2025 Candidate Forum:

Please join us for the 2025 Candidate Forum, hosted by the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce.

This is a FREE forum with no RSVP required.

The forum line-up includes city council candidates in contested positions:

• Councilmember Wesley Smith (2nd District)
• Challenger Linda Gamache-Chick (2nd District)
• Councilmember James Grabowski (6th District)
• Challenger Mark M Wittlieff (6th District)

WHEN: Thursday, September 11, 2025

WHERE: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts (Hardy Hall), 101 Maple Street Manistee MI

Patrons may arrive as early as 6:30 PM to meet the candidates and mingle.

The forum begins at 7:00 PM and will be moderated. If time allows, the public may ask additional questions to candidates at the conclusion of the forum.

US-31 Construction Project Info Session

Wednesday, October 29th, 4:30 - 6:00 PM

400 River Street, Manistee MI

There will be an informational session with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) about the US-31 construction project scheduled to begin in 2027.

This is a forum made for business owners and tourism leaders and is put on in partnership with MDOT and the Manistee County Tourism Authority.

Questions? Please contact Sammie Lukaskiewicz at sammie@visitmanisteecounty.com or Carmen Kott at carmen@manisteechamber.com.

Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan:

Grant Program

In partnership with Traverse Connect, Networks Northwest, the Alliance for Economic Success, and the Petoskey, Charlevoix and Manistee Area Chambers of Commerce, the Make Your Home in Northwest Michigan grant application has officially launched!

This program provides eligible individuals with grant funding to support housing costs, including $5,000 cash for housing support for qualifying new leases or new mortgages.

Material Management Survey: Business Input Needed!

How do you feel about Manistee County incorporating more material management techniques like recycling over traditional landfilling?

Networks Northwest has partnered with Antrim County, Charlevoix County, and Manistee-Missaukee-Wexford Multi-County to develop their respective County Materials Management Plans. The updated plans will address material management techniques such as recycling and composting. The development process is accomplished with guidance from the MMPC. 

Input from Manistee County businesses is requested in this 8-10-minute survey. Input is being collected until the end of September.

20Fathoms Manistee Entreprenurial Meet-up

3rd Wednesday of the month

9:00 - 11:00 AM

400 River Street, Manistee MI

No cost and no RSVP required! Join 20Fathoms for monthly start up & small business coaching with a startup expert! Whether you are an entrepreneur getting started, a small business owner, looking for honest feedback, or recommendations on available resources, this is a great opportunity for anybody looking to take the next step in their venture.

Funds Available for Manistee County Businesses

If your Manistee County business needs help to fill gaps, from signage to equipment, renovations or more, a fund managed by Venture North Funding and Development may be what you need.

To learn more, contact Steve Brower at steve@venturenorthfunding.org or 231-499-3854.

Do you have an idea for a project you want to see happen in Manistee County?

The Manistee Area Chamber is accepting proposals for community projects that shall be completed by the 2025/2026 cohort of the Manistee Area Leadership Program.

The deadline to submit project proposals is Friday, September 12, 2025.

Manistee Fall Festival

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

Join the fall festivities in Downtown Manistee! With trick or treating, live music, pie throwing, corn hole, a scavenger hunt, costume contest, and so much more, with plenty of events being planned by local businesses.

Be sure to check the festival website as the festival date gets closer for updates!

Construction has begun on the Northern Hotel property and the Washington Street corridor!

Work is anticipated to continue for the next several weeks.

Washington Street is projected to reopen to traffic by October 31, with the potential for an earlier reopening if progress allows

JOIN US AT CHAMBER UNTAPPED!

Thursday, September 25th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Outsider, 357 River Street, Manistee MI 49660

Sponsored by Filer Credit Union, Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan,

Finch Financial Services, The Piping Plover, and The Outsider.

Elevate your vision with the Ignite Manistee Pitch competition!

Whether you have a groundbreaking idea, are just starting out, or have an established business, this opportunity can propel you to the next level. Companies can receive investments to support their start-up or growth, ranging from in-kind services to cash prizes.

Application Deadline: Friday, September 12th

Candidates will be notified on September 15th. Finalists will be notified on November 13th.

The final pitch event will be on November 20th (location TBD).

This event is made possible by West Shore Bank and its supporting partners, 20Fathoms, Michigan Small Business Development Corporation - Northwest Region, and the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce.

United Way of Manistee and Mason Counties merge

The United Way of Manistee County and the United Way of Mason County have merged into a single organization this summer, following the recent retirement announcement of Corey Van Fleet, United Way of Manistee County’s longtime executive director.

The decision to merge will not impact any programming or fundraising efforts in each county. Although backroom operations will be combined, all funds raised in each county will remain in that county.

Attached is a letter from Lynne Russell, Executive Director of United Way of Manistee & Mason Counties, introducing herself and providing information on the merged, including frequently asked questions.