resultsresults the newsletter of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commercethe newsletter of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce

October 2010

Also in this issue… Event Recaps

Articles, Pictures, and more Pictures

Upcoming Events

Board of Directors

OfficersOfficersOfficersOfficers Bill Helgeson, Chair Risdall Marketing Group bill@risdall.com Beverly Aplikowski, Past Chair Lakeside Homes Inc. bev@homesbylakeside.com

Kathy Klang, Treasurer Cummings, Keegan & Co., PLLP kjklang@ckco-cpa.com

DirectorsDirectorsDirectorsDirectors Sarah Anderson Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott - Roseville sanderson@csmcorp.net

Joe Brauer Mid American Financial Group jbrauer@minneapolis.nef.com

Ann Curtis M&I Bank—Blaine ann.curtis@micorp.com

Dr. Catherine Gray Morningstar Chiropractic drgray@morningstarchiro.com

Jason Helgemoe Western Bank jhelgemoe@western-bank.com

Ted Landwehr Landwehr Law Offices tland@landwehrlaw.com

Steve McAlpin McAlpin Agency Inc. steve@mcalpinagency.com

Jodi Moulzolf Country Inn & Suites - Shoreview jmoulzolf@yahoo.com

Andrea Murphy Northeast Bank am@northeastbank-mn.com

Marnie Ochs-Raleigh Evolve Systems marnie@evolve-systems.com

Deb Pieper Paradigm Business Solutions d_pieper@comcast.net

Committee Chairs

AmbassadorsAmbassadorsAmbassadorsAmbassadors OPEN Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Breakfast Networking Dr. Catherine Gray MorningStar Chiropractic Economic AdvancementEconomic AdvancementEconomic AdvancementEconomic Advancement Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive Committee Bill Helgeson Risdall Marketing Group Fall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf OutingFall ‘Nine is Fine’ Golf Outing Jeff Lust Country Financial Gala 2011Gala 2011Gala 2011Gala 2011 Joe Brauer Mid American Financial Group Nominating CommitteeNominating CommitteeNominating CommitteeNominating Committee Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes Public PolicyPublic PolicyPublic PolicyPublic Policy Beverly Aplikowski Lakeside Homes

Bill Gschwind InPursuit Consulting

Pat Whelan PJW Automotive Spring Spring Spring Spring ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ ‘Chamber Challenge’ Golf TournamentGolf TournamentGolf TournamentGolf Tournament OPEN Young ProfessionalsYoung ProfessionalsYoung ProfessionalsYoung Professionals OPEN

INTERESTED IN HELPING

CHART THE CHAMBER’S

DIRECTION BY

LEADING A PROGRAM

OR ACTIVITY?

Contact the Chamber office for a complete committee update at 763.571.9781.

Contact Your Chamber Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce

525 Main Street, Suite 200, New Brighton, MN 55112 Tel. 763.571.9781; E-mail info@twincitiesnorth.org;

Tim Roche - president & ceo Melissa Deming - director of events and marketing

Dave Fearing—membership consultant

From the Desk of the President & CEO

Chamber Leadership

BAE Systems 4800 East River Road

Fridley, MN 55421 763-572-7615

Results Sponsor

Results Sponsor

Northeast Bank 3989 Central Ave. NE

Columbia Heights, MN 55421 763-788-9351

Ambassadors of the Month - September 2010

Results Sponsor

Cummings, Keegan & Co. 600 S. Hwy. 169, Suite 1625

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Ambassador of the Month: 5 pnts. Joe Brauer

Mid American Financial Group

Ambassador of the Month Runner-Up: 4 pnts. Avonelle Lovhaug Code Poetry Software

Total Ambassador points for the month: 223!

