 Our Mission The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce serves to promote, advance and contribute to the economic well-being of the business community and visitor experience, while preserving the character, history, and traditions of the greater Sault Ste. Marie area. Its mission is to exhibit positive community leadership by supporting activities to improve the education and economic development of the business community and serving members with valuable support to improve business activity and collaboration in the community. |
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Calendar of Events...
2012 Calendar of Events Interested in being on our events calendar? Contact our office at 906-632-3301 or e-mail office@saultstemarie.org
Every Wednesday
October 17
War Memorial Hospital Community Education Series: Understanding and Living with Celiac's Disease," at Bayliss Library, 7 pm
October 18
Business After Five at Anytime Fitness, 5 pm
October 19
Hospice of the EUP Presents "Dancing with the Stars," at Kewadin Casino, 7 pm
October 20
Sault Area Chamber of Commerce "Dash with the Cash" Annual Raffle, at Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, 6 pm
Friends of Bayliss Bake Sale for Sweetest Day and Silent Auction Kickoff at Bayliss Library
Bayliss Library Family Movie, 1pm
SPEAKS Education 1st Annual Craft Bazaar at Sault High School, 10am - 4 pm
October 23
"Haunted Great Lakes" presentation by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society, at Bayliss Library, 7 pm
Visit
www.saultstemarie.org
for more details
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Board of Directors
Shelley-White Thomas
President, The White-Thomas Law Firm, PLLC
Bill Goldenbogen
President-Elect, Superior Insurance
Jeremy Gagnon
Past-President, U.P. Engineers & Architects
Beverly Slayter Vice President, Superior Travel Allison Brawley Treasurer, Northern Life Yoga/Studio David Jahn Director, War Memorial Hospital Heather Atkinson Director, Allstar Graphics Sherry Brooks Director, Lake Superior State University Tom Ewing Director, Sovereign Communications Janice Frye Director, Kewadin Casino Shawn Oborne Director, Bay Mills Resort & Casino Christopher Szabo Director, The Antlers Restaurant Chamber Staff
Al Case, Executive Director Joann Bartunek, Office Manager  
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Join us for the Dash with the Cash Annual Raffle taking place this Saturday, October 20th at Bay Mills Resort & Casinos! This year's event is based on the popular television show "Storage Wars." Upon arrival, all guests 21 and over will be entered into a drawing to become one of 10 contestants to enter into a bidding war with Bidding Bucks provided. The fun starts when the lights dim and the dinner show begins when an auctioneer shouts out the rules and reminds the contestants to "Pay the Lady!" Five storage units will hold, among other things, gift certificates for rooms, food, and golf. Tickets can be purchased at the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce for $50 each or 5 for $200. Each ticket includes entry into the event, dinner, and an opportunity at the Grand Prize of $10,000. Only 500 tickets will be sold for this event; Grand Prize through tenth place winners need not be present to win. For more information, please call 906-632-3301 or e-mail office@saultstemarie.org.
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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill
As I approach a year in service as Executive Director of the Sault Area Chambe rof Commerce, one of the most common questions I am asked is: how is working for the city? A seemingly innocuous question intended for conversation, perhaps to gain an assessment on Chamber activities and a community outlook as well. The question is well-intended and purposeful, but unfortunately, fundamentally flawed.
Why is it flawed? The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce is not a city entity. Nor is it a county or state entity. It is a community organization that is defined as a non-profit and supported not by taxpayers or through grants, but rather through Chamber membership and fundraising efforts. I certainly do not fault anyone for making the assumption that the Chamber is a city entity. The Chamber works closely with organizations funded and supported by revenues generated through taxes, assessments, grants, etc. Our partners are numerous, including the city, and to group the Chamber with those partners is not an uncommon mistake and most certainly understandable.
