Chamber News
The latest information
Chamber Membership May Anniversaries
Chamber Membership May Anniversaries The Brainerd Lakes Chamber is able to strengthen local businesses and our community because of the dedication of our members. Help us celebrate a few of our longstanding member businesses for their continued membership and commitment to the Brainerd Lakes Area! Celebrating 14 years of Chamber
Lakes Proud Restaurant Guide
Lakes Proud Restaurant Guide Restaurants are now open! The forecast calls for warm weather that’s perfect for outdoor dining! Check out our updated Lakes Proud Restaurant Guide with outside dining options highlighted. Our restaurants have been working hard on their reopening plans and are excited to welcome you! View, download
Lake Country Cares 101 + NEW GEAR
Lake Country Cares 101 + NEW GEAR Introducing New Posters, Downloads and Promotional Products for Lake Country Cares! Lake Country Cares is a COVID-19 safety campaign designed to build trust among residents, visitors, and local businesses. It’s our community promise to take care of each other by adopting easy and
State Fire Code: Occupant Load Determination Information
State Fire Code: Occupant Load Determination Information In light of Executive Order 20-56 related to the reopening of business and retail across Minnesota, it is important to maintain proper occupant loads. Below are information sheets to help businesses across our region calculate the occupant load for retail businesses, salons, and
Virtual Business After Hours – HAPPY HOUR with Safari North Wildlife Park
Virtual Business After Hours – HAPPY HOUR with Safari North Wildlife Park No gatherings of more than 10? No problem! Grab your favorite cocktail and join us for Virtual Business After Hours HAPPY HOUR with Safari North Wildlife Park! Here’s how it will work: 1.) Join our Zoom meeting by smartphone
May Chamber Anniversaries
May Chamber Anniversaries The Chamber is more than 1,000 members and 100 years strong because of our members. We would like to thank some of our longstanding members who are celebrating their anniversary of partnering with us in our mission of strengthening businesses that strengthen our communities. Celebrating 31 years
E-commerce webinar recording: How to move your business online
E-commerce webinar recording: How to move your business online If you missed our free e-commerce webinar: Learn how to move your business online from successful local retailers, you can access the recorded session at the link below. Hear from an expert panel of local retail business owners who have found
Essentia Health pharmacies offer curbside pick-up
Essentia Health pharmacies offer curbside pick-up Essentia Health pharmacies are now offering curbside pick-up to better and more safely serve visitors. Designed as a convenient solution to social-distancing recommendations, curbside pick-up service is available to by calling the pharmacies for refills or using the online refill web-page at EssentiaHealth.org/RxRefills. Once
Local hospitals and clinics resume nonemergency elective surgeries
Local hospitals and clinics resume nonemergency elective surgeries Local hospitals, surgery centers, and clinics (including dental and veterinary clinics) received some good news. Governor Walz’s latest Executive Order 20-51 allows them to start nonemergency elective procedures beginning Monday, May 10 as long as they put physical distancing plans in place
Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center in high demand during stay home order
Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center in high demand during stay home order Minnesota is experiencing a marked increase in reports of domestic and family violence resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Over just one weekend in March, it was reported that two-thirds of calls to law enforcement in Minnesota were related to domestic
Celebrating Our New Chamber Members
Celebrating our new Chamber members! We need each other now more than ever. Our Brainerd Lakes Chamber community is more than 1,000 members strong, and even in times of uncertainty and crisis, we continue to grow! Read below about a few of our newest members. #LakesProud #StrongerTogether Interested in joining
Minnesota partnerships help with workers’ health and safety
Minnesota partnerships help with workers’ health and safety Steve Grove, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), announced partnerships between Target Corp., Minnesota IT Services, and the Minnesota Safety Council to help ensure that workplace safety is a top priority as Minnesotans go back to work. Executive Order 20-40, which
Webinar Recording: Brainerd Lakes COVID-19 Local Healthcare Update
Webinar Recording: Brainerd Lakes COVID-19 Local Healthcare Update If you missed our free healthcare webinar, you can access the recorded session. Presenters from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Essentia Health, and Lakewood Health System discussed for the first time what they’re seeing and doing at the local level in response to
COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors
COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress enacted on March 27, provides new benefits for self-employed people and independent contractors. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) This program provides weekly benefit payments for self-employed people, independent contractors, and others who
April Chamber Anniversaries
April Chamber Anniversaries The Chamber is more than 1,000 members and 100 years strong because of our members. We would like to thank some of our longstanding members who are celebrating their anniversary of partnering with us in our mission of strengthening businesses that strengthen our communities. Celebrating 20 years
Golf courses have new rules as they welcome golfers back
Golf courses have new rules as they welcome golfers back The weather forecast looks perfect for getting out and enjoying a round of golf. It is a perfect activity for getting outside and getting some exercise. Golf courses across the Lakes Area are reopening and have safety in mind with
Governor’s office clarifies reopening process for resorts
Governor’s office clarifies reopening process for resorts State Senator Carrie Ruud and Representative John Poston shared news yesterday (April 21) that the Governor’s office clarified the reopening process for resorts. According to the clarification received by state legislators, resorts were never actually closed under the Executive Order. But there has
Reopen Brainerd Lakes
Reopen Brainerd Lakes. Save our businesses. Save our communities. To save our small businesses from closing their doors forever, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce supports the immediate development of a plan to reopen Minnesota businesses with state-recommended public health and safety accommodations. We believe businesses should be allowed to
Having difficulty recalling furloughed employees?
