May 2023 Newsletter – Community Connections

May 2023
amber of
507) 235-
Inside
This Issue
Page 2 - President Update
Page 3- ACE & Job Fair
Continued, Blue Ribbon
Pork Cook off Tickets
Page 4 - Business Briefs
Page 5 - Business Briefs
Continued, Ag Scholarship
Awarded
Page 6 -Pork Masters,
Fluorescent bulb recycling,
Community Calender
Page 7- Ambassador Visits,
Page 8 Community
Education Recreation
(CER)
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Community Connections
Martin County Job Fair
If you are looking for a job or maybe want
to change career paths. Be sure to head down to the
Best Western as this is the place to be!
We are again hosting the Martin County Job
Fair on Saturday, May 6th at the Best Western in
Fairmont.
If you are understaffed and looking for workers,
but are not having any luck visit the Fairmont
Area Chamber of Commerce website or martincountyjobfair.com.
Space is limited so, don’t miss out on your
chance to find quality candidates to fill your job
openings during the Martin County Job Fair - Saturday
May 6th.
For more information or to get registered
check out The Fairmont Area Chamber
of Commerce Website, contact your
Account Executive at Fairmont Radio Group
(507) 235-5595 or email keith@kfmc.com.
Area Career Exploration & Job Fair
ACE has a mission in mind:
To raise career awareness for area students
so they are knowledgable of the opportunities
awaiting them in out communities when they
finish their education.
The Area Career Exploration took
place on Wednesday, April 12th at the Fairmont
High School. Sophomore students from
11 area schools attended the career fair. These
schools included Blue Earth Area, Butterfield-
Odin,Fairmont, Granada Huntley East Chain,
Martin County West, Martin Luther, Moutian
Lake, North Union, Southern Plains, St, James
and Truman.
(continued on page 3)
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.FairmontChamber.org • FairmontChamber

Board of Directors Officers:
Chair
Joe Evans
Mayo Clinic Health
Systems
Vice Chair
Aaron Speltz
Hy-Vee
Board of Directors:
Rick Ash
United Hospital
District
John Christ
Kahler Automation
Mike Christians
Green Mill
Sara Cyphers
D & S Trophies
Nicole Johnston
Visit Fairmont
Staff:
Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area Vision Chamber Statement: of Commerce The Fairmont is an advocate Area for Chamber promoting of a healthy Commerce business will climb
Past Chair
Keith Hoye
KSUM and KFMC
Radio
Treasurer
Vonnie Cone
ReMax Total Realty
Marsha Leschefske
Booj Boutique
Jeff Militello
Militello Motors
Blake Potthoff
Fairmont Opera
House, Inc.
Jeff Rouse
Destination Small
Town
Kandi Menne
President
president@fairmontchamber.org
Rachel Manwarren
Finance Director
finance@fairmontchamber.org
Sydney Andrews
Office Manager
info@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
Added Value
Kandi Menne: President, Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Shortly after taking over the
President position with the Fairmont
Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC),
one of the goals I made was to bring
awareness to the value of your Chamber
membership.
*We want you to attend events and
networking meetings!
*We ask that you share Chamber events and opportunities
with all of your employees.
*Young Professionals are the one networking group
that meets year round. If you have 40 and under employees
we encourage them to join our professionals
group. Give us a call for the details!
*Ask about the membership investment program
*We receive hundreds of call and visits to our office
each month looking for business referrals - we refer
our members first!
*We believe in community engagement and support.
Coming soon we will bring a speaker to
Fairmont through a partnership with Sweet Financial
Partners! There will be 2 speaking engagements one
at the high school and then in the evening for adults.
Details will be announced soon! We are excited!
Another Community Engagement piece is
The Martin County Leadership Program
What it is: A leadership program designed to enable
participants to learn about Martin County resources,
values, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. A
learning experience geared toward providing an indepth
look at eight key elements of our community:
education, economic development, government,
healthcare, public safety, quality of life, agriculture,
and culture & diversity.
This program provides opportunities for
candidates to exchange ideas, build networks
and begin the process of identifying and solving
important community issues.
Who: Candidates are drawn from business, industry,
education, public and private agencies, civic groups,
non-profit and all other facet of the professional
community. Class size is limited.
