January 2015

Vol 7 Issue 1

Chamber Connection

Inside this issue:

Minnesota Chamber of

Commerce

2

Recap of Chamber Events 3-5

Upcoming Chamber Events 6

News Briefs 7-12

Small Business Feature 14

Ribbon Cuttings 15

UPCOMING EVENTS

110th Annual Dinner

“An Evening in Morocco”

Friday, February 6

The Crown Ballroom

Healthy Lunch Club

Wednesday, February 18

12:00 p.m. —1:00 p.m.

Fairview Plaza

$12 Members

$15 Non Members

Leadership Program

Session 2

Thursday, February 19

12:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.

HCC G-10

Hibbing Jubilee

Saturday, July 11

Downtown Hibbing

The Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend the 110th Annual Dinner.

Kindly respond by January 29, 2015 to

hibbcofc@hibbing.org or 262-3895.

Please see Page 6 in this month’s issue of Chamber Connection for more

information on the 110th Annual Dinner.

Tax relief leads Minnesota Chamber agenda By Bill Blazar

Page 2 Chamber Connection Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Good things are happening on the Minnesota economic front. Unemployment is dropping. The state

treasury has a projected sizable surplus. Our state is outperforming the national economy in many

regards.

We want to make sure the momentum continues. The Minnesota Chamber and our local chamber

partners are ready to advance another aggressive agenda at the 2015 Legislature.

Tax relief headlines our priorities. Minnesota is a great place to live and work, but our taxes on all

businesses—small, medium and large—rank among the highest in the nation. And businesses do take notice. In the

2014 Minnesota Business Barometer Survey, 62 percent of the respondents said high taxes in Minnesota were one of

the top barriers for job creation.

The concerns are not surprising, given the record tax increases and spending enacted by the 2013 Legislature including

a new fourth-tier rate in the personal income tax. Though many characterize this as a “tax on the rich,” it really is a tax on

those businesses that pay their taxes through the individual income tax. Ninety-two percent of Minnesota businesses,

including our smallest and newest, do so.

We propose that business owners who report income from their business on their personal income tax return be allowed

to deduct a certain portion of this income from their taxes. This will encourage businesses to reinvest in their companies

and employees and improve their competitiveness.

Rounding out our top five priorities:

Workforce: Accelerate our workforce development efforts to help employers struggling to find skilled workers. The

urgency for skilled workers is greater than ever and spans all industries and all parts of our state. We must especially

ensure that our K-12 graduates are ready for higher education and work when they get their diploma. Many jobs are

available to them after high school if they have mastered our state’s K-12 curriculum.

Health care: Ensure small employers are able to provide affordable and quality health care coverage for their workers.

More than half of those surveyed in our Business Barometer who provide health insurance for employees said their

costs are increasing. We will seek policy changes that reduce those increases. We also will advance common-sense

reforms to improve the operations of MNsure, the state health insurance exchange.

Transportation: Maintain a solid transportation system by passing a 10-year funding plan that provides for sustained and

strategic investment in roads, bridges and transit. Minnesota businesses believe that today’s system meets their most

pressing needs. However, without additional funding, investment in our roads and bridges is projected to drop

significantly, beginning in 2016. We support a three-prolonged approach to broaden and increase permanent funding:

identify efficiencies; use a portion of the general fund; and use value-capture mechanisms, similar to tax-increment

financing, to assign a portion of a project’s cost to those who most directly benefit.

Labor/management: Eliminate the automatic inflation index in the state’s minimum wage rate, and reduce employer

costs by advancing workers’ compensation reforms in the hospital fee schedule for treatment of injured workers as we

continue our efforts on regulatory reform. Seventy-two percent of the respondents in the Business Barometer said

government doesn’t do a good job of balancing the proper amount of regulation with the need of businesses to keep

growing.

Minnesota returns to divided government following the November elections, but our goals remains the same. We look

forward to working with Governor Dayton, the Senate, and the new pro-business majority in the House to deliver policies

that will keep our state’s economy changing and growing.

Bill Blazar is Interim President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – www.mnchamber.com.