Why is this important? Perhaps it is best understood through the lens of community engagement. The Chamber is responsible for such events as the upcoming Candidates Forum, the Fourth of July Parade, the International Bridge Walk, and partners with other organizations on other community events such as this year's Great Race, Sault Ships and Sailabration, and several others. In order to offer such events and to partner with the many fine organizations that coordinate other events, the Chamber requires financial support to provide for operating expenses. Without our membership and additional financial support, such as that generated by the upcoming Dash With the Cash Raffle, the Chamber would not be able to help provide and/or help partner in so many great community events.
While the Chamber relies on such support, we are not in the practice of hosting a perpetual campaign for support. Rather, we coordinate a handful of events that generate revenue for our organization that in turn is invested back into the community. Events such as our Annual Meeting and Dinner, the Chamber Chase Marathon, and our Annual Raffle all are extremely important to the sustainability of the Chamber. Our membership is critical as well and we are grateful for our members that invest in our organization so that in turn, we can invest in them as well as our area.
There are many ways that individuals and businesses can help their community and the Chamber is simply one avenue. We value and appreciate our volunteers that help in the efforts to promote and enhance our community events. We also greatly appreciate the financial contributions of our members. We don't look at it as charity, instead we view it as an investment in the community. We hope that this week, you can invest with confidence in your Chamber knowing that such a commitment is returned in kind through our events and in promotion of our Chamber member businesses and organizations.
Sincerely,
Al Case
Executive Director
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Chamber News
Sault Area Chamber of Commerce hours: Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm or by appointment.
Ambassador's meet on the 1st Tuesday at noon at the Sault Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Ambassadors or "Red Coats" by visiting our website.
Board of Director's meet at 7:30 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of each Month at the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce. The next scheduled meeting is Friday, November 9. All Chamber members are welcome to attend.
Welcome New Members!
Engineered Entertainment
Russ Nixon, Owner/Entertainer
20 N. Airport Road
St. Ignace, MI 49781
906-984-2017
E-mail: info@engineeredentertainment.com
Web: www.engineeredentertainment.com
6th Annual Meet the Candidates Forum
Sponsored by the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Superior State University Political Science Club
Meeting the Candidates - A group shot of the candidates from the 2010 forum.
The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Lake Superior State University Political Science Club will be hosting a Meet the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 16th at 7 pm in the Walker Cisler Center on the campus of Lake Superior State University. The Political Science Club and Chamber of Commerce have been co-sponsoring candidate forums for the past five years. The forums have historically provide the community with an opportunity to meet candidates running for local, state and national offices.
The 2012 Meet the Candidates Forum will focus on those individuals running for state and county office. Confirmed candidates include those running for State Representative in the 107th District, Frank Foster and Suzanne Shumway. In addition, Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney candidates Brian Peppler and Rob Stratton will also participate in the program. Please visit the Chamber hompeage for an updated list of additional participating candidates.
LSSU Political Science Club students will provide assistance during the event and Dr. Gary Johnson, Professor in the Department of Political Science at LSSU, will serve as moderator. The audience will be encouraged to submit written questions to the moderator who will then provide each candidate an opportunity to address the question. Candidates will give brief opening and closing statements and have the chance to meet one-on-one with those in attendance. The forum begins at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16th. Parking is available in the Visitor's Parking lot or in the lot behind the Cisler Center. For more information, contact the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce at (906) 632-3301 or e-mail office@saultstemarie.org.
