg 2)
fast is a chance to listen to a speaker addressing
timely technology issues. We also continue
to attempt to bring interesting and engaging
speakers and seminars to our local businesses
so they can stay abreast of the many business
issues and topics they all face.
The Chamber also runs a program
called Leadership Martin County which educates
area professionals on how our community
works, who the key people are in our
community and gives them a broader understanding
of business, government and services
in our community. We run or collaborate on
many other events and programs including the
Annual New Teacher Banquet, Chamber Golf
Outing, Pork Masters Golf Outing, social media
and many, many sponsorship opportunities
available to our members.
Through all of these works and events
the overall theme is that the Chamber always
works to be the very best promoter and advocate
for Fairmont, Martin County and our business
community. Our success is measured by
the overall success that we all have.
If you would like to become involved
with the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce,
expand on the things you are already involved
with or just have a discussion about how you
and the Chamber can work together, stop by
our office, call us at (507) 235-4457 or email
me at president@fairmontchamber.org. I hope
we can talk soon. Have a great holiday season.
Fine Jewelry
Sovell Jewelry
Your Professional Jeweler
Since 1954
Full Service-In House Repair
Jessica & Steve Sovell
Gemologist • Goldsmith
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!
Professional Window Cleaning
Insured
Residential &
Commercial
Cleaning
323 East Blue Earth Avenue | Fairmont, MN 56031
507-235-5547 | www.FairmontChamber.org
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
6

ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Chamber Ambassadors celebrate growth
7
REPLAY – VIDEO GAMES, ELECTRONICS & MORE
Chamber Ambassadors welcome new downtown business “Replay – Video Games,
Electronics & More” with owner John Duderstadt.
Decoration fund
We are still in need of donations to replenish our Community Christmas
Decoration Fund for 2018. 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.
MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM – URGENT CARE
Ambassadors celebrate the opening of the new Urgent Care facility with Chamber
member Mayo Clinic Health System of Fairmont.
Welcome to the board!
We are pleased to announce the addition of DeAnn (Dee) Eversman,
owner of Dee’s Floral & Designs in Fairmont, to our 13 member
Board of Directors. DeAnn will be stepping in to serve out the remainder
of the three-year term held by Tom Lytle of Bank Midwest.
DeAnn's background in retail and small business ownership, as
well as her active involvement with groups such as the Fairmont Downtown
Historic Association, will provide a unique perspective and insight
on our board. DeAnn’s term will begin December of 2018 and extend
through December of 2020. We welcome DeAnn to the board of the Fairmont
Area Chamber of Commerce and we thank her for her commitment
to serving our community and this organization.
507.235.5547
info@fairmontchamber.org
Medicare can be complicated.
A Farm Bureau agent makes it easy.
Call me to find a Medicare
supplement plan that’s right
for you.
Jeff Schlomann
201 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont | (507) 238-4218
jeffreyschlomann.fbfsagents.com
Authorized independent agents for Blue Cross ® and Blue Shield ® of Minnesota and Blue Plus ® , nonprofit
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
W-5018029 10/17
(507) 238-4949

December programs at CER
8
Keep Fit in December and Enjoy the Holidays with Open
Gyms at the Fairmont Elementary School. Open Volleyball/Pickleball
is played on Tuesdays, 7-9 pm (enter Door 21, $2.50), Adult Pickleball is
also available on Tuesdays, 1:45-3 pm (enter Door 15A CER, $2.50, Closed
December 18, 25 & January 1.) Free Vacation Family Open Gyms are
December 26, 27, 28, 31 and January 2, 9-11 am (enter Door 15A CER.)
Zumba Flair classes are also happening. Call CER for information.
Join a Winter Basketball League. The Adult Basketball League
informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 6 pm, at
the Fairmont Elementary School Cafeteria or call CER (507-235-3141)
for more information.
Check out CER for gift ideas such as Acrylic Pour Painting,
Cake Decorating, and more. Snowmobile Safety sponsored with the
Blizzard Snowmobile Club will be held on January 12. Call CER for more
information.
For an up-to date list of activities or to register online
with your MasterCard/Visa, visit the CER Web Store at
fairmontareaschools.portal.rschooltoday.com
and click on the CER tab.
Supporting Small Business
A SAMPLING OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Microsoft PowerPoint December 15
Adult Basketball League Informational Mtg. December 18
Cake Decorating December 20
Vacation Family Open Gyms Dec 26, 27, 28, 31, Jan 2
Adult Basketball/Co-Ed Volleyball Leagues Begin January
Saturday Elementary Boys Basketball January 5
Nessler Fastpitch Hitting Clinic (Softball) January 5
Zumba Flair January 7
Advanced Dog Obedience January 8
Scuba Diving January 8
…and much more!
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
On the morning of Saturday, November
24, as we sought to recover from the anxiety and
exhaustion that gripped us in the aftermath of our
frantic excursions into the chaos of the modern
phenomenon known as "Black Friday," many of us
were unaware that a lesser known, but perhaps
friendlier version of this notorious shopping holiday
had begun right outside our doorsteps.
Awareness and participation in the event,
known as Small Business Saturday, has grown in
recent years, with many local businesses offering
their own special promotions and discounts. A
cross-promotional initiative led by the Fairmont
Area Chamber of Commerce this year helped seventeen
local small businesses come together to
build customer engagement and to raise awareness
of the benefits of shopping small. Our local
“Small Business Passport” promotion has continued
to grow in scale and impact throughout its
brief three-year history.
Locals participated by
coming out to show their support
and small businesses rewarded them by stamping
their passports and offering a free gift, exclusive
discount or gift certificate in exchange for their
completed passport. We recognize small businesses
as an essential part of a vibrant local economy,
and we extend our thanks to everyone who
has continued to support our local small business
sector throughout the years.
VISION CARE
CONTACT LENS
www.fairmontarealife.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