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Chamber Executive Michigan Intelligence Report June 29, 2015
Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TO ATTEND MACP IN DEARBORN OCT. 28-30! Register today!
Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference
While Southeast Michigan leaders at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference acknowledge that their region’s economy still has room for improvement, they’ve started to pivot from a focus on fixing immediate problems to tackling long-term solutions instead.
When it comes to pervasive issues like roads and talent, they might find some examples of public-private collaboration from West Michigan that could help point a way forward.
“I think we in West Michigan row in the same boat together,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization.
While the Detroit Regional Chamber sponsors the late May event and gears the discussions toward Southeast Michigan, business leaders from West Michigan — Kitchens included — said they also wanted to have their say and seize opportunities for bridge-building and collaboration with their colleagues across the state.
“I think we collaborate better than most areas of (a similar) size in the nation,” Kitchens told MiBiz at the conference. “I think we work with Southeast Michigan a lot because the economic development there is driven by governmental institutions, where West Michigan is much more private sector-driven.
In particular, Kitchens said he believes leaders from the east side of the state are increasingly looking at proven models around West Michigan to solve the talent crisis. One such example is Grand Rapids-based Talent 2025, a private sector-led initiative with higher educational representatives that’s addressing long-term talent concerns in the region. - See more at: MiBiz.com
Chamber Best Practices: For Michigan West Coast Chamber Members, Business is Good!
As a West Coast Chamber member you can reap unlimited returns on your investment with the Chamber's exclusive member time and money-saving benefits.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan -The strength of the Chamber lies in its members, many of which are small businesses. Today, businesses need the value of "big company" benefits that are comprehensive and cost competitive. Coverage is available to groups with 1-99 employees. Call the Chamber or your local independent insurance agent for more details.
SBA 504 Financing Program - We can help you with long-term fixed asset financing for your expanding small business through Lakeshore 504.
Davenport University - Offers the Community Leader Scholarship, that is stackable with other scholarships and financial aid to their students. The student must be employed by a West Coast Chamber business member and can receive up to $1500 per semester.
Auto-Owners Insurance Group - Provides Chamber members discounts on business insurance, eligible to save up to 14%. To learn more about saving money for your business, click here or watch this short video and invitation. Read more: Michigan West Coast chamber
Rochester Regional Chamber: Leadership Greater Rochester
The mission of the Leadership Greater Rochester Program is to build a broad-based network of community leaders who enhance their leadership abilities and skills through continuing education, shared perspectives and community involvement in order to enable them to work toward solutions in the public interest. LRG offers area businesses or relocations a chance to become acquainted with the communities and a variety of regional leaders, and employees to make connections and continue their involvement in our area's unique history, needs and activities.
Download the PDF application linked below or contact the Chamber office at 248-651-6700 or [email protected] for more detail on joining this year's Leadership Greater Rochester class which begins September 2015.
Leadership Greater Rochester 2015-2016 Class Application
Read more: Rochester Regional Chamber
Chamber good news: Plymouth named one of Michigan’s best in business
A personal finance website has named Plymouth one of the best cities in Michigan for starting a business.
Plymouth was ranked third, after Auburn Hills and Traverse City, on San Francisco-based NerdWallet’s list of the top 15 cities in the state in which to go into business. The list was released last week.
Among the pluses the site listed for Plymouth were the average business revenue ($1.28 million), the unemployment rate (4.2 percent) and an “impressive” number of businesses for every 100 people (nearly 20). A “picturesque downtown” and a lineup of public events like concerts and festivals were also noted.
The high ranking wasn’t a surprise to Teresa Pilarz, owner of Espresso Elevado, a specialty coffee shop that opened in 2011. Research told her the type of shop she wanted to open would be a good fit for Plymouth and four years of growth have confirmed the city was the right choice, she said. Read more: Hometownlife.com
Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President John Fleming to Speak at Upcoming Dearborn Chamber Luncheon
John Fleming, Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs at Ford Motor Company will be joining the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce as the guest speaker at the Chamber’s upcoming Business Builder Series. The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 11:00 am at The Henry, An Autograph Collection Hotel, located at 300 Town Center Drive, in Dearborn. Fleming is the third speaker for the Chamber’s 2015 Business Builder Series, a Chamber program designed to help local businesses and community leaders grow and enhance their organizational goals. Speakers this year have included the mayors of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, and a prestigious panel of area executives joining in a U.S. Chamber sponsored discussion of women in business leadership. Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is scheduled to wrap up the 2015 series at the 4th Quarter event in October. For More Information, Contact: Ron Hinrichs, Director of Events & Media Relations Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce -Tel: 313-584-6100E-mail: [email protected]
Grand Rapids Area Chamber announces the 2015 EPIC Award Recipients!
