As we prepare to welcome the incoming Leadership Bay County class, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting project proposals for the Class of 2025.

This program provides an opportunity for professionals enrolled in Leadership Bay County to engage and collaborate with an organization in the community and complete a meaningful project. The selected project will benefit from the dedication and effort of emerging leaders in our community. Completed proposals are due by September 12th.

Our Youth Leadership Bay County program will also begin shortly and is seeking sponsorship. YLBC is a program offered to high school juniors in Bay County designed to provide opportunities for students to participate in a variety of hands-on activities to learn about leadership, team building, and their own strengths and abilities. Your support of a $500 sponsorship will enroll one high school student in this impactful program! Please contact jodi@baycityarea.com to secure your sponsorship.

We always encourage you to support your fellow Chamber members!

Guided Tour of New Wage & Paid Sick Leave Laws

You've undoubtedly heard that the Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling that will significantly impact every business in the state. Every business needs to begin preparations now, for what will take effect in just a few short months.

"New" minimum wage laws and a new paid sick leave law will all take effect early next year. These are much more complex than what is currently in place. Join us and learn how to prepare!

Featuring Steve Palazzolo, Senior Counsel, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. WNJ

Thursday, August 15th, 9-10am

Virtual Event

The link to attend will be sent out the day prior to the event.

Leadership Bay County Celebrates Project Completion!

Thank you to everyone who showed up to our July Business After Hours and Leadership Bay County Project Unveiling at Brian's House Community Group!

We had a wonderful time celebrating the accomplishments of this year’s Leadership class with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. After months of hard work, the emergency exit landing and ramp have been extended at Brian’s House, creating outdoor access for bedridden patients and privacy and dignity during times of loss. The project also included the addition of a sidewalk and landscaping updates.



We’re so excited for Brian’s House and proud of the Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 for making this impactful project happen!

Bay Area Energize 15 Year Celebration

Join us as we celebrate 15 transformative years of Bay Area Energize! Throughout this celebration, we will look back on our past achievements and rejoice in the growth and success of our organization—celebrating not just where we are today, but also where we are headed in the future! Please come in your best cocktail attire and enjoy the celebration!

Friday, September 13, 7-9pm

Liberty Harbor Event Center

804 E Midland St.

Bay City, MI 48706

Cost:

$40/ Energize Members - Includes 2 drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres

$75/ Couple (Energize Members Only) - Includes 4 drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres

$50/ Future Energize Members - Includes 2 drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres

Dress Code: 

Cocktail attire! 

Sponsorships are available! Please visit our website for more information.

Special thanks to our Engagement Level Sponsor: Consumers Energy and our Retention Level Sponsor: Thumb Bank & Trust!

Summer Health Tips and Resources from

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Stay safe, happy and healthy this summer!

7 Health Hazards to Protect Against This Summer

Benefits of Michigan Summer Fruit

5 Ways to Stay Safe in the Summer Sun

How Hot Weather Affects Chronic Conditions

How Being Near Water Helps Mental Health

Seeking Nominations for the Jerome L. Yantz Award

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for Jerome L. Yantz Partner in Education Award that will be presented at our State of Education on October 30, 2024.

Jerome L. Yantz Partner in Education Award is named after an individual who dedicated his life to public education and inspiring others to be responsible for the education of our youth. Whether it involved reading to students or passing a millage for school improvements, Jerome was always willing to give his time and his resources. He advocated community involvement in education and served for many years as the Chair of the Alliance for Bay County Schools and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business & Education Partnership. Jerome challenged the business community to become involved in education and was often heard suggesting that they “step up to the plate."

Nominations are due by Friday, September 13.

We are also seeking sponsorship for the Jerome L. Yantz in Partner in Education Award. (Only one available).

$1,000 Sponsorship includes:

• Two (2) free seats to the luncheon
• Company name engraved on the award
• Inclusion in all promotional materials - website and social media
• Recognition during the event - logo on all printed materials and verbal recognition
• Opportunity to share materials on the sponsorship table

Please contact jodi@baycityarea.com to secure your sponsorship.

Bay City Bass Tournament Series

National Civics Bee®

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to Participate in National Civics Bee®

BAY CITY, MI - The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its participation in the National Civics Bee®, a program created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation aimed at fostering civic knowledge and engagement among young Americans. This event will mark the first time that the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is involved, and it presents a unique opportunity to promote civic education within the community.

The National Civics Bee® is a competition designed for middle school students to showcase their understanding of civics through essay writing and live quiz events. Local winners will advance to state competitions, and ultimately, state champions will compete at the national level in Washington, D.C. for prizes and recognition.

To ensure the success of bringing the National Civics Bee® to the community, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking the community's support through sponsorship. Contributions will provide essential resources for participants such as educational materials along with logistical support necessary to host the competition.

“Engaging our youth in civics is crucial for the development of informed and active citizens,” said Magen Samyn, President & CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “Through the National Civics Bee®, we aim to inspire young minds and foster a deeper understanding of civic responsibilities. We invite local businesses and community leaders to join us in this initiative by becoming sponsors.”

Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities should reach out to Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Internal Operations, Jodi LaMont, at jodi@baycityarea.com or 989-893-4567.

