Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt. Iron, Virginia
and surrounding business communities
MARCH 2016
Our mission is
“Promote business
through education
and advocacy...”
N E W S L E T T E R
CEOs
in the
Classroom
Ronda “Rudy” Harvey makes a point on
consumerism and the American economy during
her CEOs in the Classroom discussion.
VIRGINIA – Mrs. Irene Henderson, Virginia High School English Teacher
invited four corporate leaders to talk to her classes on Friday, February 12 as part
of CEOs in the Classroom. The CEO program with the help of chambers of commerce is designed to bring leaders of companies into direct contact with middle
school students. Real-life scenarios are laid out for the students which show wage
and salary ranges for people in the workforce and compares them to the amount
and type of education of an employee.
Most students are surprised to find out how much money it takes to live in today’s world. Many ask good questions like what it takes in different geographical
areas and how student loans affect the bottom line of a paycheck. Typically all of
the students take something out of the class sessions.
Laurentian Chamber of Commerce Classroom CEOs volunteers for this year are
Matt Uhan, First National Bank of Gilbert. He presented to Mrs. Sheri Lee’s class
in Cherry. At Virginia, volunteers were Linda Scott, Up North Title; Cassie Hill,
First National Bank of Gilbert; Steve Jaffee, Mesabi Humane Society and Ronda
“Rudy” Harvey, Virginia Community Foundation.
Brian Maki, president Lakehead
Constructors (a one-hundred-year-old company) was presented “Business of the Year”
Award by Laurentian Chamber Immediate
Past Chair Marci Knight.
Photo by Tracy Uttley
Caption: Scott Uttley, chief operating
officer, Island Investment pesented the
Chamber’s “Outstanding Community
Leader” Award to Jane Serano, Holiday
Inn Express.
Photo by Jeff Spolar
Rozy Campbell, Kunnari’s Kitchen and Coffee
House receives the first Laurentian Chamber of
Commerce “Small Business of the Year” Award
from Chamber President/CEO Bernie Collins.
(L-R: Justin Kunnari, Kelly Hester, Bernie Collins, Rozy Campbell)
Mike Guyette speaking at the
Laurentian Dinner at Fortune Bay
Annual Dinner “Celebrating
You, Our Members”
Cassie Hill, First National Bank of Gilbert, left visits with students from Mrs. Henderson’s (right) English Class after her CEOs in the Classroom presentation at Virginia High School.
Heritage Committee
EVELETH – Twelve people attended the February 9 committee meeting. Two members of the East Range Historical Society attended. Officers of the committee were
elected. Officers for 2016 are: Bill Aho, president; Genevieve Jam, vice president;
Lois Ferguson, secretary.
MnDOT Coffee & Conversation
VIRGINIA – MnDOT Project Manager Pat Huston and Kiewit Assistant Project
Manager Jim Thomsen reported to a group of 20 during Coffee and Conversation
that work on the 30-inch piles for the big bridge over Rouchleau Pit are on schedule.
Monitoring devices are implanted in the piers to give sensory information to MnDOT
at least during construction, and probably well after the bridge is being used. Work on
the bridge is on schedule and delivery of the first steel girders from is expected on July
1. Huston and Thomsen gave each other high marks for the cooperation on the bridge
project. Both agree that good things are happening, and the project is well organized.
Public meetings on site are being planned for May. During the summer (probably
July) a Kiewit public event for everyone including children will be held.
Next MnDOT Coffee and Conversation is Thursday, April 7, 10:00 at MnDOT on
Hoover Road.
Real estate closing services and title insurance.
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ELY OFFICE
(218)365-5256
Angie Mikulich
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(218)741-1515
Jodee Micheletti
Owner/Closing Specialist
COOK OFFICE
(218)666-3174
Sharon Maronick
Closing Specialist
www.netitle.com
TOWER – About 270 people gathered at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on February
19 for the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Dinner. Michael Guyette,
President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota gave a speech rich with
information and optimism about what will happen in the next few years.
This year’s theme is Celebrating You, Our Members and the event centered around
concentrated on the chamber’s membership and what they enable the Chamber to
accomplish. President/CEO Bernie Collins outlined about a dozen of the chamber’s
2015 accomplishments including participation in IRRRB/Allete’s “Recharge the
Range” initiative, support of Range Regional Airport, Business Day at the Capitol.
He also noted that because of member support, the Chamber was able to monitor
and report on the Highway 53 Re-route Project, and support PolyMet Mining in the
permitting process.
Awards for 2015 were the highlight of the program. A particularly touching one
was established by the chamber board of directors called the Tamey Takanen Award.
Established in memory of a most highly-regarded Laurentian Chamber Ambassador
Tamey Takanen, a perpetual memorial plaque will hang at the chamber office, and
only in the event that an ambassador is honored with the award will their name be
added. The award was received by Shawn Takanen, husband; Gina Wells, sister; Carol
Kobe, mother; Austin Briesemeister, nephew and was awarded by Dawn Berg, past
ambassador chair and Ambassador Chair Steve Johnson
The Outstanding Community Leader went to Jane Serano, Holiday Inn Express,
awarded by Scott Uttley Jane was awarded the honor for her outstanding commitment
to the community, and dedication to the Iron Range.
Collins recognized event sponsors committee members and gave a special thank-you
to the chamber membership.
THANK YOU TO ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS
UNITED TACONITE
MARCH 2016
BusinessAfter Hours
Breakfast Connections
• Coffee • Breakfast Goodies • Door Prizes
Wednesday, March 25 • 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Join us for Business and News Updates, and make a new contact!