As election day in November gets closer and closer, I just wanted to remind all the members to become as well informed as you can about the candidates running for office. The Gubernatorial race and other State and Federal races get the majority of the press, but every race counts! School Board, County Commissioners, City Councils, oh my! These positions have an impact on your everyday life, so be sure to learn as much as you can before November rolls around. Take advantage of what the Chamber is offering. We will be co-sponsoring debates, compiling a voters guide from candidate questionnaires on county and city races, hearing from Secretary of State Mark Ritchie at our October Business Essentials Luncheon, and hearing from “Legends of the Game” at our Legislative Breakfast

with the Chamber. You are well informed by just being a member! With November also comes the unofficial end of summer. I am worried that summer spending has lead to an optimism in the economic recovery that may not necessarily exist. To ensure the exchange of monies continues for your business, register for a booth at the Fall Chamber Expo. We sell out regularly with 75 booths of various business industries. While partnering with the American Association of Micro-Businesses, we not only bring in a larger crowd, but we are also bringing in businesses from all over the metro.

In addition, the expo is free to attendees! We average over 250 attendees at each expo.

While perhaps your employees are not a customer of yours, they certainly could be customers of other vendors at the expo. If every booth vendor invited 5 employees, we would triple the amount of attendees at the expo, exponentially bringing more clients and leads for everyone in attendance.!

Tim Roche

Membership Information

Results Sponsor

TDS Metrocom 3460 Washington Dr.

Eagan, MN 55122 763-450-4000

Grand Casino Mille Lacs / Hinckley 7600 Boone Ave. N.

Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 763-488-1899

Results Sponsor

Thank you for reinvesting with YOUR Chamber!

Member Reinvestments New Members! – September 2010

Member Member Since

High Pointe Realty, Inc. 12089 Coral Sea Street Blaine, MN 55449 651-308-1850 Alex Wheaton

wheatonalex@hotmail.com www.alexwheaton.com Residential Real Estate

Mariner Professional Services 2355 Fairview Avenue Roseville, MN 55113 612-216-2523 Adam Parker

adam@mariner-ps.com www.mariner-ps.com Civil Engineer

Anoka-Ramsey Community College 1/1/1988 BAE Systems 1/1/1975 Cave and Associates, Ltd 9/1/2009 Costco Wholesale - Maplewood 10/1/2009 Culvers - St. Anthony 10/1/2003 Cummins Power Generation 10/1/2008 Days Inn - Mounds View 8/1/2006 Donatelle 1/1/1997 Evolve Systems 10/1/2005 General Mills, Inc. 1/1/1989 Gretchen West Massage Therapy 8/1/2009 Hank's Specialties, Inc. 1/1/1997 Landwehr Law Offices 9/1/2008 Northwest Youth and Family Services 7/1/2002 Paradigm Business Solutions, Inc. 12/1/2006 Paster Enterprises 1/1/1998 Perkins - Fridley 9/1/2008 Premier Materials Technology, Inc. 10/1/2009 Rebarfab, Inc. 9/1/1999 Southern Anoka Community Assistance 1/1/1987 Steve Kjelland Photography 9/1/2008 Summit Printing 1/1/1987

Population: 33,882

Labor Force: 18,457

Median Age: 45.3

Businesses: 1,629

Fortune 500 Companies: 0

Job Growth Rate: (2000-2008) -2.9%

Home Values (median) $243,900

Household Income (average) $61,129

Household Expenditures (average) $59,797

High School Degree of higher: 93.74%

Bachelors Degree of higher: 46.47%

White Collar Workers: 60%

Blue Collar Workers: 39%

Universities within Community: 3

Universities within 50 miles: 50

Community College within Community: 0

Community College within 30 miles: 10

Unemployment Rate: 6.9%

Airport in City? No

Interstate in City? Yes

Light Rail in City? No Information obtained from GIS Planning: www.zoomprospector.com

Roseville

Twin Cities Dental 3803 Silver Lake Road St. Anthony, MN 55421

612-782-7000 Dr. Prem Kumar

twincitiesdental@hotmail.com www.twincitiesdentalmn.com

Dental

‘Nine is Fine’ Fall Golf Outing

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Columbia Golf Course, Minneapolis

Thank you ‘Nine is Fine’ Sponsors!

Major Sponsors: Alexandra House, Inc. & M&I Bank, Blaine

Tee Sponsors: CU Companies

Expetec Technology Services Homewood Suites Majestic Oaks

Minnesota Timberwolves Northeast Bank Pawn America

Restoration Auto Glass Shorewood Bar & Grill

Team Logic IT

Green Sponsors: Culver's of St. Anthony

Barna, Guzy and Steffen, LTD Sentry Insurance PJW Automotive Rasmussen College

Beverage Cart Sponsor: Cummings, Keegan, & Co., P.L.L.P.

