Community Connections January 2024
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>January</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Connections</strong><br />
Lighting Contest Results<br />
Inside<br />
This Issue<br />
Congratulations to our 2023 1st Place Winner<br />
504 Canyon Drive<br />
Grand Prize $150 Chamber Bucks<br />
Page 2: Presidents<br />
Message<br />
Page 3: New Board<br />
Members, Area Career<br />
Exploration<br />
Pages 4 : Business Briefs<br />
Page 5: Welcome Brooke,<br />
Business of the Year<br />
Page 6: Drama Free Work<br />
Seminar<br />
Page 7: Ambassador Visits<br />
Page 8 : <strong>Community</strong><br />
Education Recreation<br />
(CER)<br />
Congratulations to our 2023 2nd Place Winner<br />
979 South Prairie Ave.<br />
Prize $100 Chamber Bucks<br />
Congratulations to our 2023 Business Winner<br />
Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center<br />
Prize $200 Chamber Bucks<br />
Congratulations to our 2023 3rd Place Winner<br />
1234 South State Street<br />
Prize $50 Chamber Bucks<br />
The City of Fairmont and the Fairmont<br />
Area Chamber of Commerce partnered again<br />
this year for the 2023 Holiday Lighing Contest<br />
and the results are in!<br />
Voting this year was s little different as everything<br />
was done on Facebook. Winners for the<br />
conest were chosen by the number of likes on the<br />
Photo they submitted to the event page.<br />
Thank you to those who "lit up Fairmont"<br />
this year and the Residents and Busnesses who<br />
submitted a photo to win one of the four prizes.<br />
Don't forget... the City of Fairmont offers<br />
a rebate on LED Holiday Lights- Check out their<br />
website for more details.<br />
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.FairmontChamber.org • FairmontChamber
Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for promoting a healthy business clim<br />
Board of Directors Officers:<br />
Chair<br />
Aaron Speltz<br />
Hy-Vee<br />
Vice Chair<br />
Vonnie Cone<br />
ReMax Total<br />
Realty<br />
Board of Directors:<br />
Rick Ash<br />
United Hospital<br />
District<br />
Kermit Brown<br />
Kinship of Martin<br />
County<br />
John Christ<br />
Kahler Automation<br />
Mike Christians<br />
Green Mill<br />
Staff:<br />
Past Chair<br />
Joe Evans<br />
Mayo Clinic<br />
Health Systems<br />
Treasurer<br />
Joe Loughmiller<br />
Phileo by Lesaffre<br />
Zak Clemetson<br />
Mayo Clinic Health<br />
Systems<br />
Jeff Militello<br />
Militello Motors<br />
Miranda Tulowetzke<br />
Sweet Financial<br />
Partners<br />
Brooke Wohlrabe<br />
Visit Fairmont<br />
Kandi Menne<br />
President<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Rachel Manwarren<br />
Finance Director<br />
finance@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Sydney Andrews<br />
Office Manager<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Contact Information:<br />
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
323 East Blue Earth Avenue<br />
P.O. Box 826<br />
Fairmont, MN 56031<br />
Phone: 507-235-5547<br />
www.FairmontChamber.org<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
Kandi Menne<br />
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce President<br />
On behalf of The Fairmont Area<br />
Chamber Board of Directors and<br />
staff I would like to thank our 2023<br />
individual and member businesses<br />
who have made the commitment to continue<br />
Chamber membership in <strong>2024</strong>. Your belief in<br />
the work we do is valued and we are anticipating<br />
many great things to offer you again this year!<br />
When you are a member, you are investing<br />
in the future of our community! During 2023,<br />
your support has enabled us to bring you events,<br />
local, state and national news and networking<br />
opportunities, seminars, community visibility<br />
and other valuable benefits that have helped to<br />
strengthen our local businesses and personal<br />
environment.<br />
Reflecting back at 2023<br />
• The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
along with partners launched<br />
a refreshed Fairmont Area<br />
Life Website and Facebook<br />
page. These are two excellent<br />
resources for all things<br />
Fairmont. If you haven’t<br />
already, check them out!<br />
• Did a refresh on<br />
the Fairmont Area life<br />
Guide (formerly known as<br />
the visitor and relocation<br />
guide)<br />
