chamber horizons...chamber horizons, usps 330070, is published monthly by the alexandria lakes area...

Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org

DECEMBER 2020 | VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 12

Upcoming Chamber Events

CHAMBERHORIZONS

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommercePromoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to “live, work, play and prosper.”

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommerceVisit Alexandria MN alexlakesareachamber

Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, December 4 from 7:30 - 8:30 amRSF Business Advisors | Virtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link Nonprofit of the Day: Grand Arbor

Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, December 18 from 7:30 - 8:30 amAlexandria Chamber of Commerce | Virtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration linkWear your holiday sweaters!

Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, January 15 from 7:30 - 8:30 amVance Thompson Vision | Virtual Event - visit www.alexandriamn.org for registration link

Save the Date! VIRTUAL Chamber

Annual CelebrationMonday, January 18, 2021.

More details to come!

The 2021 Alexandria Area Visitor & Livability Guide is ALMOST here!

The 2021 Alexandria Area Visitor & Livability guide will be arriving this month! Tens of thousands of copies of this publication will be distributed in 2021 across the nation through website and email requests. It will also be distributed at Chambers and Visitor Centers throughout the state of Minnesota, at the Alexandria Visitor Center and at dozens of local busi-nesses.

The guides are also distributed at sport shows and job fairs throughout the Midwest to market the Alexandria area as the ultimate destination to live, work and play.

If you would like guides to distribute at your business location, contact the Chamber at 320-763-3161 or email [email protected].

Don’t forget to add your events to the Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy! Visit alexmncalendar.com and click “add an event.” For information contact Katie at 320-335-2869 or [email protected].

Add events to the Community Calendar!

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2 Chamber Horizons | December 2020

Chamber PartnersSilverSilver3M Abrasive Systems

Division Plant Aagard Group, TheAlexandria IndustriesAmericInn Lodge & Suites

AlexandriaAmericInn by Wyndham

Sauk CentreBrentonCanary Beach ResortDays InnElden’s Fresh Foods and

Downtown FloralEllingson Plumbing, Heating,

A/C & ElectricalGarden Center Hampton Inn & Suites by HiltonHeartland Orthopedic

SpecialistsHilltop Lumber & Rental Center Horizon Public HealthMassmanNeighborhood National Bank Sanford HealthSunOptaSuper 8 of AlexandriaTastefully SimpleWidsethWinning Edge

GoldGoldAlexandria Clinic, A Service of Alomere HealthDouglas MachineFairfield Inn & SuitesHenry’s FoodsKnute NelsonUS Bank

P latinumP latinumAlomere HealthArrowwood Resort &

Conference CenterBell BankBremer Bank First Western Bank & TrustGlenwood State BankHoliday Inn of AlexandriaViking BankWalmart Supercenter

We appreciateWe appreciateyour support!your support!

YOUR AD BELOW!Don’t miss your chance to advertise in the Chamber Horizons Newsletter

Contact Lauren at (320)763-3163 or [email protected] your business in the 2021 Chamber Horizons Newsletter! Contact Lauren Johnson at (320)763-3163 or [email protected] for details.

Chamber NewsHost Wake Up Alexandria!The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for 2021 Wake Up Alexandria hosts! Host in person or virtual. We work hard to offer you a safe and successful event!

If your space is large enough to allow social distancing and you are able to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols, host in person. If you don’t have a space that fits everyone or sim-ply don’t feel comfortable hosting in person, set up a virtual event! Once COVID-19 is safely behind us, we will go back to in-person events only.

Reach out to Jess at the Alexandria Chamber to lock in a date! Call 320-763-1489 or email [email protected].

For the third time in a row, we are #1 in America in voter turnout.

#1 in 2016 #1 in 2018 And now, #1 in 2020!

79.96 percent of the state’s eligible voters voted - a modern-day record!

Way to go, Minnesota!Way to go, Minnesota!

The Chamber celebrat-ed a Pot of Gold winner at the virtual Wake Up Alexandria on Friday, November 20 hosted by Bruckner Mediation.

