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Chamber Executive Michigan Intelligence Report March 30, 2015
Michigan West Coast chamber collaboration: West Michigan groups spend $10K for study of Grand Rapids to Detroit passenger rail service
Several local organizations have pledged support for a study, which begins today, to examine the possibility of a West Michigan to Detroit-area passenger rail line.
The Holland Visitors Bureau, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council and Experience Grand Rapids each made a contribution totaling about $10,000 to fund a ridership and cost estimate study that could lead to actual service several years from now, project manager Liz Treutel said.
Treutel, who heads the study for the nonprofit Michigan Environmental Council, explains the seven-month project will examine ridership demand between the Holland, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit corridor to better understand the impacts of establishing coast-to-coast rail service. Read more: M Live
Leaders in Business to Address “Advancing Women to the Top” at Upcoming Dearborn Area Chamber Breakfast
Local and national business executives will discuss the topic of “Advancing Women to the Top” at the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builder Series Breakfast on Tuesday, April 14 from 7:30-9:30 am at The Adoba Hotel in Dearborn. The event, sponsored by Davenport University, will be held in partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and will offer a chance for attendees to learn about women’s advancement in the workforce.
The event will feature a special presentation by Roberta Phillips, Executive Director of the Center for Women in Business at the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation on various research conducted on the topic. A panel discussion will follow, including Jill Ford, Special Advisor to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the City of Detroit; Donna Inch, CEO of Ford Land; Dr. Stan Jensen, President of Henry Ford College; Kelley LaFontaine of LaFontaine Automotive Group; and Marie Alexander, Legislative Analysts at Ford Motor Company. Read more: Dearborn Chamber
Chamber Best Practices: Grand Rapids Chamber CEO & Management Roundtable
Offering trusted, informal advice in a confidential, peer-to-peer setting for over 27 years.
Registration deadline is March 27!
Could you use a dedicated group that gives you feedback on some of the tough business issues you are facing? There is still time to register this month for the CEO & Management Roundtable Program from the Chamber.
• Discuss your opportunities and challenges in a non-competitive, confidential environment.
• Participate in conversations that help you decide the best course of action.
• Develop lasting relationships with other business owners and company leaders.
A rewarding program that brings participants back year after year, this program offers a suite of professional tracks and industry-specific tables designed to meet your needs for optimum discussion and peer-learning.
“The relationships with the people I’ve met in the program are real, the discussions we’ve had are relevant, and the insights we’ve shared are trusted.” – Richard Housekamp, Partner, VisitWorks. It’s your own personal group of “informal advisors” and one of the best ROI’s around—only $75 per year for Chamber members.
Spring roundtables will be kicking off in April, so enroll today! Visit www.grandrapids.org/ceo-roundtable to find out more and get started. Questions? Contact Janet Wyllie at [email protected] or 616.771.0331.
Genesee County economy 'moving forward,' chamber says
Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce officials are optimistic when it comes to economic prospects this year.
"We truly are moving forward," Chamber CEO Tim Herman told a crowd of more than 450 during the group's annual meeting at the Gateway Centre.
Herman highlighted several key accomplishments from throughout the year as he looked forward including:
A total of $879 million of investment supported by the chamber which resulted in 761 jobs created and retained and 41 investment projects that generated an estimated $41 in annual payroll.
A tourism economic impact from hotel room rentals of $128.6 million throughout the county.
Hired 627 teens through the Summer Youth Initiative and graduated 742 students from the TeenQuest leadership and pre-employment training program.
Major projects in the area including the Flint Farmers Market, General Motors' new paint facility, American SpiralWeld and a new building for Spud Software in Grand Blanc. Read more: M LIVE
Traverse City Area Chamber endorses sales tax bump for roads
The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce supports a sales tax increase to fix Michigan’s roads. That’s good news for the plan that has lost some key support in recent weeks. The higher tax would raise more than a billion dollars a year for transportation spending.
Critics say there was another option, one that did not involve new taxes. But Doug Luciani, President and CEO of the Traverse City chamber, says they looked at that plan too.
