Chamber Newsletter - February 2019

February 2019
Community Connections
“Powering up business throughout Martin County”
Vote for Business of the Year 2018
Inside
This Issue
Page 2 - Young Professionals
Network
Page 3 - MCYF Grants
Available
Page 4 - MLS Showcases
Investments
Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs
Page 5 - Apply for Ag
Scholarships
Page 6 - ACE Seeks Business
Participation
Page 7 - Ambassador Visits
Nominations are in and
voting is now open for the 2018
Business of the Year! Each year,
the Fairmont Area Chamber of
Commerce honors four businesses
and organizations who are recognized
as setting a standard of
excellence and innovation in their
business practices and community
involvement. Honorees are
awarded in each of the following
categories: Large Business, Small
Business, New Business and Non-
Profit. Nominees have been compiled
and the ballot is now published,
allowing each of you to
cast your votes and decide our
annual (Continued on page 7)
BE OUR
GUEST!
Social Hour, Dinner, Annual Update,
Keynote by Ursula Mentjes,
2018 Business of the Year Awards
THANK YOU
TO OUR
SPONSORS
ABOVE: Our 2017 Business of the Year honorees included Slumberland Furniture
(Small Business), Golden Tie Tuxes Plus (New Business), Hy-Vee (Large
Business) and the Fairmont Opera House (Non-Profit)
MONOPOLIZE YOUR
CHAMBER BENEFITS
2018
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 | 6:00 PM
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.FAIRMONTCHAMBER.ORG
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.FairmontChamber.org • FairmontChamber

Chair
Sara Pierce
Pierce Accounting
and Tax Services
Vice Chair
Deb Barnes
Lakeview Methodist
Health Care Center
Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for promoting a healthy business clim
Board of Directors Officers:
Board of Directors:
Stephanie Busiahn
Visit Fairmont
Dave Cone
Kahler Automation
Corporation
Brandon
Edmundson
Krahmer, Shaffer
& Edmundson, Ltd
Nicole Gries
Valero Renewables
Staff:
Past Chair
Les Anderson
Martin County
Farm Bureau
Treasurer
DeAnn Eversman
Dee’s Floral &
Designs
Judy Gustafson
U.S. Bank
Teresa Haycraft
Fairmont Ford
John Kasper
Graffiti Corner
Steve Pomerenke
Compeer Financial
Blake Potthoff
Fairmont Opera
House, Inc.
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
Young Professionals Network
By: Ned Koppen - Chamber President
The Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce always strives to improve
and support the business
community in Fairmont and Martin
County. Our vision statement
reads: “To be recognized as the
leader in assisting area businesses
to prosper.” A big part of what we do as a
Chamber for our membership is to provide
a number of Committees within the Chamber
to allow work, participation,
networking and more on a
monthly or seasonal schedule.
“The group hopes
to provide an
opportunity for
young people in the
work place to meet
other young working
people, share their
common experiences,
and offer learning
and community
experiences.”
Our committees are Agri-Business,
Ambassadors, Bureau
14, Business Education,
Fairmont Glows, Government
Affairs and Retail. These committees
do work within their
groups. They provide service
to the community and offer a
chance for individual businesses
to come together and develop
relationships, stay informed
and share thoughts, opinions
and information.
The Chamber is working
on creating another group
which will provide a chance to
build relationships, gain skills
and knowledge, and give back
to the community. There will
be a new Young Professionals
Network starting in February. The group will
meet every 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:00
– 6:00 p.m. The group hopes to provide an opportunity
for young people in the work place to meet
other young working people, share their common
experiences, and offer learning and community experiences.
Each event will be unique. The meeting
places will vary from month to month. Some meetings
will be completely social with other meetings
offering insights to our community through education
or visits to places of interest and importance.
We are looking for a younger age group
from our Chamber membership (but wouldn’t oppose
other members who want to attend). The
Young Professional Network will be a functioning
committee of the Chamber and will be led by two
Martin County professionals who have offered up
the idea of forming this group and are willing
to put in the effort to get it up and running.
