Community Connections February 2024

January 2024
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Community Connections
Inside
This Issue
Page 2: Presidents
Message
Page 3: New Board
Members, Area Career
Exploration
Pages 4 : Business Briefs
Page 5: Welcome Brooke,
Business of the Year
Page 6: Drama Free Work
Seminar
Page 7: Ambassador Visits
Page 8 : Community
Education Recreation
(CER)
Voting Open for 2023 Business of the Year
Each year the Fairmont Area Chamber of
Commerce holds their Annual Banquet. At the Banquet
we announce four Chamber Member businesses
and organizations who are recognized as setting a
standard of excelence and innovation in their business
practices and community involvement.
We would like to extend our congratulations
to the 2023 nominees in the following four catagories.
Large Business: Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS),
Profinium Inc., Sterling Pharmacy, United Hospital
District (UHD)
Small Business: Fairmont Roofing, Dee's Floral,
Bowlmor Lanes, Culligan Water
New Business: Southern Minnesota Skin Solutions,
Janzen's Green House, Canna Culture
Non-Profit: Fairmont Let's Go Fishing, Gold Finch
Estates, MCSAP, Martin County Toys for Tots
Voting will end February 16. Chamber member
should watch their email for a link to vote. We encourage
everyone to be involved in selecting this years
honorees.
Annual Banquet and Meeting
March 8th is slated for the Chamber of Commerce
annual meeting and banquet. This years theme
is black tie optional. The meeting and Banquet will be
held at the Best Western- Green Mill in Fairmont. We
will celebrate the progress made in 2023 and embrace
on 2024 being a great year!
In addition to a Brief meeting, dinner and
entertainment by Comic Magician Jerry Frasier, the
2023 Business of the Year will be announced and the
past board memebers and committee chairs of the
Chamber of Commerce will be recognized.
Each nominated will be recognized and recipients
will be announced at the annual banquet which is
scheduled for Friday, March 8th.
Pictured above: 2022 Business of the Year Winners
included: Dan's Appliance (Large Business), City of
Lakes Media (Small Business), Fairmont 5 Theatre
(New Business), Fairmont Opera House ( Non- Profit)
New and excited thing we are goin this year at
the Annual banquet is that a business can buy a table
to sponsor. They can decorate the table however they
chose with no particular theme. At the end of the night
there will be a prize for the best decorated table!
Thank you to our Banquet Sponsors:
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
Board of Directors Officers:
Chair
Aaron Speltz
Hy-Vee
Vice Chair
Vonnie Cone
ReMax Total
Realty
Board of Directors:
Rick Ash
United Hospital
District
Kermit Brown
Kinship of Martin
County
John Christ
Kahler Automation
Mike Christians
Green Mill
Staff:
Past Chair
Joe Evans
Mayo Clinic
Health Systems
Treasurer
Joe Loughmiller
Phileo by Lesaffre
Zak Clemetson
Mayo Clinic Health
Systems
Jeff Militello
Militello Motors
Miranda Tulowetzke
Sweet Financial
Partners
Brooke Wohlrabe
Visit Fairmont
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
Member Recognition
Kandi Menne
Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce President
On behalf of The Fairmont
Area Chamber Board of
Directors and staff I would
like to thank our 2023
individual and member businesses who
have made the commitment to continue
Chamber membership in 2024. Your belief in
the work we do is valued and we are anticipating 2
many great things to offer you again this year!
When you are a member, you are investing
in the future of our community!
We look forward to helping you
and your business achieve even greater
success in 2024 and the years to come!
Stop in and see us at the Chamber 323
E. Blue Earth Ave, you may reach Kandi
at 507.235.5547 or 507.525.4324 or by
e-mail: president@fairmontchamber.org
2024 Invested Chamber Members
Visionary Memeber's
Bank Midwest
Mayo Clinic Health Systems- Fairmont
Profinium, Ind.
Partner Member's
3M- Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
First Farmers & Merchants National Bank
Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center
State Bank of Fairmont
United Hospital District, Inc.
Investor Member's
BoeKett Building Supply, Inc. - Fairmont
Bolton and Menk, Inc.
CCF Bank
CHS, Inc.
Fairmont Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Fairmont Ford
Fareway Stores, Inc.