Come, join us for the next Chamber
Breakfast Connections,
Wed. March 9th, 7:45-8:45 at:
Please join us for the next Business After Hours
Hosted by and at:
1308 18th St. N., Virginia, MN •748-7530
Hwy. 53, Eveleth, next to Subway
Forty-four business people enjoyed a
delicious breakfast from Kunnari’s
Kitchen and Coffee House courtesy of
Sundell Eye Associates on February 10.
Kunnari’s is the Chamber’s 2015 “Small
Business of the Year”. Door prizes were
awarded and good business networking
was enjoyed.
Laurentian Chamber’s
Lunch with Legislators
Virginia Coop Credit Union/
Vermillion Financial Services
Fifty people showed up at Virginia Coop
Credit Union for Business After Hours on
Feb.23. Food and beverage was provided
by Sawmill. Prizes were awarded – everyone had a great time! Join us for the next
Business After Hours on March 25, 5:00 to
7:00 at Michael’s on the Course
Ambassadors Business Highlight
As the number of Minnesota soldiers returning home after serving overseas continues to increase, so do the challenges that come with transitioning into work and
civilian life. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), which has long
supported military members and their families through employment and community
outreach, was recognized on Friday, January 22 as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
company following a unanimous vote by the State of Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Action Plan Review Board. The ceremony took place at the company’s headquarters in
Eagan, with veterans, community leaders and state dignitaries in attendance, including Major General Richard Nash, Minnesota’s Adjutant General, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Congressman John Kline’s office.
VIRGINIA – Legislative Committee member and Chamber Ambassador Steve
Jaffee (standing) moderated the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce “Lunch with
Legislators” February 5 at Michael’s on the Course. State Senator David Tomassoni
and Representative Jason Metsa (to Jaffee’s left) are introduced to an audience of 45
people.
Range Association of Realtors sponsored the program during which issues discussed
included: Business Taxes, Workplace Mandates, Transportation and Bonding. Both
men agreed that during the abbreviated legislative session, bonding bills will be
important. One of the first matters to be taken up will be retroactive benefits for those
who are out of work because of mine inactivity and people in affected businesses.
Photo from left to right: President and
CEO Michael Guyette, Stacia Cohen,
Scott Keefer, Lt. Governor Tina Smith,
Senator Amy Klobuchar, Annette Kuyper,
department of military affairs, Major
General Richard C. Nash, MN National
guard, and Chaz Johnson, Congressman
John Kline’s office.
Recharge the Range
2016
Iron Range
Job Fair
CHISHOLM - Kristin Johnson, American Family Ins., Eveleth, and Chamber
Board/Emergent Community Leaders Committee Chair with County Commissioner
Tom Rukavina during discussion at IRRB/Allete’s “Recharge the Range” initiative at the Discovery Center, Chisholm on February 29. Over 120 leaders from the
political and community sector gathered for open discussion on Iron Range issues.
Johnson said discussion at her table “Business Development, Attraction and Retention” centered around bringing new life to the Iron Range.
VEDA approves $50,000
for business renovation(s)
Matching grants up to $5,000 will be available to businesses within the City who
wish to improve overall appearance or reduce operating costs. VEDA will also partner with the AEOA Business Energy Retrofit Program available through the AEOA.
Grant applications will be due on, or after June 1, 2016. More information is available through Kris Johnson (City of Virginia Administrative Assistant) at 749-3563;
or at [email protected]
Are you on the job hunt or looking for a new exciting career opportunity? We
have over 60 employers registered to meet with you on Friday, March 18th from
10am to 3pm at the Miners Memorial Building in Virginia.
Human Resource Professionals - We have an opportunity for you to gain HRCI
or SHRM Certification Credits! David J. Hohl, MAL, Chief Administration Office Fairview Range will be presenting on Emotional Intelligence from 8:30am to
9:30am.
Call 741-2717 or email [email protected] for more information.
Community & Lakes
VIRGINIA – Beautification time is coming soon. Virginia City Councillor Dr.
Don Sipola, committee chairman reminded members that there are opportunities for
individuals, groups, organizations or companies to help decorate and clean up our
community.
Three planters are available for adoption. Olcott Park has two – the 32 sq. ft. south
outer planter and the 64 sq. ft. Old Fountain. A small 15 sq. ft. Horse Trough planter
at monument of flags can easily be adopted.
If you would like something closer to the water, four 500-foot beach sections need
some easy care. There are two sections on Bailey Lake (northeast side), one section
on the west side. Silver Lakes has one section on the west which needs care. Think
about how easy it is to help the lakes look their best.
Fountain Restoration proceeds nicely. Nearly two-thirds of the $100,000.00 initial
goal has been raised from 341 private contributions.
New Event Center
Coming Summer 2016
Dinner Specials!
Monday: Pasta and Meatballs $9.39
Tuesday: Honey Mustard Chicken Skillet $9.39
Wednesday: Glazed Ham Steak Dinner $9.39
Thursday:112%@>;3-:;Ŋ$9.39
Friday:
All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry $12.19
ay
yd
Ever
Saturday:
4pc Chicken Dinner $10.49
.
from 4 p.m
Sunday:
Pasta
Chicken Alfredo $9.39
.
9 p.m
to
Now booking events in the region’s newest wedding
& special event location. Flexible space for large &
small groups. Full service catering.
Spectacular view of the alpine mountain.
218-865-8012
GiantsRidge.com
Biwabik, Minnesota
4 piece Chicken Dinner
5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week • Virginia • 749-8289