“It didn’t address the full load of the transportation needs,” he says. “It fell far short of what the transportation needs are.”
And Luciani says without new taxes, the cuts required in other parts of the state budget would have been too painful.
Luciani says chamber officials are not excited about higher taxes, but something needs to be done and this is the only plan in sight. He says they like the fact that many of the dollars raised would go directly to cities, villages and counties to fix their own roads.
Luciani says the chamber will not campaign for the proposal, as they have for school bonds in recent years.
“We are endorsing this,” he says, “and trying to provide some guidance for our members ... to assure them that we have looked at it and we do believe that this is the best option right now.” Read more: Interlochen Public Radio
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Detroit Chamber
Detroit Chamber @DetroitChamber Chamber Gold Member @Huntington_Bank will create about 250 jobs in Michigan with the opening of 43 new branches: http://ow.ly/KxaRp
Michigan Chamber Thanks House Members Who Chose Michigan Taxpayers Over Hollywood Handouts
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today applauds members of the State House for passing House Bill 4122 to finally end Michigan's wasteful and ineffective film subsidy.
"The vote today clearly illustrates which representatives are serious about cutting wasteful spending and those who are fine supporting government boondoggles," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "We commend the new leadership in the Michigan House for reexamining the merits of this subsidy and showing the resolve to govern in the best interest of taxpayers."
"We applaud State Representative Dan Lauwers and every state legislator who joined with him in placing a higher priority on Michigan taxpayers and saying NO to Hollywood film producers who only come to town to pick up a check," said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Astonishingly, some legislators continue to vote in support of the program despite the data showing it is a failure."
"Egregiously, during the Lame Duck session of 2014, legislators made this bad law even worse by gifting more money for highly compensated movie executives while eliminating incentives for hiring Michigan residents," noted Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber. "The current subsidy also allows producers to circumvent the nominal Michigan-hiring expectations, making it even less likely that Michigan residents will benefit." Read more: Michigan Chamber
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day --- by Michael Gelb
The self-help book that Leonardo never wrote, it offers a revolutionary approach to learning and creativity. Drawing on Leonardo’s notebooks, inventions and legendary works of art, this book introduces seven principles for thinking like history’s greatest genius. From the notebook’s celebration of an insatiably curious approach to life (curiositá) to the willingness to embrace uncertainty and paradox (sfumato) embodied in Mona Lisa’s smile, these principles will seem at once intuitively familiar and surprisingly powerful. Offering an abundance of interactive, entertaining exercises to help you master each principle, you’ll learn how to apply then at work, home, and everywhere else!
Michael Gelb--someone who makes his living teaching companies how to innovate--has written 13 books on creativity and innovation. His most famous, "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day," has sold more than a half million copies and has been translated into 25 languages.
The Chamber Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Business Assistance Programs: Economic Development
The Chamber is the center of economic development services and programs in Northwest Ottawa County. We coordinate the area’s strategic planning process, provide data and contacts to potential new businesses and act as the primary marketer of the community to the outside world. We have also developed solid relationships with neighboring communities through the West Michigan Economic Development Coalition and have brought educators and employers together through our Business Education Partnerships programs.
Our focus is retaining and growing our existing businesses by bringing the resources they need to stay competitive in today’s global economy. We administer U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan funds, provide small business counseling and facilitate communication among local municipalities and the business community. We create opportunities for businesses to network with potential customers and peers and oversee an extensive training and workforce development initiative. When a business has needs outside The Chamber’s list of services, we refer them to the appropriate agency or person who can best help them to move forward.
Contact David Miller, Vice President Economic Development at 616.846.3153 for more information on any of the following. Read more: The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg
Waterford Area Chamber: Marketing Your Business: Hosting "Perking Up"
The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce believes that networking builds solid relationships ultimately generating business referrals and growth. We provide several platforms to initiate and accelerate your opportunity to establish such relationships with local area business owners and decision makers. The Perking Up morning networking event is held monthly at a member's place of business on the first Tuesday of the month (except holidays) from 8:00 - 9:00 am. With an average of 60 attendees this is a terrific platform to showcase your place of business!