Page 3 Vol 7 Issue 1 Recap of Chamber Events

Buddy Backpack Drive

Attend. Support. Engage

Oktoberfest

The Hibbing Area Chamber’s Range Young Professionals

Committee held a Buddy Backpack Drive for the United

Way of NE Minnesota. Thank you to the businesses and

those who donated!

Pictured: Ella Champion, Hibbing Area Chamber; Paula

Fink, Ohana Therapeutic Massage; Kacey Donahue,

Iracore; Mike Stefan, Edward Jones; Jessica Schuster,

Fairview Range Medical Center; Stephanie Keppers,

American Bank.

Sponsors: American Bank, A-1 Refrigeration,

Iracore International, TriTec, Mr. Nick’s Corner Bar,

Max Gray Construction, Hibbing Chrysler Center, Ranger GM,

Trenti Law Firm.

Contributors: Sunny Hill Distributors, US Bank, Anytime Fitness,

Hibbing Park Hotel/Grandma’s in the Park, Giants Ridge,

Ohana Therapeutic Massage, L & M Radiator, SoHo,

Shari Erickson, Fena Advertising, Fairview Range Medical Center,

Mesaba Heating, Wells Fargo, Fraboni’s, Super One Foods

Danke!

Healthy Lunch Club Presents “Pick o’ the Patch”

Speaker: Kim Johnson

RD, LD, CDE

Manager of Nutrition

Service at Fairview

Range Medical Center

Page 4 Chamber Connection Recap of Chamber Events

Healthy Lunch Club Presents “Managing Stress During the Holidays”

Lunch & Learn: Own Your Future & Long Term Care Issues

“You are never too young or too old to

plan for the future.”

-Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon

This past October Lt. Governor Yvonne

Prettner Solon presented to

Hibbing Area Chamber members about

long term care issues and owning

your future.

Lunch & Learn: Hampton Inn “Good to Grow”

Speaker: Todd Torvinen,

President of ZMC Hotels, Inc.,

visited Hibbing in late

November to discuss ZMC

Hotels and the new Hampton

Inn which is expected to open

at the start of the new year.

Speaker:

Dr. Kristine Michaels,

Doctor of Chiropractic at

Premier Physical Healthcare,

discusses how natural

healthcare can help reduce

stress and give you more

energy and vitality.

Business After Hours with the Hibbing Curling Club & Midwest Communications

Thank you to the Hibbing Curling

Club & Midwest Communications

for hosting the December

Business After Hours. There were

great prizes, music, and the

chance to watch curling!

Page 5 Vol 7 Issue 1 Recap of Chamber Events

14th Annual Hibbing Area Chamber Funspiel

THANK YOU TO ALL PRIZE and WHEELBARROW CONTRIBUTORS

ANYTIME FITNESS, B MILLER PRODUCTS, BARON’S PHARMACY, BARR ENGINEERING, DELTA AIR LINES,

FRABONI’S, FURIN & SHEA, GIANTS RIDGE, HARDEE’S, HIBBING CHRYSLER CENTER,

HIBBING PARK HOTEL/GRANDMA’S, LIND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY, LIQUOR CABINET, MESABA COUNTRY

CLUB, MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, RANGER GM, SAMMY’S PIZZA, SUPER ONE, SUPER ONE LIQUOR,

SUNRISE BAKERY, VRDC, MAX GRAY CONSTRUCTION, SUNNY HILL DISTRIBUTORS, and

CHAMERNICK LIQUOR.

Special THANK YOU to our Funspiel Committee:

ANN GROZDANICH, ROGER LIND, TROY LOEB, JON MINNE, MIRANDA SCHWARTZ, MARK THUNE!

Winners of the 14th Annual Hibbing Area Chamber Funspiel

Congratulations to Team Mediacom: Zach Raskovich, Kevin Rustad, Bill Lowry, and Katie Kuitunen &

the Greg Rule Team: Greg Rule, Alex Rule, Ben Wilson, and Kathy Dubbin!

Page 6 Chamber Connection Upcoming Events

Page 7 Vol 7 Issue 1 News Briefs

Page 8 Chamber Connection News Briefs

Response to request of further examination of Polymet By Frank Ongaro

The recent request by the Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Public Health Association, and

other various groups for additional review of health impacts related to the PolyMet project, as reported in

the News Tribune a week ago today (“Groups want study of PolyMet health risks,” Oct. 21), is like a

patient asking for a prescription when it’s not needed.

