In Honor of President’s Day Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt. Iron, Virginia and surrounding business communities FEBRUARY 2015 Our mission is “Promote business through education and advocacy...” “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington N E W S L E T T E R PolyMet CEO Jon Cherry is Chamber’s Keynote Speaker at Annual Dinner MnDOT Update and Visual Quality Committee Jon Cherry will give the keynote address at the 2015 Laurentian Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Friday, February 20. Cherry joined PolyMet Mining in 2012 as president and CEO. His chief responsibility is the development of PolyMet into a producing mine that returns value to Jon Cherry, PolyMet CEO PolyMet’s shareholders. Jon has been in the mining industry for nearly 25 years, mainly in the Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies. He was responsible for permitting and initial development of the Eagle Mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jon Cherry is a licensed Professional Engineer. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte. Reservations are being taken by the Chamber oﬃce, 741-2717. This is the Iron Range event of the year. Business of the Year, Ken Waschke Auto Plaza, will be recognized at the Annual Dinner along with the Outstanding Community Leader PREMIER (L-R, F-B) Johnson, Schultz, Gams, Plummer, Western, Adams, Collins, Asbach, Putzel, Littlewolf, Bloomquist, Hall, Larson, Karnowski and Ege. Not pictured: Ensign, Tourville Coﬀee and Conversation on Thursday, February 5, 10:00 at Virginia’s MnDOT oﬃce on Hoover Road The comment period (from the EIS meeting in Mt. Iron on January 22) is open until Feb. 5. Additional comments may be submitted to Project Director Pat Huston. [email protected]. An announcement will be made on the Design Contractors. There will be a high level overview of what will be happening over the next several months with the project. The first Visual Quality Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, January 27. MnDOT Principal Landscape Architect David Larson and Bridge Architectural Designer Melissa Schultz guided the group on a discussion about the aesthetic properties of the Iron Range Hwy 53 Relocation Project. Committee members are: Keny Adams, Country Kitchen; Scott Asbach, HomeTown Focus; Britta Bloomquist; Bernie Collins, Laurentian Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Ensign, Rosie Gams, Nevada Littlewolf; Jim Plummer, IRRRB; Mona Putzel; John Tourville and Sandy Karnowski, Cliﬀs Natural Resources, Outside Attendee. MnDOT Staﬀ: Robert Ege, Patrick Huston, Andrew Johnson, David Larson, Melissa Schultz, Kevin Western and Jeﬀ Hall. Barber Graphics Chamber Business Highlight PLATINUM UNITED TACONITE SOCIAL HOUR UP NORTH TITLE, INC Left to right: Neil Barber, Breanna Barber, Mayme Barber, Tom Barber Legislative Affairs Members of the Chamber’s Legislative Aﬀairs Committee met at NTS for the first in a series of Minnesota Chamber Webinars. Session Priorities were discussed. State priorities are: 1) Personal Income Tax – Reduction of tax burdens for pass-through entities 2) Workforce – Produce graduates in workforce demand areas 3) Health Care – Practical reforms to MNsure 4) Transportation – Build business community consensus on a 2015 policy 5) Labor/Management – Workers’ Compensation reform 6) Minimum Wage – Oppose automatic escalator. Local priorities are: 1) U.S. Hwy 53 – Permanent, mineral-accessible, connective route 2) PolyMet Permitting – Continue full support of the process 3) Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Authority/Range Mental Health Center – Bonding needed for building. Barber Graphics has been in business in Downtown Virginia for 34 years. Now, they have proudly promoted Breanna Barber to full-time staﬀ. She begins a second generation of providing fresh and creative ideas for custom-printed items for business, teams and events. Screen printed, embroidered and digitally-printed apparel is Barber Graphics’ specialty and fills their store with local schools’ fan apparel and accessories, for all ages. The staﬀ at Barber Graphics also oﬀer the perfect idea for promotional products, labels and calendars for businesses, fundraisers and events. “We take pride in continuing to support our schools, teams and events that keep the Iron Range thriving and growing,” says Mayme Barber. The staﬀ can’t wait to show oﬀ the latest in apparel, products and printing techniques, and invite you stop by and browse at their shop – 112 Chestnut Street, Virginia – Where they have great ideas, just for you! +PUULY:WLJPHSZ A TIMELESS TREASURE Kids Eat Fee Tuesday’s & Saturday’s 4-10pm 8685 Rock Ridge Drive (218) 741-3325 Hours: Sunday thru Thursday 6am – 11pm Friday and Saturday 6am – 3pm Real estate closing services and title insurance. Your Number One Choice for Title and Closing Services “Located in Cook, Ely & Virginia, Minnesota to better serve your needs.” Board Certified Real Estate Attorney on staff ELY OFFICE (218)365-5256 Angie Mikulich Closing Specialist VIRGINIA OFFICE (218)741-1515 Jodee Micheletti Owner/Closing Specialist COOK OFFICE (218)666-3174 Sharon Maronick Closing Specialist www.netitle.com Free Lease Opportunities!! For: Faux Painter, Drapery maker or seamstress, & Construction experts Call or e mail [email protected] for details 218-741-5114 main/763-286-4001 cellular www.tsquaredbuilding.com “A Timeless Treasure” Monday: Pasta and Meatballs $8.99 Tuesday: Honey Mustard Chicken Skillet $8.99 Wednesday: Glazed Ham Steak Dinner $8.99 Thursday: Beef Stroganoff $8.99 Friday: Steak