resultsresults the newsletter of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commercethe newsletter of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce

May 2010

In this issue…

Event Recaps Articles, Pictures, and more Pictures Upcoming Events

Join us for an Open House & Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the Chamber’s new office on Friday, May 14, 2010 from 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce 525 Main Street, Suite 200 New Brighton, MN 55112

Register Today!Register Today!Register Today!Register Today!

Board of Directors

OfficersOfficersOfficersOfficers Beverly Aplikowski, Chair Lakeside Homes Inc. bev@homesbylakeside.com

Pat Whelan, Past Chair PJW Automotive pat@pjwauto.com

Bill Helgeson, Vice Chair Risdall Marketing Group bill@risdall.com

Kathy Klang, Treasurer Cummings, Keegan & Co., PLLP kjklang@ckco-cpa.com

DirectorsDirectorsDirectorsDirectors Sarah Anderson Courtyard by Marriott—Roseville sanderson@csmcorp.net

Joe Brauer Mid American Financial Group jbrauer@minneapolis.nef.com

Ann Curtis M&I Bank—Blaine ann.curtis@micorp.com

Dr. Catherine Gray Morningstar Chiropractic drgray@morningstarchiro.com

Jason Helgemoe Western Bank jhelgemoe@western-bank.com

Ted Landwehr Landwehr Law Offices tland@landwehrlaw.com

Steve McAlpin McAlpin Agency Inc. steve@mcalpinagency.com

Jodi Moulzolf Country Inn & Suites - Shoreview jmoulzolf@yahoo.com

Andrea Murphy Northeast Bank am@northeastbank-mn.com

Marnie Ochs-Raleigh Evolve Systems marnie@evolve-systems.com

Deb Pieper Paradigm Business Solutions d_pieper@comcast.net

Lee Zechmann Johnson Screens, A Weatherford Company, lee.zechmann@weatherford.com

Committee Chairs

Aging Resources GroupAging Resources GroupAging Resources GroupAging Resources Group Shirley Barnes Crest View Senior Communities AmbassadorsAmbassadorsAmbassadorsAmbassadors OPEN Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Dr. Catherine Gray MorningStar Chiropractic Economic AdvancementEconomic AdvancementEconomic AdvancementEconomic Advancement Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive Committee Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes Fall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf Outing OPEN Gala 2010Gala 2010Gala 2010Gala 2010 Joe Brauer Mid American Financial Group Nominating CommitteeNominating CommitteeNominating CommitteeNominating Committee Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes Public PolicyPublic PolicyPublic PolicyPublic Policy Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes

Bill Gschwind InPursuit Consulting

Pat Whelan PJW Automotive Spring Spring Spring Spring ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ Golf TournamentGolf TournamentGolf TournamentGolf Tournament Kristin Christian, Dasco Young ProfessionalsYoung ProfessionalsYoung ProfessionalsYoung Professionals Lisa McDaniel Voyager Bank

INTERESTED IN HELPING CHART THE CHAMBER’S

DIRECTION BY LEADING A PROGRAM

OR ACTIVITY?

Contact the Chamber office for a complete committee update at 763.571.9781.

Contact Your Chamber Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce

5394 Edgewood Drive, # 100, Mounds View, MN 55112 Tel. 763.571.9781; E-mail info@twincitiesnorth.org;

Tim Roche - president & ceo Melissa Deming - director of events and marketing

Dave Fearing—membership consultant John Cook—membership consultant

From the Desk of the President & CEO

Chamber Leadership

Register your foursome today for

only $85 per golfer before May 7th! June 8th, 2010 � 1:00 Shotgun Start

The Refuge Golf Club, Oak Grove

The word “Change” has been used a lot lately. It became a social main stay during the last Presidential campaign process, and has stuck around through the difficult economic times that we all have been facing. As you may have read on our Chamber communications, the Chamber itself is going through quite a bit of change. Unfortunately, while we are a non-profit, we are certainly a business sometimes being unable to avoid tough economic times. This lead to long time staff person Kathy Swenson moving on from the Chamber. Having worked with Kathy for two years, I can say she was the ultimate professional and did a great job for the mem-bers of the Chamber. She will be missed. Check out the Chamber website for the an-nouncement with nice quotes from members.