• Held a Seminar in<br />
August for businesses to<br />
learn about the various new<br />
law changes, a few that had<br />
already gone into effect,<br />
the Earned Sick and Safe<br />
Time beginning <strong>January</strong> <strong>2024</strong> and a short briefing<br />
of the Paid Leave Time starting <strong>January</strong> 2026.<br />
These laws affect every business and employee in<br />
our community<br />
• We held the first annual sip n shop event<br />
in Fairmont! Businesses throughout Fairmont<br />
opened their doors for you to shop and sample 2<br />
a tasty beverage. The proceeds from this event<br />
will accelerate our Fairmont<br />
holiday decorations for<br />
the street lights fund much<br />
quicker! If you, as an<br />
individual or business would<br />
like to make a donation - we<br />
accept them all year long.<br />
• Partnered with Sweet Financial Partners<br />
to bring motivational speaker Cyndra Kamphoff<br />
to our community<br />
• Leadership Martin County started in<br />
September and will run through May <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Fourteen individuals are going thru the program<br />
this year. It’s remarkable to see how engaged<br />
they all are with a new area of exploration each<br />
month. Plan now to apply for Leadership Martin<br />
County 2025<br />
• As Chamber President I attended<br />
Southwest Minnesota Chamber of Commerce<br />
Executives (SWMCCE) quarterly meetings,<br />
participated in the 6-month Minnesota Chamber<br />
Executive Leadership program visiting 6 different<br />
Chambers of Commerce’s where we had an<br />
Industry Orientation, discussed organizational<br />
development, learned leadership skills, advocacy,<br />
policy, politics, membership. Partnerships,<br />
workforce, retail, events, programs and more!<br />
Attended the annual Fall and a Winter Conference<br />
through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.<br />
• Partnered with Downtown Retailers on a<br />
scenic holiday setting which included, beautifully<br />
decorated storefronts and outdoor space,<br />
reindeer, carolers, Santa and a Santa house, glows<br />
parade and a tree lighting!<br />
• The Chamber Ambassadors visited<br />
twenty-eight businesses celebrating their<br />
continued investment in Martin County.<br />
Ambassador ribbon cutting/visits are held<br />
to recognize new ownership, remodel, grand<br />
openings, new managers and more.<br />
• Restructured and implemented tiered<br />
membership dues.
ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.<br />
2023 continued<br />
We look forward to helping you and your business achieve even<br />
greater success in <strong>2024</strong> and the years to come!<br />
Stop in and see us at the Chamber 323 E. Blue Earth Ave, you<br />
may reach Kandi at 507.235.5547 or 507.525.4324 or by email:<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
As your Chamber President, I am honored to work<br />
alongside all who share the vision of business growth and a healthy<br />
community environment.<br />
Welcome New Board Members<br />
Zak Clemetson Miranda Tulowetzke Joe Loughmiller<br />
Kermit Brown<br />
Area Career Exploration<br />
Area Career Exploration will be held<br />
on April 10, <strong>2024</strong>. Ace is an effort to provide<br />
students with information on careers and<br />
jobs located in Martin County/ South Central<br />
Region of Minnesota.<br />
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
along with businesses, educational entities<br />
, MN/VAC, Career Force and Fairmont<br />
(continued from page 2)<br />
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed four new<br />
faces to our Chamber board of Directors. They will serve on our<br />
board for the next three years.<br />
Zak Clemetson- Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Miranda<br />
Tulowetzke Director of Marketing & Communications at Sweet<br />
Financial Partners, Joe Loughmiller Head of Technical Services<br />
wuth Phileo by Lasaffre, Kermit Brown with Kinship Martin<br />
County. We are grateful for the strengths each have and will bring<br />
to the Chamber<br />
Area Schools will be hosting their annual Area Career Exploration or ACE<br />
day in the Fairmont Area Jr./Sr. High School Gymnasium. On average, over<br />
650 sophomored from 12 area schools visit over 100 businesses, colleges and<br />
organizations.<br />
Business wishing to have a representative at the ACE event should<br />
