Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - Grand Rapids Minnesota

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Our August Business Spotlight is on Greater Insurance Service of Northeastern MN, Inc!

Local Guidance. More Choices. Trusted Protection.

Greater Insurance Service has been helping individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most for generations. As an independent insurance agency, GIS works with a broad range of insurance carriers, giving our clients more options when it comes to finding the right coverage for their needs.

From home and auto insurance to commercial, workers’ compensation, life, and more, our team takes pride in providing personal service and helping clients understand their coverage - not simply selling them a policy.

We’re proud to call the Grand Rapids area home and to support the businesses, schools, organizations, events, and communities that make northern Minnesota such a great place to live and work.

Greater Insurance Service
More choices. Local service. Coverage you can count on.
Visit them at: https://www.gismn.com/
218-327-1854

09/01/2026

Congratulations to our Chamber members who were voted Grand Rapids Herald-Review Best of Itasca - 2026!

We love seeing so many local businesses, organizations, professionals, and community favorites recognized by the people who know them best, our community.

These awards reflect the great work happening every day across our area, and we are excited to celebrate our Chamber members who earned this year’s honors. [We did try to tag all of you, but this overwhelmed FB, so it's just the list😕].

Thank you for the work you do, the services you provide, and the many ways you help make our area a great place to live, work, visit, and do business.

Best Auto Body Repair: Dale's Auto Body
Best Auto Parts Store: CarQuest - Grand Rapids
Best Auto Salesman: Jeff DeChampeau, Dondelinger Ford CDJR
Best Auto Dealership: Grand Rapids Chevrolet GMC
Best Convenience Store: Northern Star Cenex
Best Oil Change: Express Service at Grand Rapids Chevrolet GMC
Best Service Department: Grand Rapids Chevrolet GMC
Best Tire Store: Acheson Tire, Inc
Best Watercraft Dealership: Ray's Sport & Marine
Best Community Event: Tall Timber Days
Best Coach: Austin Kopplemann, ISD #316
Best Golf Course: Eagle Ridge Golf Course
Best Live Entertainment Spot: The Reif
Best Nonprofit Organization: Elder Circle
Best Performing Arts: The Reif
Best Place to Volunteer: Great Tails Animal Rescue
Best Preschool: Greenway Pre-K
Best Principal: Mrs. Drotts, VanDyke Elementary
Best Rent/Party Rental: Lefty's Tent and Party Rental
Best School: VanDyke Elementary
Best Senior Living: Majestic Pines Senior Living
Best Teacher: Toni Sutherland, VanDyke Elementary
Best Venue: Barn in the Woods
Best Spot Everyone in Town Should Visit Once: Forest History Center
Best Bar: Rapids Brewing Company
Best Beer Selection: Rapids Brewing Company
Best Bloody Mary: The Dutch Room & Mad Dog's Pizza
Best Brewery: Rapids Brewing Company
Best Buffet: Sammy's Pizza Restaurant & Tavern
Best Burger: Boulder Tap House
Best Curbside Takeout: The Dutch Room & Mad Dog's Pizza
Best Family Dinner: Sammy's Pizza Restaurant & Tavern
Best Fast Food: Culver's
Best Liquor Store: Pokegama Plaza Liquor
Best Restaurant: Sammy's Pizza Restaurant & Tavern
Best Wings: The Dutch Room & Mad Dog's Pizza
Best Clinic: Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
Best Fitness Center/Gym: Itasca County Family YMCA
Best Massage: Davis Chiropractic
Best Pharmacy: Grand Itasca Pharmacy
Best Physician: Dr. Shelly Soltis, Grand Itasca
Best Therapy: Todd Newman - Emotion Release, Davis Chiropractic
Best Bank: Grand Rapids State Bank
Best Credit Union: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Best Dog Boarding: Itasca Dog Lodge
Best Financial Planner: Grand Rapids State Bank
Best Funeral Home: Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids
Best Healthcare: Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
Best Insurance Agency: Greater Insurance Services
Best Law Office: Anderson, Ophoven, Stauffer and Jahn
Best Mortgage Lender: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Andrea DeChampeau
Best Professional Services: Davis Chiropractic
Best Title Company: Abstract Service Company
Best Veterinary Clinic: Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic
Best Carpet Cleaning Service: Saiger’s Steam Clean
Best Garage Doors: Rapid Garage Door and Awning
Best Heating and Cooling: ASAP Heating and Air Conditioning
Best Lumber Yard: Latvala Lumber Co.
Best Clothing and Shoes: Benders Shoes, Clothing & Gifts
Best Florist: North In Bloom
Best Furniture Store: Lake Country Furniture
Best Gift Shop: Benders Shoes, Clothing & Gifts
Best Hotel: Timberlake Lodge Hotel
Best Jeweler: Mississippi Diamond Jewelers
Best Large Business: Grand Rapids State Bank
Best Lawn Equipment: L&M Supply
Best Lodging and Resort: Sugar Lake Lodge
Best Meat Market: S&S Meats
Best Radio Station: 99.9 Radio USA
Best Small Business: Lake Country Furniture

09/01/2026

It’s time for another riveting game of:

“Where in the northland are the Grand Rapids Chamber gals!?” By looking at the photo, and playing detective, use clues to identify our location!