PolyMet, like any proposed mining project, is required to undergo a thorough, rigorous, comprehensive,

and transparent review of all its impacts and risks and its planned mitigation of those impacts in an

Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS. Only when a company demonstrates to state and federal

regulators it will meet our strict air- and water-quality standards and ultimately protect the health of our

citizens will a project move forward.

The groups are correct that assessing the health risks of a mining project (or any industrial project) is a

reasonable request to protect Minnesotans. Unfortunately, they did not do their research. The PolyMet

Supplemental Draft EIS, or SDEIS, extensively covered and addressed health-related topics.

In addition, the SDEIS review demonstrated a number of positive aspects of the PolyMet project. The

document showed the PolyMet project actually will result in an overall decrease in mercury

concentrations (see pages 6-18 of the SDEIS); its air emissions will be minimal; and, as Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources Commissioner tom Landwehr stated, PolyMet will not create acid rock

drainage from its operation.

Additional review is unnecessary, duplicative, would cause delay, and would fail to provide any beneficial

information over the ongoing analysis.

Aside from the lack of research, the group’s comments were shortsighted and hypocritical. Almost all

medical equipment, tools, and devices rely on these critical metals that are to be mined in Northeastern

Minnesota, a significant percentage of which the U.S. is import-dependent to obtain from foreign powers.

If we do not mine these metals here in Minnesota, do we instead want these raw materials coming from

China, Russia, and developing countries where there are little or no environmental regulations? From

countries polluting on such a grand scale that the pollution circles the globe and lands here in our

Minnesota waters? From the same countries without stringent labor and safety laws and which subject

child labor to unsafe workplace conditions?

If the Minnesota Medical Association and these groups are sincere in their concern for a clean

environment, they can’t ignore that our modern society cannot have a clean environment without these

metals. Wind turbines, solar equipment, electric cars, and catalytic converters in our automobiles all

require significant amounts of these critical metals.

Instead of aligning with fringe anti-mining groups, maybe a better approach for the Minnesota Medical

Association and other health care groups would be to work together with the industry to mine and process

these metals here in Minnesota where we have strong regulations designed to safeguard our

environment. That way we can hold up PolyMet and other future projects as model examples of

environmentally responsible mining for the entire world to follow.

Frank Ongaro is executive director of Duluth-based MiningMinnesota (miningminnesota.com).

Page 9 Vol 7 Issue 1 News Briefs

Stark honored by Thrivent Financial for outstanding performance

Page 10 Chamber Connection News Briefs

Kate Motherway-Ritzer

Benefits Analyst

Family Heritage Life Insurance

HHS Class of 1981

Congratulations to Americas Best Value Inn

The former Super 8 Motel is now known as Americas Best Value Inn and is under

new ownership. There have been many renovations to the new hotel, including new

beds, décor, and fresh paint in the rooms, hallways, and lobby for a whole new

experience in comfort and leisure. The staff welcomes you to stop by and check

out the new look.

Welcome, Family Heritage Life Insurance

There are 2 types of medical costs; 1-direct costs, bills that are covered by

medical insurance and 2-indirect costs, cash that is needed to pay

deductibles, gas/airfare, or for groceries. It is the indirect costs that increase

the most when facing a long-term illness. Families need to come up with cash

for the indirect costs so they sell their toys. Family Heritage protects these

toys, your assets and your savings account. Family Heritage does not want

families to lose their standard of living just because they are dealing with

cancer, a car accident or a heart attack. We want families to support the

person who is ill and not be bogged down by financial woes. They provide

peace of mind and, if you are lucky enough to stay healthy during your policy

period, Family Heritage will give you all of your money back. Guaranteed.

Welcome, Access North Center for Independent Living

Access North is a Center for Independent Living that provides an array of services to people with

disabilities—including advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referral, peer/group

support, PCA services, homemaking and respite services, nursing home relocation and transition

services, assistive technology among others. Consumers have control over decisions regarding their lives

and services. Access North’s mission is to assist people with disabilities to live independently, pursue

meaningful goals and have the same opportunities and choices as all people.