Business After Five for October at Anytime Fitness This month's BA5 will be held at Anytime Fitness in the Cascade Crossing Plaza on the I-75 Business Spur. As always, snacks, drinks, and a great social hour are in store for all that attend. As a special feature of this month's BA5, anyone that signs up for membership at BA5 will receive a special discount. Business After Five or BA5 is a great opportunity to network with fellow Chamber members while supporting a local Chamber business in the process. BA5 takes place the third Thursday of each month and includes fun, food, and prizes. Visit our calendar for a list of all the BA5 locations in 2012. The Chamber Ambassadors or "Red Coats" Invite You To Join Them at SAHS for an Open House The Chamber Ambassadors invite you to join them for the Sault Health Adolescent Care Center (SHACC) Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, October 24 at Sault Area High School. The open house will take place from 3 - 7pm with the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 5:15 pm. Check out details on all Red Coat events by visiting our Ribbon Cutting homepage. Blue Devil Pride - The SHACC invites the public to tour their new facility that now provides dental, physical, and mental health services to Sault Area High, Malcolm High, and Sault Middle Schools. Chamber Young Professionals Active, Engaged The Young Professionals, the Chamber's newest group, has been busier than ever this past month. Check out all that's been happening and what is in store for the rest of the month as well as early November by reading the latest YP News.
The Young Professionals, or YP, is a group created to engage working professionals between the ages of 21 - 40 and introduce them to the area's business community and help them expand their networking opportunities.
Whether your goal is to develop your professional network, increase your social circle, better connect to civic and philanthropic activities in the community or just have fun, they have several goals in store for Young Professionals in the Sault area.
The YP seeks to address the three main priorities young professionals have identified as most important to them when choosing a place to live and work:
- Social and recreational opportunities
- Personal and professional development
- Connection and engagement with the community
Know of someone that fits the description of a YP that might be interested in learning more? Please refer them to Al Case, Executive Director, for more information.
Sault Area Chamber Board Director, Tom Ewing, Named Ken Shouldice Alumni Award Recipient
Tom Ewing has been involved with Lake State in one way or another since he enrolled as a student in 1968.
 As a news reporter, he has covered nearly everything with which the university has been involved, from building projects to board meetings and Laker athletics. He speaks to LSSU students about his profession, assists in university promotional campaigns and has offered advice on news media classroom configuration for the Arts Center when it was first proposed more than 20 years ago.
He has also served as an adjunct journalism professor who taught radio and television news reporting, all the while furthering his broadcast career of 45 years and volunteering his time in the community that he loves. It is for his campus and community involvement, career achievements and more, that he is being recognized with the Alumni Association's Kenneth J. Shouldice Achievement Award. Read more...
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Chamber Member News
 The Chippewa County Historical Society
is sponsoring a fundraiser for homeowners in Sault Ste. Marie and the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Show your pride in your home and its place in the history of this area. Order a Date Built Plaque, affix it to your house, and let residents and visitors marvel at our rich heritage.
Each plaque is oval, made of cast aluminum, and has a black background with gold letters and numbers.
- The basic plaque is 12½ x 7½ inches. The word "Built" will be followed by the year your house was constructed.
- A larger plaque of 14¼ x 10¼ inches is also available with an additional third line of text of up to 14 characters in length. Those interested could add the name of the house, the first owners, the architect, or the builder.
Learn more...
National Yoga Expert Brings Workshop to Northern Life Yoga Studios
Arthur Kilmurray, contributor and former editor at Yoga Journal magazine, will visit Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan this October to teach a workshop focused on yoga and meditation.
"Yoga and Awakening" will be a non-strenuous workshop suitable for all levels of yoga practitioners, from beginners to instructors. Kilmurray will be instructing four sessions Oct. 19-21 at Northern Life Studio for the Healing Arts, 529 Court St. Participants get a discount if they register by Oct. 5. Read more...
Local Special Needs Law Attorneys to Hold Seminars for National Special Needs Law Month Shelley J. White-Thomas of The White-Thomas Law Firm, PLLC in Sault Ste. Marie will participate in National Special Needs Law Month this October by offering free educational seminars to be conducted on Tuesday, October 23rd at 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. at Huntington Bank Community Room (basement of Huntington Bank), 511 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Read more...
Deerfest 2012: November 2, 3, and 4 The Antler's Restaurant is organizing a family festival including a bouncy house, games, and pig roast, large and small vendors from outdoorsmen suppliers and manufacturers, boat, and ATV dealers to taxidermists. Don't forget music, contests and door prizes. The World Famous Antlers Restaurant and Conference Center will provide the back drop for this exciting event. Learn more...
