Public Policy & Advocacy
At the Elk River Area Chamber, advocacy is one of the core pillars of our mission — Promote, Advocate, Connect & Educate. We work to create an environment where businesses want to invest, and families want to put down roots.
Each year, in partnership with the Minnesota Chamber Federation, we identify legislative priorities that support economic growth, workforce stability, and long-term regional competitiveness.
👉 Download Our 2026 Legislative Priorities (PDF)
2026 Business Priorities Overview
Our current priorities focus on four key areas:
Housing
Supporting diverse housing options — including workforce and senior housing — to address labor shortages and strengthen long-term economic development.
Childcare
Advocating for affordable, high-quality childcare to ensure workforce participation and support thriving families and productive businesses.
Infrastructure Planning
Encouraging transparent, collaborative planning and sustained investment in roads, utilities, public safety facilities, and other core infrastructure.
Energy
Supporting renewable energy, conservation and efficiency efforts, and thoughtful exploration of emerging technologies — including nuclear — to ensure affordable, reliable, and stable energy for the future.
In addition, through our partnership with the Minnesota Chamber Federation, we support efforts to improve tax competitiveness, fix and implement PFML in a workable way, improve permitting efficiency, and address cost drivers impacting businesses and households.