Minnsights Blog

It's been an important week here at the Chamber. We kicked off our policy making process with a meeting of our Board of Directors this week. In fact, just yesterday, our Board got together to start reviewing the policy statements of the Minnesota chamber as we prepare for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, which is just a few months from now. We spend a lot of time at the Chamber developing our positions in advance of the legislative sessions, and we do this intentionally and very thoughtfully with the input from the statewide business community and our members. We go out and listen to members all across the state to try to make sure that we're in touch with the issues that matter the most to you and your business, so that we can protect and grow communities all across the state and grow our private sector economy to protect the interests of business and to create a favorable business climate for businesses that's fundamental to what we stand for.

The 2024 elections are just around the corner, so it's important that you lend your voice for Minnesota's economy this election season. If I do the math correctly from today (Friday, Oct. 18), it's 18 days until the General Election on November 5. With that, it's important that you, business leaders, people that care about the private sector economy, make sure that you get out and vote on or before November 5.

Minnesota has a diverse economy with strengths across many industry sectors. Part of this economic diversity comes from the state’s distinct regional economies. Each region possesses its own local advantages and specialized industries that contribute to the overall statewide economy.

Today I have a very special guest, Heidi Larson, who is the CFO and COO of Goff Public and a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. Heidi, please tell us a little bit about Goff Public, and then we're going to jump into an all-important discussion item around ChamberHealth and the availability of an affordable health care product for small businesses like yours. But first, tell us about yourself.

We're excited about the conversation we’re going to have today regarding some of the political work of the Chamber of Commerce. We run a program called the Minnesota Business Network, which aims to bring together individuals who are sympathetic to the business community and want to support candidates who represent business interests well in their elected positions, particularly those serving or aspiring to serve in the state legislature. We have a very important election season ahead of us and early voting has already started. If you're unavailable on November 5, be sure to vote early and make your voice heard.