Did you hear the news? Seven outstanding businesses and organizations were recognized as “entrepreneurial, progressive, innovative and collaborative” during the 2015 EPIC Awards on June 1.
Excellence in Business
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Small Business of the Year
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
Minority-Owned Business of the Year
Malamiah Juice Bar, LLC
Women-Owned Business
Eastown Veterinary Clinic
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Chris Andrus and Max Trierweiler (Mitten Brewing Company)
Non-Profit of the Year
West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology (WMCAT)
Veteran-Owned Business
JetCo Solutions
More information: Grand Rapids Area Chamber
Harbor Springs Chamber Waterfront Wine Festival
The Waterfront Wine Festival, an event of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and Scenic Michigan, celebrates 10 years of great wine and food, Saturday, June 27, in Harbor Springs and as part of the anniversary, a new raffle prize is being offered. A passage for two on the Luxury Haimark Coastal Cruise Line aboard the MS Saint Laurent for a nine-day cruise to locations in North and South America is the prize for the 2015 raffle with only 300 raffle tickets to be sold at $50 each.
“During the 10 years of the Waterfront Wine Festival, we have offered a variety of raffle prizes but for our 10th anniversary, we wanted something special,” said Daniel DeWindt, executive director of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. “A nine-day cruise with the Haimark Coastal Cruise line is a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.”
“New this year by the Haimark Line is a Great Lakes Discovery Cruise with stops in Chicago, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Georgian Bay, Detroit and Niagara,” said Abby Dart, executive director of Scenic Michigan. Haimark also offers cruises in New England and the French Canadian Maritimes, so the raffle winner has several options to choose from. For those who want a winter getaway, the winner can select one of the cruises to exotic locales in Central and South America. The winner will be announced at the Waterfront Wine Festival and must be present to win. Read more: MyNorth.com
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck by Jon Acuff
It took me sixteen years to write this book. That breaks down to a brisk twelve words per day. But it wasn't the writing that took so long. . . . It was the working.
I had to work at big companies and small companies. I had to get hired and fired several times. I had to find my dream job, then walk away from it. But after all that, I can now say the following with absolute certainty:
You already have everything you need for an amazing career. In fact, you've had it since day one.
Starting on the first day you got paid to scoop ice cream or restock shelves, you've had the chance to develop the four elements all great careers have in common: relationships, skills, character, and hustle. You already have each of those, to one degree or another.
Now it's time to amplify them and apply them in a new way, creating a Career Savings Account(TM). This unique approach will give you the power to call a Do Over--whether you're twenty-two, forty-two, or sixty-two. You'll have the resources to reinvent your work and get unstuck. You'll even rescue your Mondays as you discover how to work toward the job you've always wanted
Just as a bank account protects you during a financial crunch, a Career Savings Account(TM) protects you during a career crunch. You need a CSA because you'll eventually face at least one of these major transitions: - You will hit a Career Ceiling and get stuck, requiring sharp skills to free yourself.
You will experience a Career Bump and unexpectedly lose your job, requiring strong relationships to survive.
You will make a Career Jump to a new role, requiring solid character to push through uncertainty and chaos.
You will get a surprise Career Opportunity, requiring dedicated hustle to take advantage of it.
It took me sixteen years to figure out how to call a Do Over on my career. Please don't wait sixteen more seconds before starting yours. Source: Publisher Comments
Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan (#4 - #10)
Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, is digging out of a financial crisis years in the making. But a NerdWallet analysis has found that some of Detroit’s closest neighbors have strong economies and are great places to start a business. We pinpointed the best locations — and also came across some striking findings.