Year-End Payroll Tip

EMPLOYERS REMEMBER….2014 W-2 Forms should be mailed to employees no later than January 31st.

This tip is provided to you by 24hr Bookkeeper, Inc.

If your business or organization has a recent news brief that you would like featured in our newsletter,

free or charge, please send the brief to Melissa at hibbcofc@hibbing.org.

Page 11 Vol 7 Issue 1 News Briefs

Range Engineering Council and IRPFS announce Green Inventors Contest for students

Hometown Focus

VIRGINIA – The Range Engineering Council (REC) and the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability (IRPS) announced

the Green Inventors Contest for 2015. The contest is intended to foster pre-engineering and design techniques that

promote sustainability (economy, society or the environment) in the Iron Range community. Prizes will be awarded at

three age levels: • Level I (grades 4 – 6) • Level II (grades 7 – 9) • Level III (grades 10 – 12)

All entries must be presented for judging at the Iron Range Earth Fest in Mt. Iron on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Prizes will

be awarded for the top three places in each grade category: $50 for 1st place, $35 for 2nd place and $25 for 3rd place.

The grand challenge to be addressed in the Green Inventors Contest is: If each Iron Ranger throws away an average of 4

lbs./day, we are collectively generating almost 1 million pounds of waste each and every day, the majority of which goes

to a landfill and this not sustainable.

Grand challenge participants are to: • Identify a solution to the waste management grand challenge.

Innovations should focus on waste elimination and reduction, reuse or disposal ideas. • Present their ideas by way of

poster and model. • Follow the theme of “green” innovation – making the Earth, our community or the economy a

better place.

Ideas may be developed and entered for competition by a single person or a pairing of students.

All entries must be original work of the entrant or entrants and must have an entry form postmarked no later than

March 22, 2015. All entries must have an informational poster for the invention and a small-scale model of the

invention or a prototype of the actual invention.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: • Creativity • Originality • Practicality of the invention • Value/benefit of

the invention • Clarity of poster (information) • Quality of model/replica

Contest participants should think of sustainability like a three legged stool. For a community to be sustainable, the

three elements of community, economy and environment all need to exist in a healthy, holistic relationship. If one of the

legs is too long or too short, it won't stand up and our communities won't be sustainable for future generations.

Judging of the contest entries will take place at from 10 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, April 18, at the

Iron Range Earth Fest.

For questions about the contest, expectations or entry procedures, contact Moe Benda at mbenda@d.umn.edu

218- 749-7776. Contest entry forms can be downloaded at irpsmn.org.

To read more features and news, visit Hometownfocus.us, or download the free app at discovermn.us.

What is your solution to the grand challenge?

If each Iron Ranger throws away an average of 4 lbs./day, we are collectively generating almost 1 million pounds of

waste each and every day, the majority of which goes to a landfill. This not sustainable.

This article can be found at: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2014-12-

19/News_Briefs/Range_Engineering_Council_and_IRPFS_announce_Green.html.

Page 12 Chamber Connection News Briefs

Roberta Collins Receives Highest Score on National Certification Exam

Advantage Billing Concepts, Inc. is proud to announce that Roberta Collins, CEO of Advantage Billing

received the Certification Excellence Award for having the highest score, in the nation, on the Certified

Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP-P) Certification Exam. While she carries other Medical Coding/Billing

Credentials, this is the first time she has received the Excellence Award.

She passed the CRC-P Exam administered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative

Management (AAHAM), earning the additional credential of CRCP-P. According to AAHAM, a nationwide

group of Medical billers and Administrators providing education and networking opportunities for medical

billing professionals. “The Professional Revenue Cycle Certification demonstrates a high level of

achievement and distinguishes you as a leader and role model in the revenue cycle industry. The

certification validates your proficiency and commitment to your profession.” Roberta has been a member

of AAHAM for over thirty years and is a former MN Chapter President, Treasurer, Secretary, Board

Member, and Board Chair. She is currently an AAHAM National Board Member and their Legislative

Committee Chair.

