As the Great Lakes Bay Region continues to strengthen and grow, the Bay Area, Mt. Pleasant Area, Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce, and the Midland Business Alliance have combined efforts once again to present the 13th Annual Partners in Growth - Great Lakes Bay Regional Chamber Summit!

This year's summit, taking place on August 14th, will feature keynote speaker Kevin Zielke, General Counsel for Accident Fund Insurance of America, who will share valuable perspectives on business innovation and legal trends. 

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative event that celebrates and fosters the economic and social growth of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Registration is now open and sponsorships are available. Secure your spot today and join us in making a positive impact on our community!

State Theatre of Great Lakes Bay Region

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

Leadership Bay County Concludes the Program with Natural Resources Day!

June was a bittersweet month for the 2024 Leadership Class as they concluded the program with their last session, Natural Resources day.

Students heard from Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development, Kawkawlin River Watershed, Saginaw Valley State University and the DNR. They learned about current issues facing our natural resources in Bay County and ongoing projects and initiatives to remedy them. They concluded the day with a cruise on the Princess Wenonah.

Thank you to our community members who spoke to the class! It was a strong finish to an amazing year.

Are you interested in joining the LBC class of 2025? Click HERE for more information and apply below.

Completed applications are due to jodi@baycityarea.com by August 9th.

BACC CEO Completes Year One of the

Institute for Organization Management

Our President & CEO, Magen Samyn, completed her first year of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management!

IOM is a four-year, nonprofit leadership training program consisting of weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. This year, she was in Madison, Wisconsin, attending classes and electives pertaining to leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership.



This program is designed to empower participants to bring fresh energy and efficiency to their organization, helping it thrive and succeed. We're excited to have Magen taking part in this program over the next few years and bringing what she learned back to our Chamber!

Bay City Bass Tournament Series

Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 Graduates!

After nine months of building connections, learning about the community and working to complete their class project at Brian's House Community Group, we were thrilled to celebrate the graduation of the Leadership Bay County Class of 2024!



Congratulations to our graduates! We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication you have exhibited, and hope you continue to serve the community and apply the knowledge and skills you gained from the program.

2024 Graduates:

Kayleen Byrne-The State Bank

Kristin Freeman -Bay County Library System

Logan Gougeon -Gougeon Brothers, Inc.

Lionel Grant -CAN Council

Frank Hidalgo -Hidalgo Entertainment

Adam Jankowiak -C3 Construction, Inc.

Jesse Kendall -Isabella Bank

Katie Leach -Growers Choice Insurance

Peter Madziar -Consumers Energy

Brian McBride -Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center

Jennifer McDurmon -Independent Bank

Madelyn Paten -Dore Corporation/Jerky Outlet

Jenny Ratajczak -MyMichigan Health

Jim Reaume -Bay Future, Inc.

Landon Schriber -Wildfire Credit Union

Annabelle Schweiger -Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Mackenzie Seder -Dow Bay Area Family YMCA

Kelly Thompson-The Center for Emotional Health & Empowerment

Alan Vennix -Weinlander Fitzhugh

Leadership Bay County Seeking Project Proposals

Completed Project Proposals are due to jodi@baycityarea.com by September 12th.

Member Anniversaries

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

Share our Membership Application with them!

Voter Information

Michigan's Primary Election is set for August 6th. However, you don't need to wait that long to cast your vote. You can: 

Vote early via absentee ballot. Request your absentee ballot here.  City residents can also check with the City Clerk's office about obtaining an absentee ballot, and County residents are urged to contact their Township Clerk's office. City residents have several locations throughout the City for returning completed absentee ballots. 

Early voter information can be found HERE.

"Wait; I don't know what's on the ballot!" Check it out here! 

Updates to Fair Labor Standards Act

Overtime Rule Changes Take Effect July 1: Recently issued by the US Department of Labor, this new rule will update the Fair Labor Standards Act with new salary thresholds related to overtime pay. The very broad interpretation is that employees in exempt positions--executive, administrative, and professional--will be entitled to overtime pay for hours exceeding 40/week if they earn $55,068 or less annually. The current threshold is $35,568. This rule begins July 1st. You can learn more here. 

The National Council of Nonprofits offers some preliminary guidance.

Chamber 101

Lunch & Learn

BACC hosts Chamber 101 to share information about how to maximize membership benefits.

Tim Bish with Vantage Plastics hosted our July Lunch & Learn on how to effectively use AI for work.

Bay County STEM Fest

Hundreds of Bay County kids were able to experience 30+ science, technology, engineering, and math-related activities alongside a community resource fair at the first ever Bay County STEM Fest at Delta College.

State Legislative Luncheon

Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet and State Representative Timmy Beson shared information about eye opening issues in our community and what they are working on in order to move us toward a solution at our State Legislative Luncheon.

Coffee and a Cleanup

Energize YPN and Hey, Bay City! teamed up for Coffee and a Cleanup, a monthly event where one Saturday a month, a group of volunteers gather at a location in Bay County for an hour of community impact, then free coffee afterwards! In June, volunteers picked up trash and pulled weeds along Columbus Ave.

The next Coffee and a Cleanup will be on Saturday, July 20th.

Bierlein Trombley Technologies

EOS Worldwide is hosting an informational event to strengthen your implementation of EOS on July 11th.

Kidneys for Kids is throwing a 'Pier & Cheer' celebration and fundraiser on August 6th.

Bay County Medical Care Facility's 13th Annual Golf Outing will take place on August 24th.

Celebrate inclusivity and neurodiversity with the Xavier Degroat Autism Foundation at the Bay Autism Festival & BBQ on July 19th.

Join STEM Staycation from June 8th through August 15th to see a variety of STEM activities and fun in the region!

American Pickers is in search of different and unique items with extraordinary stories for their show.

Hescott Design Co. was featured in a recent Route Bay City article.

The Miss Bay County Pageant is on August 3rd at Bay City Players.

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 July Events Notice.

Click HERE to read the Energize July 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 June, Ribbon Cuttings were done for Renue Physical Therapy and PNC Bank.

Renue Physical Therapy

PNC Bank

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 awards for June were presented to the following businesses: Dow Bay Area Family YMCA and A Spencer Gellise Salon.

Dow Bay Area Family YMCA

Presented by Ambassador Beth Gehoski.

A Spencer Gellise Salon

Presented by Ambassador

Kristin Freeman.

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 June Eye Opener Breakfast and Business After Hours!

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