Among top cities in the NerdWallet survey of Michigan is Auburn Hills. In 2010 — as Detroit was crippled by debt — Bob Kittle and Buzz Brown started Munetrix, a technology company in Auburn Hills, 25 miles north of Detroit. In 2013 and 2014, as Detroit was filing for bankruptcy, Kittle and Brown received $48,000 in two grants from the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Today, Munetrix builds data analytics platforms for over 300 local governments and school districts in Michigan, Florida and Pennsylvania, and has 10 employees in addition to its founders, plus paid interns from Oakland University, a nearby public research university.
“We’re really proud to be a Michigan-based company helping the economy,” Kittle tells NerdWallet. The company is also proud, he says, to be “giving young adults the opportunity to learn and earn a salary at the same time they hone their public-sector skills.”
NerdWallet analyzed 128 places in Michigan using six metrics to create a ranking of the top cities in the state to start a business.
4. Troy
Twenty miles north of Detroit, Troy is a hub for finance, technology, automotive research and development, and it is the largest city in our top 10. The city’s major employers include Bank of America, PNC Bank, Altair Engineering and CareTech Solutions, which makes health care IT products. The Troy Chamber offers businesses advertising and sponsorship opportunities, business development groups and roundtable discussions. A local accelerator, Automation Alley, provides resources for technology businesses in the region, including funding for startups.
5. Iron Mountain
The economy of Iron Mountain, in the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, is rooted in the mining industry. Today, its economy is fueled by a combination of manufacturing, health care, tourism and retail businesses. Local businesses include the Good Earth Salon, Spiro’s downtown restaurant and Iron Mountain Iron Mine, which gives underground tours of the original mine. The Dickinson Area Chamber Alliance provides local businesses with networking opportunities, referrals and free and reduced-cost services including health and worker’s compensation insurance.
6. Petoskey
In the northern Lower Peninsula, on Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey is a quaint town known for its beaches in the summer, snow sports in the winter and its downtown any time of the year. Local businesses include Roast & Toast, a downtown cafe; V2V, a women’s clothing store; and Petoskey Brewing, a microbrewery established in 1898 and restored in 2012. The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce helps promote and grow local businesses through its networking events, development programs, referrals and insurance discounts.
7. Marshall
In southern Michigan, about equidistant from Kalamazoo, Lansing and Ann Arbor, Marshall is steeped in history and known for its 19th century architecture. The city’s top employers include Tenneco, an auto parts maker, and Progressive Dynamics Inc., a power converter manufacturer. Other local businesses include Marshall Carriage Co. & Ghost Tours and Northfield Mandolins. The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce hosts networking conferences and monthly leadership events and features members in its online directory.
8. Wixom
About a decade ago, Wixom, northwest of Detroit, began a long-awaited revitalization of its downtown, which went up in flames in the 1920s. Local businesses include Adept Plastic Finishing Inc. and Wolverine Assemblies, which provides warehouse services to companies including Honda, Ford and John Deere. Businesses can join the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to be included in its directory, get referrals, attend networking events and get discounts on business products and services.
9. St. Joseph
With an iconic lighthouse, white sand beaches and 17 parks, St. Joseph attracts visitors and people looking for a second home. Local downtown businesses include Schu’s Grill & Bar and Clementine’s Too, a restaurant on the St. Joseph River. The city also has a strong corporate community, which includes appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. and LECO Corp., a technology company focused on the life-sciences, environment, agriculture, food, energy and mined-materials industries. The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in St. Joseph with networking events, marketing opportunities and discounted insurance plans, among other business resources.
10. Ishpeming
This city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has the lowest unemployment rate in our top 10: just 3.2%. Among area businesses are Lindberg & Sons Inc., a construction company, and Lawry’s Pasty Shop, which sells traditional Upper Peninsula savory pasties. A membership in the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce offers perks including TV and radio advertising discounts, insurance discounts, customer referrals and networking opportunities.
See the top ten here: NerdWallet.com
Charlevoix Chamber update: Summer programming begins soon
Alison Hubbard is the president of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce.
Since April of 2014, I have been the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce president. I grew up in Charlevoix, left the area after college and returned about four years ago. I spent those years away in New York, Boston, Montana and Vail developing essential skills that assist me daily as my role as chamber president. I have been married for 11 years, to my husband, Fritz. We have two children, Ole and Paige. We are an active family, you will find us skiing in the winter and swimming and biking in the summer, enjoying all the things Northern Michigan has to offer. Fritz and I love a project and have been working to remodel our home for the past few years.