Jarod Mathiason of Supreme Lending
will serve as the Chair of the
committee with Dustin Tino
of Minuteman Press serving as
the Secretary.
You may have received an
email that was sent to our
Chamber listing promoting
the event with a sign up form
attached. To join, fill out the
fields on the form and send it
back to the Chamber. If you
didn’t see the email, contact us
and we will send it to you. Our
first meeting will be February
21st at Bean Town from 4:00-
6:00 p.m. and we hope to see as
many young people from our
business community as possible.
If you are an employer, this is
a great opportunity to encourage
your young professionals
to get out into the community
to meet new people and to become more fully engaged
in the community they work in. There is no
fee to join, it only requires taking the time once
a month. Also, if you are an employer, there is a
chance to support this group by sponsoring the
committee.
This is a great chance to make the most of
your Chamber membership, meet people with a
similar work experience and engage with the business
community in a way you might not have before.
We hope to see you
2
(Continued on page 3)

ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.
Funding available for youth programs
The Martin County
Youth Foundation
grant applications
are now available.
Grants will be
awarded twice during
the year, in the spring and fall. The mission
of the Martin County Youth Foundation
is to acquire, manage, and distribute funds to
enhance the lives of youth in Martin County.
Grants will be made to qualified nonprofit
organizations including those with
501(c)3 status, public agencies, units of government,
and churches that will address important
community youth needs. Funds received
can be used for youth program costs
and support materials. The Martin County
Youth Foundation (MCYF) can not award
retroactive funding, award recipients must
officially receive their funding before their
project begins. Interested groups may pick
up grant applications and guidelines at the
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, 323
East Blue Earth Avenue, or visit: www.martincountyyouthfoundation.org.
Grant deadlines are March 15th for
projects beginning on or after May 15th, and
September 15th for projects beginning on or
after November 15th. Return completed grant
applications to Martin County Youth Foundation,
P.O. Box 826, Fairmont, MN 56031 or
drop them off at the Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce.
Consider making a contribution.
Citizens interested in creating a permanent
endowment to serve the evolving needs of
our area youth established the Fairmont Area
Youth Foundation in 2000. In 2005, the name
was changed to the Martin County Youth Foundation
to better reflect the area they serve.
What is distinctive about this foundation?
The Martin County Youth Foundation
is an area endowment fund dedicated
solely to serving youth needs. It has the ability
to provide funding for youth programs and
their support.
Why should you support the Martin
County Youth Foundation? Youth are our
greatest natural resource. Investing in our
youth is investing in our future.
Who oversees the investment? Contributions
are invested and managed by St.
Paul & Minnesota Foundations. Earnings are
then made available through a grant process
to respond to area youth needs. A local committee
of adults and youth serve as the Advisory
Committee.
3
Young Professionals (Continued from page 2)
on the 21st!
If you have any questions or want more
information please contact any of the following
people:
NED KOPPEN
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
president@fairmontchamber.org
(507) 235 - 5547
JAROD MATHIASON
Supreme Lending
jarod.mathiason@supremelending.com
(507) 848 - 1902
DUSTIN TINO
Minuteman Press
dbtino@minutemanpress.com
(507) 236 – 6728
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Chamber member business briefs
Profinium, Inc.
(507) 235-5538
Profinium, Inc., is announcing the
election of Neil Hanson to its board of directors. Hanson is an entrepreneur
with deep roots in the agricultural community. Having spent over
11 years in banking specifically working with the ag market, Neil is excited
to be a part of the banking industry again. Current Board of Directors
of Profinium, Inc. is Fred W. Krahmer (Chairman), Fred C. Krahmer
(Vice Chairman), Michelle Krahmer, Marques Doppler, Matt Ketelsen,
Steve Sorensen and Chris Rotthoff. Profinium, Inc., is a locally owned,
home grown community bank and full financial health solutions center
with four locations in Southern Minnesota, including Fairmont, Truman,
Owatonna, and downtown Mankato in the Profinium Place office tower.
