Understanding your Property Taxes

Understanding Property Tax  Click to download the document.

The Chamber continues to address the concerns members have on rising property taxes.

The document attached was prepared by the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, research arm, 

Center for Public Finance Research.   It provides a comprehensive overview of frequently

asked questions on how cities and counties calculate local property tax.

Members interested in this work are invited to participate in the Chamber Business Advocates Group.

Contact Kymn Anderson at the Chamber to get involved:

kymn@faribaultmn.org

334-4381

Learn More about Diversity in Faribault

This summer, a group of St. Olaf Students, under the direction of Professor Katheryn Tegtmeyer Pak, conducted a study of Faribault’s ethnic diversity. The report below outlines the benefits, challenges, the assimilation and connections made by these new residents of Faribault.

After the Welcome Center -St. Olaf Report

Annual Membership Appreciation Gala – February 4

Chamber Agri-Business Luncheon – November 17 at KC Hall

SHOP LOCAL

 Paula Mathews, The Phone Station, submitted the following comments

about the importance of shopping locally.

It’s never too late to take notice of your surroundings.  Born and raised here in Faribault, it has taken me sometime to grasp the fullness of the blessings we have right here in this small Minnesota community.  But they are many.  We have so many people and organizations that work tirelessly to support, promote and make this place better for individuals and businesses to work, play, educate and serve.

The Chamber of Commerce is one such organization and in 2009, they launched the “I GET IT” campaign challenging local residents and businesses to shop locally.  Being a local business owner myself, I went to the web page (www.shopfaribaultmn.com) and took the pledge to keep my spending local.

 While I strive to make all my purchases locally, I know that one cannot always do so, but I also know how much I appreciate it when a customer checks with me first to see if I can meet their needs. It shows they made a conscience choice to start right here, that they understand the impact their spending has on our community, their neighbors, friends and businesses.  It says, “I GET IT.”  

The holidays are fast approaching and local businesses are working hard to provide products and services that will meet the needs of those on your gift giving list as well as your everyday needs. I would like to challenge you to check out the business directory, give a local business a call or stop in to see if they can meet your needs before heading out of town.  Chances are you’ll find what you are looking for and more.

Everyone has that list of gifts to buy this time of year, for clients, friends and family.  One way to support local businesses is to purchase Chamber Checks for gifts.   Chamber Checks are negotiable checks worth the exact amount printed on them and are easy for consumers and businesses to use.  Show that you “GET IT” and encourage others to shop locally by using Chamber Checks good at over 250 places in Faribault.

For every local purchase there is a purpose…. And that purpose is to keep our community connected, the blessings flowing, our businesses thriving and our families working, learning and serving one another.

Made in Faribault: A Salute to Manufacturing

Manufacturing Luncheon and Three Manufacturing Tours

Last Thursday was a full day dedicated to Manufacturing in Faribault. “Made in Faribault” featured a resource fair from local and state agencies and area companies. The resource fair was followed up by a presentation from Kevin Kelleher, Economic Development Specialist for DEED in Southeast Minnesota. Kevin Kelleher was followed up by three Faribault Manufacturers: Gary Kindseth, Executive Vice President of Faribault Foods, Mike Gramse, Owner of MRG Tool and Die, and Paul Mooty, CFO of Faribault Woolen Mill Company.

After the luncheon a bus departed from South Central College to tours of: McQuay International, MRG Tool and Die, and Mercury Minnesota. Students also attended tours later in the after noon.

The Event was sponsored by:

Review Legislative Issues for 2012

November 18 —-
8 am – 9 am—–
Faribault Foods Conference Room—–

1819 2nd Ave NW –
Faribault, MN 55021 –

Tom Hesse from the Minnesota Chamber Policy Staff will be facilitating a discussion on priorities for the 2012 legislative session.

Plan to attend and help shape the message our legislators will hear from the MN Chamber and the Chamber Federation.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
2012 DRAFT Federation Priorities

Budget reform:

• Implement priorities and outcomes based budgeting.
• Request and receive federal Medicaid waivers that will allow Minnesota’s programs to assign enrollees to a care system and pay for their care based on outcomes.
• Continue to lead and advocate state and local government redesign.
• Continue to advocate for public employee compensation reform.

Education:

• Improve teacher evaluation by eliminating the “last in first out” approach to teacher layoffs. Replace it with a system based in part on teachers’ classroom results.
• Reinstate the state’s math requirement for high school graduation.
• Support higher education policies that emphasize producing workers for available jobs and closing the skills gap. (Note: The Minnesota Chamber is currently researching and drafting a new higher education policy. This policy will be ready for the 2013 session.)

Energy:

• Require that electric rates in Minnesota be based primarily on the cost of serving the customer, i.e. cost-based rates.
• Lift the bans on consideration of additional nuclear power and the development/use of new coal-fired electricity generation.

Environmental permitting:

• Continue to improve the efficiency of and streamline the environmental review and permitting process, including consideration of updating the 30 day notice for completed permit applications and creation of an Economic Development Coordinator to oversee large economic development projects and their permitting needs.

Health care:

• Design and implement a health insurance exchange that allows Minnesota employers and individuals to shop for coverage based on both the quality of care and price.

New Major Policy Initiative: Tax reform:

• Research the feasibility of a major tax reform initiative.
• Make the proposal the focal point of the 2013 session.
• A tax reform proposal should:
  • Be revenue neutral
  • Make the tax system more competitive and stable.
  • Use Governor Pawlenty’s 21^st Century Tax Reform Commission report as a starting point.

New Board Members for 2012 Nominated

 

The Nominating Committee appointed by the Chamber Board of Directors recommends the following individuals for appointment to the Board of Directors beginning in January of 2012

Three Year terms:

• Joe Cullinan. Hy-Vee Food Store, Wine and Spirits
• Rodney Gramse, MRG Tool and Die Corp.
• Paul Swenson, Paul Swenson Photography
• Deb White, Paddington’s Seed & Feed

According to the By-laws, this slate of directors will be declared elected if within 10 days of this notification no additional candidates are posted by a petition of 25 members.      

Final approval at November 17, 2012 Board Meeting

Faribault Fall Festival/Chili Contest Photos

Faribault’s Future Leadership Class at Shattuck St. Mary’s School

Here are photos from the Faribault’s Future Leadership class on October 13 at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School:

Next Page »