contact Sydney at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for more<br />
information Email: info@fairmontchamber.org Phone: (507)235-5547<br />
3<br />
www.deerequipment.com<br />
PAUL KLOECKNER<br />
Product Specialist<br />
■ Sales & Leasing Expert<br />
■ Customer Focused Service<br />
■ Competitive Pricing<br />
“Your Friendly Ford Dealer Since 1909”<br />
FAIRMONT<br />
FORD<br />
www.fairmontford.com<br />
700 E. Blue Earth Ave.<br />
507-235-6681<br />
email: Paul@fairmontford.com<br />
Mon 8-8; Tues through Fri 8-5:30;<br />
Sat 8-3
Chamber Member Business Briefs<br />
Sterling Drug<br />
(507)238-2797<br />
It’s a new year! Is it time for a new look? With<br />
50% off select lighting and select framed and canvas art at Sterling<br />
Fairmont, you can transform any room of your home into something<br />
you absolutely love.<br />
Or perhaps you have a little one in your life who needs something<br />
new to ward off cabin fever during the cold winter months. Visit<br />
our fantastic toy department or visit YourSterlingToys.com and<br />
save 25% throughout the entire department all month long!<br />
While you are visiting your friends at the store, don’t forget to<br />
sign up for our Sterling Rewards program to grab exclusive deals<br />
throughout the year. Members also earn Reward Certificates to use<br />
on purchases—including prescriptions!”<br />
Pizza Ranch- Fairmont<br />
(507) 235-8822<br />
All Winter - Get Double Points on Wednesdays!<br />
We're continuing to offer Double Points every<br />
Wednesday this Winter! Get two points for every<br />
dollar spent on your Ranch Rewards account. Make it a buffet day<br />
or order your favorites to-go to start earning points towards your<br />
next $5 reward!Offer valid through 2/28/24.<br />
Fairway Independent Mortgage<br />
Jeff Sauer- Loan Officer, NMLS<br />
Office: (507)773-7330<br />
Fairway Independent Mortgage was recently presented with the<br />
Number 1 Award in Customer Satisfaction with Mortgage Origination-<br />
J.D. Power. Helping our customers achieve homeownership is<br />
our why and we work everyday to ensure that they recieve the best<br />
level of care. An accomplishment this great would not be possible<br />
without the people like you helping us guide our customers toward<br />
their homeownership goals.<br />
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b<br />
Valero Renewables<br />
(507)728-4000<br />
Granada Huntley East<br />
Chain School robotics program<br />
recently recieved a<br />
charitable grant of $12,500. Donated by Valero Renewables of<br />
Welcome. This was part of the 2023 Valero Partner for Children.<br />
Fairmont Youth Hockey Association<br />
<strong>2024</strong> Southern Minnesota Pond Hockey<br />
held <strong>January</strong> 12th – 14th in Fairmont.<br />
Kicking off Friday, <strong>January</strong> 12th for an<br />
evening of open skating, great food, music , and endless fun. In<br />
the event of inclement weather, the hockey arena at the Martin<br />
County Fairgrounds serves as an alternate location. Keep informed<br />
with Southern MN Pond Hockey on Facebook.<br />
www.facebook.com/SouthernMNPondHockey<br />
Fairmont Opera House<br />
(507) 238-4900<br />
The Fairmont Opera House needs your<br />
support to repair its roof truss system and<br />
preserve our historic facility. We ask that you give generously to<br />
ensure that our institution remains able to provide cultural experiences<br />
for generations to come.<br />
Sweet Financials<br />
(507)235-5587<br />
Sweet Financial Wealth Advisor, Amber<br />
Knips, recently passed the Certified Farm<br />
Succession Coordinator exam. This training<br />
has taught her even more about farm succession planning and<br />
how to help our clients have a comprehensive succession plan<br />
when wanting to retire from farming. Congratulations to Amber!<br />
4<br />
Business Briefs are one of the many benefits of being<br />
a Chamber member. Deadline for the February <strong>Community</strong><br />
<strong>Connections</strong> insert is <strong>January</strong> 24. Please limit to 100 words or less.<br />
Lengthy submitted briefs may be included, but on a space available<br />
only. A photo or business logo can also be included. No pricing<br />
allowed. Examples are: open houses, expansion, new managers/<br />
employees, new product, Milestone anniversaries, events, awards,<br />
etc.