The organization has served Southern Minnesota since 1875, providing
clients with services including banking, mortgage, insurance, trusts and
investment services.
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont
(507) 238-8100
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont recently welcomed
Mark Wikenheiser, M.D., to its Orthopedics Department. Dr.
Wikenheiser joins the current Fairmont team of Stephen Berthelsen,
M.D., and Erika Chirpich, physician assistant. As an
orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Wikenheiser’s special interests include
hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgery, rotator cuff repairs and
sports related injuries. Call 507-238-8500 to schedule an appointment. To
learn more, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.
Yes, you can join the Chamber!
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - $107
NAME:
ADDRESS:
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b
Fairmont Opera House, Inc.
(507) 238-4900
February 3rd at 2:00 PM was the Theatreworks'
production of Charlotte's Web, based
on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur
and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Renaissance lovers come back on
February 23rd at 7:30 PM for a night of excitement! An incredible combination
of juggling, knife throwing, spine tingling thrills and hilarious comedy.
Their unique blend of the hilarious and the dangerous while performing unbelievable
feats of skills has made The Danger Committee one of the most
talked about new acts in the country.
Sweet Financial Services
(507) 235-5587
Complimentary and open to the public event!
Your Bigger Future: Financial Freedom for Single
Mom's. Do you know of someone who would answer
"yes" to the questions below? If so, please forward this invite and join
them! Are you a hardworking single mom? Do you know you need a financial
plan but just haven't found the time to put one in place? Do thoughts of your
financial future keep you up at night? We will be sharing 6 Essential Tips
to help you create your financial plan! Tuesday, February 19th 5:30pm at
Red Rock Center, 222 E. Blue Earth Ave., Fairmont. Please RSVP by Feb 15th
here: womenforwardrsvp.com/rsvp-financial-freedom, call 507-235-5587
or email marsha@sweetfinancial.com.
MLS funds community
4
PHONE:
EMAIL:
SIGNATURE:
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.
ABOVE: This graphic on display at the Fairmont Municipal Liquor Store
illustrates the substantial investment in our community made possible
through proceeds collected in the store's 40 plus years of operation.

e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.
Chamber member business briefs
Kahler Automation
(507) 235-6648
KUDOS to Test Technician Gary Leach upon
his retirement… and thanks for agreeing to come back temporarily to help
with a surge of business! CONGRATULATIONS to Production Supervisor Jordan
Honnette for winning this year’s Bison Award, Kahler’s peer-voted recognition
of employee excellence. Among many outstanding qualities, Jordan
was noted for his confident tackling of new & difficult challenges. Finally, our
CONDOLENCES to family & friends of Dennis Turner. Dennis, a long-time cornerstone
of our success and spirit of innovation, passed away Dec. 31 following
a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He retired in 2017 after a 25-year
career with Kahler.
Century 21 - Gillian Tunnell
(507) 399-9211
Happy new year! If you are thinking of moving in
2019, Century 21 Northland is here to help, with our
19 agents, and collective total of over 260 years of experience! Choose one of
us to list your house, and you are actually hiring all our agents to have input
and endeavor to sell on your behalf. When you choose to search for a home
with a C21 agent, we have knowledge of all the current listings. We are also
able to show you any home that is in the multiple listing service, regardless
of which company has the listing, making it easy for you to refine your search
without the necessity of changing realtors. So give us a call, we are all here
to help!
“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.
Local Agri-Business scholarships available
5
Graduating Seniors of Martin County
high schools who plan to pursue a bachelor’s
degree in agriculture or an area of study that
services agriculture, may apply for up to $8,400
in scholarships. In partnership with the Agriculture
Future of America (AFA), the Agri-Business
Committee of the Fairmont Area Chamber of
Commerce is offering two $4,200 scholarships,
which include registration for the Fall 2019 AFA
Leaders Conference.
