Man, have we been busy!
It seems like we barely wrapped up our summer events before diving headfirst into fall—and if my calendar is any indication, we certainly aren’t slowing down.
September brought an unexpected change of plans with our annual Chamber Golf Tournament. Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with our original date, but we’re happy to share that the tournament has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 15 at The Jewel Golf Club. We’re incredibly grateful to our golfers, sponsors, donors and volunteers for rolling with the change, and we’re looking forward to finally getting everyone out on the course!
Meanwhile, there’s plenty happening at the Chamber.
We’re kicking Business After Hours back into gear with First Alliance Credit Union hosting this week and are currently looking for businesses interested in hosting in November, December and throughout 2027. Our next Chamber 101: Maximizing Your Membership is also coming up—a great opportunity for both new and longtime members to learn more about the resources, promotion and connections available through their Chamber membership.
And then there’s October!
Fall Fest and Johnny Appleseed Day are right around the corner, along with our Meet the Candidates forum on October 5. October is also Manufacturing Month, and we’re excited to partner with the Red Wing and Cannon Falls Chambers and the Red Wing Area Manufacturers Association to highlight manufacturing throughout our region. We’re working on public manufacturing tours, opportunities for local high school students to visit area manufacturers, and a regional manufacturing luncheon planned for the end of the month. Watch for more details as those plans come together!
We’re also putting workforce development into practice right here in our own office. This fall, we welcomed a Student Assistant through Lincoln High School’s school-to-work program. Our student will be learning administrative tasks, social media promotion, event management and general office operations while gaining hands-on experience in a professional workplace. We’re excited about the opportunity this provides for both the Chamber and our student.
Behind the scenes, we’re already deep into 2027 budget and membership planning, while continuing conversations around downtown development and the potential for a Main Street program in Lake City. These may not always be the things you see in a Facebook post or event flyer, but they’re an important part of the Chamber’s work and our continued focus on supporting a strong business community.
I’m tired just reading that list!
But it’s also exciting. There’s a lot of momentum heading into fall, and I’m grateful for the businesses, organizations, volunteers, schools and community partners who continue to jump in alongside us.
Here’s to a busy—and hopefully beautiful—fall in Lake City!