• Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging compatible in fill, and developing sensitive design management systems.
• Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
• Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens, and visitors.
• Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities.

The Main Street Approach advocates community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.”

What’s in it for Faribault?

Basic training on the Four Point Approach is being offered August 17 and 18th in Red Wing. Anyone interested in attending the training should contact The Chamber for details. There is no charge to attend.

The steering committee is hosting a Faribault Main Street meeting on August 26 at 12 noon at the Bachrach Hall at 318 Central Ave in Downtown Faribault.

At the meeting the committee will explain more about the program and the opportunity it brings.

Registration is requested for attendance to assure materials and space is adequate. Lunch will be provided for a minimal fee with pre-registration.

What is the most important trait for our next City Administrator?

Amplify the Voice of Business by leaving a comment here.

Harry Browns Family Automotive– Business of the Year

Founded in 1968 by Harry Brown, this local business has been providing new and used cars sales and service for over 40 years. Harry Brown’s employs approximately 75 people. They are the top volume dealer in southern Minnesota and offer Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep products. The business also includes an automatic carwash facility and an Abra Autobody dealership. The second generation of the Brown family is now active in ownership and management. Harry Brown’s Family Automotive was chosen as the business of the year for their resiliency in difficult times, altering their business model to meet the changing market and economy while growing their successful enterprise in Faribault. They were also commended for their generous support of many youth sports and community events. Harry Brown’s family Automotive is a living example of entrepreneurship, with humble beginnings as a small used car lot to a large volume family business that is a mainstay of the Faribault area.

Fette Electronics – Small Business of the Year

Fette Electronics first opened in 1962 when owner Dick Fette returned home from the Airforce. They opened their current location downtown in 1967. The business began with Dick making house calls and Joyce home with the kids. Now the “kids” are an integral part of the business, each with their own area of expertise. Fette Electronics is another example of a family business that has weathered many storms and adapted many changes. The business model had to change with each change in technology. There were several years when most of Dick’s time was spent repairing VCR’s. Now Fette Electronics is a retail electronics store with TV’s, Computers, stereo components with service and repair in-house. A big part of their business is commercial and residential security and sound systems. There is virtually no community event that has gone without the expertise of Fette Electronics. Events such as the Rice County Fair, Tree Frog Music Festival and many chamber events benefit from the sound equipment and expertise the Fettes provide. One nomination said “Fette’s has High-Tech products with the same family feel of years gone by”

The Cheese Cave – New Business Spotlight

The Cheese Cave is a unique draw to downtown Faribault. It is also a connection to the historic caves which have a distinct place in Faribault history. The beautiful facility, creative marketing ideas and friendly staff have made it a key element of the community in the short time they have been open. Founded by three friends, Jeff Jirik, Jeff LaBeau, and Bob Foley, The Cheese Cave serves as the retail store for The Faribault Dairy Company, makers of the premium blue cheese Amablu. Store Manager Laura Paquette has become active in the DAC Promotions committee and the I GET IT promotion which promotes the value of shopping locally. In less than one year, The Cheese Cave has become a destination and a local favorite.

Businesses are nominated by any Chamber member and selected based on the impact they have on the local economy, the community and their employees.

Other honorees at the luncheon include the Chamber volunteer of the year and the businesses who have qualified for recognition in the Business Gives Program.

Luncheon

This is the 25th annual Business Awards Luncheon. The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of its tradition on honoring outstanding businesses.

Join us in honoring these award winning businesses at the 2010 Business of the Year Awards Luncheon, Thursday May 13 beginning at 11:30 am at the Elks East Wing. Reservations can be made on-line at www.faribaultmn.org or be calling the chamber office at 334-4381.

The Chamber Board of Directors voted to share their view on the City Administrator search with the Mayor and Members of the City Council.  The letter below was sent last week.

Mayor John Jasinski
City of Faribault
208 1st Avenue NW
Faribault, MN 55021

Dear Mayor Jasinski and members of the City Council,

The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has been observing with interest, the recent discussions on the council’s search for an administrator.

