Public Policy Advocate –Local, State,National
The Chamber offers members the opportunity to visit with key leaders within governmental organizations including the School Board, City Council, County Commissioners, and House and Senate representatives through candidate debates, Eggs n’ Issues Sessions and Business Day at the Capitol.

Locally the Government Affairs committee has developed position statements on a local level to support the West End business district, urge the City Council to maintain a flat levy, support a comprehensive approach to riverfront development, not support a special taxing district, and to support a recommendation of the parking committee regarding fees for parking.

Your Chamber provides legislative alerts and updates on key issues at the state level. During the legislative session we host weekly teleconferences with chambers across the state. We contact our legislators regularly on issues affecting business. The Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce also sends a delegation to St. Paul every year for ‘Business Day at the Capitol’.

On a national level, the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce. We communicate with our representatives and senators in Washington on issues affecting areas businesses, such as ergonomics in the workplace and used nuclear fuel storage.

Current Issues Tax Base
The Chamber is active in economic development and retention of existing business. We work with the Port Authority and the City to promote our business districts and make Red Wing an attractive place to locate, expand and grow. The Chamber has supported an expanded tax base through bonding and tax increment financing, while working to prevent increased taxes and fees on business.

Workforce
We will continue to work with the Technical College, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and City on workforce issues. As our economy grows we need adequate qualified workers and affordable housing.
Transportation
Your Chamber is actively exploring options in a number of areas of transportation including: The Highway 61 corridor study, the Highway 316 Expansion, Highway 52 directional signage, busing, riverfront, Amtrak, commuter rail, and high speed rail. We communicate with legislators and Department of Transportation to ensure safe and efficient transportation for goods and services.
Health Care
Businesses are experiencing large increases in the cost of health care. Minnesota has more restrictive laws than other states for health care companies to do business here. The result has been less flexibility in policy offerings, less competition and higher premiums. The state and local chamber network was successful in securing legislation this session to offer better pooling opportunities, less regulation and lower co-pays and premiums for small employers.

Get Out the Vote
In an attempt to increase voter participation, the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce annually conducts a large voter turnout program designed to reach hundreds of employers and employees in the Red Wing area. This nonpartisan effort informs voters about issues important to the community’s fiscal and economic well being. Finally, it encourages voters to go to the polls in both the primary and the general elections.