Graham Tire Company
Kahler Automation Corperation
McDonald's
Rosen's, Inc.
STEP, Inc.
Walmart
Believer Member's
Birch Street Dentistry
Dan's Appliance, Sleep Source & TV
DeWar Electric, Inc.
Believer Member's Cont.
Fairmont Vet Clinic & Preferred Capital Mgmt.
Ingelside
JH Larson Company
Kenway Engineering, Inc.
KFMC,KSUM, and KEMJ Radio
Lakeview Funeral Home
Martin County Mechanical
Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service
Midcontinent Communications
Militello Motors
Minnesota Motor Bus, Inc.
NAPA Auto Parts of Fairmont
Peterson Anthony Insurance Agency
The Photo Press
Pizza Ranch
REMAX Total Realty
Rose Lake Golf Club
Fairmont Sentinel
Sterling Pharmacy
Sweet Financial Partners
Tami's On the Ave
Twelve Baskets Re-Sale
Voss Cleaning Services- DBA CleanRite ChemDry
Waste Management
Promoter Member's
Ameriprise Financial
Associate Optometry, P.A.

ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.
Promoter Member's Cont.
Bank Midwest Investment & Insurance Services
Burtis Chiropractic Center
Center Agency
Cress Refrigeration, Inc.
Culligan Water Conditioning
Dee's Floral Design
Doolittle’s Carpet and Flooring, Inc.
Edward Jones- Drew Schellpepper / Lindey Preuss
Fairmont Opera House
IFC National Marketing, Inc.
JL Computers
Krueger Realty, Inc.
Madsen Land Surveying, Inc.
Martin County Historical Society
Martin County License Center, Inc.
Optimal Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture
Pierce Accounting & Tax Service
The Ranch Family Restaurant
ServiceMaster by Rice
Slumberland Furniture
Welcome Motor Company
Supporter Member's
AdMFG, Inc.
Andrew Traetow
Auctioneer Alley
Aventure Staffing
Baarts Trucking, Inc.
Belle Vue Estates Condominiums
BEVCOMM, Inc.
Bravo Zulu House
Brian Ruschy Construction & Consulting
C & B Operations
Canna Culture LLC
CarpetsPlus ColorTile, Inc.
Central Farm Service
Community Options & Resources (COR)
Countryside Townhouses
D & S- Embroidery & Screen Printing
Edward Jones - Dan Hamlet
Erpelding, Voigt and Company LLP
E-Z Wash Laundromat
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Jeff Sauer
Faribault County Register
FEDA
Fitzgerald Moving
Flying Goose Campground & Resort
Good News Bookstore
Graffiti Corner Frozen Treat & Coffee Lounge
Green Plains
Gutter Authority, LLC
Heartland Senior Living
Hometown Sanitation Services, LLC
Hugoson Pork
Janzen's Greenhouse
KEYC CBS & KEYC FOX Mankato
Kinship of Martin County
Kinum, Inc.
Krahmer Law Firm
Lawn Solutions, Inc.
Martin County EDA
MCSAP Coalition
MSI
3
Midwest IT Systems, Inc.
Miller Sellner
MRCI
Nelson Hearing Clinics
Over the Top Marketing
Phileo by Lesaffre
The "Old Post Office"
Profinium Insurance Agency
S & J Excavation Inc.
Scooters Coffee
Southern MN Independent Living Enterprise
South Central Workforce Council
South Creek HR LLC
Southern MN Municipal Power Agency
The Squeegee Brothers Inc.
St. John Vianney Catholic School
Subway of Fairmont
Summit Carbon Solutions
Valero Renewable Fuels Company, LLC
Visit Fairmont
Non-Profit Member's
American Legion Post #36
Education Minnesota- Fairmont
Fairmont Early risers Kiwanis
Fairmont Rotary Club
Fairmont Trap Club
Fairmont Youth Hockey Association
Habitat for Humanity of Martin & Faribault
Counties
Fairmont Area Let's Go Fishing
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

Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b
2024 Invested Chamber Members Cont.
4
Non- Profit Member's Cont.