 The Bayliss Public Library has a full schedule of events in store for the month of October. Listed below are events taking place the first week of the month. Be certain to visit their homepage for a full list of events for the entire month.
Oct. 17, 7-8 p.m., War Memorial Hospital Community Education Program, Dr.Ann Silverman of U.P. Digestive Health and Kathy Twardy of Harmony Health Foods, LLC, will speak about "Understanding & Living with Celiac Disease."
Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m., Sierra Club Three Lakes Group, the film "Getting Real about Food and the Future" will be shown. Afterwards, Betty Noland of the Building a Healthier Community Coalition will discuss the film and promote local foods in our community.
Oct. 20, call for times, 632-9331, Friends Bake Sale for Sweetest Day and Silent Auction Kickoff
Oct. 20, 1 p.m., Family Movie, call 632-9331 for title of 2011 PG movie.
Shown through Movie Licensing USA. Free movie. Popcorn by donation.
Oct. 23, 12-2 p.m., Creative Endeavors Support Group for Writers and Artists
Oct. 23, 7 p.m., "Haunted Great Lakes" presentation by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society. Friends of the Library will provide refreshments.
Oct. 25, 7 p.m., National Weather Service, Winter Weather Presentation.
The United Way of the EUP would really appreciate input to help them increase their impact in the community. It is critical that they be as careful and strategic as possible in the investments they make and the work they do. They believe they are making positive changes to better meet their mission to improve the lives of people in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties.
They would like feedback from you, their supporters, volunteers, partners, and neighbors on how they are doing and where you think they should concentrate their efforts. Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey. The survey will be open until October 31, 2012. You do not need to make a donation to participate in this survey.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/uweup2012
The Annual Chili Cook Off has been set for Monday, November 12th from 4 - 7 pm on the campus of Lake Superior State University. For more information and details, please visit the event homepage.
Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority to Dial Back Bridge Fares to 1962 Rates for 24 Hours to Observe 50th
Anniversary
At its quarterly meeting in July, the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) voted to roll back passenger vehicle tolls this Oct. 31 to $1.25, the same rate motorists paid when the bridge opened 50 years ago. Read more...
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Community Notes
The Fall Sault Ste. Marie Farmers Market continues their activity into the fall season at their current location under the canopy at the corner of Ashmun St. and Portage Ave. They're excited about concluding another successful summer of helping local farmers and crafters share the fruits of their labor with the public. Stop by every Wednesday starting at 4 pm to browse your local farmers and merchants food and wares. 
The Men's New Hope House will be hosting a haunted house on the nights of Trick-Or-Treating, for the community. The members of the house feel that this haunted house will be good for the community as well as give their treatment center a an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the public. As we are a non-profit organization, we are seeking donations from the community to assist us in this endeavor. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. Also, anything donated will be tax deductible. Please contact Brendan Trulock at 906-635-0355 for more information. Items Sought - Pumpkins
- Candy
- Adult Costumes
- Black Lights/Strobe Lights
- 2x4's
- Nails
- Fog Machine
- Face Paint
- Halloween Decorations
- Yard Decorations(Gravestones, straw, skeletons, scarecrow)
- Donuts
- Cider
- Coffee
- Spiders & Webs
- String Halloween lights
- Spooky Halloween CD's
- Glow-in-the-Dark/Blacklight Paint
Fernelius Hyundai Showroom Featuring Vendors for Hospice of the EUP Join Fernelius Hyundai on Saturday October 20th from 10-1 for a vendor event in the showroom. Vendors from crafts to foods and home based businesses. The previous event had 13 different vendors with 10% of their sales for the day going to the Hospice of the EUP. From 2-4 pm there will be a pig roast in the Fernelius Hyundai showroom with all donations going directly to the Hospice of the EUP. The event is by donation only with Up In Smoke facilitating the cooking.
