August2024
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August 2024<br />
The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
Community Connections<br />
32nd Annual Pork Masters<br />
Inside<br />
This Issue<br />
Page 2: President's<br />
Message<br />
Page 3: Blue Ribbon<br />
Pork Cook Off; Candidate<br />
Forums<br />
On July 22nd, the 32nd Annual Minnesota State Pork Masters Golf Outing was in<br />
full swing! 280 pork producers and agri-business sponsors enjoyed a day full of golf, food,<br />
sunshine and good times! A huge THANK YOU to all of our generous sponsors, our<br />
amazing volunteers (both visible and behind-the-scenes) and the staff at Interlaken Golf<br />
Club who made this year's event one of the best Pork Masters yet!<br />
Mark your calendars for the 33rd Annual Minnesota State Pork Masters<br />
Golf Outing: Monday July 28, 2025! For more information visit our website: www.<br />
porkmasters.com or email Rachel at finance@fairmontchamber.org.<br />
Morning Winners<br />
Afternoon Winners<br />
Pages 4 & 5: Business<br />
Briefs<br />
Page 6: Chamber Board<br />
Member Profile<br />
Page 7: Ambassador Visit<br />
Page 8: Sip & Shop<br />
Sponsored by Schmidt Installation<br />
Ethan Hurn, Tanner Nawrocki, Larry Schmidt & Adam Schmidt<br />
Sponsored by Compeer Financial<br />
Chris Fitzloff, Jason Lloyd, Collin Bode & Ryan Bode<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 />
Brooke Wohlrabe<br />
Fairmont Sentinel<br />
Staff:<br />
Past Chair<br />
Joe Evans<br />
Mayo Clinic Health<br />
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 />
Brittany Hartman<br />
Visit Fairmont<br />
Kandi Menne<br />
President<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Rachel Manwarren<br />
Finance Director<br />
finance@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Danielle Moeller<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 />
Opportunities<br />
Kandi Menne - Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce President<br />
Its been enlightening at<br />
my business visits this past<br />
month. So many great things are<br />
happening right here in Fairmont<br />
and Martin County! New businesses opening,<br />
remodeling, re branding - business is brisk.<br />
Remember to support our local establishments.<br />
As I write this on a hot, sunny, muggy<br />
90° Minnesota summer day, we are excited<br />
to be planning our fall monthly networking<br />
meetings starting in September. Along with the<br />
kick off of Bureau 14 on Wednesday September<br />
11, September is full of other opportunities for<br />
community involvement<br />
Its Election Year and we will<br />
again host the Candidate forums.<br />
Be informed, ask questions of the<br />
candidates. We cannot stress the<br />
importance of doing your research<br />
of where candidates stand on issues important<br />
to YOU prior to the primaries on August 13 and<br />
Election Day November 5th.<br />
2nd Annual Sip & Shop is Thursday<br />
September 12th. Make it a girls night out or date<br />
night! Up from last year we have 21 participating!<br />
Watch the local medias, the Fairmont Chamber<br />
and our Fairmont Area Life Facebook pages for<br />
Lunch & Learn - Be Energy Smart<br />
Making a few simple<br />
changes can lead to<br />
significant energy savings for<br />
businesses! According to the<br />
U.S. Department of Energy,<br />
implementing energy efficiency<br />
measures in commercial buildings can cut energy<br />
consumption by 10% to 30%, or more. Energy<br />
saving changes can be as simple as programming<br />
the thermostat, performing regular equipment<br />
maintenance, or upgrading to high-efficiency<br />
models when it's time for replacements.<br />
updates and ticket sales information.<br />
Also in September: Tuesday September<br />
24th we will host our first Lunch and Learn. The<br />
Energy Smart service is offered by the Minnesota<br />
Chamber of Commerce. More information below.<br />
Chamber members will receive e-mail invites and<br />
additional information about this energy saving<br />
opportunity. Register early space is limited.<br />
But first, don't forget - in August we have<br />
partnered with GreenSeam in hosting a Business<br />
Retention & Expansion Day (BRE) on Tuesday<br />
August 20th from 10:00 -6:00. GreenSeam’s BRE<br />
visits are in interview format where they learn<br />
about the business and address any urgent<br />
concerns. Information gathered helps<br />
them advocate for the business and create<br />
relevant programs to support them. There<br />
is a networking reception for businesses<br />
connected to agriculture including<br />
manufacturers, professional services, production<br />
agriculture, and logistics. It will take place at the<br />
end of the day from 4:30-6:00pm. Contact me at<br />
the Chamber for a link to register to attend.<br />
As your Chamber President, I am honored to work alongside<br />
all who share the vision of business growth and a healthy<br />
community environment. You may reach me at 507.235.5547<br />
or e-mail president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
In Minnesota, businesses have a<br />
fantastic free resource: the Energy Smart<br />
service offered by the Minnesota Chamber of<br />
Commerce. This free service provides energy<br />
efficiency consultations and practical action plans<br />