Sara Parker on Hey, Bay City!

BACC Director of Workforce Development, Sara Parker, was recently featured on the Hey, Bay City! podcast to talk about recent talent attraction and retention initiatives in Bay County.

Welcome, Leadership Bay County Class of 2025!

Lets give a warm welcome to the participants of the incoming Leadership Class!

Dacy Willard - Bay County Library System - Auburn Branch

Catherine Macomber - Saginaw Valley State University

Darci Long - Bay City Academy

Eric Klass - MCI Insurance

Tara Marczak - Independent Bank

Samantha Jones - PartnerShift Network

Diane Abbonizio - United Bay Community Credit Union

Samantha Garvie - Rowleys Wholesale

Matthew Priem - Consumers Energy

Kara Hagerl - Dow Bay Area Family YMCA

Kylie Knieper - Weinlander Fitzhugh

Bailey Burns - Delta College

Amy Courtney - 1st State Bank

Jera Klimek - Re/Max Results

Pavel Konecny - Tri-Star Trust

Ann Ray - Wildfire Credit Union

Ryan Landrey - CAN Council

Samantha Derocher - DoubleTree Bay City - Riverfront

Alex Weiss - Michigan Sugar Company

Zikora Okafor - Tri-City Business Services

Sam Fitzpatrick - Downtown Development Authority

Parys Liddell - Garber Ford Bay City

Adam Becker - Gougeon Brothers, Inc.

Brandi Munroe - Munroe

Member Anniversaries

Do you know a business who would be a great addition to our Chamber family?

Share our Membership Application with them!

Results are in for the Primary Election- Who's on the Ballot for November

From the Great Lakes State’s congressional delegation and all 110 State House seats to county and local races plus ballot proposals — Michigan had a full ballet for this year’s primary election. The results are now in.

View a complete list of Congressional and State House primary results.

The Internal Revenue Service Resumes Processing Employee Retention Credits (ERC) Claims

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced it would again resume processing Employee Retention Credits (ERC) claims, after a 10-month freeze while it investigated fraudulent activity.

The credit was created during the height of the pandemic as a refundable tax credit to help businesses mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. The claim was difficult to calculate as each state and even local municipalities had unique and time varying restrictions.

What’s next: 

• For businesses that filed a claim before the moratorium started on Sept. 14, 2023, the IRS says that no additional information or action is needed and that they will continue to process claims on a first in, first out basis.
• Any claims submitted on or after that date are expected to remain in the queue for processing at the IRS indefinitely.

Click HERE for more information.

40th Annual Golf Outing

Coffee and a Cleanup

Lunch & Learn

Consumers Energy

Last year, Consumers Energy announced their Reliability Roadmap – a guide to how they will improve their reliability and deliver two big goals to their customers:

• No single outage affects more than 100,000 customers.
• All customers have power restored within 24 hours after an outage event.

While they are making progress, they will not achieve these goals overnight or even this year – in fact they are long-term goals that will take multiple years, and many big and small wins along the way. This year in Bay County, they will invest $2,540,000 in their Substations as well as High and Low Voltage Distribution Systems. 

Consumers Energy is a proud member of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and continues to support them as they successfully execute their mission of progressing Bay County’s business community forward through strategic partnerships and connecting people. 

Habitat for Humanity, Covenant HealthCare, and MSHDA will share recent, ongoing, and future collaborative efforts at a press conference on August 12th.

United We Go will celebrate the beginning of their City of Mural Festival with a Meet and Greet in August 19th and host their I Am Youth Fashion Show on August 25th.

The City of Bay City will receive proposals for: ARPA Lead Water Service Line Replacements Bid #25-0828 and Lead or Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement (Customer Side) Bid #25-0821.

Clickshark is seeking nominations for Community Votes Saginaw.

The Bay City Department of Public Safety will be hosting a Citizens Public Safety Academy.

United Financial Credit Union held a collection drive for treats and training supplies for Blue Star Service Dogs.

Michael Gavin, President of Delta College, and George Grant Jr, President of Saginaw Valley State University, signed a new partnership agreement that will streamline pathways for Delta students to complete an associate’s degree and then transfer to Saginaw Valley State University to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Do you have news or events you would like to share with other Chamber members? Email your events to Annabelle to be included in the next Bay Area Chamber Banter, and add them to our 'Community Events' calendar.

Click HERE to read our August Events Notice.

Click HERE to read the Energize August Newsletter.

Energize is always accepting applications for general membership and to serve on the Steering Committee!

Membership Application

Steering Committee Application

Questions? Please reach out to energize@baycityarea.com.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

A ribbon cutting is a ceremonial opening of a new business, a recognition for newly renovated business, a celebration of an anniversary, or recognition for a major milestone. Ribbon cuttings are a great way to bring attention to your business!

In July, Ribbon Cuttings were done for North Bay Fiber, Remedy FNMT, Monitor Charter Township and Auburn Optical.

North Bay Fiber

Remedy FNMT

Monitor Charter Township

Auburn Optical

Are you interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador? Reach out to annabelle@baycityarea.com for program requirements and an application.

Thank you to all who attended our July Business After Hours!

Please visit our Facebook Page to see photos from the events.