Renewing Members
Thank you for your continued partnership with the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce. Our voice is stronger as a result!
Xcel Energy to offer Mid-Size Businesses Energy Credits!
Customer Savings: late last week Xcel Energy made two filings to the MN Public Utilities Commission which will benefit Xcel Energy customers. The first is a Fuel Cost Adjustment – taking advantage of lower than expected fuel costs, they are proposing a $25 million dollar credit to electric customers. These credits will process automatically, just in time for the high energy usage months when air conditioners are running. The second request would provide help for commercial customers who have seen significant reduction in their energy usage due to the pandemic. This program is for mid-size businesses as they restart production. Businesses can reach out to their account manager or contact our Business Programs and Rebates center at www.xcelenergy.com or 855.839.8862 to see if you qualify.
Cash Flow Relief During the COVID Crisis
On Wednesday, May 6, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
join us online for an informal conversation about
PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) Payroll Covered ExpensesOur next weekly online discussion, Q&A Over Coffee, will be held Wednesday, May 6th. PPP Payroll Covered Expenses will be discussed for half of the time and the remainder of the time will be devoted to questions and answers submitted by our attendees. Space is limited, so REGISTER NOW to reserve your space.
Rethink Recycling
Did You Know?
April 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Everything is a little different right now, and the way we celebrate Earth Day is no exception! You can reduce, reuse, and recycle from home, and explore nature right in your own neighborhood! Complete the challenges below with your family to leave the Earth a better place for future generations, pick up some thrifty habits, and enjoy the spring weather. As you complete the challenges, share photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ActionQuest2020. Stay safe, follow social distancing guidelines, and happy trails!
2020 United States Census
The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories. We encourage you to take a couple minutes to fill out your census. Make sure you're counted!
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Governor Walz Eases Restrictions and Allows For a Partial Reopening
The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce supports the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's efforts to reopen businesses and return employees back to work in a safe and sustainable way.
Beginning today, Governor Walz's latest Executive Order EO20-48, allows non-customer facing industrial and office settings to return to work. Also, it allows for customer-facing retail businesses to sell their goods through curbside pick-up and delivery, as long as customers do not enter the business premises. Guidelines for curbside pick-up and delivery:
- All customer facing retail establishments are eligible for delivery/pick-up starting Monday
- This includes but is not limited to: household goods rentals, maintenance services, repair services, pet grooming, and more.
- Every business must develop and post a plan for how to open safely; click here for a template
- Post the plan in the most practical place possible so employees and customers can see it.
- Contact-less payment should be used in every possible scenario
- Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment
- In curbside pick-up, social distancing guidelines apply. Customers should not leave your car if possible
- You cannot allow customers into retail stores or the business premises.
- In delivery, items should be deposited outside a customer's residence
- For more information on guidance on re-opening businesses click here.
- To review the MN Retailers Association's delivery best practices, click here.
Our goal has been to work together to find a balance between safeguarding health, and protecting Minnesota’s economy. Businesses are eager to get back to work. Operations can, and should return to a sustainable level without jeopardizing employees’ or customer safety. We encourage you to follow these best practices that represent input from the state’s business community on how to protect our health, while allowing our business community to return to work.
Senate passes tax relief to help Minnesota businesses
The Minnesota Senate passed tax relief legislation on a bipartisan vote to help mitigate some of the economic impacts of COVID-19 on employers and employees. Provisions of the bill that would help businesses during this time include:
- Full conformity of Section 179 business expensing provisions to help encourage investment in Minnesota operations by small businesses and farmers.
- Tax payment extensions for income taxes; property taxes and June accelerated sales tax.
- Provisions relating to angel tax credit and clarification on the taxation of PPP loans.
The tax bill passed by the Senate would bring much-needed relief to small businesses who are trying to stay afloat amid this crisis. They are the economic fuel for our state’s future, and providing tax relief will help them until they are allowed to fully reopen. The Senate will wait for House action on their tax bill and then will likely have a conference committee.
Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake: Temporary Sign Ordinance for Restaurants and Coffee Shops!
TUESDAY - Virtual Morning Networking!
Cyber Security and Working Remotely
What You Need to Know
Guest presenter: Michael Kennedy, Owner of Ostra Cyber Security
Location: Wherever you are!
7:45am - 9:00amWith many of us working remotely from our offices, now is not the time to be negligent with our on-line communications. Nathan Reddick from Ostra Cyber Security, will give us ideas and share ways that we can protect ourselves and our businesses from on-line security threats.These attacks can enter our systems in a variety of ways and the hackers are getting more and more clever with their computer infiltrations including using false stimulus check notifications! Let's all learn together how to protect ourselves, each other and our businesses.
In response to more vulnerable remote working situations, Ostra is offering their proprietary cyber-security solution free of charge to new clients, no strings attached. Our elite, enterprise-grade software is a simple download, paired with personal support which immediately protects your business’s sensitive information and devices.
Start the new month out by joining us and enjoying a great morning of Virtual Networking. Now is the time that we need to stay in communication, share ideas and tell your stories to fellow Chamber Members. All you have to do is register for this event and you will be sent a link to the meeting one day prior to the event! Join in on this great conversation with your fellow business leaders!
Virtual Lunchtime Networking
Times are changing, so are we! We invite you to support your local member restaurants by ordering-in or picking-up lunch and join us in a virtual Lunchtime Networking! Now is the time that we need to stay in communication, share ideas and tell your stories to fellow Chamber Members. Once registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you. Why join us for Virtual Lunchtime Networking? Here's just a few reasons to put this date on your calendar!
- Get ideas and learn innovative marketing tips during these challenging times
- Share your knowledge and experience
- Great Visibility for you and your business
- Gain new contacts and referrals
- Stay current in the ever-changing business climate
- Form new friendships with like-minded people
- This is the self-proclaimed FUN Chamber group
- Enjoy a fabulous take-out lunch
- And there are many, many more!
I invite you to check-out our updated website where we have added two more pages: White Bear Area Chamber. For our virtual Lunchtime Networking meeting, please visit the OPEN FOR BUSINESS tab where you will find a whole host of area restaurants that have adapted their businesses to include take-out and delivery.
Support Our Community Nonprofits!
Adapt-A-Highway - NOTE DATE CHANGE!
CELEBRATING OUR 30TH YEAR!!!
Great way to get outside!
Social Distancing protocols will be followed.
2020 Adopt-A-Highway
White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce
May 30th, 2020 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Join us on Saturday, May 30th to beautify Highway 61. Since 1990 the White Bear Area Chamber has been an "Adopt A Highway" sponsor, cleaning up a 2 mile stretch of Highway 61 that runs through the downtown area of White Bear Lake.
We start the day at 9:00 am outside the Chamber office with rolls & juice, get vests, gloves, trash pickers and bags, then hit the road, while social distancing! Lunch to go will be provided at noon.
Save the NEW Date!
For information on sponsorships, contact Maureen!
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