News
We Invite You to Take Our Member Survey
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce invites all members to participate in its annual Chamber Members Priorities survey. The survey, which was emailed to members at the end of January, gathers valuable feedback on member challenges and priorities. "This survey is crucial for us to understand how well we are serving our members and identify areas for improvement," said Chamber President Lisa Workman. "The insights gained will help the Board of Directors offer more relevant tools and resources." The
Fergus Falls Chamber Celebrates New Members & Anniversaries
Fergus Falls Chamber Celebrates New Members & Anniversaries It’s a #NewMemberMonday and #FirstDollarFriday with another new business in Fergus Falls! Otter Tail Social Security Disability Advocates (Facebook page Otter Tail Disability Advocates), a new business opened by Alex Kutzke, offers help to people navigating the Social Security disability system. Kutzke, who has years of experience in the field, opened his business in 2024. He provides support and guidance throughout the Social
Fergus Falls Chamber Receives Grant to Support Youth Internship Wages
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a grant to help cover the wages of youth interns in 2025. The chamber will receive up to $35,556 from the Future Ready Workforce Grant, a program funded by the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. The grant program is designed to support businesses that offer paid internships in high-demand career areas, such as nursing, commercial driver's license (CDL), manufacturing, automotive, construction, maintenance, and
Virtual Chamber Cafe Returns in March
Virtual Chamber Cafe Returns in March ZOOM with us on Thursday, March 13 for our virtual Chamber Cafe. We will have a full list of exciting speakers on the agenda for you to learn about all of the things happening and upcoming in the Fergus Falls area. We will be giving away gift cards during the event for local breakfast and coffee spots, for you to enjoy a treat at your leisure! You must be present on the virtual Cafe during the drawing to win. If you have
Ignite Community Leadership Program Kicked Off in January
The Chamber's new Ignite Community Leadership Program brings together emerging and existing leaders to explore leadership within themselves and for their community. The “Class of 2025” Ignite Leadership program began on Wednesday, January 15, with 12 participants representing various businesses within the Fergus Falls area. Pictured below are members of the Ignite group at their first class on January 15 at Otter Cove Children’s Museum. We look forward to continuing to work with this class and
Johnson Now Serving Businesses in Alexandria & Fergus Falls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Johnson Now Serving Businesses in Alexandria & Fergus Falls Peyton Johnson brings his sense of community and strong work ethic to Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) to serve businesses in Alexandria, Fergus Falls and surrounding communities. Johnson combines his experience working on his family’s dairy farm in Long Prairie with a degree in finance from the University of North Dakota and professional experience of helping large and small businesses grow. As a Business
Sun Outages – Spring 2025
Twice a year, you may experience some degree of television interference due to “sun outages.” Such outages are caused by a phenomenon called a “solar satellite interference.” These brief outages occur when the sun is in direct line behind a satellite transmitting cable signals. When the sun is aligned with a satellite, solar radiation interferes with the satellite’s signal and causes a brief signal outage. Sun outages occur every year in the spring and fall and last approximately a week each time. During
715 Hot Heads Announces New Stylist
Introducing Stylist Amy King at 715 Hot Heads Salon [Fergus Falls] — 715 Hot Heads Salon is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our talented team, stylist Amy King. With over 16 years in business, Amy brings a fresh and innovative approach to the hair world at Hot Heads. Amy King is a Salon Professional Academy graduate renowned for her exceptional skills in hair extensions, cutting, coloring, and airbrush eyebrows along with her passion for keeping up with the latest trends and techniques. Her
FLSA Alert: Overtime Rule Struck Down
FLSA Overtime Exemption Rule Struck DownA federal district court struck down the US Department of Labor’s 2024 rule increasing the minimum salary required for overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on November 15. History:The 2024 rule increased the minimum salary required for exempt status under the administrative, executive, and professional exemptions.The ruling had three stages:Increase exempt salaries to $43,888 effective July, 1 2024Increase exempt salaries to $58,656
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Corporate Transparency Act Shut Down - What Small Businesses Need to Know
From the US Chamber of Commerce Editor's Note 1/8/25: There is currently no filing deadline for the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirement, which is currently on hold. As of this date, there is no requirement to file this report. Editor's Note 12/26/24: On December 26, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit paused the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), thus pausing the beneficial ownership reporting requirements for U.S. small business owners. This
FinCEN's BOI Filing Deadline: 01/01/2025 - Fergus Falls, MN Businesses Must File Now to Avoid Fines!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN to enhance financial transparency and deter illicit activities. As of today, November 27, 2024, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, business owners have 35 calendar days (or 25 business days) left to file their BOI report with FinCEN—act quickly to avoid $500 per day fines! What You Need to Do:1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as
Pave the Way for Sustainable Growth: Essential Steps for Small Business Expansion
Growing a small business often signals a promising future, but expansion brings challenges that require thoughtful planning. The decision to scale involves more than just increasing output; it touches every aspect of the business. As growth opportunities emerge, business owners must evaluate their readiness to navigate new complexities while ensuring their core values remain intact. Planning for expansion is about laying the groundwork for sustained success rather than short-term gains.Assess Financial
Financial Mastery for Small Business Success
In the dynamic landscape of small business, financial acumen is paramount for sustainable growth. To navigate the complexities of fiscal management effectively, it's imperative to arm yourself with the requisite knowledge and strategies. Here are key steps to gaining financial wisdom and making astute decisions for your small business. Streamline Financial Processes with PDFs Small business owners must prioritize the protection of their financial documents. With PDFs, businesses can
Secret Sauce Strategies for Persuasive Sales Pitches
In business, the ability to sway decisions and win over clients is crucial to your success. Crafting persuasive sales pitches and formulating winning marketing strategies requires a deep understanding of several key elements that resonate well with your target audience. The following guidelines will help you refine your approach, ensuring you communicate value effectively and captivate your prospective customers.Understand Your Target Audience Understanding your target audience’s needs, preferences, and
Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant: All You Have to Do Is Ask Acrobat’s Generative AI Document & PDF Tool
Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features: Data Extraction: Extracting data from documents is crucial for tasks like compiling financial reports and analyzing market trends. The AI
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
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