The Chamber Board offers the following points for your consideration:

• The selection of the next City Administrator is undoubtedly the biggest decision you have before you.
• Any organization wishing to make the best decision on a crucial topic like this determines a process and then follows the process.
• We urge you to retain a qualified search firm as soon as possible and begin the appropriate steps to securing a professional administrator for Faribault.
• We commend you for placing a very competent person in the position of acting administrator. She may choose to be a candidate for the position and if she is, she should be afforded exactly the same process as all other candidates.
• We further suggest that you prudently stabilize any areas of immediate concern within the city organization, but refrain from making restructuring decisions that would limit a new administrator’s opportunity to lead and direct the city staff.
• We believe that the best caliber of candidates will want to have latitude within the city charter to make these organizational decisions.

We appreciate your leadership on the City Council and remain eager to work with you in continuing our shared mission of making Faribault an even greater place to work, live and visit.

Sincerely,

The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Kymn Anderson
President

The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winners of the

25th Annual Business of the Year Awards.

Harry Browns Family Automotive– Business of the Year
Founded in 1968 by Harry Brown, this local business has been providing new and used cars sales and service for over 40 years. Harry Brown’s employs approximately 75 people. They are the top volume dealer in southern Minnesota and offer Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep products. The business also includes an automatic carwash facility and an Abra Autobody dealership. The second generation of the Brown family is now active in ownership and management. Harry Brown’s Family Automotive was chosen as the business of the year for their resiliency in difficult times, altering their business model to meet the changing market and economy while growing their successful enterprise in Faribault. They were also commended for their generous support of many youth sports and community events. Harry Brown’s family Automotive is a living example of entrepreneurship, with humble beginnings as a small used car lot to a large volume family business that is a mainstay of the Faribault area.

Fette Electronics – Small Business of the Year
Fette Electronics first opened in 1962 when owner Dick Fette returned home from the Airforce. They opened their current location downtown in 1967. The business began with Dick making house calls and Joyce home with the kids. Now the “kids” are an integral part of the business, each with their own area of expertise. Fette Electronics is another example of a family business that has weathered many storms and adapted many changes. The business model had to change with each change in technology. There were several years when most of Dick’s time was spent repairing VCR’s. Now Fette Electronics is a retail electronics store with TV’s, Computers, stereo components with service and repair in-house. A big part of their business is commercial and residential security and sound systems. There is virtually no community event that has gone without the expertise of Fette Electronics. Events such as the Rice County Fair, Tree Frog Music Festival and many chamber events benefit from the sound equipment and expertise the Fettes provide. One nomination said “Fette’s has High-Tech products with the same family feel of years gone by”

The Cheese Cave – New Business Spotlight
The Cheese Cave is a unique draw to downtown Faribault. It is also a connection to the historic caves which have a distinct place in Faribault history. The beautiful facility, creative marketing ideas and friendly staff have made it a key element of the community in the short time they have been open. Founded by three friends, Jeff Jirik, Jeff LaBeau, and Bob Foley, The Cheese Cave serves as the retail store for The Faribault Dairy Company, makers of the premium blue cheese Amablu. Store Manager Laura Paquette has become active in the DAC Promotions committee and the I GET IT promotion which promotes the value of shopping locally. In less than one year, The Cheese Cave has become a destination and a local favorite.

Businesses are nominated by any Chamber member and selected based on the impact they have on the local economy, the community and their employees.

Other honorees at the luncheon include the Chamber volunteer of the year and the companies who have qualified for recognition in the Business Gives Program.

Luncheon
This is the 25th annual Business Awards Luncheon. The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of its tradition on honoring outstanding businesses.

Join us in honoring these award winning businesses at the 2010 Business of the Year Awards Luncheon, Thursday May 13 beginning at 11:30 am at the Elks East Wing. Reservations can be made on-line by clicking on Events at the top of the page or by calling the chamber office at 334-4381.