e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.<br />
Welcome Brooke to Visit Fairmont!<br />
Hi, my name is Brooke<br />
Wohlrabe and I’m the new<br />
director of Visit Fairmont. I<br />
grew up in Fairmont and after<br />
graduating from high school in<br />
2011 I attended the University<br />
of St. Thomas in St. Paul where<br />
I got my bachelor’s degree in<br />
Communication and Journalism.<br />
After working in the Twin<br />
Cities area for a few years I moved back to Fairmont and started<br />
working as a reporter for the Fairmont Sentinel. I was with the<br />
Sentinel for 6.5 years before I recently made the move to Visit<br />
Fairmont.<br />
Free Christmas Tree Recycling<br />
Now Through <strong>January</strong> 8, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Take your Christmas Tree to any of the following locations for recycling.<br />
Fairmont: Fairmont City Street Shop - Fairmont Drop Site<br />
Sherburn/ Dunnell: Sherburn Nursery Drop Site<br />
Questions: Contact Andy Geiger, Solid Waste Coordinator (507)776-<br />
3232<br />
Business of the Year Nominations<br />
Fairmont area Chamber of Commerce<br />
holds an annual meeting each year. This<br />
year it will be held on Friday, March 8, <strong>2024</strong><br />
at the Best Western/ Green Mill. During this<br />
meeting we celebrate the accomplishments<br />
of 2023, acknowledge not only our board<br />
and staff but 4 outstanding Chamber Members. Businesses are nominated<br />
by our Chamber Members, nomination forms are in the Monday<br />
E-News or you can call or email the Chamber Office. Nominations will<br />
close on <strong>January</strong> 19, 2023. Nominated businesses will be announced<br />
and Voting will begin. Everyone can vote for their Business of the Year!<br />
I’m excited for my new role because despite living here<br />
for most of my life, I have learned a lot more about what our<br />
community has to offer through the many articles I’ve written<br />
for the Sentinel. I believe Fairmont has appealing amenities and<br />
local leadership that has confidence in the future of our community<br />
and will continue to work on making it stronger.<br />
As director of Visit Fairmont my job is to help show people<br />
outside of our community everything Fairmont has to offer and<br />
entice them to come visit for a day or weekend with the hopes<br />
that maybe they’ll want to make a permanent move here. I have<br />
some exciting ideas for how I can promote Fairmont but I welcome<br />
anyone with their own ideas to reach out to me, too. Afterall,<br />
it’s working together that will help strengthen and grow our<br />
community.<br />
Thanks To:<br />
* Sherburn Nursery<br />
* Fairmont City Parks and Recreation Department<br />
*Martin and Faribault County Sentence to Service<br />
Program<br />
PLEASE: Trees Only, No Artificial Trees, Wreaths,<br />
Roping or lights or Ornaments<br />
To be considered for a Business of the Year award! The organization must<br />
be setting the standards for excellence and innovaion with their business<br />
practices and community involvement. The business must be a chamber<br />
member in good standings at the time of the nomination through the date<br />
of the ceremony, must meet the criteria for the specific award for which<br />
the business is being nominated for and may not have recieved a Business<br />
of the Year Award in the past two years.<br />
We focus on outstanding chamber members in four catagories:<br />
•Large Business of the Year (over 15 employees)<br />
•Small Business of the Year (15 employees and under)<br />
•New Business of the Year (less the 3 years in business-year ending Dec<br />
2023)<br />
•Non- Profit of the Year<br />
5
Core Values: We value for our members, employees and community: integrity in all we do, collaboration with all our stakeholders, growth and develop<br />
Chamber Events<br />
<strong>January</strong> 10<br />
Bureau 14<br />
<strong>January</strong> 16<br />
Agri- Business<br />
Drama Free Work Seminar<br />
6<br />
<strong>January</strong> 17<br />
Ambassadors Meeting - Ribbon Cuttings<br />
February 6<br />
Drama Free Work Seminar<br />
March 8<br />
Annual Banquet<br />
WELCOME<br />
NEW MEMBER<br />
THE<br />
SALVATION<br />
ARMY<br />
Call 235.5547 to join<br />
during our Membership<br />
drive<br />
507.235.5547<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Chamber Bucks<br />
