At our February Eye Opener Breakfast last week, we heard about workforce development initiatives the MEDC and Hey, Bay City! are working on at the state and local level to attract and retain talent.

A few local calls to action to highlight:

• Post Your Jobs on the Hey, Bay City! platform

If you’re a Bay County employer, post your open job positions to the HBC! Job Board. Every month, the job board is viewed 7k to 10k times, making it a GREAT place to find qualified employees. If you need assistance with this, please reach out to Sara Parker, Director of Workforce Development at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.



• Add Hey, Bay City! to your website

To get the most attention on our community, we need to be at the top of Google search, and you can help by linking directly to HBC! on your website. Here’s some text you can copy/paste, along with logo files to use for a graphic:

Sample text: To learn more about our community, head to Hey, Bay City! With information, a job board, a community event calendar, and new stories and podcast going up every week, HBC! is a great way to say, '“Hey!”

Thank you for your support!

Welcome New Members!

Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities

The Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities offers transformational learning experiences that strengthen relationships, align teams, and build stronger communities. They integrate listening, leadership, care, and service to build leaders who transform their families, workplaces, and communities.

EOS Worldwide- Joe Stewart 

EOS is a simple, proven business operating system that can help your entrepreneurial organization clarify, simplify, and achieve its vision.

Liberty Harbor Event Center 

Since 1981 the Whaley Family has been immersed in the hospitality industry while serving the local communities. Starting with the Golden Glow in Saginaw and most recently expanding operations in Linwood and Bay City. Liberty Harbor Event Center provides Bay City with a variety of entertainment facilities located inside their historic building. From an elegant private event to coming with your friends for a drink, they have a spot for what you’re looking for.

Lux Off Washington 

Converted hotel to multi-family property. Several million dollar renovation project. 

MI Short Stay Solutions

A bijou (small upscale) resort for travelling professionals. 

My Member Insurance Agency

My Member Insurance Agency (MMIA), an affiliate of Frankenmuth Credit Union, is committed to providing competitive insurance products and exceptional customer service to help you 'protect what matter most.' Affordable insurance solutions for your Auto, Home, Business, Farm, Life and Health. 



Natalia's Sweets D'light

Specializes in serving an array of delectable freshly baked sweets & treats custom made to order.

New Dimensions 

Vocational rehabilitation for adults with disabilities.

Reimold Printing Corporation 

Reimold Printing Corporation has been serving the Great Lakes Region and beyond as a commercial print manufacturer for over 50 years! They offer digital, offset, and large format (rigid and roll-to-roll) print services. Other in-house services include: graphic design, marketing, copy writing, mailing, bindery, and special finishing. 

The Center for Emotional Health & Empowerment

The Center for Emotional Health & Empowerment is a life changing counseling and coaching practice that provides support to all you are and are becoming.  

Vantage Plastics

From its inception, Vantage Plastics has maintained a trajectory of consistent growth. Today, boasting a lineup of 15 thermoforming machines, injection molding capabilities, plastic extrusion lines, robust recycling programs, advanced engineering design tools, testing equipment, and an expanded workforce, they've fortified their ability to serve customers across diverse markets with greater efficiency than ever before. Their relentless dedication has solidified them as your premier integrated and innovative plastic manufacturer.

Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation 

XDAF is devoted to creating and promoting opportunities for those with autism through advocacy, training and education.

Please make sure to welcome these businesses and support your fellow Chamber members!

Featured Content

Magen Samyn Graduates from Henry Marsh!

Congratulations to our President & CEO, Magen Samyn, on her graduation from the SVSU Henry Marsh Institute for Public Policy!

The mission of the program is to educate citizens to be effective advocates and change agents in the Great Lakes Bay Region.



Throughout the one year program, participants learned about local political institutions, public policy analysis, campaigning and effective governance. They also engaged in discussions about leadership, public policy and politics at the local level with fellow cohort members.

Congratulations, Magen! We’re proud to have a leader who continuously demonstrates her commitment to learning and professional development!

Seeking Award Nominations for Chamber Annual Meeting

Business Hall of Fame Award- The Business Hall of Fame Award was instituted in 1986 to recognize individuals for their significant contributions to the improvement of the Bay Area.

