The Chamber

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber represents more than 1,000 businesses and organizations and operates offices in Brainerd, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, and the Welcome Center on Hwy 371 South. The Chamber is the organization that connects businesses and leads the drive for responsible and profitable growth in the Brainerd Lakes region.

Breaking News …

Federal HIRE Act Offers Job Creation Incentives for Business

If you’re planning to hire employees, check out the recent federal HIRE (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment) Act provisions. This Act offers employers various incentives to hire employees including exemption from Social Security payroll taxes and business tax credits. Click here for a summary of the job-creation provisions. 

Business Provides Feedback for Government

A recent member survey, prompted by a request from Representative Ward to distribute a survey from the small business caucus, prompted the most vehement and interesting responses in 15 years at the chamber. The business community is willing to share their experience with operational improvements to help government change how they operate in these challenging times.

You’ll see by the results of question 3, that decreasing revenue has prompted business to make significant changes in how they operate and they are expecting government to do the same. This challenging economic time is an opportunity for government to learn from businesses and identify opportunities that focus on needs vs. wants and promote a “lean” operating system that focuses on efficiency and avoids unnecessary, burdensome regulation and associated fees.

These results are being shared with state and federal legislators, cities, counties, school districts, Central Lakes College, other chambers in the area, MN Chamber, chamber members – and the community over the next month.