customized to each business, focusing on low<br />
and no-cost energy-saving opportunities. Energy<br />
Smart efficiency specialists will be in Fairmont<br />
in September 24 providing free consultations to<br />
businesses.<br />
Chamber members watch your Monday<br />
email for the registration link. We will be sending<br />
it out in the next few weeks.<br />
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ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.<br />
Blue Ribbon Pork Cook Off<br />
3<br />
The Agri-Business Committee of the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce and Martin County Pork<br />
Producers are excited to announce that the 26th annual Blue Ribbon Pork Cook Off will be held in the Martin<br />
County Arena at the Fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.<br />
The restaurants participating this year are: Ambiance on Albion, Dudleys Garage, Farmer’s Daughters<br />
Kitchen, Green Mill, Hi-Lo Club, and Silo67.<br />
Blue Ribbon Pork Cook Off tickets are available at the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce, and if still available,<br />
the night of the event! If you would like to reserve your tickets stop by the Fairmont Area Chamber Office at 323<br />
E. Blue Earth Ave. Fairmont, MN. Our hours are Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.<br />
to 3:00 p.m. Restaurant gift certificates are given away and awards will be presented for the People's Choice and<br />
the Connoisseur's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pork entrees.<br />
Candidate Forums<br />
The Candidate Forums will be held on September 10th and 16th<br />
in the Fairmont City Hall Council Chambers. Various candidates that<br />
will appear on the ballot have been/will be invited to answer questions<br />
proposed by moderators and phone call-ins. Gemini Studios will be<br />
recording the event for streaming and delayed broadcast on local TV.<br />
On September 10th at 6 PM will be Minnesota House of<br />
Representative candidates and at 7 PM the Martin County Commissioner<br />
candidates. We are working on scheduling candidates for the 6 PM slot<br />
on September 16th, but 7 PM belongs to City Council candidates. If you<br />
can't make it in person, we hope you are able to catch the discussions<br />
online or on TV.<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
Business Briefs<br />
Sterling Pharmacy<br />
(507) 238-2797<br />
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will b<br />
Lose this insert? Find these business briefs on our website<br />
www.fairmontchamber.org under Member News!<br />
Valero Renewables<br />
(507) 728-4000<br />
4<br />
Are you looking for a great deal? Stop<br />
into Sterling Fairmont during August and save! You will get 30%<br />
off all gifts, toys, and home décor items during the entire month!<br />
We also encourage seniors to stop in every Tuesday for Senior<br />
Citizens Day. Shoppers over 60 can save an extra 20% on their<br />
entire purchase (we can’t discount everything in the store; see<br />
store for details). This is an excellent opportunity to save on overthe-counter<br />
medications and other important pharmacy needs!<br />
Vista Prairie at<br />
Goldfinch Estates<br />
(877) 295-3747<br />
Kassandra Lopez, the new Director of Health Services at<br />
Goldfinch Estates, is excited to be bringing a warm and energetic<br />
presence to Vista Prairie. With over 6-years of nursing experience,<br />
5 of which being in leadership positions, Kassandra is eagerly<br />
taking this next step in her career. Her priorities and vision for<br />
Goldfinch this year include an enhanced sense of company loyalty,<br />
increased career satisfaction, and<br />
overall improved employee retention.<br />
Most importantly, the Fairmont High<br />
Alumna is thrilled to be able to serve<br />
her community through her nursing<br />
craft. Stop by and see Kassandra at<br />
Goldfinch today!<br />
Valero Renewables recently donated $25,000 to Bravo Zulu House<br />
to help with the construction of a sober home in Martin County for<br />
veterans.<br />
Relay for Life<br />
507-236-1231<br />
The American Cancer Society<br />
and Valleyfair Cares are teaming up to host the inaugural "Gold<br />
Together for Childhood Cancer Day" on Friday, August 23rd. A<br />
day dedicated to creating magical memories for childhood cancer<br />
warriors and their family, while we raise funds for childhood<br />
cancer.<br />
Join us at Valleyfair for this special day! Thanks to the<br />
generosity of our Hero Sponsors, this event is<br />
free of charge for familiesthat have experienced<br />
childhood cancer directly.<br />
Scan the QR code to apply or visit:<br />
https://form.jotform.com/241894950124157<br />
For event individual tickets go to:<br />
https://e.givesmart.com/events/COF/<br />
Business Briefs are one of the many benefits of being a<br />
Chamber member. Deadline for the mid-September/October<br />
Community Connections insert is September 6. Please limit to<br />
100 words or less. Lengthy submitted briefs may be included,<br />
but only on a space-available basis. A photo or business logo<br />
can also be included. No pricing allowed. Things to include<br />
are: open houses, expansions, new managers/employees, new<br />
products, milestone anniversaries, events, awards, etc.