Continuing along the line of change, the Chamber office had been located in Mounds View for 6 years. As our lease was coming up, we wanted to make sure we were being fiscally responsible and not missing any opportunities in available properties. Chamber member Pratt Ordway stepped up to the plate and offered us a new home, in a location and a price that couldn’t be matched. We are looking forward to meeting our new neighbors in the Main Street Village. The last big change occurring soon, is within our Board of Directors. While few in change, we will be missing Pat Whelan, PJW Automotive, and Lee Zechmann, Johnson Screens. Both Pat and Lee have fulfilled their board term commitments and have been, and will continue to be, tremendous contributors to the Chamber and the business community. The nominating committee is working hard to identify individuals committed to the greater good of the business community and have been pleased to find the pool is rich of talent. The committee is working to ensure the Board has representation that is reflective of our entire membership by geography, business size and business industry. While those are big changes in the Chamber world, ultimately, nothing will change in the value and quantity of services we provide to our entire membership. The Chamber will not skip a beat in working to be advo-cates for business at a local and state level, and to promote the Twin Cities North as a great place to work and do business.

Tim Roche

New Members – April 2010

Membership Information

Results Sponsor

Cummings, Keegan & Co. 600 S. Hwy. 169, Suite 1625

St. Louis Park, MN 55426 952-345-2500

Grand Casino Mille Lacs / Hinckley 7600 Boone Ave. N.

Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 763-488-1899

Results Sponsor

New Member Spotlight! MEMBER REINVESTMENTS

MEMBER MEMBER SINCE

Thank you for reinvesting with YOUR Chamber!

Holistic Pathways

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She chose to pursue her passion for healing in 2002 by enrolling in the Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine program at Northwestern Health Sciences University. She graduated in 2006 with a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine. She has been practicing part-time since 2007 as an acupuncturist licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medicine.

1214 E Moore Lake Drive Fridley, MN 55432 Carolyn Brown

P: 763-639-3595 � F: 763-571-0924 www.holisticpathways.biz

Carolyn@holisticpathways.biz Type: Complimentary Medicine, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Ambassador of the Month April 2010

BAE Systems 4800 East River Road

Fridley, MN 55421 763-572-7615

Results Sponsor

International Paper Recycling Julie Anderson

2425 Terminal Road Roseville, MN 55113

(651) 635-1401 www.ipaper.com

Homewood Suites - New Brighton

Elizabeth Feuerborn 1815 Old Highway 8 NW New Brighton, MN 55112

(651) 631-8002 www.homewoodnb.com

Sentry Insurance

Matt Schneider 1841 Trail Way Dr. #5

Eagan, MN 55121 (651) 494-8344 www.sentry.com

Sue Grossnickle Spire Federal Credit Union

Ace Solid Waste, Inc. 1997

AltaMAR Laser and Control 2005

Brunswick Zone XL 2007

Custom Business Forms 2001

Dragon House Restaurant 2002

Essence Real Estate Services, Inc. 2008

Filter Fresh Coffee Service 2006

Heights Theatre 2001

KinderCare Learning Center - Mounds View 2008

KinderCare Learning Center - Shoreview 2008

McDonald's - Mounds View 2002

Meineke Car Care Center 2007

Old Dutch Foods 2005

Risdall Marketing Group 1997

Silver Lake Pointe Apartments 2005

Support Systems 2001

The Lighthouse of Columbia Heights 2009

The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center 1997

United Educators Credit Union 2003

Washburn-McReavy 2001

WIN Insurance 1997

Wishes & More 2005

Event Pictures

Results Sponsor

Bob’s Produce Ranch 7620 University Ave. NE

Fridley, MN 55432 763-571-5477

Speed Networking Hosted by: YP Group Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Mermaid Entertainment & Event Center, Mounds View

Breakfast Networking Club Thursday, April 22, 2010

Country Inn & Suites, Shoreview

Featured Speaker: Bill Gschwind, inPURSUIT Consulting

Results Sponsor

TDS Metrocom 3460 Washington Dr.

Eagan, MN 55122 763-450-4000

Event Pictures

The 49th Hole Restaurant at Majestic Oaks Golf Club, Ham Lake Grand Reopening, April 16, 2010

Chamber Ambassador in Attendance: Sue Grossnickle, Spire Federal Credit Union

International Paper Recycling, Roseville ���� Grand Opening, April 22,2010 Chamber Ambassadors (left to right): Tim Roche, Chamber President & CEO; Julie Anderson, International Paper; Paul Mork, Shred-N-Go; Judy Larson, Larson Records Management; Sue Grossnickle, Spire Federal Credit Union;

Joe Brauer, Mid American Financial Group

Ribbon Cuttings!