Ultimate ‘Staycation’ Sponsor:

Hampton Inn & Green Mill, Shoreview

Money Ball Sponsor: Grand Casino Mille Lacs-Hinckley

Weather Sponsor: PJW Automotive

Hole-In-One Sponsor:

Mid American Financial Group

‘Nine is Fine’ Pictures

Business Advocacy Health Care Implementation Timeline through 2013

Provided by the US Chamber of Commerce

2010

♦ Insurance Reforms: As of the signing of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective immediately, all existing health insurance plans are now subject to new regulations that prohibit lifetime limits, rescissions, and excessive waiting periods. Compliance must be met within six months. Additionally, a requirement to provide coverage for non-dependent children requires them to be able to stay on their parent’s policies until age 26. Prior to 2014, the requirement is limited to those adult children without an offer of employer-sponsored coverage. Also restricts annual limits for group health plans and requires all plans (individual and group) to provide first dollar coverage for preventive services.

♦ Small Business Health Tax Credit: This will do little to help small firms afford insurance. The credit, worth 50% of an employer’s contribution toward employees’ health insurance premiums, is very restrictive and puts small business owners through a series of complicated tests to determine the actual amount of the credit. (1) Very few small firms will receive the full credit (only firms with 10 employees or less). For firms with 11-25 employees, the credit is reduced per employee. Firms with more than 25 employees get NO credit. (2) Only firms who pay their workers $25,000 or less are eligible for the full credit. The credit is reduced as the average wage goes up, stopping at $50,000. The credit is only available for a

maximum of five years, and only two years once the Exchanges are up and running in 2014.

♦ False Claims Act: Narrows the application of the False Claims Act’s public disclosure bar.

♦ Early Retirees: Creates a temporary reinsurance program to help companies that provide early retiree benefits for those 55-64.

♦ Taxation: A 10% tax on indoor tanning services will be imposed on 7/1/10. Further, the exclusion of the paper manufacturers’ “black liquor” tax credit also goes into effect.

♦ Medicare Cuts: After October 1, physicians’ Medicare reimbursement will be cut by more than 20 percent unless Congress enacts the so-called “doc-fix” to preserve or increase their payment levels.

2011

♦ W-2 Reporting: Employers will be required to report the value of employees’ health benefits on W-2s.

♦ HSA & FSA Limits: Consumers can no longer use HSAs and FSAs to purchase certain items, including most over-the-counter medication unless prescribed by physicians.

♦ Brand-name Drug Tax: An annual fee will be imposed on manufacturers and importers of brand-name drugs. The amount is set at $2.5 billion for 2011, $2.8 billion per year for 2012 and 2013, $3 billion per year for 2014 through 2016, $4 billion for 2017, $4.1 billion for 2018, and $2.8

billion for 2019 and thereafter. This cost will be passed on to consumers.

♦ HSA Penalty: The penalty for making non-qualified purchases with an HSA increases to 20%.

♦ Federally Subsidized Long-term Care: Voluntary payroll deductions begin for the CLASS long-term care program. Working adults may be automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt out. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this program will almost certainly cost the federal government far more than what the payroll deductions will cover. It appears this entitlement is yet another unfunded liability to add to the federal deficit for decades to come.

♦ Physician Ownership Referral: Physicians are prohibited from self-referring to hospitals in which they have an ownership interest. There are limited exceptions, including an exception to the growth restrictions for grandfathered physician owned hospitals that treat the highest percentage of Medicaid patients in their county (and are not the sole hospital in the county).

♦ Market Basket and Productivity Adjustments: With varying effective dates, reduces annual market basket for inpatient hospital, home health, skilled nursing facility, hospice and other Medicare providers. Also includes productivity adjustments.

2012

♦ 1099 Reporting: Businesses will have to complete 1099 forms for every business-to-business transaction of $600 or more – a tremendous new paperwork burden for small business.