Athena Award- The Athena Award was created to recognize the accomplishments of women who have attained and personified the highest level of professional excellence in business or their profession or men who have supported women in reaching their fullest potential.

Bay Area Energize YPN Award- The Bay Area Energize Award was created to recognize a member of Bay Area Energize who is an emerging leader in the community both personally and professionally.

Leadership Alumni Community Service Award- Nominee MUST be a graduate of Leadership Bay County and MUST include evidence of actual leadership efforts and accomplishments, collaborative skills, comprehensive knowledge of the community, generous commitment, active assistance to others, appreciation for diversity and visionary skills.

Heart of the Chamber Award- This award is presented to a Chamber member or organization who has proactively demonstrated extraordinary enthusiasm for our organization through volunteerism, participation in Chamber activities and/or committees, support for staff, or other notable contribution. This nominee shall also have acted as a positive supporter for our Chamber through interactions with the public and other members.

Have an Idea for a Lunch & Learn? Let us know!

We are launching Lunch & Learns in 2024!

These one hour, informational sessions will be held in the Chamber conference room on a monthly basis. We encourage you to bring your lunch, learn something new, and network with other Chamber members!



Due to our conference room space, we will be limiting this to 15 people (one per organization). Members who receive our newsletter are first to see the topic and register before we promote on social media.

If you have a topic you are interested in learning about OR have one you would like to promote for your organization, let us know! Please email the completed form below to leann@baycityarea.com.

Leadership Bay County Learns About Agribusiness!

Leadership Bay County had their fourth session of the program with the topic of Agribusiness in the Bay Area. The class had the privilege of touring Michigan Sugar Company, learning about the facets of agriculture in Bay County. We were also joined by Jerry Somalski of Bay Landscaping and Duane Scheuerlein from L&M Scheuerlein Inc.

Their February session will be focusing on Government and History.

Applications for the Value- Added Producer Grant are Now Open

Bite of Reality

Mock Job Interviews

Senator Peters is hosting an informational webinar on federal and state resources to help your business enter or expand into global markets on February 21st.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Lunch & Learn was featured in Route Bay City.

Saginaw Spirit is accepting volunteers for the 2024 Memorial Cup.

Blue Cross Blue Shield will continue to host their Virtual Well-Being Member Webinars.

MyMichigan Health encourages you to take care of your heart with the 29-Day Heart Smart Challenge.

The Bay Area Community Foundation's Give Local Bay 24-hour online giving campaign will take place on May 7th.

The Vintage Greenhouse will host a Beach Glass Windows Workshop on April 6th.

Flint SOUP will be hosting a Community Micro-Grant Dinner.

The Boys & Girls Club will welcome boxers from across the state of Michigan for the 50 Years of Boxing Exhibition.

Find daily events in the GLBR on the STEM in the Great Lakes Bay Region calendar.

Wildfire Credit Union appoints new CEO.

Eat Great Winter will take place on February 23-24th at Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel.

Sponsorships are open for the 2024 Memorial Cup Golf Outing.

The Great Lakes Bay Invitational has been renamed to Dow Championship.

Tri-Start Trust announces promotions of several staff members.

Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities will host their Our Community Listens Class in March.

Help the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation fuel its operations of the Nation's 1st Autism-History Museum by attending their Celebrities Celebrate Autism Dinner.

Local nonprofits can now apply for the 2024 #TeamUp for the Great Lakes Bay Region grant program.

Pincanna Cannabis Superstore to open on February 16th.

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.

Chamber Events

Click HERE to read our February Events Notice!

Michigan minimum wage will increase to $10.33 on January 1, 2024.

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 January, Ribbon Cuttings were done for Photography Studio & Gallery and MI Short Stay Solutions.

Brick Awards

The Brick Award was developed by the Bay Area Chamber Ambassadors to recognize the investment a Bay County business makes to the community when it expands, renovates, or improves its facility. The award for January was presented to the following business: Encompass Therapy Center.

Presented by Ambassador Beth Gehoski.

In Case You Missed It!

Thank you to all who attended our January Eye Opener Breakfast and Business After Hours!

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

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!