e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.<br />
Business Briefs Cont.<br />
MCSAP<br />
507-236-4118<br />
Locking bags intended for medications are<br />
being offered for free by Martin County<br />
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition<br />
through a grant from the U.S. Health<br />
Resources and Services Administration. The intent is to keep<br />
medications locked up to prevent accidental ingestion by children<br />
or pets and is part of the organization’s Lock It Up campaign.<br />
These bags can fit five or 10 standard prescription bottles and have<br />
either a keyed lock or key and tumbler locks and will be available<br />
at the organization’s fair booth in the Bank Midwest building.<br />
There is a one-per-household limit. To request one ahead of time,<br />
email Liz at director@mcsapcoalition.com<br />
Martin County Fair<br />
507-235-9576<br />
The 158th annual Martin County Fair will<br />
be held August 12th-18th. Visit https://<br />
www.mnotherbigfair.com/schedule-of-events.html to view the<br />
daily schedules, events, and entertainment in detail. Monday -<br />
Entry Day, Tuesday - Veterans Day, Wednesday - Unlimited Rides<br />
Day, Thursday - John Deere Day, Friday - Senior Citizen Day, and<br />
Saturday - Bacon Capital Day. See you at the fair!<br />
Heritage Acres<br />
Threshing Day & Antique Tractor Display:<br />
Sunday, August 11 from 10AM-4PM.<br />
Music, kids games, and fun for all ages!<br />
We could use volunteers.<br />
We will be celebrating our 50th year of operation next year (2025).<br />
We are seeking individuals with any life-skills that were used<br />
with early farm life (e.g., butter making, washing clothes, wood<br />
working, rope making, etc.). If you would like to demonstrate<br />
your skill this year, give Jerry Simon a call: 507-236-1257.<br />
Fairmont Area Chamber<br />
(507) 235-5547<br />
Until August 21, the Fairmont Area<br />
Chamber is selling Minnesota State Fair tickets at discounted<br />
prices. We have admission tickets, midway/kidway ride/game<br />
cards, and the bargain books as well. Stop in Monday through<br />
Thursday 8AM-5PM, or on Friday from 8AM-3PM.<br />
Fairmont Roofing<br />
(507) 236-4928<br />
Employee Highlight:<br />
Meet Samantha “Sam” Herman! Sam is our<br />
social media and digital marketing guru!<br />
She does so much behind the scenes and<br />
we truly appreciate all her hard work. She<br />
can run a drone like a pro! If you see her<br />
around, say Hi!<br />
The Marina Lodge<br />
(507) 235-5990<br />
August:<br />
10 - Dale Engquist and Friends (6-10PM)<br />
16 - Eric Grunden (6-10PM)<br />
17 - Jul & The Chrome Wheels (7-11PM)<br />
18 - Jul & The Chrome Wheels (12-4PM)<br />
23 - Marv & Kaat (6-10PM)<br />
25 - Relativity Band (12-4PM)<br />
September:<br />
1 - Andrea Lyn Duo (12-4PM)<br />
14 - Dale Engquist and Friends (6-10PM)<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 />
Chamber Board Member Profile<br />
6<br />
August 14<br />
Blue Ribbon Pork Cook Off<br />
@ The Martin County Fair<br />
September 10 & 16<br />
Candidate Forums<br />
September 12<br />
Chamber Sip & Shop<br />
Visit<br />
www.FairmontChamber.org<br />
under "Events" to find out<br />
more about these and other<br />
happenings<br />
WELCOME<br />
NEW MEMBERS:<br />
ZENBUSINESS<br />
THE TITLE TEAM<br />
Interested in joining? Call<br />
the Chamber today!<br />
Find out more info from<br />
our president<br />
Brittany Hartman is the Executive Director of Visit Fairmont. She<br />
received a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services from<br />
MSU, Mankato, and she also minored in both Non-Profit and<br />
Geography. She and her husband, Jeremiah, are recently married<br />
(September 2023) and have a dog named Bemmy. Brittany has a<br />
variety of hobbies including gardening, canning, raising some farm<br />
animals, being on the lake year-round, snowmobiling, camping,<br />
running, essentials oils, crafting, spending time with family and<br />
friends, and most outdoor activities. She decided to become a<br />
Chamber board member to “make an impact on the community and<br />
businesses in a positive way.” Brittany said that she “hope[s] to bring valuable contributions<br />
to the discussions” and that being a board member “is also a great opportunity to network<br />
and build relationships with others.” Lastly, she is “honored to be one of the board members<br />
for the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce and represent Visit Fairmont.”<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<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 person,<br />
consider 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.<br />
507.235.5547<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Fairmont Area Life
ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.<br />
Chamber Ambassador Visit<br />
7<br />
In July, the Ambassadors visited Chamber member,<br />
United Hospital District (UHD), to celebrate their grand<br />
opening in Fairmont! The community was also invited<br />
to tour the facility expansion and to take part in other<br />
festivities held. Congratulations UHD!<br />
- Are an owner or employee of a Chamber member<br />
- Act as the goodwill arm of the Fairmont Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce.<br />
- Meet the third Wednesday of every month @ 3:00PM.<br />
- Will attend the majority of all Ambassador functions.<br />
If you know of a business the Ambassadors should visit<br />
due to relocation, change of ownership, major remodeling, etc.,<br />
please call (507-235-5547) or email (info@fairmontchamber.<br />
org). The business does NOT have to be a Chamber member to<br />
receive a visit from the Ambassadors.<br />
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Call Now! Matt Petrowiak at (507) 236-5207<br />
Be Seen by 1,000s of<br />
Potential Customers<br />
Call the Sentinel today to<br />
to put your Message<br />
HERE<br />
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