TwinWest Gala Raises Thousands for Local Business

Some came dressed in jeans and cowboy hats, some looked like fabulous flappers.  And for the hundreds celebrating TwinWest's 26th Annual Gala who didn't dress to match the riverboat maverick theme, the evening still sparkled at the on March 11.

More than 400 independent businesses from ten west metro cities helped raised thousands for the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce.  TwinWest puts that money to use when it reaches out to local business - from Fortune 500 companies to Mom and Pop shops.

"From General Mills to Liberty Diversified to Jake's City Grill, we have a unique and impressive business community," says Bruce Nustad, TwinWest's president.  "We have some of the best businesses in the world right here, and they're willing to teach each other."

TwinWest works with its Grow Minnesota! campaign to reach out to businesses and legislators to find ways to attract new business to the west metro and to make sure we keep the businesses that already thrive here.

It's not always an easy task, given the current economy, but Nustad says there's a spirit of optimism among local businesses.

"Job growth, rehiring and making capital investments are all top concerns, but optimism is a precursor to growth," he says.  "We're reaching out to business as they cautiously move forward, but we're also visiting 40 companies a year saying thanks and getting feedback on what's working in the west metro and what's not."

The gala also supports the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which provides $50,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the area and $25,000 to help adults going back to school.