Comment below 👇🏼 by 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 1 to be entered into a drawing for $25 in Chamber Bucks to be used at any GR Chamber member business! DOUBLE ENTRY if you can guess the PERFECT temperature at the time the photo was taken! 🤪 💨

08/31/2026

Today's Member to Member is from HFL Bookkeeping LLC!

Serving small and medium-sized businesses in the Grand Rapids area, HFL Bookkeeping brings more than 25 years of financial industry experience and offers full-service bookkeeping, payroll processing, financial reporting, A/R, A/P, custom reporting, and more.

As QuickBooks Online ProAdvisors, Annie Hill-Fox and Dave Lutz are ready to help businesses stay organized and confident in their finances.

They are also offering a free 30-minute book review with no obligation.

📞 888-528-9166
🌐 www.hfl-bookkeeping.com

08/28/2026

Join us October 8, 2026 at Sugar Lake Lodge for a day designed to bring women together, build connection, and experience what belonging can really look and feel like.

This year’s theme, WE & ME, is an invitation to invest in both - to reflect on the person you are becoming while recognizing the impact you have on the people around you.

Come ready to connect, recharge, learn, laugh, and spend the day with an incredible group of women in a setting made for meaningful conversation.
Grand Rapids Area Chamber members receive a special discount!

📅 October 8, 2026
📍 Sugar Lake Lodge
🔗 https://sugarlakelodge.com/.../open.../womens-unconference/

Tag someone you’d love to bring along!

Thank you to our partnership with Grand Rapids Herald-Review and The Leadership Lodge at Sugar Lake Lodge!

08/27/2026

We recently celebrated a ribbon cutting with newly formed organization, Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance!

While they officially formed in 2025, they made their launch to the public a few weeks ago.

The organization's goal is to create and maintain a vibrant, thriving downtown for all to share.

Their projects and initiatives will focus on placemaking, beautification, events, business support, economic vitality, and long-term development to create a more engaging downtown experience.

The Alliance believes a healthy, active downtown is representative of the health and overall community. Visit them at their location: 221 NW 1st Ave, or their website at: https://www.grdowntownalliance.org/

Welcome to the community and to the Chamber!

Pictured from left to right: Chamber President April Arnason; Alliance Vice Chair, Michelle Carlson; Alliance Board Members, Amanda Lussier & James Mack; Alliance Executive Director, Chris Walker; Alliance Treasurer, Dan Foster; Alliance Secretary, Mindy Nuhring; and Alliance Board Chair, Bill Martinetto; Chamber ambassadors, LeAnn Hardy - City Limits Storage Center, Inc., and Becky Gilbert -The Title Team.

08/26/2026

We recently celebrated a ribbon cutting with DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center - a one-million-square-foot complex collection of 10 venues!

The DECC sits in the Lake Superior harbor of the Canal Park neighborhood and hosts large-scale events ranging from conventions, concerts, expos, sporting events, festivals, and more.

As a state authority created by state statute, part of the DECC's mission is to drive the regional economy.

We welcome the DECC to the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce!

Pictured from left to right: Chamber President, April Arnason, DECC Employees: Amy Carlson, Director of Food Service; Lilia Fremling, Entertainment Event Planner; Kim Carr, Entertainment Booking Manager; Alex Wink, Executive Assistant; Sue Ellen More, Director of Sales; Dan Hartman, Executive Director; Olivia Niska, Event Planne; Aimee Toland, Premium Experience Coordinator; and Amanda Denton, Finance Director.

08/25/2026

Calling All Superheroes, Villains & Golfers!

Grab your cape, rally your team, and get ready for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Super Heroes Golf Outing & Fun Day!

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Pokegama Golf Course

This is not your average day on the course. Dress the part, decorate your cart, and bring your best superhero - or villain - energy for a day of golf, networking, competition, and fun.

Prizes will be awarded for:
🏆 Best Decorated Golf Hole
🏆 Best Team Costume
🏆 Longest Drive - Men & Women
🏆 Longest Putt - Men & Women
🏆 Closest to the Pin
Thank you to our Main Event Sponsor, Essentia Health, for helping make this action-packed event possible!

Register your team or learn more at grandmn.com/events or contact Kerry at [email protected]

08/24/2026

Today's Member to Member is from Paul Bunyan Communications!

With a library of business solutions, and local IT experts prioritizing customer service, you can you can focus on your business while they handle the technology!

To learn more: https://paulbunyan.net/business/our-services/it-services/