Roberta and her company are members of the Hibbing and Laurentian Chambers of Commerce and she

is a past Chairman of the Board in Hibbing.

Advantage Billing Concepts opened in March 1998, and provides Accounts Receivable Management and

specialized consulting services for independent physicians, psychologists, ambulance services, and nurse

practitioners. Advantage Billing is a full service medical accounts receivable management corporation

proud to call Hibbing its home. Advantage has 23 employees and provides service to 78 clients.

Their offices are located at 3920 13th Avenue East in Hibbing.

DEED Pilot Grant Programs

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has developed two Pilot Grant

Programs including the Innovative Voucher Pilot Program and the Job Training Incentive Pilot Program

(JTIP). Please visit http://hibbing.org/pages/BusinessRetention47GrowMinnesota/ to find specific

documents for more information regarding each program.

The Innovative Voucher Pilot Program is a program for Minnesota businesses with less than 40

employees that have needs of purchasing technical assistance and services from public higher education

institutions and non-profit entities in the development or commercialization of innovative new products

and services. Up to $25,000 per voucher grant is available. Funds are available now through June 30,

2017, first come, first served.

The Job Training Incentive Pilot Program (JTIP) is for businesses that have less than 1500 employees,

considering hiring 5 new employees or increasing workforce by 10%, and businesses must be engaged in

manufacturing, warehouse, distributions, information technology, finance, insurance, or professional or

technical service activities. The program awards training grants of up to $50,000 for customized,

proprietary training. Applications are being accepted until December 31, 2015. This is an extension of

the pilot program’s end date as funds are still available.

Page 13 Vol 7 Issue 1 News Briefs

Are you looking to get involved in a committee?

Visit www.hibbing.org for a complete listing of the Hibbing Area Chamber committees!

Page 14 Chamber Connection Small Business Feature

Premier Physical Healthcare

Serving the Iron Range for over 55 years,

Premier Physical Healthcare has been home to three

generations of Chiropractors. The business was

opened by Dr. Don Vechell in 1958, and has been

freeing our community from pain ever since. Now home

to Dr. Vechell’s daughter, Dr. Susan Michaels; his Granddaughter, Dr. Kristine Michaels; and his Son-in-

Law, Dr. John Michaels; Premier Physical Healthcare is dedicated to helping our community discover &

achieve their wellness objectives with a personalized approach to healthcare.

Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs,

Premier Physical Healthcare emphasizes improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and

illness in the first place.

Combining skill and expertise that spans the entire chiropractic wellness spectrum, Doctors John, Susan,

and Kristine Michaels are committed to bringing you better health, and a better way of life by teaching

and practicing the true principles of chiropractic wellness care.

Over the years, Premier Physical Healthcare has added many revolutionary practices to their clinic

including the latest Chiropractic techniques, Rehabilitative Services, Nutritional counseling and services;

and the latest addition; i-Lipo fat reduction Technology!

As a patient at Premier Physical Healthcare, they will personally tailor a wellness program specifically

targeted to your wellness needs using the least invasive, yet highly-effective techniques and services. Call

Premier Physical Healthcare today for a free one-on-one consultation with a Doctor. Take the next step to

freeing yourself from pain, and start living a happier, healthier life.

Premier Physical Healthcare sees patients with the following complaints:

Headaches/Migraines

Sinus/Allergies

Fatigue

Menstrual/Hormonal

Pain/Tension/Numbness

Neck, Shoulders

Low Back, Legs

Arms, Hands

Asthma

Digestive Trouble

Ear Infections

Bladder Trouble

Nervousness

Ringing in Ears

Stress/Anxiety

Insomnia

Sleep Problems

Dizziness

Weight Trouble

Irritability

Colic in Infants

Office: 218-262-3315 115 West Howard Street, Hibbing

www.premierphysicalhealth.com

Page 15 Vol 7 Issue 1 Ribbon Cuttings

Toner Planet & The Silver Birch Gift Shop—Expansion

Kala Linder, Ambassador, Express Employment Professionals;

Troy Loeb, Ambassador, Edward Jones; Lory Fedo, Hibbing Area

Chamber; Liz Kolden, Ambassador, 1st Realty Rangewide,

Mary Rabe, Owner; Carol Bretto, Sales Staff;

Wendy Johannessohn, Sales Staff; Bailea Gothard, Sales Staff;

Patty Modich, Sales Staff; Amber Nash, Sales Staff; J V Wiener,

Ambassador. Missing from Picture, Dennis Rabe, Owner.