To be considered for a scholarship,
please visit www.agfuture.org/scholarships.
Here, you can read more about the AFA Community
Scholarships, as well as other scholarships
AFA offers. Click on the "Apply Now" button
to access the application. You will be asked
to write a 300-500 word essay on your personal
vision for agriculture and how you plan to contribute
through your chosen career in the agriculture
and food industry. We encourage you to
draft this essay in a separate word processing
program and then copy/paste it into the application.
Please note that your application is not
complete until you continue through the last
page of the application and receive an email
confirmation.
Applying for an AFA Community Scholarship
online also makes you eligible for an AFA
National Leader and Academic Scholarship;
however, you may only receive either a local or
a national award.
The Martin County application deadline
is March 13, 2019. If you have any questions
about the scholarship, please contact Ned at
president@fairmontchamber.org or call 507-
235-5547.
Questions regarding the online application
can be directed to Johnna Wallingford on
AFA staff at johnna.wallingford@agfuture.org.
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
Wednesday, February 13th - 6:00 p.m.
Bureau 14 Meeting
Monday, February 18th
Presidents' Day (Offices Closed)
Tuesday, February 19th - 6:00 p.m.
Agri-Business Meeting
Wednesday, February 20th - 3:00 p.m.
Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings
Friday, February 22nd - 6:00 p.m.
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
2018 Annual Banquet (See Pg. 1)
Tuesday, February 26th - 9:00 a.m.
Social Media Breakfast (See Pg. 8)
Wednesday, March 6th - 7:30 a.m.
Leadership Martin County
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS!
D & R Repair
Thate's Tree Service
Energy rebates
for your business.
The smart move for your bottom line.
minnesotaenergyresources.com 866-872-0052
ACE seeks business participation
Fine Jewelry
Sovell Jewelry
Your Professional Jeweler
Since 1954
Full Service-In House Repair
Jessica & Steve Sovell
Gemologist • Goldsmith
Area Career Exploration (ACE) is held the second
Wednesday of April at the Fairmont High
School. Annually, representatives from over
100 area businesses, colleges and technical
colleges and 650 sophomores from 12 area
schools come together for a morning of Career
Exploration.
The goal of ACE is to expose sophomores
to the careers available right here in our
area. ACE offers ongoing “Career Opportunity
Awareness” and also provides a general understanding
of what education will be required to
get involved in a particular career; how much
such a career might pay; the future prospects
for that career and an opportunity to interact
on a personal level with area employers.
By educating students on rewarding career
opportunities in our region, we are hoping
to have them return or stay upon completion
of their high school education. Too often,
students are not aware of the opportunities
available locally in the career field they are
pursuing. ACE is an important component in
ensuring the continued strength of our future
workforce in rural Minnesota.
Parents of sophomores are encouraged
to review the ACE Resource Guide their student
brings home. It can open up that ‘what’s
next’ discussion as they begin to develop plans
for their future.
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
encourages area businesses to attend
ACE. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase
what you have to offer as a career choice.
Businesses who attend regularly encourage
and welcome questions from the sophomores,
appreciating the opportunity to share their
knowledge and offer encouragement. It is a
mutually rewarding experience.
Space is limited but if you would like
to learn more please contact Kandi: 507-235-
5547 or info@fairmontchamber.org
Professional Window Cleaning
Insured
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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
6

ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Chamber Ambassadors celebrate success
7
GRIFFIN BAIL BONDS/FAST TRAVEL AGENCY
Ambassadors welcome new businesses Griffin Bail
Bonds and FAST Travel Agency to their Downtown location
at 101 W. Blue Earth Ave. in Fairmont.
HAWKINS CHEVROLET
Chamber Ambassadors cut a ribbon with Chamber
member Hawkins Chevrolet as they celebrate 30 years
of service to the Fairmont area.