Host Sponsorship Marketing Advantages:
Company Name in monthly calendar in WACC Newsletter, website and e-news until event occurs.Insert in newsletter month prior to event.
Individual e-news with company logo and name week prior to event.
Follow up cover story and photo in WACC Newsletter after event.
Sponsorship Fee: $50 and host provides continental breakfast and door prize of your choice.
Roster of all attendees including company name, address, contact, phone and email provided at event. Event venue will be facilitated if place of business can accommodate.
Space limited to 12 hosts per year and subject to first come, first serve. Reserve your space and contact [email protected]. or fax back our host agreement to 248-666-3325. Space fills quickly!
Muskegon's image project continues with next community dialog March 31
A number of leading Muskegon institutions are working to improve Muskegon's image, both how we view ourselves and how others view us.
Meeting informally for months, the community leaders are developing a multifaceted attack on Muskegon's poor image in hopes of beginning to improve perceptions over the next three years.
An initial meeting in February of key stakeholders began to solidify the community strategy and collect advice on what directions to take. A series of community dialogs on Muskegon's image will continue Tuesday, March 31 as the image group reaches out to tourism and retail businesses along with arts and non-profit organizations.
Leaders in those sectors are being invited to a community conversation at the Muskegon Museum of Art from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Frey Auditorium, 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon.
The topic will be the importance of Muskegon's image on businesses, arts organizations and non-profits. Those working on image issues want to get ideas from those sectors on an overall community image strategy.
The image issue has been researched by community leaders representing the city of Muskegon, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Muskegon Now, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, city of Norton Shores, Michigan Works, the Muskegon Museum of Art and the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Read more: M LIVE
Cadillac Chamber news: Wexford Co. becomes 13th in state to earn Connected Broadband Certification
A new designation in Wexford County will hopefully lead to many things, including growth for all of its businesses, industries and communities.
Spurring that potential growth will be technology, and in particular access, to things like the Internet. On Friday, community stakeholders and leaders within the county came together at the Student Center of Baker College of Cadillac to celebrate the county being recognized as a certified Connected Community.
The Connected Community Engagement Program, facilitated by Connect Michigan, supports the development of a comprehensive strategy for building a connected community by reviewing the technology landscape, developing regional partnerships, establishing local teams and conducting a thorough community assessment of broadband access, adoption, and use.
Wexford County Administrator Ken Hinton said the county, city of Cadillac and Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce were the three local power players, along with Connect Michigan, involved in the process that started about two to three years ago. He also said formulation of a community technology plan could cost tens of thousands of dollars, but to get the certification through the program cost nothing. Read more: Cadillac News
Flint & Genesee chamber YouthQuest Program gets $2,000 grant from Michigan Council for Arts
The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce YouthQuest program was awarded a $2,000 grant to support the creation of Club 3D, an arts instruction clubs for YouthQuest's middle and high school students. The grant, awarded by the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, will support art education for Club 3D at YouthQuest, an afterschool program that serves more than 2,000 K-12 students in Genesee County.
Club 3D will utilize the "expertise of local artists who will serve as art vendors at the program" where students can build leadership, teamwork kills and resourcefulness and explore the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Students will be taught the use of equipment, tools and techniques, and art elements such as composition, form vs. function and materials.
The program will have field trips including scrap yards, museums and manufacturers who seek workers with the skills that students will be introduced.
"We have found that our YouthQuest high school students like to engage in less traditional forms of art and instead practice techniques and skills that not only encourage artistic expression, but are also practical introductions to career-relevant skills," said Rhetta Hunyady, vice president of Education and Training at the Flint & Genesee Chamber. Read more: Flint & Genesee Chamber
Cornerstone Chamber 101- Maximizing your chamber membership
Chamber 101- Maximizing your chamber membership
Date: March 24, 2015 --- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Whether you're new to our Chamber, or you've been a member for years, Chamber 101 is designed to help businesses maximize their memberships! Learn about all the membership benefits, our various events, how to set-up a mini-page on www.cornerstonechamber.com, how to utilize Save Local Now and more! The event is FREE, but registration is required and limited to the first 15 members. Feel free to bring your lunch!
