Advancing the Prosperity of our Member Businesses and the Vitality of the Area.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Caring For Families for 125 Years

Ambassadors visit Brick-Meger Funeral Home located at1603 Austin Road in Owatonna to help them celebrate their 125^th Anniversary of the business. Glen, Cheryl, Mike and Brett Meger are the owners. The Megers look forward to carrying on the tradition of funeral service and caring for families for another 125 years. Part of their celebration event included presentations from Joe Schmit-KSTP TV and Al Batt.

Promotional Products Business Celebrates 25 Years

Ambassadors visit with Corporate Recognition, 125 W. Bridge St. in Owatonna to help them celebrate their 25^th Anniversary of the business. Corporate Recognition provides ideas and imprinted products to promote and advertise all types of businesses and events. Pam and Ryan Kubat are the owners. Watch the video presentation HERE.

Entrepreneurship in Minnesota = Potential Growth

After several decades of declining business formation rates, the COVID-19 pandemic created a surprising surge in entrepreneurial interest in the U.S. and Minnesota alike. New business applications – a leading indicator of new business starts – rose by 26% in 2020 and 2021. This surge has only gained momentum throughout the pandemic.

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation report provided a statewide analysis of the state's performance. Click HERE to download the full report.

Shornock Awarded Ringhofer Scholarship

The 25th Annual recipient of the Ted G. Ringhofer Memorial Scholarship is Arianna Shornock. Arianna is the daughter of Shane & Amy Shornock and is planning on majoring in Accounting at the University of Northern Iowa. Arianna was awarded a $1,000 scholarship given by North Risk Partners and the OACCT Ambassadors on May 5th - Congratulations!

What Type of Restaurant Should Be Added Downtown?

Join over 800 fellow citizens in providing your input on a new restaurant. As part of downtown redevelopment, we foresee one or more new restaurants securing space in Owatonna soon. We need your input to help determine which kind of establishment and cuisine is desired by the community. Your feedback will help downtown project officials in their decision-making process.

Take a few minutes to answer the survey below and let your taste buds be heard! The survey will close on May 31. Registration is as simple as a valid email.

Continued growth of Owatonna will mean additional restaurants may look for opportunities here in the future. They will have access to the feedback you provide below.

Restaurant Survey

Leaders Adapt; Managers Rely on Experience

Leaders are innovative and show their strength during times of chaos or difficulty. They think outside the box and seek creative solutions for unusual circumstances. On the other hand, managers tend to follow tried-and-true approaches to challenges and rely on their past experience to solve problems.

Leaders offer innovative decision-making, while managers may be resistant to change. FULL STORY

Changing Trends in Workforce Recruitment

Workforce is the focus for the next Chamber Growth Breakfast Series. Come to Torey's on Thursday, May 19, at 7:30am to hear from Mark Schultz, regional analyst with MN Department of Employment & Economic Development; Megan Horton, SteeleCoWorks Workforce Coordinator; Brian Coleman, and OHS Career Pathways Navigator.

Learn more and register HERE

Mark Schultz, Regional Analyst, Minnesota DEED

Megan Horton, SteeleCo Works, Workforce Coordinator

Brian Coleman, Owatonna High School, Career Pathways Navigator

Students Gain Opportunities At Career Fair

Earlier this week 49 employers attended the Spring Career Fair at OHS. Thank you to the students who attended and asked the employers great questions, more than 25 students applied for jobs right at the fair. Thank you to all of the employers who took time out of their busy schedules to have a booth at the fair. We hope to see many students joining the workforce soon!

Celebrating Students Going to Work

The SteeleCo Works Signing Day is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1st starting at 4:30 pm at Torey's Restaurant & Bar. Friends and family members are welcome to join the students who have committed to working at local businesses after high school.

Please RSVP to Megan Horton at mhorton@wdimn.org to secure your spot!

Softball Tournament Makes BIG Impact

Corky's Early Bird Men's Softball Classic, a USA Softball slow-pitch softball tournament, was held in Owatonna this past weekend. It is expected that this tournament brings in over $600,000 to our local hotels, restaurants, and local retail and service businesses.

Teams come from all over the United States try their luck against some of the best teams in the nation. This year’s tournament brought in around 170 teams, and their fans, to Owatonna. A portion of the proceeds from the event are also put back into our local charities and youth organizations.

Excited about Tourisms' Future

Welcome to Glenda Smith, Director of Conventions and Tourism. Click HERE to watch the entire interview!

Opening Day of Owatonna Tradition

Many people enjoyed 2022’s first Farmers Market on the beautiful first Saturday of May. The Farmer’s Market is held at Central Park in downtown Owatonna every Saturday through October. Hours are 7:00AM-12:00PM.

If you know anyone interested in being a vendor, tell them to stop in and see John at Little Professor Book Center at 110 W. Park Square.

Keep Informed On Community Events

Spring is here and so are the events! Check the Community Calendar on the Chamber's website for up to the minute events. Have one to post? Send a flyer or information to Mary Jo at mrobbins@owatonna.org and she will get it on the calendar for you.

50 Words for $50

Feature a special offer, an upcoming event or company information--but it must be 50 words. The cost to participate is $50 per week.

JA Think! Trivia Night

Great opportunity for businesses to sponsor a team to play JA Think! Trivia. This is a traditional trivia game night that is being provided to us with support from both Half Pint Brewery and Pizza Farm over in Waseca.

JA hosts events during the year to sustain free programming to our local area schools for grades K-12 programs. JA teaches students lessons about financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. We seek to motivate young minds to value education, take control of their own financial futures and to be thoughtfully engaged citizens who contribute positively to their local communities.

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320 Hoffman Drive
Owatonna, MN | 55060 US

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