News
County Offers Career Exploration Opportunities to Students
More than 250 students from around Otter Tail County had the opportunity to explore future careers in high-demand industries this school year. The Otter Tail County Youth Workforce Navigation Program organized field trips to 18 employers representing the agriculture, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, government, business and non-profit management, and trades industries between September and April. Students from Battle Lake, Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Perham,
Gate City Bank Named a World's Best Bank by Forbes
We are thrilled to once again be named a World's Best Bank by Forbes, ranking #3 in the United States! More than 49,000 people across 33 countries in 17 languages were surveyed. Banks were rated on overall satisfaction, whether they would recommend it to others and other key criteria such as trustworthiness, terms and conditions, customer service, digital services and quality of financial advice. Check out the full list here: Forbes 2024 World's Best Banks List
Run4Rural: Fostering Community Leadership in West Central Minnesota
“Politics is how we care for one another”-Wy Spano In fall 2023, 26 participants connected to west central Minnesota revisited the purpose of politics through the Run4Rural weekend training led by West Central Initiative. Victoria McWane-Creek (left) and Nancy South (right) The program is designed for people interested in growing and strengthening their local communities through elected office and other forms of public leadership. This training is non-partisan and useful for existing and emerging
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Small Business Week
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber wants to celebrate all small businesses for National Small Business Week - April 28-May 4. We encourage you to participate in our special focus days for each day of the week. We want to honor all small businesses - without them our community would not be the same! Each days focus will be posted on our social media pages daily as a reminder. We celebrate all local businesses this week. We appreciate you!
FM Bank Groundbreaking to Celebrate Their New Building
FM Bank in Fergus Falls will have a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 at 4:00 pm to celebrate the beginning of construction for their new bank location. It will take place at: 226 E. Lincoln Ave. (the former Shopko/Pamida building) in Fergus Falls. Above is an artist rendition of what the new bank will look like. The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is the proud sponsor of this event. The Chamber will be bringing their golden shovels to commemorate the day. All are welcome to join
Chamber Offers Wage Reimbursement for Summer Interns
Chamber Offers Employers Wage Reimbursement for Summer Internships Is your business hiring summer interns soon? Will your interns work in high-demand roles such as construction/trades, healthcare, automotive services, childcare, education, manufacturing or general business? Would your business like to receive up to $500 in wage reimbursement per intern from the Fergus Falls Chamber? We hope you will say, "YES to the CASH!" The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce received a $40,000 “Future Ready
Chamber Cafe at Fergus Home & Hardware in May
The Fergus Falls Chamber is planning a Chamber Cafe event on May 9, which will be hosted at Fergus Home & Hardware (1005 N Tower Rd). Chamber Cafe events are held every other month on the second Thursday morning from 7:30-9:00 am. They are an excellent event to attend to find out what is happening in the community and to stay current on new things coming. Chamber Cafes cost $5 for members (free for Access and higher level members) to attend and $10 for non-members/general public. Breakfast and
Networking Event for Students Held at Fergus Falls High School
More than 50 Fergus Falls High School students and several employers attended the Speed Networking event at the Community Education office on March 11. The event was an opportunity to meet and network with potential future employers. The Fergus Falls Chamber, with Eli Hill, Work Based Learning Instructor, organized the event. Employers could ask students questions and then share basic details about their business. We appreciate working with the Fergus Falls School District and area employers to elevate
Future Ready Workforce Grant Applications Being Accepted Now
Attention area businesses! If you currently host an intern(s) from the high school or plan to in the future, you can now be reimbursed for a paid internship at your business. The Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a “Future Ready Workforce Grant” from the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Chamber Foundation to amplify work experiences for you in the area. The funds will be distributed to businesses as reimbursement for wages paid to student interns in high-demand career
Meet Chamber Board Member: Coreen Schoep
Coreen Schoep became a board member of the Fergus Falls Chamber in October 2023. She is a licensed mental health therapist who has worked for Solutions Behavioral Healthcare for over 15 years. She is currently the Alexandria site Clinic Manager and supervisor for Solution’s Autism Developmental Clinic. Coreen is also the Behavioral Health/Human Services Program Advisor and Intern Supervisor for Alexandria Technical College. Locally, she is involved in a regional and local suicide awareness and prevention
Fergus Falls Chamber ''Ignite Community Leadership Program'' Kicked Off
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new Leadership Program called “Ignite Community Leadership.” The first session of the pilot program was held on March 28 with nine participants. The program will feature half-day sessions providing technical skills in leadership combined with community connections to education, government, tourism, local history, health/wellness, and business. Participants in the pilot program will graduate in May. Feedback from the pilot program will be used to
Help Us Welcome Our Newest Members