MSU Extension and the LSSU Political Science Club will be hosting a 2012 Ballot Proposal Forum on Monday, October 22, 2012, 7-9pm at the LSSU Kenneth J. Shouldice Library (Rm. 203).
On November 6, Michigan citizens will vote on SIX state-wide ballot proposals - more than any election in the past 30 years. Five of them would amend the Michigan Constitution. Do you know which proposals will appear on the state-wide ballot? Do you know what it will mean if each proposal is passed or defeated?
The Ballot Proposal Forum will provide factual, unbiased information on each proposal and provide the opportunity for participants to discuss the proposals with other citizens and with MSU policy experts. Learn more...
Spaghetti Benefit Dinner for Hospice of the EUP
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2012
AT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HALL
201 SHERIDAN DRIVE SSM
4:30 TO 7:00 PM
TICKETS $10.00 AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
ADVANCED TICKET SALES AT EUP HOSPICE HOUSE
308 W. 12TH AVENUE SSM
TAKE OUTS $8.00
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS. FREE
Downtown Trick-or-Treat to also Feature LSSU Homecoming Parade On the evening of Friday, October 26th, downtown Sault Ste. Marie will be swarmed with families out trick-or-treating at downtown business locations. Each and every year, downtown merchants pass out thousands of dollars worth of free candy and snacks to hundreds of children and their families that make their way downtown. The event has been an annual tradition for years, and features hayrides, a costume contest, and carnival games. This year, downtown Sault Ste. Marie is combining forces with Lake Superior State University to also host a haunted homecoming parade, celebrating the Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State University hockey game happening the same evening. The parade will begin at the farmer's market corner on Portage and Ashmun, then make its way south to the Ashmun Street Bridge, then turn and make its way up to campus. The parade will feature the LSSU pep band as well as a number of other floats. The Downtown Trick-or-Treat event doesn't stop there, though: the Community's first zombie walk will follow the parade, featuring scores of zombies creeping their way from the farmer's market to the Soo Theatre Project, in an effort to raise funds for autism. The event wraps up with a showing of the old-fashioned zombie classic "Night of the Living Dead" at the Soo Theatre. The evening's full schedule is as follows: Friday, October 26th: Downtown Trick-or-Treating and Hayrides: 5pm-7pm Haunted House at the Soo Theatre: 5pm-7pm Alpha Theta Omega Kid's Carnival at the Ramada Ojibway: 5pm-7pm LSSU Haunted Homecoming Parade: 6pm-6:30pm Zombie Walk for Autism: 7pm-7:30pm "Night of the Living Dead" showing at the Soo Theatre: 8:30pm-10pm 
Click here for a full poster (pdf)  The Harlem Ambassadors are Coming to Town! The Harlem Ambassadors are coming to Sault Ste Marie on Monday, October 29 at 7 pm in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium on the campus of Lake Superior State University. The event will feature local players vs The Ambassadors as an effort to raise community awareness against drug abuse. Tickets are available by contacting any of the following individuals or by visiting the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce: Jeff Clark - 440-2757 Heather Suggitt - 322-2464 Tom McKee - 630-0814 Jen Metro - 440-0999
 Click here for full poster and registration form (pdf)
 Click here for a full poster (pdf) EUP 2nd Annual Local Food Summit
Registration is now open! The 2nd annual EUP Local Food Summit will be held on Thursdsay, November 8th, at Lake Superior State University. For more information and to register click here: EUP Local Food Summit Registration
DNR invites public input on forest plans for Chippewa and Luce counties
The Department of Natural Resources will host an open house on Thursday, Nov. 8, in Newberry to provide information and receive public comment on proposed forest management treatments for 2014 in the Newberry management unit, which includes Chippewa and Luce counties. The open house is set for the following time and location:
Nov. 8, 3 to 6 p.m. DNR Newberry Field Office, 5666 M-123 S, Newberry Learn more...