♦ Medicare Advantage (MA): MA payments are frozen for 2011. Beginning in 2012, a new system of blended benchmarks will be phased in. 2013

♦ Elimination of Deduction for Part D Subsidy: The existing employer tax deduction for the Part D subsidy is eliminated.

♦ Fewer Deductible Medical Expenses: New limits are placed on the deductibility of medical expenses on individual income tax returns. This provision raises the 7.5% AGI floor on medical expenses deductions to 10%. The AGI floor for those 65 and older (and their spouses) remains at 7.5% through 2016.

♦ Medicare Payroll Taxes: The Medicare payroll tax on wages and self-employment income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 joint) will increase by 0.9%, and also applies for the first time, to net investment income. Earners in excess of $200.000 ($250,000 joint) will pay an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income. The income thresholds are not indexed to inflation. This tax marks the first time that funds designated for Medicare will be diverted elsewhere – specifically to pay for the insurance policies of people under the Medicare age. This establishes a precedent for treating the payroll tax as a revenue raiser for other purposes.

♦ FSA Limits: Cafeteria plan FSA contributions will be limited to $2,500 (inflation adjusted after 2013.)

♦ Medical Device Tax: A 2.3% excise tax on manufacturers and importers of certain medical devices will begin. These costs will ultimately be borne by the consumer.

♦ Comparative Effectiveness Tax: A fee will be placed on insurance policies to fund comparative effectiveness research.

Business Advocacy

Plaudits for higher ed; challenges ahead By David C. Olson

Maintaining a highly skilled and well-educated workforce is essential to a vibrant economy in Minnesota. Our higher education system must retain residents and attract students from outside Minnesota. It’s gratifying to see the recognition bestowed upon Minnesota state colleges by the Washington Monthly magazine. The national publication, in its annual ranking of “America’s Best Colleges,” included six two-year colleges in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system among the top 50 community colleges in the country. Saint Paul College ranked first based on such measures as student-faculty interaction, support for learning, graduation rates and collaborative learning methods. The college also was cited for efficiency by spending less than $10,000 per student. Also on the list were the Northeast Higher Education District-Itasca Community College, No. 5; Alexandria Technical and Community College, No. 8; Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Pipestone, No. 30; Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls, No. 37; Northeast Higher Education District-Vermilion Community College, No. 43. As immediate past chair of the MnSCU Board of Trustees, I have seen firsthand the great work of these colleges. Achieving excellence in higher ed is among the priorities of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and its network of local chambers. That said, our highest ed system cannot rest on its laurels. The state’s changing demographics – principally, a shrinking workforce – are presenting immediate challenges for employers and higher ed alike. As baby boomers retire, Minnesota is experiencing a significant drop in the number of white middle- and upper-class students. That group is being offset by higher numbers of minority and lower-income students – groups that have not always experienced educational success in Minnesota but deserve to succeed. It’s time to rethink the state’s investment in higher ed. The dollars must provide adequate incentives for colleges and universities to deliver services that respond effectively to the needs and demands of the state and the 21st century economy. The Minnesota Chamber’s initiatives include: Invest in “the public” rather than “public institutions.” Minnesota should invest 30 percent of the state’s higher ed appropriation in programs that distribute resources directly to consumers – providing access to the opportunity that best fits their individual needs. Separate appropriations for student subsidies, institutional support and research. Research conducted by the state’s colleges and universities adds significant value to the state’s economy. At the same time, we’re entering a period of limited resources for all public programs and services. Funding should be more transparent so individuals can understand and evaluate the priorities of postsecondary institutions. The statewide business community encourages higher ed institutions to make improvements through wiser and more efficient spending. There are multiple opportunities for streamlining operations, especially with respect to labor and facility costs. Bottom line, institutions must become more responsive to ensuring that every Minnesotan has an opportunity to a quality education and a productive career in today’s global marketplace. Higher ed must be sufficiently funded. More money, however, is not – and cannot – be the only way to pursue improvements in the delivery of higher ed. Businesses continually identify and implement increased efficiencies as a strategy to improve customer service and remain competitive. Education must embrace a similar mind-set. The business community stands ready to assist. David Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit the Web at www.mnchamber.com.

