Delano Area CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
‘Equipping members to thrive in our business
community’
The Delano Area Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven
organization, formed to support the Delano business community.
It is governed by a board of directors made up of nine volunteer
business people and staffed by a part-time executive director.
DACC members range from small, one-person, home-based
businesses, to the largest businesses and employers in Delano.
The DACC continues to advocate for the West Metro Business Park
as the community continues to experience growth. The DACC works
with the City of Delano/Economic Development Authority to foster
a positive environment for business growth.
In addition to the new businesses that have made Delano home,
the community is very fortunate that it has many, many long-standing
businesses in the community that are the cornerstone of Delano. As
the DACC looks to an exciting future, let’s take a moment to reflect on
the past. The DACC has been a long-standing organization providing
support to the business community. New businesses have been
welcomed to the area by the DACC Ambassadors. The Community
Expo, Taste of Delano, and Good Morning/Evening Delano events,
along with the newly-created After Hours Business Socials, have
created continued marketing and networking opportunities. The
candidate town hall meetings and “State Of” addresses have
helped everyone get to know elected officials and understand
the economics of the city, county, and region. The Christmas tree
lighting kicks off the Christmas season in Delano, and a new business
trick or treat event was added in 2018. Manufacturers Week and
the SciTech event put a spotlight on the manufacturing sector. The
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annual banquet and business of the year event were memorable
events in 2019.
In 2020, the DACC will focus on marketing the West Metro
Business Park, attracting additional retail business, researching
and developing new community event concepts, and increasing
membership by focusing on retention and recruitment.
Approximately one-third of the chamber’s members participate
by regularly attending general meetings. The DACC is fortunate
to have many active members. The chamber has six committees
– business development, economic development, membership,
government affairs, ambassadors, and a marketing task force.
Within these committees, there are sub-committees that assist in
executing the chamber’s annual initiatives. The DACC is also an
active participant in the Spirit of Community Commission, which is
an advisory commission to the Delano City Council. It is charged with
the responsibility to study, investigate, and make recommendations
regarding health, safety, community involvement and the fair and
equal treatment of all persons who are members of the Delano
community.
Highlights of 2020 for the DACC include the celebration of the
2020 Delano Business of the Year, Harwood’s Body Shop; the DACC’s
31st annual Community Expo; the Taste of Delano, the return of the
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, the Halloween Business Trick or
Treat, as well as the Christmas tree lighting in Downtown Delano.
Chamber benefits include a red highlighted entry in this directory,
listing on the chamber’s website directory, referrals from the
chamber office, networking events, sponsorship opportunities at
any chamber-coordinated community event, and more.
The DACC doesn’t want just membership fees – it wants its
members’ input as to what it can do to help its businesses thrive, and
provide resources. It encourages members to make this organization
what they want it to be.
The DACC is a member of the Minnesota Better Business Bureau
and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, both which provide
members with more benefits and training opportunities for chamber
staff and volunteers. The DACC also developed the concept of a
Wright County chamber executives gathering and partnered with
the Wright County Economic Development Partnership to execute
the first such meeting. As a result, additional meetings are planned
in 2020.
Regular general membership meetings are the third Thursday of
each month at noon. For the location of the next meeting, call (763)
972-6756, or email [email protected].
Other events and meetings are posted on the website and
communicated to members through e-mail and social media.
Check out the DACC website at www.delanochamber.com and
also find the chamber’s Facebook page.
The 2020 board of directors is: President Luke Bauman (Bauman
Insurance Agency); Vice President Gabe Licht (Delano Herald
Journal); Treasurer Daryl MacLean (MacLean Law Office); Secretary
Heidi Goldbeck (Calbrandt); Past President Michelle Harwood
(Harwood’s Body Shop); Sabrina Stevens (Bagy Jo); Mike Nielsen
(Sherman Insurance); Tom Screeden (Unhinged! Pizza); and Josh
Gehlen (Minnesota Lakes Bank). The Executive Director is Jo Ann
Huebsch. Please let the DACC know how it can help you “thrive in our
business community” as we are open to your needs and suggestions
to be stronger in 2020.
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DelanoHeraldJournal.com/guide
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