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Twin Cities North Chamber outlines workforce and marketing push for Roseville businesses
Summary
John Connolly of Twin Cities North Chamber told the Roseville City Council the chamber is rebuilding membership, launching manufacturing workforce videos funded by a DEED grant and expanding local engagement and communications.
John Connolly, the representative for the Twin Cities North Chamber, told the Roseville City Council on March 3 that the chamber is rebuilding membership and broadening its workforce and marketing work for businesses in Roseville and nearby cities.
The update focused on three priorities: membership growth and fiscal management, workplace training and manufacturing outreach, and increased communications to promote local businesses. “Our vision is to promote business, develop leaders, and connect communities,” Connolly said, introducing the chamber’s work on a manufacturing cohort funded in part by a DEED Drive for 5 grant.
Why it matters: the chamber said it intends to use Roseville as a model for regional programs and to publish more content — including professionally produced videos — to attract people into local manufacturing careers. Connolly said the videos will target people aged 18 to 30 and will be shared on the chamber website, YouTube and through partners such as Ramsey and Anoka counties and local school districts.
Connolly described the chamber’s governance (a nine-member board and small staff), its shared office in Roseville and its committee structure, which includes ambassadors for ribbon cuttings and task forces for construction or other local issues. He said membership and engagement are on a “positive trend line” following COVID disruptions and that the chamber’s fiscal filings and CPA-reviewed statements are up to date.
On workforce work, Connolly said the chamber obtained a DEED part‑2 grant to produce videos aimed at workforce recruitment and retention in manufacturing and related trades. “We think it's a fast path to a middle-class lifestyle for a lot of our adults,” he said, noting manufacturing opportunities that include food processing and med‑tech firms in the area.
Council members praised the chamber’s outreach. Councilmember Strachan said the energy among younger business owners has been “contagious,” and Councilmember Shaw called the manufacturing cohort “really great,” noting manufacturing’s diversity and career potential. Councilmember McGrath said he was pleased to hear the chamber working with local schools.
Connolly also noted partnerships with Visit Roseville and local business councils and said the chamber’s new twice‑monthly newsletter has increased engagement. He said the chamber produces certificates of origin for exporters and helps businesses track state compliance requirements. Connolly closed by thanking the council and offering to answer questions.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation; members thanked Connolly and said they looked forward to future collaboration and to the chamber’s April event with the state demographer.
Ending: Connolly’s visit provided an overview of ongoing chamber efforts to expand workforce pathways and local promotion; the chamber plans to publish the manufacturing videos within weeks and to continue coordinating with Roseville staff and neighboring cities.
