Spotlight On: Pat MulQueeny, President, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
November 2024 — Invest: had a conversation with Pat MulQueeny, president of Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. The discussion involved talks of how the chamber supports the local business community in addressing workforce development needs, advocating for policy to ensure the business community has a voice within the broader economic landscape, and facilitating various leadership and demographic-specific programs to cater to the diverse needs of the business community.
What are the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s mission and key objectives regarding its role in supporting the local business community?
Our mission involves helping businesses be successful. We are leaders for community prosperity and advocates for business. We have seen growth in small to mid-sized businesses, which are doing well. They are utilizing the chamber for what it does, which includes connecting businesses with each other and the workforce. The Eden Prairie Chamber prides itself on being a welcoming environment for all.
What distinguishes the chamber from other chambers of commerce, and what unique value does it bring to its members and stakeholders?
What distinguishes us from other chambers is our culture. We strive to be as helpful as possible to the business community in the area, providing programs and networking opportunities. We have a young professionals initiative, which was re-booted six months ago, and we hosted our Young Professionals Summit in October at Starkey’s. In addition to the young professional’s initiative, we also have a women’s network providing business programs. We play a role in public policy issues and work to be the voice of business.
How does the chamber advocate for policies that support the interests of its members and the broader business community?
For our members, we add value by building connections for them with their elected officials. Recently, there have been efforts to get a designation from the state to create a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. The Eden Prairie Center is planning to be partially re-developed. There has been a trend across the nation for malls to redesign themselves or be repurposed. We need legislation to be in place for that redevelopment to happen.
How do you foresee medical technology trends impacting the community’s local business landscape and economic growth?
Eden Prairie is becoming a MedTech hub and is a destination for those companies. We already have 19 companies from that sector active here, and the workforce opportunities and economic opportunities that it brings to the area are extensive. The region is looking for more companies to add to the medical technology sector. The chamber recently hosted the medical device companies for a roundtable discussion to get discussions started around how to continue this growth trajectory.
How has the role of chambers evolved, and what does it mean to be a chamber of the future?
We like to think of ourselves as a full-service chamber. We have a variety of members, including small businesses all the way up to those Fortune 500s. Key areas to focus on include advocating for public policy, contributing to workforce development, helping companies with talent retention strategies, and connecting businesses with schools. Another important area we are focusing on is entrepreneurship. We focus on supporting entrepreneurs in getting start-ups off the ground. There is a dynamic business climate in Eden Prairie, and we are continuously innovating ways to support everyone.
What role does the chamber play in addressing workforce needs, promoting skill development, and bridging the gap between employers and job seekers in the area?
As a chamber, we regularly provide opportunities for businesses to connect with students in high school or technical college. Aligning our strategy with industry needs is a key focus. The big push currently is in trades. The community has seen a high demand for engineering, and there is still a shortage of accountants. We help businesses with recruiting strategies as a connector in the area. We are truly acting like a concierge service for families moving to the area and get newcomers into local businesses for job opportunities. We also have a focus on developing leadership and helping businesses with talent retention.
We work closely with Eden Prairie Public School District, and the capstone programs they have are growing. Our responsibility is to facilitate connections between students and real-world learning experiences through their project work. This initiative has effectively broadened students’ perspectives on life and potential career paths. For those already keen on specific industries, we assist in securing placements within local businesses. Showcasing the positive aspects of our businesses and available career opportunities in Eden Prairie is a win-win situation for both students and businesses.
What are the top priorities moving forward, and what is the key focus for the next one to two years?
Continuing to contribute to public policy and ensuring elected officials understand the impacts of law changes and initiatives are top priorities. We’re involved in major employer discussions on economic activities in the region. The mall redevelopment is a big deal here, as it will add new businesses and revitalize that project. The airport is a key economic driver. We work closely with Flying Cloud Airport, which is a releiver airport serving the corporate community. We are focusing on providing additional resources to local businesses. Currently, the chamber is aggressively looking at grants for businesses to better serve them and help them grow. Contributing to the workforce needs of the area is another priority. Always staying abreast of the region’s economic activity and providing networking opportunities are logical continuations of what we offer. We have plans to expand our leadership development programs for businesses. Eden Prairie is home to Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, and therefore, we reflect the wider make-up of Minnesota’s economy.
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