Martin County Corn and Soybean Growers
Martin County Fair
Martin County Relay for Life
Martin County Veterans Memorial
Martin County Preservation Association
Martin County Toys for Tots
Salvation Army
Business Briefs
Saint John Vianney School
(507)235-5304
St. John Vianney School will be
holding our first open house for
the 2024-2025 school year on
Feb. 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
We have new options for our Preschool program this year! 3, 4, 5 year
old preschool all day, every day with after school care included! Our
preschool is going to be fully funded this year due to a very generous gift
from the Michael and Sharon Helmke Scholarship fund. We 20 spots
available and they will go fast! Please join us on the 26th to become part
of the SJV family!!!
Red Rock Center for Arts
(507)235-9262
Celebrate Valentine's on Saturday,
Feb. 10 at the Red Rock Center with
C Wille Myles, America's Everyday Comedian. C Wille
shares extremely funny, non-offensive stories and jokes
and gives a unique spin to life’s everyday challenges. Love and Laughter
is a great show for couples or a girl's night out. Cash bar and dinner
option is available before the show as an added bonus. Visit our ticket
center at www.redrockcenter.org for complete details.
Project 1590- Kids Just Want to Fun
Join us for our annual Father/Daughter Sweetheart
Dance and Pizza Supper. This event is for any adult
male and the young ladies in their life. There will
be a live DJ, professional photo booth, table games/activities and a pizza
supper included! Tickets on sale now or at the door.
Venmo: @KidsJustWantToHaveFun-Fairmont
Or at the Fairmont Library
Individual Members
Don Anderson
Char Kahler
Karen Toupal
Mandi Kosbab
Joe Kurtzman
Wanda Patsche
Jeff Schlomann
Paul Seibert
MCSAP Coalition
(507) 236-4118
Empower Youth Pilot Prevention
Podcast. In September, Empower
youth, the student groups affiliated
with the Martin County Substance
Abuse Prevention Coalition, piloted a monthly podcast on topics pertaining
to substance misuse and mental health. Empower students take
on the roles of hosts, interviewers, editors, and promoters, and provide
their own distinct perspectives as they converse with professionals in various
prevention-related fields. Experts the Coffee and Clarity podcast has
featured include Dr. Ramie Vetter, Dr. Tim Slama, Deputy Luis Figueroa,
and Ken Winter, Ph.D. The podcasts can be heard on most audio streaming
sites like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. If you're interested in
being featured, sponsoring an episode, or receiving information, contact
Desta Misegades at desta@mcsapcoalition.com.
United Hospital District
(507)728-4000
United Hospital District of Blue Earth announces
the expansion of their Family Medicine department
with the arrival of new provider Dr. Britany
Waletzko Bartz, a Family Medicine and Obstetrics physician who is now
seeing patients in UHD’s Blue Earth Clinic. Dr. Waletzko Bartz brings
the provider total to 15 in UHD’s Family Medicine department. The busy
team covers all areas of general healthcare, including pediatrics, adolescent
health, men’s and women’s health, and aging issues. They provide
diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of issues, including routine
care, and additionally provide referrals for specialized services. Dr. Britany
will see patients of all ages and has a special interest in prenatal care,
obstetrics, and end-of-life care.

e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.
Business Briefs Cont.
South Creek HR
(507)246-2950
Last call to get signed
up for this great opportunity. Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce has
teamed up with Crystal Hanson from South Creek HR to bring a Drama
Free Work Seminar to our area.This will be held on Tuesday, February
6 at the Best Western in Fairmont from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30p.m. After this
seminar you will be able to take the drama out of disagreement, open
the dialogue with a 96% chance of a positive outcome, create positive
change by being hard on the problem not on the other person, and lastly
replace bitterness about the past with an effective outcome for the future.
To get registered or for more information about this give Sydney a call at
(507)235-5547 or email info@fairmontchamber.org.
Sweet Financial Partners
(507)235-5587
Sweet Financial is thrilled to announce that Myah Lytle
has achieved the esteemed Certified Financial Planner
(CFP®) certification, marking a significant milestone in her professional
journey. This prestigious designation recognizes Myah's knowledge in financial
planning, encompassing a broad range of skills from investment
strategy to retirement planning. We are immensely proud of Myah's dedication
to her profession and her commitment to enhancing our clients'
financial futures.
Congratulations to Myah on this outstanding achievement!