Having difficulty recalling furloughed employees? “Raising an issue” is possible with MN Unemployment In most circumstances, furloughed employees must relinquish unemployment benefits and return to work if they are recalled. If you believe a former employee should not be eligible for benefits due to a refusal to return, you may
Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition “Here For Good”
Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition “Here For Good” An effort to boost Downtown Brainerd business is being made by the Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition (DDBC). Show your support for downtown businesses during this difficult time by purchasing a “Here For Good” curated box of fun treasures from your favorite stores. Each
Webinar Recording: Navigating Employee Layoffs & Unemployment
Webinar Recording: Navigating Employee Layoffs & Unemployment If you were unable to attend our complimentary Wednesday webinar, you may still access the recorded session here. Presenters covered employee communication, the FFCRA Act, Minnesota unemployment programs, and complications related to the federal $600 supplement. They also answered several participant questions including
April Chamber Anniversaries
April Chamber Anniversaries The Chamber is more than 1,000 members and 100 years strong because of our members. We would like to thank some of our longstanding members who are celebrating their anniversary of partnering with us in our mission of strengthening businesses that strengthen our communities. Celebrating 26 years
Quarantingo! A fun new craze, but what is it?
A new craze has hit the Brainerd Lakes Area! It’s Quarantingo! Quarantingo – What is it? A new wave of social media mania has taken over Facebook this past week! Quarantingo has spread from St. Paul to the Brainerd Lakes Area. Hosted by Sheila DeChantal, Promotions and Marketing Director for
Recap: webinar recordings & business resources
Recap: This week’s webinar recordings & business resources 1) Blue Ox Success Series: Business Relief at the Local Level2) Accessing Relief through the Federal CARES Act If you were unable to attend our virtual webinars this past week regarding resources for business relief and assistance, you can watch the recorded
March Ambassador Welcome Visits
March Ambassador Welcome Visits Early this past March, our Chamber ambassadors were able to visit with new members and welcome them into our Chamber community. Read more about each of these businesses below!
How do I use my Chamber Bucks?
How do I use my Chamber Bucks? If you’ve recently won or received Chamber Bucks, you might be wondering what they are and how to use them. What is a Chamber Buck? Chamber Bucks are an incentive to help support local businesses. Chamber Bucks are a monetary check certificate issued
Chamber Bucks Q&A
Locals have received $3,000+ in Chamber Bucks, but what does that mean for your business? The Brainerd Lakes, Crosslake, and Pequot Lakes Chambers are supporting Chamber members by hosting Facebook contests, tagging businesses and getting the word out that small businesses need support right now! Winners of the contests are
Don’t cancel your summer travel plans
Wait…don’t cancel your summer travel plans With the spring sunshine, longer daylight, and quarantine, you’re probably getting cabin fever more than ever before. This is the time of year that many of us start dreaming of the beloved Minnesota summer. You might already have travel plans booked at your favorite
April Member Anniversaries
Celebrating membership: our April 2020 Chamber Member anniversaries The Chamber is more than 1,000 members and 100 years strong because of our members. We would like to thank some of our longstanding members who are celebrating their anniversary of partnering with us in our mission of strengthening businesses that strengthen
Welcome to our new Chamber Members!
Welcome to our Chamber, Members! This past March, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber welcomed 15 new members. Read more about each unique business below! #LakesProud
Cliffs Notes for Business Relief
Cliffs Notes for Business Relief As we’re sure you know, there is a boatload of information regarding the many state and federal programs designed to stimulate the economy and provide relief to businesses, nonprofits and employees. Details are changing daily, so here is a brief overview of the higher profile
7 tips on how to communicate with your employees during times of uncertainty
7 tips on how to communicate with your employees during times of uncertainty Be authentic and transparent: What your employees need most in times of uncertainty is transparency and trust. Be yourself. Be real. Be open. Double your communication: Think you are already sending a lot? Double it! It is
Federal tax filing pushed back to July 15, Minnesota will follow suit
Federal tax filing pushed back to July 15, Minnesota will follow suit UPDATE ON EARLIER POST: The IRS will delay both income tax payments AND the filing deadline until July 15. “We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15,” said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin . “All taxpayers
CTC launches free mobile hot spots!
CTC launches free mobile hot spots! In an effort to serve those who have little or no Internet access, CTC has opened several public WiFi spots throughout the area. Why? Because they’re CTC! Click here to find the nearest public WiFi location. The map will be updated in real time