Chamber News Archives

2011

• Thank you to everyone who attended the January 27 Networking Lunch with St. Francis City Administrator Matt Hylen. There was good discussion about the temporary signage ordinance and tax rates. If you have addition concerns, please call city hall at 763-753-2630.

• Pioneer Days, the City of St. Francis' annual community celebration, was held this past weekend, June 10-12. The weather was great which brought large crowds to the many events. The Chamber's spinning wheel was again a popular spot in Community Park where visitors could spin a wheel to win prizes. Thank you to all the volunteers and businesses that donated items to the wheel. Visit the city's Pioneer Days site to see the list of winners. View photos on the Chamber's Facebook page.

• Thank you to all vendors, visitors and volunteers at the 2011 St. Francis Area Community & Business Expo! It was another great event! Contact us if you have any feedback about the Expo. View the Facebook album of Expo photos! (Account not required.) Congratulations to David Ammerman of Isanti, winner of the $500 cash grand prize!

• The 2011 Chamber-sponsored St. Francis Area Resource Guide is here! Look for it inserted in the April Courier and at area businesses and city halls.

2010

• Thank you to everyone who attended the Lighting of the Park ceremony December 4 in Woodbury Park! Thanks to the following businesses and individuals for your support of the event: County Market, Casey's, St. Francis Madrigal Singers, St. Francis Fire Department, St. Francis True Value Hardware, St. Francis Lions, Don Hiller and Rick and Gail Mengelkoch. View photos on our Facebook page.
   

• Thank you to all the businesses and families who participated in the Chamber's second annual Business Trick or Treat. Almost 20 area businesses participated, handing out treats and other items to costumed children. Some businesses had nearly 100 children coming through their doors. Feedback from participants and families was very positive so look for this fun event again next year. 
   

• Thank you to all the participants and residents who attended the October 13 Meet the Candidates forum for St. Francis mayoral and city council candidates. Watch video of the debate online. Thank you to East Central Minnesota Educational Cable Cooperative and Independent School District 15 for this service.
   

• The city’s new welcome sign and electronic message board along Highway 47 in Community Park was completed in mid-October. The sign, sponsored by the St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce, will display community events and information. Thanks to Chamber members 3rd Dimension Stoneworks, Signs by RSG and the City of St. Francis for their work on the project.
   

• Thank you to the participants in the Chamber's 8th Annual Golf Tournament held August 17 at Hidden Haven. View photos from the event.

• Thank you to the Chamber members and volunteers who helped at Night to Unite August 3 including St. Francis Bottle Shop, County Market and Costco. Photo at right: The Chamber serves root beer floats to attendees at Night to Unite. The Chamber was among several community groups and businesses who participated in the annual statewide event that promotes safety and community.
   

• Thank you to all the volunteers, donors and participants who made 2010 Pioneer Days another success. Despite the rain on Saturday, area residents still came out to the city celebration and enjoyed taking their turn at the Chamber spinning wheel. View photos from the event.
   

• Thank you to all the visitors and vendors for making the 2010 St. Francis Area Community Expo another success! Congratulations to Corey Klebs of Isanti, winner of the Chamber's $500 cash prize drawing. Also congratulations to John Green and Stacy Ridge, winners of the Chamber's kids' bike drawing. View photos, including of every vendor, on the expo photo page. 
   

• Thank you to everyone who made the 2010 Annual Chamber Dinner a huge success! Congratulations to Greg Walter of East Bethel--winner of the snowmobile raffle. View photos from the event.

• The St. Francis City Council and Minnesota Department of Transportation authorized the reopening of the snowmobile trail through St. Francis along Highway 47. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held December 29. Pictured are (left to right): Chad Johnson of the St. Francis Sno Ghosts snowmobile club, Gary Zimmerman of Sno Ghosts and the St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber President David Johnson and St. Francis mayor Jerry Tveit. View a map (PDF) of the new snowmobile trails. For more information regarding snowmobiling in St. Francis, visit the police department web page. Photo by Deanna Bahr, Highland Money Management.
  
   

• Thank you to all participants in the annual Chamber holiday events including the children's coloring contest and the Lighting of the Park. The Chamber would like to thank the many attendees and volunteers who made this year's Lighting of the Park another success. Community members gathered in Woodbury Park December 5 for the annual celebration that included photos with Santa, carols by the St. Francis High School Madrigal Singers and refreshments. Thank you to those who donated items and their time to the event: County Market, McDonald's, Bridge St. Coffee, Rum River Tree Farm, St. Francis Ambassadors, Randy and Mary Dressen, and the St. Francis Fire Department.
   

• Thank you to the many area businesses that participated in the Chamber's inaugural Business to Business Trick or Treat on October 30. Several families visited each business.
   

• Dennis Berg, chairman of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners, spoke at the Chamber networking lunch September 23. Berg spoke on a variety of topics and took audience questions. He said Anoka County has had to make cuts in response to the recession and this may unfortunately result in property tax increases. Berg said the new Northstar commuter rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis is a long term investment and he is hopeful that ticket sales will pay for at least one third of its cost. Anoka, Ramsey and Elk River are in the running as sites for a new veterans clinic. Berg said a decision will be made in a few weeks. Berg also addressed ideas as to how to bring more businesses into the St. Francis area. He said it is a matter of marketing potential businesses to come where the employees live.

2009

• Business coach Kelli Hoskins of ActionCoach spoke to Chamber members August 26. Hoskins first spoke about the importance of marketing: who to target, where to target them, what to offer and why customers should buy from your business. She covered "5 Ways to Grow Your Business" including increasing leads, converting those leads into sales, increasing the number of transactions and average dollar amount of each sale. Hoskins said businesses need ways to attract new customers and retain old customers, all while ensuring profits exceed costs. She emphasized that small changes in the right areas can pay off in the long run. To learn more about ActionCoach and the services they offer to businesses, call Hoskins at 763-444-9812, email or visit actioncoach.com.

• Thank you to everyone who made this year's golf tournament another success! All the golfers, hole sponsors and prize donaters helped raise funds for Chamber and community events. View photos.

• Thank you to everyone who made this year's Pioneer Days celebration another success for the community! The Chamber booth in Community Park was a huge hit. It is a wonderful way to promote your business and we gave away more promotional items this year than ever! Thank you to all the volunteers and those who donated items for the spinning wheel.

• Thank you to all the exhibitors and attendees who made the 2009 Business & Community Expo a success! View Expo photos! Congratulations to Ben Miller of St. Francis, was the lucky winner of $500 cash presented by the St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce at the Expo on April 25. Expo committee member, Michelle Anderson, presented Miller with the prize.

• Congratulations to the newly elected members of the Chamber Board of Directors: Janice Audette, Lynn Moe, Brian Opp and Kerby Scherer. They were formally introduced at the April 15 Annual Meeting and their three year term will begin in May.

• The Bowling Bash held February 21 was a great success. About 35 people showed up to display their bowling skills and partake in some social networking. Many members of the Chamber of Commerce and guests were there to enjoy an evening of fun. Thank you to Patriot Lanes and everyone who attended.

• The St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for individuals interested in joining the Board of Directors. This year, four of the nine board member positions are up for election. Each board member serves a three-year term. The member-elected Board is instrumental in the operations and activities of the Chamber. As a Board member, you exercise influence in community issues while expanding your local networking and gaining greater exposure for your business. Nominations must be received by March 15. Check your mail for a nomination form.

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