Website: http://business.cornerstonechamber.com/events/details/chamber-101-maximizing-your-chamber-membership-542 Registration: Register Now
Flint & Genesee Chamber and eTEAM awards local business owners
The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce in partnership with eTEAM has announced the recipients of the 2015 Rising Star and Spark Award during the 8th Annual Jumpstart Entrepreneur Conference this week.
In attendance were more than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners in the Genesee County area working to take their dreams to a higher level. The keynote speaker was Mark Rice II, President of Loving Adult and Senior Care Services.
The chamber's eTEAM is "a regional collaboration of entrepreneurial service providers working to connect local entrepreneurs and small businesses with res.
Grand Rapids Chamber event: U.S. Chamber warns about regulatory onslaught
While the short-term economic outlook is promising, concerns loom about the long-term economic future of the United States, Doug Loon, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president, told members of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Monday.
Loon said last year’s mid-term elections sent a signal to Washington that voters were tired of gridlock. And, although early signals showed a willingness to get things done, there now are signs of a return to obstructionist politics.
There are other troubling signs.
Unemployment numbers have declined since the Great Recession, added Loon, but the 5.2 percent unemployment rate masks an underlying problem – “marginally attached” persons who are unaccounted for in the unemployment rate. These individuals are the chronically unemployed – those who have left the workforce long-term and are therefore not counted in unemployment numbers.
“We have the lowest labor participation rate since 1978,” said Loon, adding that the nation needs more jobs, higher incomes, lower deficits and debt and more wealth as a nation.
What happens on the political front remains to be seen, however, U.S. Chamber advocates are promoting a multi-pronged approach to return growth to a more robust 3-plus percent from the 2014 anemic level of 2.2 percent.
The Chamber’s agenda includes action along several fronts that executives contend are vital to future growth: energy, trade, infrastructure, regulation, taxes and entitlements, immigration and education reform. Read more: BusinessNorth.com
Leelanau Chamber interest: Lake Michigan Ice Formations Attract Tourists Once Again
"Huge blocks of ice. It's definitely something to see." Ice caves are back on Lake Michigan. They are smaller this year, but people are still making the trek to see them. The ice formations are spectacular, but can also be dangerous. The ice cave formations are beginning to show all off Gill's Pier Road and M-22 in Leelanau County.
That's where 9&10's Cody Boyer and Photojournalist Jacob Johnson checked out the formations and have important information for visitors.
"It is, it's gorgeous. The blues and the ice are just spectacular." It's a cold trek for anyone who wants to see them but the ice caves of Lake Michigan are back...almost.
"We came out last year and saw the ice caves which were spectacular and we heard that there were formations out here, not the caves but the color was beautiful." Susan McEwen and her husband say they made the same trek to see the ice last year. This time around, the caves are scarce but the formations are still something to see.
"Now last year's caves were spectacular," says Sally Guzowski, executive director of the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Read more: 9 & 10 News
Greater Brighton Area Chamber Ambassador of the Month --- Sue Krause, Great Lakes Rewards
Sue is the Owner of Great Lakes Rewards, and at Great Lakes Rewards they bring the power of TEXT MARKETING to small and big Businesses alike! They help businesses build their own customer list and market to them in the most effective ways possible. With new advances in technology, MOBILE MARKTING is now easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes. No other form of advertising gets a greater return on investment than TEXT MARKETING!
Sue and her husband Carl bought this territory last year from SMS Masterminds. SMS Masterminds has been in business for almost 6 years, in over 180 markets and just topped over 3,200,000 subscribers! Read more: Greater Brighton Area Chamber
Michigan Chamber Issues Statement on May 5th Ballot Proposal
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley regarding Proposal 1:
“Over the past two months, the Michigan Chamber has gathered information from a wide range of sources and actively sought input from the Chamber’s membership regarding the May 5th ballot proposal. Today, the Chamber concluded a comprehensive review of Proposal 1 and related legislation.”
