Joe Swedberg (from left), Hormel Foods Corporation, moderated an exchange between Pat Shortridge (center) and Ken Martin during Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol. They are the respective chairs of the state Republican and Democratic parties. Mike Bromelkamp (left), Olsen Thielen & Co., Ltd., and Tom Hesse, Minnesota Chamber vice president of government affairs, testify at the Legislature in support of a bill to convert the sales tax refund program for capital equipment to an up-front exemption. Environmental and energy policies were center stage at this Insiders' Issue breakfast: (from left) Deputy Commissioner Bill Grant, Department of Commerce Energy Division; Commissioner Paul Aasen, Pollution Control Agency; Senator John Carlson, R-Bemidji; Senator Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont. Leadership Minnesota participants received a private audience with Governor Mark Dayton during their wrap-up session for this program year. Leadership Minnesota is exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber and provides insight into the state's changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. An industry panel addressed workforce issues at the recent Grow Minnesota! Partnership Meeting held on February 22nd in Owatonna. Pictured are Beth Dienst, Human Resources Director, Viracon, Inc.-Owatonna., Rodney Gramse, Director of Operations, MRG Tool and Die Corp. -Faribault, and Tim Wenzel, President, Winegar, Inc.-Waseca. Legislative leaders shared their views at Session Priorities: (from left) Senate Majority Leader David Senjem, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, moderator Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV, House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk.


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Grow Minnesota!

2011 Annual Report


To print the Annual Report [PDF], click here.

Grow Minnesota! excels in business development

Grow Minnesota! is a winner in the inaugural Progress Minnesota awards sponsored by Finance & Commerce. The subsidiary program of the Minnesota Chamber is in its ninth year as a private-sector initiative focusing on business retention and job creation.

The award recognizes individuals, companies and associations that are driving business and industrial growth and development in the Twin Cities and Minnesota. Grow Minnesota! and other Progress Minnesota winners will be formally recognized April 11.

“We share this award with our 57 local partners across the state,” said Bill Blazar, senior vice president of public affairs and business development at the Minnesota Chamber. “They are at the foundation of our successes.”

Grow Minnesota! had another impressive year. More than 400 business volunteers assisted staff at local chambers of commerce and private-sector economic development organizations in conducting nearly 1,000 one-on-one conversations with owners or top management of companies. The program is earning a reputation for connecting individual businesses with the proper private and public resources to address their specific challenges. Last year Grow Minnesota! provided one-on-one assistance to 122 firms that resulted in protecting 4,900 jobs.

“The Minnesota Chamber truly has a two-pronged strategy for building the state’s economy,” Blazar said. “We’re still working to strengthen the statewide business climate. Plus, we’re rolling up our sleeves to help companies one at a time. We’re seeing results on both fronts.”

If your business would like a Grow Minnesota! visit, contact Bill Blazar at (651) 292-4658 or bblazar@mnchamber.com

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