and Shrimp $13.49 $12.99 ,]LY`KH` Saturday: 4pc Chicken Dinner $9.99 T W MYVT Sunday: Pasta Chic Chicken Alfredo $8.99 T W [V 4 piece Chicken Dinner !HT!WTKH`ZH^LLR=PYNPUPH FEBRUARY 2015 Breakfast Connections • Coffee • Breakfast Goodies • Door Prizes Join us for Business and News Updates, and make a new contact! HOSTED AND TO BE HELD AT 2015 Breakfast Connections Sponsor 602 N 6th Avenue West, Virginia, MN BusinessAfter Hours Wednesday, Feb. 25 • 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Hosted By: POPPER’S BAR 120 CHESTNUT STREET, DOWNTOWN VIRGINIA Wednesday, Feb. 11 • 7:45am to 8:45am “Good time had at the first 2015 Business After Hours at the Sportspage” ReGen Meets with Chamber Marci Knight, Steve Peterson Sr., and Bernie Collins from the Chamber oﬃce met with ReGen board members on Tuesday. ReGen is a group focusing on attracting and retaining young adults by enhancing a vibrant cultural and economic landscape throughout the Iron Range. The meeting sparked conversations about young adults in the region and how their involvement is crucial to the future of our communities. The Chamber is looking for ways to involve more young people as emergent community leaders. Collaborating with ReGen may be a way to gain involvement and interest in the next generation of young adults. If you would like more information about ReGen, please “Like” and visit their Facebook page. Northeast Title Ribbon Cutting Abbey Laine – Target Promotion Abbey Laine, Executive Team Leader of the Virginia Target store, was named district resource for Team HR for the eleven stores in this district. This new responsibility entails leading the district with issues related to team culture, staﬃng, talent management, development and succession planning. Abby’s district consists of Virginia, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Superior, Cambridge, Northtown, Coon Rapids, Andover, Blaine, Fridley, and Champlin. Abbey is passionate about making sure that her team loves coming to work, that they have development opportunities that match their desire “Targets” Abbey Laine and potential at Target, and cares about the responsibility she has to her team and her community. Abbey makes Target a great place to shop. Her new responsibility is an opportunity for her to use her strengths and passion for team and culture to positively aﬀect team members in her entire district. Eveleth Heritage Committee Officers Elected Northeast Title Company opened their new oﬃce at 612 13th Street South, Virginia. Ribbon Cutting was held on Wednesday, January 7. Sharrie Houdelc, Administrative Assistant; Dennise Line, Closing Assistant, Becky Micheletti, Closing Agent; Jodee Micheletti Owner, Chamber Ambassadors Jennifer Blaisdell, Steve Jaﬀee, Dawn Berg (Chair) and Bernie Collins, President assist Jodee Micheletti (with scissors) with Ribbon Cutting in front of Northeast Title Company. Photo by Dan Micheletti Laurentian Vision Partnership Over 60 interested invested people met at the Mining & Reclamation Classroom, at the Discovery Center in Chisholm on Wednesday. Among the topics discussed was an update on mining in the Cuyuna Range especially magnesium for use in longer life, lighter, more powerful batteries. Twin Metal’s report included comments and observations about their 30-year underground mine plan. It’s possible that mining could go for 100 years. A sincere environmental commitment was stressed. Hundreds of good paying jobs will be part of Twin Metal’s process. 2015 oﬃcers for Eveleth Heritage Committee are from left, Genevive Jam, Vice Chair, Lois Ferguson, Secretary/Treasurer, Bill Aho, Chair Fourteen people attended the January Eveleth Heritage Committee meeting. Historical information was shared, and members are planning activities for the year. During the pot-luck lunch meeting, officers for the committee were elected. Next meeting will be held Tuesday, February 10, Noon at Super 8 Motel in Eveleth. ~ 17TH ANNUAL ~ Minnesota Chamber Federation The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce will be the 33rd member of the Minnesota Chamber Federation. Board members voted to approve of joining the federation. Federation members agree to adopt and advocate for the legislative session priorities. Priorities are outlined in the Legislative Aﬀairs article in this newsletter. Members of the Iron Range Job Fair Committee have finalized details for online registration. Employers, please visit www.regonline.com/ ironrangejobfair to register today! Job seekers need not register to attend. This year’s fair will be located at the Miner’s Memorial Building on Friday, March 20th from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Annual Meeting The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting of the corporation on Wednesday, January 21, at 8:30 am at Hilltop Manor Apartments, Eveleth, Minnesota Virginia Community & Lakes Committee Committee members met at Edgewood Vista on Tuesday, January 27. Congratulations Walleye Fish Fry Friday Nights Jumbo Tiger Shrimp Saturday Nights to Dingwell’s North America, the new owner of o “Superior Steel” from Steve Bragg, Business Broker Thru Mar. 27 4 - 8 pm $ $ 17 22 All-You-Can-Eat Thru Mar. 28 4 - 8 pm 20 $ Mountainside Bar & Grille - Chalet Dingwell’s ngwell’s North America has been in business since 1945 1945, a current workforce of over 90 people, Dingwell’s is well poised to take Superior Steel up to the next level. Wanted – Senior Fabrication Estimator and Industrial Sales Person Please forward resumes to [email protected] Details & Restrictions 218-865-8005 GiantsRidge.com Biwabik, Minnesota