Jim’s Electric won the prize package valued at a record high of $6,428! The Pot of Gold is a highly anticipated part of Wake Up. Donations include discounted ser-vices, gift certificates and promotional items. Sponsoring businesses are promoted through Chamber email blasts, at the event and on the Chamber website. All Chamber members are included in the drawing, but a representative of the business drawn must be present to win.

Jim’s Electric Company, Inc. wins the Pot of Gold!

Shawn Becker, electrician with Jim’s Electric Company, Inc., accepted the Pot of Gold prizes on behalf of the business at Wake Up Alexandria on November 20th.

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December 2020 | Chamber Horizons 3

Wake Up Alexandria

November Hosts

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a nonprofit Chamber member.

The YMCA is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Its mission is “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

Alexandria Area YMCA | November 6110 Karl Dr. NW

Nonprofit: St. Mary’s School

Sherry Ann Bruckner, owner of Bruckner Mediation, is trained in civil and advanced mediation and certified family law medi-ation. She practiced civil and family Law for 20 years. She of-fers mediation, conflict coaching and training for individuals, families and workplaces.

Bruckner Mediation | November 20324 Broadway St., Ste. 208

Nonprofit: Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool

Market your business or organization in the Pot of Gold! For details, contact Jess at

(320) 763-1489 or [email protected].

Pot of Gold Winner

Welcome! November new member

Please consider this new member for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!

Hilltop Camper and RVMike Pearo5701 State Hwy. 29 S(320) 763-7701 [email protected]

Membership TeamVolunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as mentors and liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.


Now OfferingPharmacy Services

Here in Alexandria

(320) 762-6840

November Visits

WELL & CompanyKayla Holt, Clinic Coordination/Marketing Officer; Saundra Lauer DNP, FNP, Owner/

Founder; Cassandra Johnson, LPN

WELL & Company PLLC is owned by Saun-dra Lauer. It is a direct primary care clinic. It offers membership for families, stu-dents, individuals, and businesses. It also has a med spa that is open to members and non-members.

Big Stone TherapiesLauren Loe, Physical Therapist; Cole Praus, Physical Therapist; Krista Johnson, Clinical

Administrative Specialist

Big Stone Therapies in Alexandria pro-vides physical therapy services focusing mainly on pain management but can treat the whole body. Physical Therapists Cole Praus and Lauren Loe can treat pa-tients of any age.

Ryan Witte - State Farm InsuranceLogan Long, Team Member; Ryan Witte, Agent/Owner; Johnny Thill, Team Lead; Jack Gauerke,

Team Member

Ryan Witte State Farm Insurance is lo-cated at 2633 Jefferson St. Ste. 803b in Alexandria. State Farm offers many kinds of insurance such as auto, home, renters, and life. Ryan has been in the insurance business for 15 years.

Throughout the month of October, the Chamber conducted a Halloween coloring contest featuring a picture of Big Ole dressed up as a doctor for Halloween. The contest was for anyone ages 1-12. The Chamber received about 50 entries. All participants were entered into a drawing and 3 winners were pulled at random to receive a free Big Ole plush doll. Pictured to the right are this year’s winners, Zay Lysfjord and Miranda Butanis. Not pictured is 5-year-old Riese Erickson of Duluth.

Watch to see what Big Ole will dress up as for next year’s Halloween contest!

Big Ole Coloring Contest Winners!

Zay Lysfjord2 years old | Alexandria

Miranda Butanis5 years old | Alexandria

Grand Arborby KNUTE NELSON

Nelson Gablesby KNUTE NELSON

AmbassadorsThe Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

December 2020 | Chamber Horizons 5

November Visits

6th & Broadway Clothing and Decor | New Business

Kathleen Skaalerud, Assistant Manager; Kari Lempka, Owner

6th & Broadway Clothing and Décor is a new business specializing in women’s ap-parel and accessories for all of life’s oc-casions. It also carries a selection of little girls clothing, as well as men’s jeans, and a wide array of home décor.

Creative Touch Boutique | RemodelJordyn Lamb, Sales Associate; Simone

Westerlund, Manager; Pam Botker, Owner; McKenna Goracke, Inventory Specialist; Dan Botker, Owner; Amy Lesnar, Owner

Creative Touch Boutique recently com-pleted a remodel of its store after a fire claimed more than 80 percent of its mer-chandise. The store features boutique style clothing for women as well as baby/toddler clothing and home décor.