Advanced Business Methods joined as a new Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce member in February 2024. They are headquartered in West Fargo, ND, and have been in business for 53 years (founded in 1971). They have seven sales locations in Minnesota and North Dakota with about 100 employees. ABM is 100 percent employee-owned. They support Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and how it benefits the community and employees. Advanced Business Methods is currently in a growth phase. Their biggest news is
The Fergus Inn Celebrates New Ownership
Congratulations to Maya Goldstein and Imran Khan on their recent purchase of the Fergus Inn (610 Western Ave). The Fergus Falls Chamber did a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 3 to celebrate their business’ grand opening. Maya and Imran purchased Hotel 8 (formerly Super 8) in 2023 and are about halfway finished remodeling it. When they discovered the Fergus Inn was for sale and their property lines bordered each other, they felt inclined to continue expanding their business by purchasing the Fergus Inn
Fergus Falls High School Senior Signing Day
Fergus Falls High School seniors at Kennedy and the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) Schools will have an opportunity to declare and ‘commit’ to their future plans on Monday, May 6. It’s Senior Signing Day - a collaborative effort between the high school and the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce. The hope is to recognize that all plans following high school are equally important - whether a graduate is going directly into the workforce or attending a post-secondary school. Early congratulations to all
Amplify Your Business: Mastering Public Speaking for Small Business Growth
Harnessing the power of public speaking can significantly elevate your small business's profile and reach within the market. This invaluable skill is crucial for entrepreneurs striving to assert their authority, forge meaningful connections with potential clients, and differentiate their enterprises from competitors. By articulately sharing your passion, expertise, and the distinctive benefits your business provides, you can captivate a broader audience, creating a fertile ground for growth and new
Doctrine of Discovery: Understanding the Legacy
The Fergus Fall s Public Library is hosting the event "Doctrine of Discovery" on Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. Join Indigenous leaders Prairie Rose Seminole and Darren Renville in exploring the Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine of Discovery established a religious, political, and legal justification for colonization and seizure of land not inhabited by Christians. Experience an interactive Indigenous history from first contact to present day with Prairie Rose Seminole. Discover the history and
Hot Beds Now Open: Located in 715 Hot Heads in the Historic River Inn
Check Out Hot Beds Now Open You have all heard of 715 Hot Heads the sensational beauty salon located in the Historic River Inn. Of course you have, they’ve been fulfilling all your glamour needs since 2008. Then it should come as no surprise that they have recently added another string to their repertoire of beauty services. Say hello to Hot Beds, a 24-hour tanning salon. Now you can truly get your glow on and leave with the upmost confidence that you are a gorgeous individual. Hot Beds gives you the same
InVision Eye Care Announces the Addition of Dr. Cody Ward
INVISION EYE CARE IS GROWING!FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFergus Falls, Minnesota – April 2024We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to InVision Eye Care: Cody Ward, OD. Dr. Ward brings a wealth of experience and a passion for patient care to our team. His expertise in medical optometry will undoubtedly enhance the quality of service we provide to our valued patients.Meet Dr. Cody Ward: A Brief IntroductionDr. Ward is originally from Fergus Falls! He earned his undergraduate degree from SDSU with majors in
Community Grant Program
The Foundation for Rural Services awards grants through the Community Grant Program up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations in our communities doing great work. These grants are an opportunity for NTCA members to amplify the ways we are supporting our communities. These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high-quality life in rural America. The grants awarded each November support a variety of projects concentrated in four major
Employees Transition To New Roles at Park Region
At Park Region, we are committed to fostering a culture of growth, development, and adaptability. We constantly strive to optimize our operations, ensuring that we deliver the best possible service to you. We are excited to announce some significant changes within our organization that will not only enhance our efficiency but also enrich our service offerings. As part of our ongoing evolution, we celebrated Lew Obright's retirement from our engineering department after 37 years of service. His dedication
County Receives Grant to Prepare Workers for High-Demand Jobs
Otter Tail County was awarded a $250,000 Drive for 5 Grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The grant funding will be used to further the County’s Empowered Worker Program. This program will grow the area’s workforce by providing skills training and resource navigation for individuals to overcome employment barriers and enter high-demand, household-sustaining wage jobs. DEED’s Drive for 5 workforce initiative is a new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for
City of Fergus Falls Summer Recreation Brochure Available Online - Registration Opens April 1
The Summer 2024 Recreation brochure from the City of Fergus Falls is now available online! Follow the link HERE. The guide is full of things for kids (and adults) to do all summer long. From sports, Kids Kamp and information about community partners - you'll find it all in one spot. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 1 and will be online only. The link will be added to the home page of the city's website and shared on the Facebook page. Please note we are also still hiring for summer workers
Build with Habitat this Summer!