I'm writing a monthly column for the Charlevoix Courier and look forward to keeping residents informed about what we do in Charlevoix County. The Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with more than 440 business and individual members, and growing strong. Our mission is to support commerce and provide leadership to enhance the quality of life. Read more: Petoskey News
Bridgeman Chamber interest: Lake Michigan Wine Festival This Weekend
A wide variety of southwest Michigan wines will be front and center this weekend at the Lake Michigan Wine Festival in Bridgman. The event is celebrating its tenth year, and Calli Berg, with the Bridgman Chamber of Commerce, says that the fun this Saturday will include live entertainment from five bands, beer, mingling, and of course, the wines. Read more: WSJM.com
Clarkston, Michigan chamber website: - Notable residents
Dan Dickerson, Detroit Tigers broadcaster
Henry Ford, who maintained a summer home and weekend cottage on Main Street. The building still stands today. Ford also owned a mill which operated on the water from what is now called "Mill Pond" in Clarkston. This building still exists in part but has been modernized into a small mall which includes art galleries and office space. He also paid to have the original city sewer system built.
Kid Rock, musician
David Simko, former NASCAR Cup Series driver
Dane Fife, Michigan State assistant basketball coach
Valerie Bertinelli, actress
Daniel Travis, actor
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Dearborn Area Chamber Event: Dearborn Schools Honors Its Teachers of the Year
Four outstanding Dearborn Public Schools teachers were honored by students, parents, colleagues and community leaders on May 20 at the 2015 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony. More than 400 were at the event hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.
The Chamber’s Education Committee, chaired by Philipp Emma, had the tough job of selecting four winners from a field of more than 900 nominations for 239 teachers. Nominations were sorted into four grade level groups: pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade; 3rd-5th grade; middle school; and high school. Nominations were carefully reviewed and winners were chosen by a committee representing the educational and business communities.
The winning teachers for 2014 are:
First grade teacher Seena Ankouni received the 2015 Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Ankouni began working in the District in 2011 as a second grade teacher at Lowrey and now teaches first grade at the school. She holds a bachelor of language arts from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in literacy education from Madonna University.
Ms. Ankouni was nominated for teacher of the year by student Seena Abdulla who wrote, “This was my first year at Lowrey. I had no friends because I was new to the school and very shy! My teacher knew I was struggling to make friends so she asked the class if they can be my friend!” Read more: Dearborn Patch
Davidson Chamber of Commerce: The Festival of Flags
The Chamber’s largest event of the year. The Festival of Flags offers family fun for every age. Fireworks * Carnival * Parade * 5k Color Run * Entertainment Area with Live Music and more! The Festival runs non-stop for 5 days bringing tons of activities for the Davison Community to enjoy.
Parade Application 2015
Parade Route
Festival Map
Fireworks Donation Form
Scheduled Events
Color Run Registration Form
Color Run Course Map
Puppy Palooza
More Information: Davidson Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Best Practices: Manistee Chamber of Commerce
About the Council
Founded in 2004, MMC is a strong coalition of manufacturing interests in Manistee County. The founding members are:
Fab-Lite
Noron Industries
Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties
Morton Salt
Packaging Corporation of America
TES Filer City Stations
Ideals
Continuation of Manistee’s rich manufacturing heritage
Ensure local economic strength
Continued stability and growth, with the added benefit of bringing well- paying jobs to the region
Objectives
Strong advocate, voice for area manufacturers
Improved communication with local leaders and the public
Improve business-to-business cooperation, sharing of best practices
Foster Cooperation
Ensure a viable workforce
Source: Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce
Yvette Keast hired as Executive Director of Gladwin County Chamber of Commerce
There’s a new Executive Director at the Gladwin County Chamber of Commerce! Yvette Keast of Beaverton has been hired to take on the role.
“I’m excited to work with all the businesses in the county,” she said. In addition to her role at the Gladwin County Chamber of Commerce, Keast teaches one class at Mid Michigan Community College and serves as the Theatre Production Coordinator. In addition, she has been active in various organizations around the county for many years, including Gladwin Area Friends of the Theatre and Gladwin County Carriage Festival.
Keast will be holding office hours in both Gladwin and Beaverton. One of the things she stresses is that she plans to have staffing in the Chamber office whenever she can so they can better serve the needs of the businesses. Read more: Record & Clarion
Midland Chamber promotions, employment announcements from the Chamber...