Hunters: Pure Michigan Hunt Winner's Story Could be Yours in 2013
The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that there is still plenty of time to apply for the 2013 Pure Michigan Hunt, which will give three lucky winners the opportunity to participate in every limited-license hunt in Michigan. The winners receive elk, bear, antlerless deer, and spring and fall turkey hunting licenses, as well as first choice in the daily drawings at one of the DNR's managed waterfowl areas.
Interested in having your community news or event published in the Chamber Newsletter? Please send prepared and edited releases to director@saultstemarie.org. Any additional items must be provided in a pdf format. The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce reserves final right of publication with all submissions for Community Notes.
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Economic & State News
Michigan 2013 Economic Outlook Results to be Unveiled in Early January
The Michigan 2013 Economic Outlook Survey is a flagship report that will be issued the first week of January. The report will present perceptions of Michigan as a business-friendly state by business, nonprofit and municipal leaders across all 88 counties. The survey is driven by Ann Arbor's Baker Strategy Group, a seasoned research and consulting firm, along with partnering firms CFI Group, Eiler Communications and MOVE Communications.
More than 70 associations across the state will be participating in this program, including the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Economic Club, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Southwest Michigan First, the West Michigan Policy Forum, the Traverse City Area Chamber, and Lake Superior Community Partnership. While the program is similar to the survey Baker Strategy Group has conducted annually since 2009 for the Michigan Manufacturers' Association, this effort has been expanded to include businesses across all industries, as well as nonprofits and municipalities throughout the state. Read more...
2012 Michigan Ballot Proposals
The 2012 Campaign season is upon us and while the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce maintains an official policy to not endorse political candidates, it does wish to share information regarding proposals that affect our business members. The following chart represents a brief summary of Michigan's 2012 Ballot Proposals and the position of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce as well as the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, organizations for which the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce has working relationships. The chart represents the views of these organizations and are deemed as pro-business positions for our members.
Click here or on the chart for a larger size jpg.
UPEDA Conference on Bi-National Regional Collaboration Set to Take Place at LSSU on October 24 & 25 
Need More Customers, Patients or Clients?
Attend a Half Day Fast Start Seminar October 25th in St. Ignace. Learn more...
Want to become a government contractor? If your company has been considering the field of government contracting, consider a free class to give you the skills and knowledge you need to have success. Learn more... Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency is hosting a series of free educational seminars for Michigan businesses from April 12th thru October 16th of 2012 to answer questions regarding the state's unemployment insurance program (UI). If you are interested in dates and locations, please read more... Legislative Activity Senate Bill 1210: Expand "brownfield" subsidies
Passed 31 to 7 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to create a state fund to provide cash grant and loan "brownfield" subsidies to developers, with money coming from state education tax revenue "captured" by local brownfields tax increment finance authorities. The bill would also authorize "brownfields" subsidies for parking lots and for developers whose projects are deemed to involve a "historic resource," and revise various procedures and requirements related to this subsidy program. Senate Bill 1258: Increase business and occupational licensure fees
Passed 86 to 21 in the House on September 27, 2012, to increase annual registration fees imposed on stock brokers and advisors. This is one a number of bills increasing fees on a wide range of businesses and occupations in which registration or licensure mandates are imposed as a condition of operating the firm or earning a living in the profession. The bills technically repeal the sunsets of previously enacted "temporary" fee increase laws, and are related to the budget for the next fiscal year. According to the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies, the bills would extract $15 to $20 million annually from business owners and tradesmen. House Bill 5053: Allow bait fish exports under permit
Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to allow a person who gets a state permit to export live minnows, wigglers, or crayfish used as bait out of the state. Export is not allowed under current law. House Bill 5135: Revise certain college scholarship criteria Passed 97 to 10 in the House on September 27, 2012, to revise a 2008 law authorizing "promise zone" tax increment financing authorities (TIFA) to subsidize college tuition for students in low educational attainment areas, by allowing these authorities to more easily revise the academic performance standards they may or may not require students to meet, and also to revise budget-related procedural details. House Bill 5330: Clarify "promise zone" TIFA details
Passed 96 to 11 in the House on September 27, 2012, to clarify details of a 15 percent cap on the amount of tax revenues "captured" for a college scholarship "promise zone" (created by a 2008 law) that can be used to pay administrative expenses. The bill also exempts smaller school districts with these "promise zones" tax increment financing authorities from certain pre-approval procedures. House Bill 5400: Authorize loan subsidies for fruit growers Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to appropriate a $15 million for low-interest loan subsidies for fruit growers and producers who suffered extensive crop damage in 2012 due to an extended March warm spell followed by a hard freeze. The Senate also added $2.9 million for a government home abatement program, and $17.6 million for various security upgrades in prisons. House Bill 5557: Retroactively exempt a DDA from certain requirements Passed 93 to 14 in the House on September 27, 2012, to retroactively create an exception for a particular Downtown Development Authority that failed to comply with certain requirements in the law that allows DDAs to "capture" a portion of taxes levied by local governments and use the money to repay debt the DDA incurs for spending intended to benefit property owners in a specified portion of the community. House Bill 5696: Vehicle trade-in "sales tax on the difference" only Passed 106 to 2 in the House on September 27, 2012, to exempt from sales tax the value of a trade-in when buying a new motor vehicle or titled watercraft. The buyer would only pay sales tax on the difference between the value of the trade-in and the purchase price of the new car. The tax break would be phased in steps through 2015. House Bill 5819: Increase licensure fees Passed 33 to 5 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to increase license fees imposed on a wide range of businesses and occupations in which licensure mandates are imposed as a condition of earning a living. The proposed increases are spread among different bills in the package comprised of House Bills 5818 to 5825. Technically, the bills repeal the sunsets of previously enacted "temporary" fee increase laws. According to the House Fiscal Agency, the fee hikes would extract an additional $14.9 million annually from business owners and tradesmen. House Bill 5820: Increase licensure fees
Passed 32 to 6 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to increase license fees imposed on a wide range of businesses and occupations in which licensure mandates are imposed as a condition of earning a living. The proposed increases are spread among different bills in the package comprised of House Bills 5818 to 5825. Technically, the bills repeal the sunsets of previously enacted "temporary" fee increase laws. According to the House Fiscal Agency, the fee hikes would extract an additional $14.9 million annually from business owners and tradesmen. House Bill 5863: Repeal state Savings and Loan Act
Passed 107 to 0 in the House on September 27, 2012, to revise references in the state motor vehicle sales finance law to reflect the proposal in House Bill 5835 to repeal the Savings and Loan Act of 1980. House Bill 5893: Increase business and occupational licensure feesPassed 32 to 6 in the Senate on September 27, 2012, to, along with a number of other bills, increase fees imposed on a wide range of businesses and occupations in which registration or licensure mandates are imposed as a condition of operating the firm or earning a living in the profession. This bill raises the filing fee for annual reports from corporations. Technically, the bills repeal the sunsets of previously enacted "temporary" fee increase laws, and are related to the budget for the next fiscal year.
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| Educational Happenings
LSSU to Host Third Writing Across the Peninsula Conference
Lake Superior State University will play host to the third annual Writing Across the Peninsula conference, Thursday-Friday, Oct. 18-19, a gathering of high school and college educators who teach writing and are exploring new ideas and approaches for teaching it well.
The conference is open to everyone, but LSSU English, communication and education students are particularly encouraged to attend. Read more...
Pink in the Rink Sponsor Deadline is Oct. 19
 Friday, Oct. 19, is the deadline for sponsors to commit and get their names on the official t-shirt for the fifth annual Pink in the Rink. The 2012 Pink in the Rink, sponsored by the Soo BlueLiners and Lake Superior State hockey team, will be Nov. 9-10 during the LSSU hockey series against Ferris State.