Program Development: Riverland Community
College, the Chamber and individual day-leaders
develope seminar curriculum.
Where: Sessions are held locally and focus on topics
directly affecting our community. They are held at a
different location each session.
Why: To develop candidate knowledge and
understanding of our community, its assets,
complexities and potential. To provide an
opportunity for participants to meet and exchange
ideas with each other and current community
leaders. To develop leadership skills through
classroom instruction, interactive exercises and small
group discussion.
How: A series of topical seminars held over a nine
month period and conducted by local and regional
professionals. Area leaders volunteer their time to
raise awareness to the assets and opportunities of our
community by providing an in-depth, behind-thescenes
look at eight key elements of our community.
Peggy Young, Business Consultant with Riverland
Community College’s Training and Development
Department nurtures leadership development
by leading discussions that integrate community
information through dialogue, interactive exercise
and small group discussion.
Cost: Tuition is payable at the time a participant is
accepted to candidacy. Scholarship opportunities are
available.
When: Sessions are one full day each month,
September - May, always on the first Wednesday of
each month. LEADERSHIP is a commitment of time.
Attendance at the work sessions and all day program
meetings is imperative, participants are expected to
attend all sessions to receive the greatest experience.
As your Chamber President, I am honored to work
alongside all who share the vision of business growth
and a healthy community environment. Stop in and
see us @ 323 E. Blue Earth Ave.
You may reach me at 507.235.5547 or 507.525.4324 or
e-mail:
president@fairmontchamber.org.
2

ate e recognized by facilitating as access the leader to leaders, in assisting communication area and businesses education through to prosper. programs and services for its members.
Area Career Exploration and Job Fair Continued (from page 1)
Blue Ribbon Pork Cook off tickets
In anticipation of the 2023 Martin County Fair, we are excited to announce the Blue Ribbon
Pork Cook- Off tickets will soon be available May 15th at the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce!
The 25th annual cook off will be held in the during the fair at the Martin County Arena at the
Fairgrounds, August 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cook-off contestants will be announced
soon.
Tickets go fast and when they're gone- they're gone! If you would like to reserve your tickets
now, stop by or call the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce @ 323 E. Bleu Earth Avenue in
Fairmont. We are open Monday - Friday 8am-5pm.
This event has two interactive events and the schools are
divided into two groups.
The students start their morning off in the Fairmont High
School's Performing Arts Center where they are welcomed and
hear about career paths and words of wisdom from 10 recent area
graduates who are now locally employed young professionals in
Martin County. During the presentations a student representative
from each attending school answered career questions that challenged
their knowledge of current workforce statistics. The winning
school takes home a trophy to display at their school. This years two
winning schools, In the first group Granada Huntley East Chain
won the tie breaker agianst Truman.In the second group North
Union won also in a tie breaker against Blue Earth.
The second component that is held in the gym is the business
visit area. Over 60 Businesses and colleges representing all 6
"Career Cluster" ,were in attendance and stepped up their game this
year with engaging displays to showcase the awesome career opportunities
in our area. Students in attendance received valuable information,
souveniers and advice from these business professionals.
This year we also invited business to stay for a job fair for the Fairmont
11th and 12th Grade students. This gave the businesses the
opportunity to recruit these students for employment.
Thank You to all of our sponsors for making ACE possible:
United Hospital District, Bank Midwest, First Farmers and
Merchants,Fairmont Area Schools, Fairmont Area Life, Fairmont
Economic development Authority (FEDA), Kahler Automation,
Martin County Youth Foundation, Martin County EDA (IG-
NITE), American Legion, SW/WC Service Coorperation (Perkins
Grant), Walmart and Culligan Water.
To learn more about ACE contact event chair Sydney at
the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, (507)235-5547 or by
email at info@fairmontchamber.org. Visit the Area Career website
at www.areacareerexploration.com
3
www.deerequipment.com
PAUL KLOECKNER
Product Specialist
■ Sales & Leasing Expert
■ Customer Focused Service
■ Competitive Pricing
“Your Friendly Ford Dealer Since 1909”
FAIRMONT
FORD
www.fairmontford.com
700 E. Blue Earth Ave.
507-235-6681
email: Paul@fairmontford.com
Mon 8-8; Tues through Fri 8-5:30;
Sat 8-3

Chamber Member Business Briefs
4
Sterling Drug
(507)238-2797
“We LOVE our Pharmacy Customers! Stop into
Sterling Pharmacy on May 25 for our RX Appreciation
event. Save 50% on two garden center
items, 50% off two home décor or gift items, 50% off two toys, and 30%
off six over-the-counter or health & beauty products!