Homewood Suites, New Brighton ���� Grand Opening, April 21,2010 Chamber Ambassadors in Attendance: Sue Grossnickle, Spire Federal Credit Union; Debbie Mattson, CU Companies; Bobbi McKechnie, Zellner & Associates, CPA; Sarah Anderson, Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott Roseville;

Paige Hawkins, Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott Roseville

Legislative Updates

Health Care Reform And Your Business

How the New Law Will Impact Your Bottom Line

Now that health care reform legislation In addition, the law curtails several positive features of the health

care system designed to promote individual initiative and private sector efficiency. For example, caps on tax-

free Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which are used to reimburse some medical bills not covered by

insurance, have been cut in half to $2,500, and over-the-counter medications will no longer be considered a

qualified medical expense. with a true price tag of nearly $2 trillion is the law of the land, many small busi-

ness owners are asking how they will be impacted. The answer is to expect higher costs and more mandates.

Mandates. The new law forces small businesses to provide health insurance whether or not they can afford

it. Beginning in 2014, employers with more than 50 employees will be required to offer coverage or pay a

$2,000 fine per employee if just one employee receives a subsidy to purchase insurance through newly cre-

ated state health insurance exchanges. A firm’s first 30 employees will be subtracted from this penalty pay-

ment calculation.

Even businesses with more than 50 employees that do offer health benefits will face a $3,000 fine for each

full-time employee who opts out and receives a subsidy to purchase coverage through an exchange. Part-

time employees are taken into account as full-time equivalents, defined as working 30 hours per week. The

total employer penalty is capped at the maximum penalty amount it would face if it did not offer any cover-

age at all. An employer plan must cover a specific set of services to be determined by the government and

meet actuarial standards laid out in the law.

It is estimated that nearly 220,000 small businesses employing more than 26 million workers could be subject

to the employer mandate. As premiums rise, some businesses will decide that it makes sense to drop cover-

age and pay the fine. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that employers will pay $52 billion over 10

years in penalties for noncompliance. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that 3 million fewer

Americans will be covered through employer plans in 2019.

Exchanges and Tax Credits. By 2014, states are required to offer insurance exchanges where small busi-

nesses and individuals can purchase coverage. Through 2016, the exchanges are restricted to small busi-

nesses with no more than 100 employees, but states will have the option of limiting pools to companies with

50 or fewer employees. State benefit mandates will apply to plans sold through the exchange.

From 2010 to 2013, small businesses with fewer than 25 employees who on average earn less than $50,000

per year will be eligible for tax credits paying up to 35% of their insurance costs. This credit, however, will

do little to blunt new costs for businesses that previously did not provide coverage. For example, a company

that pays $40,000 a year to insure its employees will still be faced with $26,000 in unsubsidized costs. The tax

credit grows to 50% of insurance costs in 2014, but it disappears completely two years later.

Taxes and Fees. The bill imposes $569 billion in new and higher taxes on businesses and individuals. New

taxes on pharmaceutical companies (beginning in 2011), medical devices (beginning in 2013), and the health

insurance sector (beginning in 2014) will be passed on to every American in the form of higher prices and

premiums. Beginning in 2018, a 40% excise tax will be imposed on employer-sponsored health premiums

that exceed $10,200 for single coverage and $27,500 for family coverage.

Upper income earners are targeted for additional tax hikes. Beginning in 2013, the Medicare payroll tax will

increase 0.9% for individuals earning more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly). That

equals an extra $2,250 per year in taxes for a family earning $500,000. Further, income thresholds are not

indexed annually, meaning that every year more taxpayers will be subject to the payroll tax increase.

Those same households will face a 3.8% Medicare tax applied to net investment income, which captures

income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and some profits from investments in partnerships and S-

corporations.

Business Advocacy

Results Sponsor

Northeast Bank 3989 Central Ave. NE

Columbia Heights, MN 55421 763-788-9351

Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber Featured Speaker: Rob Grunewald, Minneapolis Federal Reserve

April 6, 2010 Sarna’s Classic Grill, Columbia Heights

Public Policy Committee Update

“The enemy of being great is being good.” John Maxwell While that statement may seem a contradiction to the casual reader, it shouldn’t to those who take a moment to think it through. No one enters business to fail. Instead, we focus our time, energy and talents to achieve success in our chosen endeavors. We strive, and if we fail, strive again until we hopefully reach a point where we become “good” at what we do. Then what? For many the drive diminishes and the goals soften. A zone of comfort is found where one can be lulled to stay. Thus, what could be a “great” enterprise settles for being “good.” It can happen to anyone and it has happened to some of the best. How can this be avoided? And, how can your Chamber play a part? I once heard a comment that; for some the horizon is a barrier, for others it’s a line to be crossed. My first impression was the same as yours, that the horizon can never be crossed. But that was the point of the expression. Goals should always be set to move you forward. And, those goals should always be orientated toward growth and expansion. Your Chamber exists to help you achieve such goals. Examples can be found in our Public Affairs Committee which is developing a new structure which better defines its purpose, thus allow-ing it to advance initiatives on behalf our members. Our Legislative Breakfast program continues to present speakers on topics of interest, providing information on today’s challenging business environment. Add the opportunity of networking with other members, community leaders and local legislators and you have the type of activity your Chamber exists to provide and for which it is becoming well known. Recently, I read a statistic that three percent of Americans have a library card, while six percent believe Elvis is still alive. While it would be nice if our competition came from that six percent, we know that isn’t going to happen. Instead, we must distinguish ourselves from our competition. And, we can do this by never being satisfied with being “good.” Be a leader, by being active in your Chamber and by using its resources to take your business on a continual journey to greatness. Mike Simpson Premier Commercial Properties For the Public Affairs Committee