The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes four new staff members.
• Stephanie Kolodziejski is the Farmers Market master. Kolodziejski is responsible for all the on-site management of the Midland Area Farmers Market.
• Melissa Eigner is a program specialist. She has a bachelor's degree in communications and public relations from Michigan State University.
• Diana Butler is the director of membership. Butler has an extensive background in community relations, sales, management, nonprofit work and event planning.
• Amy Berry is a part-time information resource specialist. Her responsibilities include all front-line customer service relations with chamber members and the general public, as well as coordination of office manager duties. Read more: M LIVE
Marshall Chamber votes to dissolve
The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce will be dissolved after a vote by members Thursday.
Members approved a plan to discontinue operations and transfer assets to the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance. The move signals the end of the partnership between the two organizations.
The Chamber previously oversaw tourism and economic development efforts in the Marshall area; those duties will be transferred to MAEDA, an entity formed in 2013 by the Chamber, Marshall Downtown Development Authority and its Main Street Program, the Local Development Finance Authority and the Marshall Economic Development Corp.
MAEDA had pledged to cooperate with the Chamber on how it would provide services to its former constituents.
The move is expected to be completed by the end of June, a date which falls in line with the start of MAEDA’s next fiscal year.
Vic Potter, chairman of the Chamber’s governing board, told a room of about 20 Chamber members Thursday morning that at least 30 percent of the Chamber’s 276 members needed to participate in the vote to make it official. Late Thursday afternoon, Potter said 103 Chamber members voted -- almost 37 percent of the group’s members -- and 85 favored dissolution. Read more: Battle Creek Enquirer
#ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts:…another (chamber) brought the first movie producer to southern California: still another was the moving force behind the largest concrete structure in the world; while one more first brought up the proposal for a flexible monetary system that became the Federal Reserve Bank.
- Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street, America and its Chambers of Commerce from 1768-1945 – (Speaker at the upcoming MACP conference in Dearborn October 28-30)
Last Month’s Stories:
Ryan Carley named new Bay Area Chamber of Commerce president, CEO M Live
Rochester Regional Chamber program: Rochester Youth Leadership Retreat Applications due by June 5th
Michigan Senate votes 22-15 to repeal prevailing wage laws Detroit Free Press
Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan 1. Auburn Hills 2. Traverse City 3. Plymouth . Read more: Nerd Wallet
Chamber interest: Muskegon area vital to 'Pure Michigan' campaign's promotion of lighthouses, Great Lakes M LIVE
Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce focuses on minority businesses, leaders Holland Sentinel
Chamber collaboration: City of Saline awarded $500,000 grant for Michigan Avenue Makeover Project The Saline Reporter
Michigan House Speaker Cotter Releases Road Funding Plan Grand Rapids Area Chamber
Delta County Chamber collaboration: Island Resort Championship at Michigan's Sweetgrass
Golf Club calls for volunteers World Golf
Why some of Michigan's vacation communities are seeing the state's best wage improvement M LIVE
Chamber Best Practices: Made in Flint & Genesee County Flint & Genesee County Chamber
Traverse City Chamber COO Laura Oblinger: Building community takes time — and money Traverse City Recod-Eagle
Michigan Chamber event: Carly Fiorina talks leadership, innovation in Lansing Detroit Free Press
Monticello Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory now available Thanks to Janet Dold and her chamber team for their work in putting this together!
Michigan Chamber Leads Effort on Legislation to Improve Taxpayer Access to Courts - Michigan Chamber
Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber: Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to Speak at Legislative Breakfast www.swcrc.com,
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education weekly new idea: Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most - by Hendrie Weisinger Barnes & Noble
Michigan Chamber Of Commerce Launches Statewide "Decline To Sign" Voter Education Campaign To Protect Michigan's Energy Future Michigan Chamber
Muskegon launches campaign to continue building its image Michigan Radio
Dearborn Area Chamber Announces New Director of Small Business Development The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelli Vanden Bosch as Director of Small Business Development. Contact: Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 313-584-6100.
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)
“I was never the smartest guy in the room. From the first person I hired, I was never the smartest guy in the room. And that’s a big deal. And if you’re going to be a leader – if you’re a leader and you’re the smartest guy in the world – in the room, you’ve got real problems.” - Jack Welch
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