Spring is here! Visit our Garden Center for your outdoor needs and
attend the Ladies Weekend Out sales event (May 11-13) for indoor
decorating. At Ladies Weekend Out, you will save 40% throughout the
store and have a chance to win a room refresh consultation and a $250
Sterling gift card to go on a shopping spree!”
Sweet Financial Partners
(507)235-5587
Bryan Sweet, founder of Sweet Financial Partners,
was recently named a Best-in-State Wealth
Advisor by Forbes. What makes this recognition even more unique is that
Fairmont is the smallest town and one of the few locations outside of the
metro area to make the list! We are honored to be recognized by Forbes
and proud to be serving our clients from our small-town location. We
would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our clients, colleagues,
and community members who have supported us throughout the years.
Martin Couny Historical Society
(507)235-5178
The Martin County Historical Society’s current projects
involve a book portraying the history of businesses in
Martin County and an Interactive Room. The book is a
compilation of business histories submitted for this project. The goal of
this project is to provide documentation of those submitted businesses
so that they won’t be lost over time. Most displays in museums are meant
to be viewed but not touched. The Interactive Room will incorporate
items that can be touched, manipulated, and utilized as originally intended,
such as rotary phones, a 1983 computer, typewriters, and more.
Business Briefs are one of the
many benefits of being a Chamber
member. Deadline for the May
Community Connections insert is
Aptil 24, 2023. Please limit to 100
Martin County Economic and Development
Association
(507)238-3126
The Martin County Economic Development
Association, a non-profit organization committed
to supporting economic growth and development
in Martin County. Our team provides business consulting services
to clients and community development services to nonprofits and
municipalities throughout the county. We believe that every business and
community in Martin County deserves access to resources and support
that will help them thrive. We work tirelessly to provide the necessary
tools and guidance to help businesses grow, and communities prosper.
Our team will be present at various community events throughout the
year to build relationships with people. This is one of our strategies for
building connections and ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone
in the county. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach
out to us. We're here to help.
Kahler Automation
(507) 235-3331
WELCOME to three new members of
“Team Kahler”: Software Support Technicians
Jose Moreno and Chris Cox, and Project
Manager Brock Burmeister. And CONGRATULATIONS to Kirk
Jensen on his promotion to Project Manager Supervisor. We’re glad to
have you all with us at Kahler Automation!
Relay For Life of Martin County
(507) 236-1231
Survivor Supper on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
Knights of Columbus Hall
(920 E 10th St, Fairmont, MN) 5-6PM Registration
| 6PM Meal
RSVP needed by Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 To RSVP, call or text Torie at
507-399-3667 (We must know the number of Survivors and Caregivers
attending) Survivors enjoy their meal for FREE! Free will donation for
any Caregiver meal.
words or less. Lengthy submitted briefs may be included, but on a space available
only. A photo or business logo can also be included. No pricing allowed.
Examples are: open houses, expansion, new managers/employees, new product,
Milestone anniversaries, events, awards, etc. .
Email to info@fairmontchamber.org

Business Briefs continued
Red Rock Center for Arts
(507)235-9262
Red Rock Center for the Arts to host
a Memorial Day Community Picnic
Monday, May 29, 11am-1pm. Join us
indoors for pulled pork sandwiches and live music by Steve Lang.
Face painting, balloon twisting, petting zoo, train rides make and take art
projects and more outside. Fun for the whole family. Rain or shine.
Fairmont Lakes Foundation
(507)235-9534
Spring Fishing Tournament
Saturday May 20th, 2023
Gomsrud Park- Budd Lake Boat Ramps
Rules Meeting- 6:30a.m. Fishing Starts- 7:00 a.m. Weigh In's- 1:00p.m.