Toner Planet & The Silver Birch Gift Shop

3923 1st Ave, Hibbing

218-262-2202

Premier Physical Healthcare—Remodel

Linda Perpich, Ambassador, American Bank;

Lory Fedo, Hibbing Area Chamber;

Dr. Susan Michaels, Owner;

Troy Loeb, Ambassador, Edward Jones;

Dr. John Michaels, Owner;

Cassie Gosser, Administrative Assistant;

Dr. Kristine Michaels;

Angela Kleffman, Clinic Manager;

Abby King, Technician;

J V Wiener, Ambassador.

Premier Physical Healthcare

115 West Howard Street, Hibbing

218-262-3315

Cellular Only—New Business J V Wiener, Ambassador;

Niko Nunnfears, Sales Associate; Mayor Rick Cannata,

Linda Perpich, Ambassador, American Bank; Troy Loeb,

Ambassador, Edward Jones; Kala Linder, Ambassador,

Express Employment Professionals; Anna Heeney,

Cellular Only, Accounts/Operations; Herb Smart,

Ambassador, Thrivent Financial; Andie Bohle,

Cellular Only, Team Leader; John Johnson,

Sales Associate, Katie Piekkala, Sales Associate.

Cellular Only

2506 East Beltline Hibbing

218-440-1152

211 East Howard Street

P.O. Box 727

Hibbing, Minnesota 55746

Phone: 218-262-3895

Fax: 218-262-3897

E-mail: hibbcofc@hibbing.org

info@hibbing.org

Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce

2015 Board of Directors

Upcoming Events & Meetings: January & February 2015

Page 16 Chamber Connection

Worksite Wellness Committee January 28 12 PM—Chamber

Executive Board Committee February 2 12 PM—US Bank Board

Room

Annual Dinner Committee February 3 1 PM—Chamber

Leadership Committee February 4 8 AM—Sportsmen’s

Annual Dinner February 6 Evening—Crown Ballroom

Board of Directors February 9 12 PM—Hibbing Park Hotel

BR & E Committee February 10 8 AM—Chamber

WIN Committee February 10 4 PM—The Brickyard

RYP Committee February 11 4 PM—The Brickyard

Healthy Lunch Club February 18 12 PM—Fairview Plaza

Leadership Program Session 2 February 19 12 PM—HCC G-10

Government Affairs Committee February 23 12 PM—Bach Yen

Worksite Wellness Committee February 25 12 PM—Chamber

Ambassadors February 26 12 PM—TBD

Chair of the Board Rachel Sullivan Prebich & Sullivan, P.C.

First Vice Chair Wayne Kangas Thrivent Financial

Second Vice Chair Troy Loeb Edward Jones

Treasurer Bill Lowry Max Gray Construction

Past Chair of the Board Camille Nasi Liquor Cabinet

Pam Angen L&M Radiator

Chris Bergum Triumph Twist Drill

Aaron Bonelli Range Credit Bureau

Rian Burkes Nelson Roofing/KBC

Celia Cameron Republic Bank

Brad Castagneri Dom-Ex, LLC

Aaron Clusiau Security State Bank

Joan Cotton 1st Realty Rangewide

Gary Flesland MDI

Krystle Glad Range Center

Pat Ives Kiddy Karousel

Jared Lubben Hibbing Taconite

D’Arcie Malsam US Bank

Jeannie Nobens Minnesota Twist Drill

Jeremy Rodorigo Wells Fargo Bank

Kathy Salmi Delta Air Lines

Bill Thurman Mesaba Heating

Tina Uhrbom Fairview Range

Marvin Vuicich American Bank

PROFESSIONAL STAFF President, CEO Lory Fedo

Marketing & Event Coordinator Melissa Koschak

Sales & Event Coordinator Ella Champion

Student Assistant Tahnee Trenberth