Fairmont Career Force
(507)618-5610
Does your company fall into the following
categories? Agriculture, Construction, Healthcare, Manufacturing
or Transportation? Do you have current employees who are in
need of training, or could benefit from further training? If so, contact
us! We have funding to help! Training can be required or desired,
and can take place on campus or at another location. Please
call Fairmont CareerForce at 507-618-5610 and ask to speak about
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT). We look forward to hearing
from you.
Fairmont Roofing
(507)236-2928
Happy New Year from our team at Fairmont
Roofing! Don’t hesitate to give us a call with
your roofing questions…always here to help
Voss Cleaning
(507)236-0713
CleanRite Chem-Dry, A division of Voss Cleaning
Services Inc., is proud to announce that Jordan Voss has recently been
promoted to General Manager. Jordan has been working with Voss
Cleaning Service’s Inc. for 5 years. He work ethic, understanding and
knowledge of business along with his ability give high level of customer
service has been a great addition to the company. Jordan graduated from
Fairmont High School and obtained his Business Management Degree
from The University of St. Thomas. Jordan makes his home in Fairmont
with his wife Marisa and his Daughter Alayna.
Fairmont Event Center Best Western
(507)238-4711
Event space, catering, and/or bar service
available for meetings, weddings, fundraisers,
trainings, conventions, and parties of all sizes with on
or off site set up, service, and clean up.
Call 507-238-4771 or email elizabeth.vineyard@tpihospitality.com
February 11th-The Big Game! Watch Facebook for Football Game Specials
February 13th & 14th- Red Cross Blood Drive
February 16th-18th-Lion’s Midwinter Convention
February 15th-March 31st- Enjoy our Walleye Fest Menu & enter to win
a fishing trip of a lifetime to KaBeeLo Lodge in Ontario, Canada.
Sterling Drug
(507)238-2797
February Is American Heart Month. Show
your heart some love by stopping into Sterling
Pharmacy and taking your blood pressure to register to win a free
blood pressure monitor! Sterling is also a fantastic place to find your
loved one’s gifts for Valentine’s Day. With fantastic deals throughout the
store, you are bound to find the perfect something for that special someone!
And if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask.
We would love to help you shop for your valentine. Be sure to follow us
on Facebook (Sterling Fairmont) and sign up for our text messages (text
“Sterling Fairmont” to 507.481.1924) to stay up to date on all of our sales
and events
5

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
February 19
Office Closed (Presidents Day)
February 20
Agri- Business
February 21
Ambassadors Meeting - Ribbon Cuttings
February 6
Drama Free Work Seminar
March 8
Annual Banquet
WELCOME
NEW MEMBER
Call the Chamber
at 235.5547 to join
Today with our
new Tierd Dues
Structure
Agriculture Scholarship Available
Graduating Seniors
of Martin County highschools
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 scholarhsips.
In pertnership with the Agriculture Future of
America (AFA), the Agri-Business Committee of
the Fairmont Area Chamebr of Commerce is offering
two $4,200 scholarhsips, which include registration
for the Fall of 2024 AFA Leaders Conference.
To be considered for a scholarship, pleas visit
www.agfuture.org/scholarships. Here, you can read
more about the AFA Community Scholarships, as
well as other scholarhsips AFA offers. Click on the
"Apply Now" buttont o access the application. You
Area Career Exploration
Area Career Exploration
will be held on April 10,
2024. Ace is an effort to
provide students with
information on careers
and jobs located in Martin
County/ South Central Region of Minnesota.
The Chamber of Commerce along with local
businesses, educational entities , MN/VAC, Career
Force and Fairmont Area Schools will be hosting their
will be asked to write a 300-500 word essay on you
personal vision for agriculture and how you plan to
contribute through your chosen career in agriculture
and food industry. We encourage you to draft
this essay in a seperate word processing program
and then copy/paste it into the application. Please
note that your application is not complete until you
continur through the last page of the application
and recieve an e-mail confirmation.
Applying for an AFA Community Scholarship
online also makes you eligible for an AFA
national Leader abd Acedemic Scholarship; However
you may only recieve either a local or national
award.
The Martin County application deadline is
March 8, 2024. If you have any questions regarding
the scholarship, please contact Kandi by email at
president@fairmontchamber.org or 507-235-5547.
annual Area Career Exploration or ACE day in the
Fairmont Area Jr./Sr. High School Gymnasium.