“First, we want to emphasize that Michigan Chamber members and staff are very supportive of Governor Rick Snyder. We appreciate the Administration’s many accomplishments and commend the Governor for his leadership in the effort to fix the roads.”
“Second, after careful consideration, the Michigan Chamber has concluded there is not a consensus within our membership to either support or oppose the May 5th ballot proposal. Therefore, the Michigan Chamber will not take a position for or against Proposal 1. Between now and May 5, the Chamber will focus our efforts on educating and informing Chamber members about the proposal.” Source: Michigan Chamber
Kristin Beltzer rejoins Lansing (Michigan) Chamber in new role
Kristin Beltzer has rejoined the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. In her new role, Beltzer will oversee the business development, marketing, communications and event management activities of the organization. Beltzer previously worked for the Chamber from 2007-2014. Source: Lansing State Journal
Saline Chamber announces the recipients of the prestigious Saline Salutes Citizen Awards
The Saline Chamber is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious Saline Salutes Citizen Awards for 2015. The honorees were selected by a blue- ribbon panel of community leaders assembled by the Chamber. Receiving a Saline Salutes Citizen Award represents the most widely-respected recognition of the volunteer efforts of individuals living or working in the Saline area each year. The recipients are: Dave Eberlein, Citizen of the Year; John Olsen, George A. Anderson Vision Award; and Emily Diehl, Youth of the Year.Read more: M Live
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)
"We have to wake up every day with a servant's heart!"
Frankfort, Indiana mayor Chris McBarnes, age 23 to Indiana chamber executives at ICEA Winter Conference
Last Month’s Stories:
Michigan Chamber Foundation To Launch Young Entrepreneurs Academy Pilot Program In Lansing In Fall 2015 Michigan Chamber
‘Innovative’ Greenville Chamber of Commerce hands out annual honors The Daily News
Lansing named 4th-best affordable place to live on national list M Live
Dearborn chamber forum: Community conversations to focus on college affordability, job market challenges Press and Guide
Brighton Area Chamber Professional Women's Club: Event Helps Local Women Become Heart Healthy & Reduce Stress WHMI 95.5 FM
Traverse City Area Chamber's Kent Wood: Growing business is good for Michigan Traverse City Record-Eagle
Canton Chamber blazes digital marketing trail Hometown Life
Michigan Chamber Of Commerce Announces 2015-2016 Legislative Priorities/Agenda For Job Creation And Business Growth Michigan Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber EPIC Awards Don’t wait to nominate!
Western Upper Peninsula chambers held Thirsty Thursday in Ironwood Your Daily Globe
Governor Snyder's FY 2015-2016 budget proposal Grand Rapids Chamber
40 Under 40: Katie Perry and Tim Terrentine of Southwest Michigan First among top young economic developers in nation M LIVE
Keith D. Markstrom, named interim president and CEO of Bay Area Chamber of Commerce M Live
Bay Area leaders look toward future at annual State of the Community Luncheon M LIVE
Michigan Retail Index - Most Michigan retailers reported better holiday sales, thanks to a strong December, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Attorney General Schuette talks Michigan's future at Midland Chamber's annual meeting Midland Daily News
Oakland Chamber Network has announced its 2015 leadership team Oakland Press
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: "Leaders Open Doors: A Radically Simple Leadership Approach to Lift People, Profits, and Performance" by Bill Treasurer Leaders Open Doors
Elk Rapids Michigan Names New Chamber Head Traverse Ticker
Midwest U.S. Chamber Advocacy Resources Available For Your Chamber call the U.S. Chamber's Great Lakes Regional Office at 312-386-7796 and ask to speak with Ben, Cholly or Maggie.
It's Time to End Michigan's Wasteful Film Subsidy, Says Michigan Chamber of Commerce Michigan Chamber
Vicksburg selected to be member of Michigan Main Street program through MSHDA M LIVE
Governor's Budget Focuses on Skilled Trades Michigan Chamber
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