Your business or group can partner with Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity this year to make a difference for families in our community. Sponsoring a group build day with Habitat offers: A day to build on a Habitat home, a unique experience for your teamSense of purpose and meaning, with fellowship, teamwork, problem solving, and camaraderieRecognition benefits included based on the partnership level chosen Partnerships are being accepted for 2024. Learn more about how your group can partner with
Organization 4 Full Participation Receives Grant
Organization 4 Full Participation Receives Grant Organization 4 Full Participation recently was awarded a Grant that will help with development and growth within rural Minnesota. Victoria McWane-Creek the owner of Organization 4 Full Participation received the Grant from The Black Collective Foundation of Minnesota, a fantastic organization which was the first Black led organization of their kind in Minnesota. Their mission statement is very inspiring, they state that their goal is to “Build Black
Global Freelance Team Success: Key Strategies for Unity and Productivity
In the dynamic world of business, assembling a global team of freelancers is a strategic pivot toward innovation and flexibility. The diverse talents from various corners of the world bring a wealth of perspectives and skills. However, the real challenge lies in smoothly integrating these individuals into a cohesive, productive, and happy team. This article discusses a few best practices for cultivating such a team, highlighting effective strategies for a harmonious, efficient, and successful global
Pfeffer Promoted to Community Outreach Manager Leading Financial Education
Pfeffer Promoted to Community Outreach Manager leading Financial Education Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently promoted Nicole Pfeffer to Community Outreach Manager as her role has expanded to lead all the financial education taking place in the communities we serve. MMFCU’s mission is to provide resources to help improve the financial well-being of our members and communities we serve. In 2023, MMFCU served more than 5,600 individuals through a total of 271 hours of financial education
Credit Score Financial Education
Credit Score Financial Education Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) provides financial education free of charge as a part of our Mission to improve the financial well-being of our member owners and communities we serve. Credit Reports Tuesday, March 26 from 6-7pm at 340 Friberg Ave, Fergus FallsGet answers to the following questions: What is a credit report? How is a credit score determined? What is a credit report used for, andHow do you keep it in good condition?There is no cost to attend,
Fergus Falls Chamber Leadership Pilot Program Starting Soon
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber is launching a brand-new Leadership Program: “Ignite Community Leadership.” Later this month, a pilot program will roll out with a limited number of participants. The program will feature half-day sessions providing technical skills in leadership combined with community connections to education, government, tourism, local history, health/wellness, and business. Participants will graduate in May. Feedback from the pilot program will be used to fine-tune a complete program
How to Get Your Internships Paid
We have GREAT news! The Fergus Falls Chamber is offering a WAGE REIMBURSEMENT for paid student interns in high-demand career areas (listed below). We understand the workforce shortage challenge and are providing creative solutions to fill your talent pipeline. Businesses that provide a high-quality paid internship in a high-demand growing career area such as healthcare, social services, transportation, trades, manufacturing, education, childcare, public service and general business may apply for up to $500
A Bookish Celebration 2023 – Wrapping up the Year
As 2023 comes to a close, the Fergus Falls Public Library staff invite you to “A Bookish Celebration 2023.” Join friends and neighbors for a cozy night of book recommendations, literary prizes, free book giveaways, refreshments and more. Wondering what to read next? There are no shortages of web sites, spokespeople, and news stories to suggest a great reading list. Now, the Fergus Falls Public Library offers an option closer to home! Library staff will share a lightning round of 40 book recommendations in