Pink in the Rink is held annually to benefit local organizations that work to enhance the health and wellness of women and families in Chippewa County. More than $70,000 has been raised during the past four years, and all proceeds have been distributed locally. Groups that have benefited include the Diane Peppler Resource Center, EUP Hospice House, Chippewa County Health Department, Chippewa Health Access Coalition, Girls on the Run, the Road to Recovery van and War Memorial Hospital. Read more...
Dancing with the LSSU Stars
DRESS REHEARSAL -- Dancers who are competing in the second Dancing with the Stars fundraiser for Hospice of the EUP's Hospice House gathered for dress rehearsal recently at Kewadin Casino's DreamMakers Theatre. Pictured here are Lake Superior State University students Katherine Drockton of Sault Ste. Marie and Jacob Brushaber of Harbor Springs, at left, and LSSU Engineering Prof. Paul Weber and his wife and dancing partner Emily. The two couples will be competing with six others who have been rehearsing for weeks for the event, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19. (Photo by Emily Jones)
Tickets are going fast as dancers polish their routines in the days leading up to the second annual Dancing with the Stars fundraiser to benefit Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, and LSSU faculty, staff and students are featured prominently in this year's program.
The event will see eight couples in a friendly competition for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy on October 19 at Kewadin Casino's DreamMakers Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m. with appetizers and a cash bar, and performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, entitling the bearer to one vote for his or her favorite couple. They are available from the DreamMakers Theatre box office by calling 906-635-4917. Read more...
Great Lake State Weekend (GLSW) 2012 to Feature Downtown Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally
New to Great Lake State Weekend 2012 - we're having a parade! Lake State's first homecoming parade since the 1950s will kick off GLSW on Friday, Oct. 26 starting at 6 p.m.
The parade route will see floats traveling through downtown Sault Ste. Marie's Fall Festival of trick-or-treating, up through LSSU's campus and ending in front of the Norris Center with a pep rally full of free food, give-aways and music by WLSO!
The Pep Rally will fire up Laker fans prior to Laker hockey vs. MSU at 7:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to dress in Laker blue or wear your Halloween costume and enter the costume contest in Taffy Abel Arena immediately following the game! To view a full schedule of events and/or to register to be a part of the parade, please visit the GLSW homepage.
Prospective Students Invited to LSSU for Annual Fall Fling Open House
There's still time for prospective students to register for Lake Superior State University's annual Fall Fling Open House, Oct. 27, an event that will give students a feel for what LSSU has to offer.
Registration is open until the date of the open house, but prospective students who are interested in getting free tickets to the LSSU/Michigan State University hockey game at the end of the day should register by Oct.19. The event coincides with LSSU's Great Lake State Weekend and "Boo in the Soo." Read more...
Pre-Game Bash - Prospective students and their families gather for food at a pre-game bash before a Laker Hockey game at the Annual LSSU Fall Fling Open House.
Men's Basketball Reverse Raffle this October
The Lake Superior State men's basketball team is selling tickets for its annual Reverse Raffle, which will be held Sunday, Oct. 28, during a kick-off brunch at the Cisler Center.
The Reverse Raffle will follow the Lakers' season-opening exhibition game against Grace Bible College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Both events are part of LSSU's 2012 Great Lake State Weekend festivities. Learn more...
Laker Fridays, Are You In?
Better find that gold suit coat or that blue sweater or a pair of Laker anchor earrings because it is here. Every Friday is a Laker Friday.
Laker Fridays are not a dress down day but rather an opportunity for alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and administration to show their support of Lake Superior State University by donning their LSSU colors and apparel.
Alumni and businesses everywhere are invited to participate. Those who do will receive a sign indicating their participation and are eligible for prize drawings.
 MacMaster Realty - Winners of a January 2012 Laker Friday.
If your business would like to participate in Laker Fridays, contact alumnirelations@lssu.edu or call 906-635-6219.
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