Food and Beverages will be provided
Register at Sommer Outdoors in Fairmont or
online at fairmontlakesfoundation.com
United Hospital District
(507)238-1287
United Hospital District (UHD) will offer
a free, six-week Grief and Loss Support
Workshop to area residents from May 16th
to June 20th. In partnership with Caregiver Response Effort and
Service Team (CREST), meetings will take place on Tuesdays from
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the CREST office in Fairmont, 820 Winnebago
Avenue, Suite 2. The workshop is open to the public but
reservations are required. Sessions will be facilitated by UHD’s
Bereavement Coordinator, Terry Whitman, MSW. For more information,
and to reserve a place in the group, contact UHD Home
Health & Hospice at (507) 526-7970.
5
Ag Scholarship Awarded
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee partners with Agriculture
Future of America to award two Martin County students entering a field of study in agriculture.
Each recipient receives a scholarship which included the opportunity to attend the AFA
Leaders Conference. to qualify for a scholarship, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher,
be a senior entering their freshman year in a 4 year college program and planning to pursue a
career in food or agriculture. The Agri-Business committee meets to review the applications and
interview the candidates. From the process, two scholarships are awarded each year. Congratulations to both of our 2023
Ag Scholarship recipients! We hope you return to Martin County to pursue your careers.
Carson Pomerenke
Carson Pomerenke is from Fairmont, MN. and
attends Fairmont High School. After Highschool
Carson plans to attend South Dakota State University
where he will pursue his major in pre-vet
and animal science.
Lincoln Becker
Lincoln Becker is from Fairmont,MN and
attends Fairmont High School. After
highschool Lincoln plans to attend South
Dakota State University in the fall to pursue his
major in agronomy.

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
May 10
Bureau 14 Meeting
May 16
Agri Business Meeting
May 17
Ambassador Meeting- Business Visits
& Ribbon Cuttings
May 18
Young Professionals Meeting
June 9
Chamber Golf Outing
July 24
Pork Masters Golf Outing
WELCOME NEW
MEMBERS
MARTIN COUNTY
RELAY FOR LIFE
Call 235.5547
to learn the benfits of
being a chamber member
507.235.5547
info@fairmontchamber.org
Pork Masters Golf Outing
The 31st Annual Pork Masters Golf
Outing will be held Monday July 24, 2023.
Martin County lives high on the hog – we’re
the largest producer of pork in the State of
Minnesota. In 1992, a committee of Martin
County Pork Producers, agribusinesses, and
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce started
the Minnesota State Pork Masters Golf Outing.
Our goal is to provide a unique networking
event for producers and agribusinesses.
The money collected goes right back into the
community in the form of Ag scholarships,
Fluorescent Bulb Recycling
Where to Find Community Events
To view upcoming Community events visit
www.fairmontareacalendar.com or the Fairmont Area
Life Facebook page. Did you know you can post your own
events on the calendar? Go to the website, scroll down to
the orange button that says submit events! If you have
questions about updating your events to the Fairmont
Area Community Calendar please contact me at
info@fairmontchamber.org. Calendar Funding Partners:
and pork promotion.
Every year, this outing
draws golfers and sponsors
from neighboring
states to the grandest
pig punned golf outing in the entire state!
Golfer registration is now open.
For more information call Rachel at the
Chamber 507.235.5547 or visit their website at
www.porkmasters.com.
It is against the law to dispose of fluorescent
bulbs and ballasts with your regular garbage.
Fluorescent bulb recycling will be held in
the Tractor Supply parking lot on Thursday May
4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Straight Fluorescent lamps 4' and under
$.50: over 4' $.90. High intensity Discharge Lamps
(HID) $5.00 Fairmont Public Utilities customers
are eligible for total reimbursment for bulb recycling
costs.
When dropping
bulbs off for recycling, ask
for a rebate coupon, keep
your receipt, and turn
both into Fairmont Public Utilities for reimburement
of recycling costs. For more information call
Retrofit Recycling, Inc. at 800.274.1309
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fairmont,
City of Fairmont, Fairmont Area Schools, and Blandin
Community Broadband Grand.
Other Partners: Fairmont Community Education and
Recreation.
Chamber Bucks
Promote shopping local. They may be spent in Martin
County at most businesses. If you have that hard
to buy for person - consider Chamber Bucks.