Upcoming Business Advocacy Activities

* Thursday, September 30th - District 50 State and Federal Candidate Forum; New Brighton City Hall - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (Co-Sponsored by North Metro Mayors Association)

* Tuesday, October 5th - District 51 State and Federal Candidate Forum; Blaine City Hall - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (Co-Sponsored by North Metro Mayors Association)

* Thursday, October 7th - Public Policy Committee Meeting; Chamber Office - 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

* Thursday, October 21st - Business Essentials Luncheon, Featuring Secretary Ritchie, The Seasons at Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids - 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

* Friday, October 22nd - Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber; Shorewood Bar and Grill, Fridley - 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Twin Cities North Twin Cities North

Business ExpoBusiness Expo & Seminar& Seminar Hosted by:

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #364 Anoka, MN Arden Hills, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Little Canada, Mounds View

New Brighton, Roseville, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park

YOUR CHAMBER CALENDAR - OCTOBER 2010

Friday, October 1, 2010 Columbia Heights Business Council

7:30-8:30 a.m.; FREE Northeast Bank, Columbia Heights Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Legislative Candidate Forum - District 51

7:00-8:30 p.m.; FREE Blaine City Hall Wednesday, October 6, 2010 YP Committee Meeting

8:00-9:00 a.m.; FREE Caribou Coffee, Mounds View Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Ribbon Cutting & Open House

3:00-7:00 p.m.; 4:00 Ribbon Cutting Breakthrough Medical Supply 2489 Rice Street, Roseville Thursday, October 7, 2010 Public Policy Committee

7:30-8:30 a.m.; FREE Chamber Office, New Brighton Wednesday, October 13, 2010 ‘The Great Bowl-Together!’

Bowling mixed with Speed Networking! Hosted by: YP Group 5:30-7:30 p.m. Brunswick Zone XL, Blaine

Thursday, October 14th, 2010 7:30-9:00 a.m. Breakfast Networking Club

Country Inn & Suites, Shoreview $10 Investment Featured Speaker: Matt Schneider, Sentry Insurance Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Roseville Business Council

7:30-8:30 a.m.; FREE Pawn America, Roseville Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Fridley Business Council

7:30-8:30 a.m.; FREE Eye Care Center, Fridley Thursday, October 21, 2010 Business Essentials Luncheon: Secretary Ritchie

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The Seasons at Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids $16 Investment Friday, October 22nd, 2010 Legislative Breakfast with the Chamber

‘Legends of the Game’ 7:30-9:00 a.m. Speakers - Jim Ramstad & Skip Humphrey Shorewood Bar & Grill, Fridley

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Twin Cities Business Expo & Seminar

Seminar: 3:00-5:00 p.m. FREE for AAM & Chamber Members Expo: 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Sign up for your booth today! FREE admission with business card Seminar Topic: ‘Marketing Systems Will Set You Free!’ Featured Speaker: Pamela Muldoon The Mermaid Entertainment & Event Center, Mounds View

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Economic Advancement Committee

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; FREE Lakeside Homes, New Brighton Thursday, October 28th, 2010 7:30-9:00 a.m. Breakfast Networking Club

Country Inn & Suites, Shoreview $10 Investment Featured Speaker: Penny Springer, Shred-N-Go Friday, October 29, 2010 New Member Reception

9:00-10:00 a.m. Chamber Office, New Brighton Everyone welcome!

October 2010 Featured Event: Business Expo & Seminar!October 2010 Featured Event: Business Expo & Seminar!October 2010 Featured Event: Business Expo & Seminar!October 2010 Featured Event: Business Expo & Seminar!

Return Service Requested

REGISTER TODAY FOR ANY EVENT ONLINE! www.twincitiesnorth.org/events

525 Main Street, Suite 200 � New Brighton, MN 55112 Tel. 763.571.9781 � Fax 763.572.7950 � www.twincitiesnorth.org

Seminar Topic:

Marketing Systems That

Will Set Your Free!

Featured Speaker:

Pamela Muldoon

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Mermaid, Mounds View

Seminar: 3:00-5:00 p.m. � FREE!

Business Expo: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Reserve your vendor booth today! See insert to register, call the Chamber at

763-571-9781, or visit www.twincitiesnorth.org.

Sponsored By: