Introducing St. Paul's New Police Chief Axel Henry!

This morning I joined Mayor Carter and other community leaders for an important announcement about our new St. Paul police Chief, Axel Henry. 

Public safety is a top priority for St. Paul and fundamental to building vitality in our community. Renewing our focus on improving public safety, while building trust and respect in the community seems more important than ever. With his experience and perspective, Chief Henry is well-positioned to continue building on the culture that he's now charged with leading and we are here to support him.

St. Paul faces very real challenges in terms of public safety, and Henry - a seasoned veteran within the St. Paul Police Department and a Saint Paul Native - understands the nuances of our community and the challenges we are facing. I was honored to be a part of this selection process. The candidate pool was very strong, particularly from within the SPPD itself. I look forward to working with Chief Henry as he steps into this important role.

​B Kyle
President & CEO
St. Paul Area Chamber​

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• St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced today he’s selected St. Paul Police Cmdr. Axel Henry to be the department’s next police chief. The selection now awaits City Council Approval.
• Nowhere to go for most troubled youth. As youth detention centers close, Minnesota runs out of places to rehabilitate kids who commit serious crimes.​

• The Federal Open Market Committee will hold its two-day policy meeting beginning Tuesday, with its decision coming at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Economists and Fed watchers largely expect another 75-basis-point rate hike, setting the stage for the Fed's benchmark interest rate to reach 5% in the first quarter of 2023. Hopes for a pivot to dovishness were mostly dashed last week after recent GDP data and Friday's household spending and employee wage figures that showed that the economy still has some sizzle. 
• Launch MN, a program within DEED, has selected 43 startups out of a pool of 70 to receive grants of up to $35K.
• From the US Chamber: How Small Business Owners Can Navigate Inflation and High Interest Rates.

State

• Control of the Minnesota Legislature will be decided in the ‘burbs, on the Range, in midsize cities. Only about 10% of state legislative races are decided by 5 percentage points or fewer.
• Review of the final debate between Governor Walz and challenger Scott Jenson here here and here. Listen to the debate on MPR here.
• Minnesota’s Election Day is Nov 8. Here’s what you need to know.

 
 Regional

• Interested in learning more about the two candidates vying for Ramsey County’s open District 6 seat? Good article here by the Pioneer Press.

 
Election day is next week. Be sure to reference our East Metro Voter Guide to learn more about your candidates!
 
Subscribe to our Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

• Build a network to last the rest of your career. Join the LSP Class of 2023. Registration is open!
• November Lunch With Leaders, Economic Development Panel: Wed, Nov 9, 11:30am. Register here!
• Our Equity Summit V, Inspiring Human-Centered Leadership, is here: Nov 15, 8am – 2pm.  Register here!
• Please join us at St. Paul’s holiday party – Holiday Chamber Connect: Tuesday, Dec 6, 5-7pm. Register here!
• And don’t miss the GLOW Holiday Festival, at CHS Field this year, Nov 23 – Jan 1, 2023.

• 5 tips to creating a benefits package that employees truly want.
• MSPBJ’s 2022 Fast 50: The fastest-growing private companies in MSP, ranked.  Special shout-out to repeat winners: WSB, #46; and Stonebridge Capital Advisors, #48.
• The disconnect over remote work lingers. It may intensify in 2023. ​

• Early indicators show HBCU growth while most colleges lose students.
• 5 life sciences trends to watch for in 2023. This sectors has been on a tear in the past couple of years, with no anticipated slow-down.​

• New renewable natural gas facility opens in Inver Grove Heights. This is a fascinating landfill gas recovery project.
• St. Paul City Council funds demolition of vacant public safety annex, boosting prospects for Pedro Park. Using $500K in federal Community Development Block Grant funding.  
• New plans emerge for Sears site in St. Paul: A first-time developer is shopping around his idea to turn the Sears property into a hub for reality TV entertainment.