The Chamber of Commerce is located at
323 E. Blue Earth Ave in Fairmont.
We are open Monday - Friday - 8-5
6

ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Chamber Ambassador Visits
7
Best Western
The Ambassadors made their way out to Chamber
member Best Western to see the updates they made to
the pool area.
Interlaken Golf Club
New faces in a familiar place! Ambassadors went to Chamber member
Interlaken Golf Club to welcome new General Manager Shane
Pearson and check out their recent bar and interior remodel!
El Agave
Ambassadors stopped in at El Agave Mexican Restaurant to congratulate
them on their recent interior renovations to the restaurant
and bar.
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
Be Seen by 1,000's
of Potential
Cusotmers
Call the Sentinel today
to put Your
Message HERE!
Going Hog Wild - Trimont Town Center
Our Ambassadors traveled to Trimont for the Hog Unveiling at the
Trimont Town Center. There were 5 Hogs Unveiled in Trimont which
include City of Trimont, NuWay, Farmers State Bank, Triumph State
Bank, and Trimont Town Center.
Fine Jewelry
Sovell Jewelry
Your Professional Jeweler
Since 1954
Full Service-In House Repair
Jessica & Steve Sovell
Gemologist • Goldsmith

What's Happening at CER in May?
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate May 11
What’s Happening at
Microsoft PowerPoint: Basic May 13
Fairmont Community Education and Recreation
Instant Piano Virtual Class May 15
May 2023
The Art of De-Aging: Peel Years Off Your Biological Age Virtual May 16
“Lifelong Learning and Leisure Opportunities for All Ages”
Instant Guitar Virtual Class May 16
Are you looking for a new marketing opportunity while giving back to the community
Personal Safety Presented by Fairmont PD May 16
and our youth? Fairmont CER is looking for T-Ball and Flag Football Sponsors. Is Your Waistband Too Tight Today? Virtual Class May 17
Business logos are printed on the back of your team’s shirt. For more information Acupressure to Assist Weight Loss Virtual Class May 18
contact Stephanie at 507-235-3141.
Microsoft Publisher: Basic May 18
55 Defensive Driving-Refresher Class May 18
Check out an Active Living Package from CER for your family gatherings; Bocce Ball, Unified Cardinals Million Millimeter Mini Marathon May 21
Croquet, Pickleball, Frisbee Golf, Hammocks, Corn Hole, Horseshoes, and other Thyroid Things You Need To Know Virtual Class May 23
equipment/games are available. Contact the CER office to reserve a package for your Microsoft Word: Basic May 25
next get-together.
Sip N Paint with Designs by Kandvas May 30
Metabolism Boosters & Busters Virtual Class May 31
Adult Basic Education classes are offered Monday – Thursday as well as Distance Hips, Thighs & Otherwise Virtual Class June 1
Learning options.
Just Breathe! Techniques to Calm, Center & Balance Virtual June 5
Learn English, Prepare for Your GED, Improve Reading-Math-Writing Skills, and
much more. Please call the CER office at 507-235-3141 for more information!
…and much more!
For an up-to date list of activities, see the CER Web Store located at www.fairmont.
A Sampling of Upcoming Activities
k12.mn.us/o/cer (Register online with your MasterCard/Visa.)
Overcome Your Carbohydrate Cravings Virtual Class May 2
Phone Scams Presented by Fairmont PD May 2 For more information contact the CER Office located at, 115 South Park Street, Suite
Women Weight & Hormones Virtual Class May 4
131 Fairmont.
Acupressure Face Lift & Skin Savvy Virtual Class May 9
Call 507-235-3141 or Email sbusiahn@fairmont.k12.mn.us
Internet Scams/Online Safety Presented by Fairmont PD May 9
Seated Abdominal Strengtheners Virtual Class May 11
8
Call your
Sentinel advertising
representative
to place your ad here each
month!
James Busche, O.D.
The Best
Optometry
In Sight.
1307 ALBION AVENUE, SUITE 102
FAIRMONT, MN
PH: (507) 238-4228
Most Insurance
Plans Welcome
Spencer Seibert, O.D.
111 EAST 6TH STREET
BLUE EARTH, MN
PH: (507) 526-2020