On average, over 650 sophomored from 12
area schools visit over 100 businesses, colleges and organizations.
Business wishing to have a representative at
the ACE event should contact Sydney at the Chamber
of Commerce for more information
Email: info@fairmontchamber.org
Phone: (507)235-5547
6
507.235.5547
info@fairmontchamber.org
Chamber Bucks
Promote shopping local. They may be
spent in Martin County at most businesses.
If you have that hard to buy for personconsider
Chamber Bucks.
The Chamber of Commerce is located at
323 E. Blue Earth Ave in Fairmont
We are open Monday- Friday
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.
Fairmont Area Life
Looking for something to
do, somewhere to eat, shop,
play or volunteer?
If the answer is YES, check
out the Fairmont Area Life
Website fairmontarealife.com or the Facebook Page Fairmont Area Life
Click on any one of the home page tabs listed below, they all have
drop down sub caegories choices!
Categories
Shopping, Dining, Entertainment, Activities, Outdoors, Lakes, Parks &
Trails, Living Here, Events. Non-Profits and Get Involved
Quick Links
City of Fairmont, Fairmont Chamber, Visit Fairmont, Fairmont EDA,
Fairmont Area Calender, Martin County, Martin County EDA, Fairmont
Area Life Guide
HOW YOU CAN BE PART OF IT
• Send us photod of you business, Non- Profit, or community. This is
a partner network, having a place to promote everything in our area
together. E-mail to fairmontarealife@gmail.vom
• Submit a guest blog/article. we want to share what living a nd working
in Fairmont is like from people who are doing it. Share an article
on what running a small business is life, an experience volunteering
for a non-profit, or your idea of a perfect Fairmont weekend. Share
you Fairmont experience with us.
• Add Fairmont Area Life as a co-host on your Facebook event! This
will ass your event to our community Facebook event calender.
• Spread the work! Share our post. Engage with our posts. Help
spread the positivity in Fairmont.
Tag us, email us or message us with your events. After your event send
us pictures to post on the website and Facebook page.
Email to fairmontarealife@gmail.com or message us via our Facebook
Page.
7
Business Briefs are one of the many benefits
of being a Chamber member. Deadline for the March Community
Connections insert is February 24. Please limit to
100 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.
Are an owner or employee of a Chamber member
• Acts as the goodwill arm of the Fairmont Area Chamber of
Commerce
• Meet the third Wednesday of every month @ 3:00
• Will attend the majority of all Ambassador functions.
If you know of a business the Ambassadors should visit due
to relocation, change of ownership, major remodeling, etc., please call
the Chamber office 507.235.5547. The business does not have to be a
Chamber member to receive a visit from the Ambassadors.
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 Customers
Call the Sentinal today
to to put your Message
HERE
Fine Jewelry
Sovell Jewelry
Your Professional Jeweler
Since 1954
Full Service-In House Repair
Jessica & Steve Sovell
Gemologist • Goldsmith

Chamber Business Spotlight
Our Fairmont Area
Chamber Member Business
Spotlight this month
is United Hospital District
and Clinics (UHD) , located
at 221 East First Street Fairmont,
MN 56031. United
Hospital District has been serving the community for 54 years.
Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
When asked why do you think it is important to support
Fairmont Area businesses? UHD stated that it is their mission
to provide outstanding healthcare to the communities we serve.
By supporting local businesses and healthcare, the foundation
is being laid for a healthy community.
Something people may not know about UHD is that
UHD has been around in some capacity since 1866, when
Dr.G.I Smart first opened his hospital in Blue Earth on the
corner of Moore and E. 6th Street. UHD also currently offers
more than 15 specialty care services with over 30 porviders.
United Hospital District was also asked what makes
Fairmont such a great community to operate a business. Which
they responded with Fairmont is a community that prides itself
on connectedness,this is evident in the community's interest in
local business. UHD has had a strong presence in the Fairmont
community for many years and they are excited to continue to
help improve the quality of life of the local residents as much
as possible.
United Hospital Distruct (UHD) is excited to assume
operations of the Dulcimer Clinic on March 1st, 2024, with
their expansion to the current clinic facilities are scheduled to
be finish May 1st, 2024.
Phone: 507-238-1287
Website: uhd.org
Facebook: United Hospital District
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