Aldi of Alexandria | Expansion

Nattiel Dammer, Store Manager

Aldi of Alexandria recently completed an expansion. It carries fresh produce to everyday essentials. Along with the ex-pansion, Aldi of Alexandria also started curbside pick-up, this allows it to cater to more people in the area.

Give the gift of Chamber Bucks!Consider giving Chamber Bucks for gifts or employee re-wards this holiday season. Anybody can purchase Chamber Bucks and they can be spent at hundreds of participating Chamber member businesses!

Chamber Bucks are available in any increment and are valid for 12 months. There are no fees involved - if you purchase $20 in Chamber Bucks, you pay $20! Best of all, Chamber Bucks keep dollars local. In 2019, more than $38,000 in Chamber Bucks were purchased.

Call 320-763-3161 or email [email protected] to order!

Android users: Scan QR code to download and view PDF list of businesses that accept Chamber Bucks. Iphone users: Scan to view the online PDF version.


First Western Bank & Trust through parent company West-brand, Inc. announced the acquisition of BlackRidgeBANK. Combined, the community banks have a footprint extending from Minot, ND to Minneapolis, MN that include 15 locations.

Mark Watkins, CEO of Geneva Capital, is the 2020 recipient of the ACE Award, which stands for A Champion in Education. This award, given by Alexandria Public Schools, recognizes peo-ple who’ve had a significant positive impact on students within the schools. Over the past four years, Watkins and the Geneva Capital team have made an impact on the high school busi-ness program through financial support for post-secondary ac-ademic scholarships, advocacy for the business program and mentorship of the next generation of business leaders.

Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC), along with colleges in New York, Virginia, Arizona and Maryland, was selected as an education partner with the U.S. Navy. The Navy is developing a U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC) to provide high quality, accredited and transferable A.S. and A.A. degrees to enlisted Sailors and Marines, primarily through online and distance learning programs. ATCC will teach online statistics or calculus in the Pilot 1 portion of the program, with hopes of being awarded future courses that will lead to an AS degree in Nuclear Technology.

Trumm Drug of Alexandria was one of eight Minnesota phar-macies to receive funds through a MN Retailers Association and MN Pharmacists Association program. Funds were provid-ed by the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative of Minnesota to phar-macies looking to enhance safe customer access or medication security within the context of the pandemic or recent unrest. Funded projects include two-way customer communication systems and upgraded cameras; enhanced windows, lighting and locks; and customer signage and support for curbside and delivery services for vulnerable customers.

Business Buzz

Three local programs received funding from the Alexandria Area Communication Foundation through the Ruth McDonald Fund grant. Central Minnesota Elder Network received $5,000 to sup-port an iPad technology program. The Alexandria Education Foun-dation Meals with Care Fund was awarded $4,000. Kicking Butts, a smoking cessation program offered through Life Connections and Love In the Name of Christ of Douglas County, received $3,189.

Randy Fischer Real Estate, Inc. added Jacqui Schmidtbauer and Jenni George to the realtor team. Both will focus on real estate transactions in the areas of Browerville, Long Prairie, Sauk Centre, Osakis and other surrounding communities.

Julie Beack, branch office administrator for Edward Jones Invest-ments, was appointed to the firm’s Branch Office Administrators Grassroots Legislative Task Force. The group is dedicated to raising the issues on the minds of individual investors to local, state and national lawmakers.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in SunOpta’s parking lot to announce a $26 million expansion to its oat base processing facili-ty. This project was initiated in order to meet the growing national demand for oat milk. This new addition will create more than 20 new jobs and quadruple oat base production.

To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email information to Lauren at [email protected].

Looking to expand your team? The Alexandria Chamber recently launched a new and improved job board! When sharing your job opportunities on social media, don’t forget the Chamber also has a place on its website to post your

available job openings AND view resumes submitted by job-seekers. Simply log into your online portal and click “submit a job”. For questions, reach out to Chamber staff at 320-763-3161 or [email protected].

POST A JOB EMPLOYERS JOB SEEKERS

chamber horizons...chamber horizons, usps 330070, is published monthly by the alexandria lakes area...

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