Minnesota Chamber gains national recognition and prepares for key policy changes

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

It’s been a busy week as I traveled to participate in the Annual Meeting of the National Association of State Chambers, where about 150 state chamber professionals from across the country gathered to discuss best practices for ensuring state chambers remain strong advocates for their members and drivers of state economic performance.

We were proud to be recognized once again for the Minnesota Chamber’s strong advocacy and capable performance. Just a few years ago, we were named the number one state chamber in the country, a distinction that reflects our commitment to providing exceptional services, advocacy and support to our members while working to improve Minnesota’s economic outlook well into the future. I’ll share more about this recognition in an upcoming podcast episode, so stay tuned for that!

Today is also the final day to submit nominations for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest, with public voting set to begin September 2. This program showcases the ingenuity, innovation, and manufacturing excellence of Minnesota businesses. Visit coolestthingmn.com for the latest updates.

Finally, I want to highlight a major policy change: Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate that takes effect January 1. This new law places significant requirements on both businesses and employees. The Chamber has been working to reform the law and help members prepare by compiling resources on our website at mnchamber.com/paidleave.

There, you’ll find past webinars, a comprehensive Q&A section, information on private plan options and other materials to help you understand and comply with the mandate. These resources are free for businesses and organizations statewide as we navigate this change together.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend. We look forward to connecting with you on next week’s episode of the Minnesota Business Podcast.