Governor Tim Pawlenty congratulates John M. Rivisto, president and CEO of Wells Concrete Company, on its new facility in Sartell. The plant has created 50 jobs in central Minnesota and will add another 100 jobs over the next five years. Minnesota legislative leaders share their priorities at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event: (from left) House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, moderator Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV Eyewitness News; Senate Minority Leader David Senjem; Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses nearly 1,600 business leaders and policy-makers at the Minnesota Chamber’s annual Session Priorities event, the largest legislative gathering of its kind. Michele Engdahl with Thomson Reuters, Eagan, receives an up-close look at a hog-producing facility – Baarsch Farms-Next Generation Pork, Inc. near Austin – as part of Leadership Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber program is an exclusive look at the state’s changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. Grow Minnesota! events help businesses prepare for the economic recovery. Sharing their perspectives on how the recession has changed the job market were (from left) Simon Foster of SpencerStuart, Minneapolis; Sue Metcalf of Ecolab, St. Paul; and Jan Erickson of Medtronic, Inc., Fridley. Dee Schutte, executive director of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, visits with House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers at the Session Priorities event.

Local Business Gives Partners

The strength of Minnesota Business Gives is in the growing statewide network. To date, more than 30 local chambers of commerce are partners in implementing local programs, sponsoring Strategies for Smart Giving workshops and recognizing local businesses that give at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings for charitable and community involvement activities.

"As a Chamber president for over 20 years working in three different communities, the one common factor I found in each is how willing businesses are to give back in their communities but how very modest they are about their giving. We jumped on the opportunity to create Willmar Lakes Area Business Gives as we thought it would be a great way to recognize our local businesses and thank them for all they do, and then encourage others to do the same. It's a win-win for everyone." ~Ken Warner, president, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Participating communities

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Area Business Gives - www.albertlea.org
Alexandria Lakes Area Business Gives - www.alexandriamn.org
Bemidji Area Business Gives - www.bemidji.org
Burnsville Business Gives - www.burnsvillechamber.com
Brainerd Lakes Area Business Gives - www.explorebrainerdlakes.com
Cambridge-Isanti County Area Business Gives - www.cambridge-chamber.com
Cloquet Area Business Gives - www.cloquet.com
Crookston Area Business Gives - www.visitcrookston.com
Dakota County Regional Business Gives - www.dcrchamber.com
Elk River Area Business Gives - www.elkriverchamber.org
Faribault Area Business Gives - www.faribaultmn.org
Fergus Falls Area Business Gives - www.fergusfalls.com
Forest Lake Area Business Gives - www.flacc.org
Grand Rapids Area Business Gives - www.grandmn.com
Greater Mankato Business Gives - www.mankato.com
Hastings Area Business Gives - www.hastingsmn.org
International Falls Area Business Gives - www.internationalfallsmn.us
Lake Crystal Area Business Gives - www.lakecrystalchamber.com
Litchfield Business Gives - www.litch.com
Minnesota Keystone Program - Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce - www.minneapolischamber.org
Monticello Area Business Gives - www.monticellocci.com
New Prague Business Gives - www.newprague.com
New Ulm Area Business Gives - www.newulm.com
Northfield Area Business Gives - www.northfieldchamber.com
Owatonna Area Business Gives - www.owatonna.org
Park Rapids Area Business Gives - www.parkrapids.com
Red Wing Area Business Gives - www.redwingchamber.com
Redwood Falls Area Business Gives - www.redwoodfalls.org
Rochester Area Business Gives - www.rochestermnchamber.com
Saint Cloud Area Business Gives - www.stcloudareachamber.com
Saint Paul Area Business Gives - www.saintpaulchamber.com
Sleepy Eye Area Business Gives - www.sleepyeyechamber.com
Thief River Falls Business Gives - www.trfchamber.com
TwinWest Business Gives - www.twinwest.com
Waconia Area Business Gives - www.waconiachamber.org
Willmar Lakes Area Business Gives - www.willmarareachamber.com
Winona Area Business Gives - www.winonachamber.com

For information on how a business or a local chamber can participate in a Minnesota Business Gives program, contact Jackie Reis at jreis@mnchamber.com, (651) 292-4679.

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