Join us for the next Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber on Tuesday, May 4th at Sarna’s in Columbia Heights from 7:30-9:00

a.m. with featured speaker Peter Bell, Chair of the Met Council.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #364 Anoka, MN Arden Hills, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Little Canada, Mounds View

New Brighton, Roseville, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park

YOUR CHAMBER CALENDAR - MAY 2010 Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber Featured Speaker: Peter Bell, Chair of the MetCouncil 7:30-9:00 a.m. Sarna’s Classic Grill 3939 University Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 YP Committee Meeting 8:00-9:00 a.m. Caribou Coffee, Mounds View

Thursday, May 6, 2010 Public Policy Meeting 7:30-8:30 a.m. Key Air Twin Cities 9877 No. Airport Rd, Blaine, MN 55449

Thursday, May 13, 2010 Breakfast Networking Club 7:30-9:00 a.m. Featured Speaker: Jeff Lust, Country Financial May 13th-Green Mill / Hampton Inn 1000 Gramsie Road, Shoreview Investment: $10; hot breakfast, networking, speaker

Thursday, May 20, 2010 Business Essentials Luncheon Hosted by the YP Group 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Green Mill 1000 Gramsie Road, Shoreview Investment: $16 includes lunch, networking, speaker

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 Spring Golf Committee Meeting 8:00-9:00 a.m. Chamber Office 525 Main Street, Suite 200 New Brighton, MN 55112

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Economic Advancement Committee 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lakeside Homes, Inc. 1200 Foss Road, New Brighton, MN 55112 Investment: $5 for lunch

Thursday, May 27, 2010 Breakfast Networking Club 7:30-9:00 a.m. Country Inn & Suites 5995 Rice Creek Parkway, Shoreview Investment: $10; hot breakfast, networking, speaker

Sneak Peak at June 2010!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010 YP Committee Meeting 8:00-9:00 a.m. Caribou Coffee, Mounds View

Thursday, June 3, 2010 Public Policy Meeting 7:30-8:30 a.m. Key Air Twin Cities 9877 No. Airport Rd, Blaine, MN 55449

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 25th Annual ‘Chamber Challenge’ Spring Golf Tournament 12:00 Registration; 2:00 Shotgun Start The Refuge Golf Club, Oak Grove

Thursday, June 10 & 24, 2010 Breakfast Networking Club 7:30-9:00 a.m. Country Inn & Suites 5995 Rice Creek Parkway, Shoreview Investment: $10; hot breakfast, networking, speaker

Thursday, June 17, 2010 Business Essentials Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Country Inn & Suites 5995 Rice Creek Parkway, Shoreview

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Economic Advancement Committee 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lakeside Homes, Inc. 1200 Foss Road, New Brighton, MN 55112 Investment: $5 for lunch

May 2010 Featured EventsMay 2010 Featured EventsMay 2010 Featured EventsMay 2010 Featured Events

Return Service Requested

REGISTER TODAY FOR ANY EVENT ONLINE! www.twincitiesnorth.org/events

525 Main Street, Suite 200 � New Brighton, MN 55112 Tel. 763.571.9781 � Fax 763.572.7950 � www.twincitiesnorth.org

Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber

Featured Speaker: Peter Bell, Chair of the MetCouncil

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Sarna’s Classic Grill 3939 University Ave,

Columbia Heights, MN 55421

Investment:$25, Includes hot breakfast, speaker, networking

Legislative Breakfasts Sponsored By: Grand Casino Mille Lacs-Hinckley

Breakfast Networking Club

Thursday, May 13 � 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Green Mill / Hampton Inn 1000 Gramsie Road

Shoreview, MN 55126

Thursday, May 27 � 7:30-9:00 a.m. Country Inn & Suites

5995 Rice Creek Parkway Shoreview, MN 55126

Investment:$10, Includes hot breakfast, speaker, networking