HOT PURSUIT
Sherrie Pechan, left, and Kay Fate of the Steele County Times serve sloppy Joes as part of the Business After Hours event last week in Owatonna. About 100 people attended the monthly event. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
One of the fun aspects of my job is to work with area business leaders and chambers to enhance the overall business climate for all.
There are various ways we accomplish this throughout the year. Over the past six months I have been fortunate to work with Blooming Prairie’s new chamber director, Karen Peterson. What has impressed me most about her is how she’s not afraid to dig in and work.
As chair of Fourth of July, Peterson has been focused on building a strong celebration for thousands of people to enjoy this year. While tackling the Fourth isn’t necessarily her job, she hasn’t complained at all and wants what’s best for the community.
She has also been focused on building the chamber’s membership. Last count I saw is that there are 131 members of the Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Peterson said if she can get more to join, the Chamber will consider expanding her job from its current part-time status. This would be a big bonus for the community if we could get to a full-time chamber at some point.
Meanwhile, in Owatonna, the Steele County Times had the distinct honor of hosting Business After Hours last week, along with Limberg Productions and Mineral Springs Marketing. We had the event outside next to what we have affectionately referred to as “Media Alley.” There are three media outlets located in the same block on Rose Street.
Kay Fate of our staff delighted guests with her famous sloppy Joes. They’re still making my mouth water (it must be the bacon in them).
In addition to serving food and refreshments, the event was a great opportunity connect with about 100 business owners and other leaders in the community. It was also a special way for us to celebrate our tremendous growth with the newspaper over the past few years. We have experienced 60% growth in subscribers since 2021, and it’s still growing.
Director Brad Meier and the rest of his crew at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce do a phenomenal job working with area businesses to host these functions every month.
I am proud to be a member of both the Blooming Prairie and Owatonna chambers as they go in hot pursuit of making our communities stronger.