THE SHEPHERD'S IN SOUP KITCHEN
Chamber Ambassadors commemorate the opening of
The Shepherd's In Soup Kitchen at the Pioneer Parsonage,
304 E. Blue Earth Ave. in Fairmont.
Vote for Business of the Year 2018 (Continued from page 1)
award winners. We encourage you to become
involved in selecting this year’s honorees.
All candidates were nominated by individuals
residing or working in Martin County.
All nominees are current members of the
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, have
not received the Business of the Year Award
in the past two years and meet all criteria of
the specific award for which they have been
nominated.
You can submit your votes for Business
of the Year by visiting our website at www.
FairmontChamber.org and clicking on the link
titled “VOTE FOR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
2018”. All votes must be cast by Saturday,
February 16.
The poll results will be tallied and our
2018 Business of the Year award winners will
be announced at the Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce Annual Banquet on Friday,
February 22 at the Holiday Inn – Green Mill
in Fairmont. As in past years, the recognition
ceremony will also honor our past board
members and our 2018 committee chairs.
Registration for the Annual Banquet is also
available by visiting our website.
Contact the chamber by phone at 507-
235-5547 or email info@fairmontchamber.
org with any questions regarding the Annual
Banquet or the Business of the Year awards.
Jeff Schlomann
201 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont
(507) 238-4218
jeffreyschlomann.fbfsagents.com
507.235.5547
info@fairmontchamber.org
Auto | Home | Life | Annuities | Business | Farm & Ranch
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life
Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services M191 (1-18)
(507) 238-4949

February programs at CER
8
Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is sponsoring
a free Family Snowshoe event at Cedar Creek Park with CER and
the Prairie Ecology Bus Center on February 9, 1:30-3:30 pm. Contact
CER to reserve your snowshoes by February 8. Spend quality time with
your children/grandchildren/friend at this event or others such as Cake Decorating,
Parent-Child Acrylic Pour Valentines or the Tiny Tots Sports Camp!
Join Dr. Cathy LaLonde for a FREE aerobics session at the Fairmont
Elementary School Main Gym on Saturday, February 9, 11-12 noon.
This beginner to intermediate aerobics class, open to all ages, will include
warm-up, low-impact cardio, standing core exercises, & stretching. Wear
flexible clothing and bring water bottle. Please enter from Door 15A (CER
Office entrance.) Pre-registration at CER is encouraged.
A very special Thank You to the Pack 57 Cub Scouts for their
generous Christmas donation to the Youth Activity Scholarship Fund.
Also thanks to the Blizzard Snowmobile Club for hosting the Snowmobile
Safety class on January 12 as well as donating to the Youth Scholarship fund.
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.
A SAMPLING OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Saturday Morning Aerobics (FREE) February 9
Family Snowshoe event at Cedar Creek Park February 9
Parent-Child Acrylic Pour Valentines February 9
Microsoft Excel Basic February 9 or 21
Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Information February 11
Lights On For Kids Afterschool Begins February 11
Cake Decorating February 21
Savvy Social Security Planning February 21
Archery February 25 - March 1
Zumba Flair February 25/27
Tiny Tots Sports Camp February 27
CER Spring/Summer Catalog Mailout March 22
…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
A New Year of Social Media [rescheduled]
Sara Broers
SMB INSTRUCTOR
The next Social
Media Breakfast will be
held from 9 am to 10
am, February 26 at the
Southern Minnesota Educational
Campus, 115 S.
Park St., in Fairmont.
What’s in store
for social media marketing
in 2019? This month's Social Media Breakfast
features instructor Sara Broers of Social
Connections, LLC with a presentation titled “A
New Year of Social Media.” Sara will offer tips
and best practices your business can use to stay
ahead of the competition, build online connections,
and help your business thrive in the new
year. Join us and learn how to stand out in your
social media marketing in 2019!
Visit our website at
www.fairmontchamber.org to
register for this event or to find
out how you can sponsor a future
event.
Fairmont Area Social Media Breakfast is
sponsored this month by United Hospital District
and made possible in part by a technology
grant from the Blandin Foundation.
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