Promote shopping local. They may be<br />
spent in Martin County at most businesses.<br />
If you have that hard to buy for personconsider<br />
Chamber Bucks.<br />
The Chamber of Commerce is located at<br />
323 E. Blue Earth Ave in Fairmont<br />
We are open Monday- Friday<br />
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.<br />
Chamber Ambassador Visits<br />
7<br />
Indulge & Co.<br />
Ambassadors recently visited Indulge & Co. to congratulate<br />
them in the updates they made to the building along with<br />
having both the Salon and Spa in one location.<br />
Canna Culture<br />
Fairmont Area Chamber Of Commerce Ambassadors<br />
one of our Chamber Members Canna Culture to welcome<br />
them into town with their new location Down Town<br />
Ambassadors<br />
Sovell Jewelry<br />
Our Chamber Ambassadors had a full day downtown they also<br />
stopped at another Chamber Member Sovell Jewelry to see the<br />
updates they made on the outside of the building.<br />
Are an owner or employee of a Chamber member<br />
• Acts as the goodwill arm of the Fairmont Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce<br />
• Meet the third Wednesday of every month @ 3:00<br />
• Will attend the majority of all Ambassador functions.<br />
If you know of a business the Ambassadors should visit due to<br />
relocation, change of ownership, major remodeling, etc., please call<br />
the Chamber office 507.235.5547. The business does not have to be a<br />
Chamber member to receive a visit from the Ambassadors.<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 />
Be Seen by 1,000's of<br />
Potential Customers<br />
Call the Sentinal today<br />
to to put your Message<br />
HERE<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
What's Happening at CER in December?<br />
8<br />
Fairmont <strong>Community</strong> Education and<br />
Recreation<br />
“Lifelong Learning and Leisure Opportunities for All Ages”<br />
Happy Holidays from all of us at CER! Our office will be closed<br />
December 22 and <strong>January</strong> 1. We would like to wish you and yours<br />
a Happy Holiday Season!<br />
Thank you to those that helped us celebrate National <strong>Community</strong><br />
Education Day on November 9! Congratulations to our Facebook<br />
winners- Kristy Olson, Patti Matthews, and Nicole Shaw!<br />
Adult Basic Education classes are offered Tuesday – Thursday<br />
as well as Distance Learning options. Learn English, Prepare for<br />
Your GED, Improve Reading-Math-Writing Skills, and much<br />
more.<br />
Please call the CER office at 507-235-3141 for more information!<br />
NEW classes starting after the holidays. Make sure to check out<br />
the webstore or our new Winter Digital Brochure on our website!<br />
A Sampling of Upcoming Activities<br />
Microsoft Excel: Basic Dec 2<br />
Face Yoga Virtual Class Dec 4<br />
Women Weight & Hormones Virtual Class Dec 5<br />
Microsoft Word: Basic Dec 9<br />
Acupressure to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia-Virtual Dec 11<br />
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate Dec 11<br />
Acupressure & Other Tools for Women 35 & Older Virtual Dec 12<br />
Microsoft PowerPoint: Basic Dec 12<br />
Mudras: The Ancient Art of Hand Yoga Virtual Dec 13<br />
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate Dec 16<br />
Microsoft Word: Intermediate Dec 23<br />
STEM-Explore Magnets and Electronics Dec 27<br />
Introduction to 3D Printing Dec 28<br />
Snowmobile Safety Jan 6<br />
Welding Academy Jan 6<br />
Boys Saturday Basketball 4 yrs-3rd Jan 6<br />
Learn to Skate Jan 10<br />
Learn to Play Hockey Jan 10<br />
Rick Pauly-Advanced Movement Clinic Jan 13<br />
Rick Pauly-Mechanics of Elite Pitchers Clinic Jan 13<br />
…and much more!<br />
For an up-to date list of activities, visit the CER Web Store<br />
www.fairmont.k12.mn.us/o/cer<br />
(Register online with your MasterCard/Visa.)<br />
For more information contact the CER Office:<br />
507-235-3141 or Email sbusiahn@fairmont.k12.mn.us<br />
Call your<br />
Sentinel advertising<br />
representative<br />
to place your ad here each<br />
month!<br />
James Busche, O.D.<br />
The Best<br />
Optometry<br />
In Sight.<br />
1307 ALBION AVENUE, SUITE 102<br />
FAIRMONT, MN<br />
PH: (507) 238-4228<br />
Most Insurance<br />
Plans Welcome<br />
Spencer Seibert, O.D.<br />
111 EAST 6TH STREET<br />
BLUE EARTH, MN<br />
PH: (507) 526-2020