News
Beauty Lounge Hosts Ribbon Cutting
We had a great time celebrating with owner Alex Denzel and the independent beauty consultants at Beauty Lounge Co., LLC on November 7 for their grand opening. Alex cut the bright red ribbon and treated guests to great food, refreshments, and door prizes at their open house. Beauty Lounge professionals offer services for lashes and lash extensions, aesthetic nurse services, estheticians, nails and more. Stop in soon to see all they offer at their lovely new location: 124 E. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls.
Ignite Community Leadership Program Kicks off in January
The Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that our Ignite Community Leadership Program will launch in January 2025. The program is designed to bring together emerging and existing leaders to explore leadership within themselves and for their community. Participants will develop and enhance their leadership skills, grow professional relationships, explore new leadership responsibilities, and foster an understanding of the forces affecting the Fergus Falls area. Classes will be taught by community
Battle of the Businesses is Back on February 8, 2025
Businesses in the area will be battling it out…in the bowling lanes “Mardi Gras” style. The Battle of the Businesses Bowling (BoBB) event returns on Saturday, February 8 to Northern Aire Lanes. This year’s theme will be “Beads and Bowling” since the Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans - the Mardi Gras capital of the United States. So plan on dressing in green, gold, and purple adorned with feathers, beads, and masquerade masks. Registration is now open for Chamber members! Go to fergusfalls.com
Chamber Cafe Goes Virtual in January
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Chamber Cafe every other month. If you are looking for a great opportunity to network with other businesses and community members, attend Chamber Cafe. Plus, you’ll be a “Community Insider” and “in the know” about community projects and events. “Zoom” with us on Thursday, January 9 from 7:30-9:00 am to find out what’s happening in 2025. January and March Chamber Cafes are held virtually due to unpredictable weather and are FREE to attend.
Fergus Falls State of the Community Made Us ''Community Proud''
It was a fantastic day at the Fergus Falls State of the Community event on November 14 at the Bigwood Event Center. We handed out 42 plaques for Business Gives (pictured) - honoring for-profit businesses that donated 2% or more of their pre-tax earnings to the surrounding community. Thank you to all of these generous businesses. Lee Rogness, Otter Tail County Commissioner for District 5, was given special recognition for serving in the commissioner role for the past 16 years. Kelly Asche from
Future Ready Workforce Grant Benefited Many Students
Earlier this year, the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce was awarded a “Future Ready Workforce Grant” from the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Chamber Foundation to amplify work experiences for youth in the area. The Chamber paid $26,727.39 to businesses for wage reimbursement for student interns in high-demand career areas (like nursing, CDL, manufacturing, technicians, construction trades, child care, education, maintenance, and more). Sixty-five students benefited from this program, at
Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Scholarship – Due February 14, 2025
Foundation for Rural Services (FRS), along with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and its members, strongly promotes the continuing education of rural youth. As your local telecommunications service provider, we are happy to offer this national scholarship program to our customers’ high school seniors. To be eligible, the applicant must be a graduating high school senior whose family subscribes to at least one service from Park Region. The application window is now open and
Contact Santa Claus – Christmas 2024
While Santa Claus is busy preparing for the Christmas season at the North Pole, Park Region is providing your little ones a way to contact him by phone or email. For a Christmas message, call Santa at 218.998.1225 to leave him a voicemail or email Santa at santa@parkregion.com to receive an email response from Santa himself. We also encourage you to enjoy the Dalton Christmas Fest at the Lake Region Pioneer Thresherman’s Grounds in Dalton Thanksgiving through New Years as well as the Otter Cove Festival
Report Spam Emails – December 2024
Tired of spam emails cluttering your inbox? If you receive suspicious or unwanted emails, don’t just delete them – report them! As the end-user, the best way to address spam emails is to follow the instructions at www.gosecure.ai/support/report-spam/ to report emails to GoSecure. Together, we can keep our inboxes safer and cleaner!
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
Meet our Chamber Board Members for 2024-2025
The Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce board members for the 2024-25 fiscal year. We appreciate every one of these professionals and the contributions they make to the Chamber and the greater Fergus Falls community! From left to right starting in the front row: Emily Sivertson (Northern Contours), Vice Chair Larissa Campbell (Hillcrest Lutheran Academy), Past Chair Melissa Davis (N.F. Field Abstract), Megan Beckler (Multi Business Solutions), Daniela Zens (Zen’s Steak & Seafood),
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
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