Now Accepting Applications for the Neilson Foundation Internship Program

The George W. Neilson Foundation is again offering partial funding for local employers to host an internship during the Summer of 2022. The application for Summer 2022 funding is now open!  The Neilson Foundation Internship Program, with goals of supporting businesses in the Bemidji area and keeping talent local, will provide a 50% salary match (up to a $2,500 maximum) for selected employers who host an intern from Bemidji State University or Northwest Technical College during the summer of 2022. The

Chamber Announced 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Chamber announces 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Early December, we gathered together once again to celebrate the Chamber Annual Celebration. The event featured highlights from the previous year and aspirations for the year ahead. The Chamber announced the upcoming Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 year. Executive Committee Appointments: Kayla Winkler of Sanford Health as chair Tracy Pogue of Kraus Anderson as vice-chair. Jordan Anderson of Ultima Bank as finance director. Bruce Bentfield of First National Bank for an at-large seat.2021-2022 Board

Kayla Winkler Named Chamber Board Chair

Bemidji, MN – December 2, 2021–Kayla Winkler, Community Relations of Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, accepted the gavel and charge of the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce as Chair of the Board of Directors.    Winkler re-joined the Board of Directors in 2019 and has been a very active member with several councils, committees, and programs, including being heavily involved in Dragon Boat Festival, Marketing, Advocacy Committees, and Innkeepers Association.  Winkler brings her talents to the

Welcome New Members!

Please take a moment to welcome the following new members that joined the Chamber in November!Battery WholesaleKC's Best Wild RiceNorthwestern MutualRed Lake Inc. 

Red Lake, Incorporated Acquires KC’s Best Wild Rice

Red Lake, Incorporated Acquires KC’s Best Wild Rice    RED LAKE, MN – Red Lake, Incorporated has acquired KC’s Best Wild Rice of Bemidji, Minnesota, as its first business operation off of the Red Lake Nation Reservation.  Red Lake, Incorporated is the economic development corporation of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. KC’s Best offers a variety of premium northern Minnesota and Canadian wild rice products and sells both online and direct to grocery stores, restaurants, and gift shops.   Charles

Headwaters Science Center Named Best Museum in Minnesota

Headwaters Science Center Named Best Museum in Minnesota   HSC was selected as the “Best” through a balloting process where the public voted to determine the “Best” in Minnesota.  Winners, in more than, 380 categories can be found on the Minnesota’s Best Website or in the printed edition of the Minnesota’s Best Magazine. The Headwaters Science Center has been opening its doors since 1993.  Laddie Elwell, a former Bemidji State professor, was the first and founding director.  She founded HSC with her

40-year record of success as Business Advisors

40-year record of success as Business Advisors There are three most common times when a business gets sold: (1) when the owner wants to retire; (2) when there’s a need to sell; (3) when co-partners or heirs want to end an ownership.  Owners can lose up to one-third of the true value of their business by agreeing to terms under pressure—without professional advice. So while there’s rarely a “best” time to sell, there is always a “best” time to consider a sale.  You need to know the real value you’ve worked

Year of the COVID-Preneur: ZenBusiness Helps 100k Businesses Form During Pandemic

Year of the COVID-Preneur: ZenBusiness Helps 100k Businesses Form During Pandemic  Company releases new data on women entrepreneurs, top states for new business formations, customer trends, and more for the past year  Austin, TX - ZenBusiness, a one-stop-shop to form, run and grow a business, today announced that more than 100,000 micro businesses have been formed using the platform since the onset of the pandemic - allowing these individuals to transition to full time entrepreneurship and follow their

NTC ranked ''Top Ten 2-Year Online Schools and Colleges in Minnesota 2020''

Northwest Technical College was recently ranked among the best two-year colleges in Minnesota. The list “Top Ten 2-Year Online Schools and Colleges in Minnesota 2020” by Accredited Schools Online recognized Northwest Tech’s program flexibility and affordability. Located in Minnesota’s north woods, NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields for more than 50 years. Moreover, the college’s accessible, affordable, hands-on programs have helped the region’s employers meet their