As we approach the holiday season, there’s no better time to celebrate all the wonderful businesses that make up the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Join us in shopping our local small businesses to make a BIG impact! When we shop local, we strengthen our Bay Area economy, create jobs, and sustain the unique businesses that give our community its character.

From festive holiday events to unique gift options and family experiences you won’t find anywhere else, our Chamber member businesses have it all! By choosing to support them, you help ensure a vibrant future for our community!

Feel free to search our Member Directory for inspiration as you gear up for this holiday season!

Andrew Z. Green DDS PLLC

Andrew Z. Green DDS PLLC is a full service general dental practice treating children and adults with modern technology and many procedure types. 

Ethos Consulting Group

Governance and Strategic Planning Consultants

GreenStone Farm Credit Services

GreenStone provides financial services to the agricultural industry - including short, intermediate and long-term loans, equipment and building leases, life insurance, crop insurance, accounting and tax services.

S&S Industrial Surplus

Since 2002, S&S Industrial Surplus has been serving the community by selling, consigning, and purchasing parts from the industrial industry. Their team has expert knowledge and a ''customer first'' approach.

TCA Insurance

TCA Insurance is an independent agency that represents many quality insurance companies. They are capable of providing all lines of insurance needs such as home, auto, motorcycle, boat, business, farm and trucking. They work hard to make sure that each and every client gets the personal attention they deserve and the low price that they desire.

Total Family Healthcare

Total Family Healthcare’s mission is to offer patient-centered medical care. Their staff, hours, and scheduling are all designed to meet your needs. They deliver top-quality healthcare and we also deliver it in a courteous, friendly, and efficient atmosphere. They have several locations to serve you in Auburn, Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw.

We always encourage you to support your fellow Chamber members!

2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

BACC Hires New Events Manager!

We are excited to introduce our newest team member, Lily West!

Lily has joined our staff as the new Events Manager. She will lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of all Chamber events. With a background in creative writing and a wealth of experience from her work with the Conference Center at Saginaw Valley State University, Lily brings a fresh, innovative perspective to event planning. Her expertise in coordinating a variety of events and her dedication to organization and creativity will be a huge asset to our team!



Welcome to the team, Lily!

Hey, Bay City! RFP

Hey, Bay City is a community-driven platform dedicated to sharing the stories, events, and employment opportunities within Bay County, Michigan. Our mission is to highlight the vibrant culture, businesses, and individuals that make our community unique. We are seeking experienced photographers and storytellers to collaborate with us in capturing high-quality visual content and stories that align with our brand and engage our audience. Hey, Bay City is a program of The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

Please submit your proposal via email to jodi@baycityarea.com by November 29th, 2024. All questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Jodi LaMont at jodi@baycityarea.com. Late proposals will not be considered.

Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals

Annual Conference

Our President & CEO, Magen, and Marketing & Membership Manager, Annabelle, joined chamber professionals from across Michigan at the MotorCity Casino Hotel for the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals (MACP) Annual Conference!

This year’s theme, “Future Focus,” brought together leaders to network, exchange best practices, explore new strategies, and celebrate the success and growth of chambers statewide. The event was packed with workshops, keynote presentations, and plenty of networking opportunities, all aimed at strengthening our chamber’s impact back home. Some key takeaways were learning to effectively use AI, membership strategies, and marketing improvement.



We’re excited to bring back what we learned to benefit our members and community. Thanks, MACP, for an incredible experience!

Hey, Bay City! Highlight

"Join John Kaczynski, Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations at Saginaw Valley State University, as he delves into the nuances of attraction and retention in Bay County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

From discussing historical migration patterns to the modern-day challenges of attracting college students, graduates, and retirees, John offers a comprehensive overview of strategies aimed at fostering a vibrant, welcoming community.

John talks about the importance of hospitality, the role of transportation and housing, and the collective effort needed to create a thriving regional identity."

Bite of Reality Goes to Pinconning High School

Our Business and Education Partnership took Bite of Reality, a simulation of real-life financial scenarios and budgeting, to Pinconning High School!



With the help of our wonderful volunteers from RE/MAX Results Bay City, Complete College Advising, United Bay Community Credit Union, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!, Bay-Arenac ISD, United Financial Credit Union and Blossom Into Health Chiropractic, we had the opportunity to work with 82 sophomores and 94 seniors!

Sara Completes BSP Training!

We are so proud of Sara, our Director of Workforce Development, for completing Business Solutions Professional (BSP) training!

BSP training, offered by Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works, equips professionals with the skills to provide businesses with tailored support using community, regional, state, and federal resources. Participants learn how to connect businesses with assets such as training grants, business consultations, tax incentives, and education programs. The training follows a demand-driven approach, helping professionals address workforce challenges, create partnerships, and design solutions through a structured five-step process: entry, fact-finding, solution design, implementation, and follow-up.

The program focuses on enhancing participants' roles as key contacts for businesses, enabling them to collaborate with workforce and economic developers, educators, and government agencies. This training benefits anyone involved in business service delivery, fostering lasting relationships and driving local economic growth.



Congratulations on this amazing achievement, Sara!

Call for Judges for National Civics Bee® 

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce invites civic-minded individuals to volunteer as Essay Judges for the competition. 

Judging commitments include being responsible for evaluating submissions from February 6-12, 2025, with a flexible commitment of approximately three hours.

Note: Judges cannot have immediate family members participating in the competition. Individuals who think their student may participate are encouraged not to sign up to judge.

Please contact jodi@baycityarea.com for more information.

Bay City Academy Hosts Mock Job Interviews

On October 11th we had the privilege of visiting Bay City Academy to conduct Mock Job Interviews for their 11th grade students. This program, a part of our Business and Education Partnership, aims to help students develop essential interviewing skills, boosting their confidence as they prepare to enter the workforce or pursue further education.

During the event, we assisted a total of 17 students, providing them with personalized feedback and guidance. Over the course of the day, we conducted 30 individual interviews, ensuring that each student had the opportunity to engage in a professional, real-world interview scenario.



This impactful day would not have been possible without our volunteers. Thank you to the representatives from United Bay Community Credit Union, Delta College, Edward Jones, and Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health, who made this experience valuable for everyone involved.

We are currently seeking volunteers for our December 10, 2024 Mock Job Interviews at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. Please view the form below for additional information on how to sign up.

Leadership Bay County Attends

Transportation Session

On October 2nd, the Leadership Bay County Class of 2025 had their first official session at Delta College Planetarium. They heard from Sadie Pelton, the Transportation Director from Bangor Township Schools and Mary Jo Brandt and Kristy Butler from Bay Metro Transit to learn more about transportation and bussing in the Bay County Area. Jenny Luzar, Jerky Outlet Dream Coach, came in to teach how to speak like a leader with confidence!

After, the class broke off into five groups for a scavenger hunt around Bay City. There were five zones, each with ten unique stops for students to explore. Groups had to get to each stop using just about anything aside from personal vehicles (Metro busses, Bird scooters, taxi/Uber/Lyft, walking and phoning friends for rides). Students learned the struggle some face in our community with the lack of public transportation options.

Then, Jim Lillo from the Bay County Road Commission, Robert Dion from the City Of Bay City and Steve Katenhus from Michigan Department of Transportation shared information about roads in our area including important topics of snow removal, toll bridges and construction.

A big thank you to all of our guests for taking the time to teach the class and discuss transportation and roads in our community!

BCBS Information: Mental Health

Learn how to better take care of your mental health with these resources from Blue Cross Blue Shield:

Overcoming Perfectionism

Five Surprising Ways Stress Affects the Body

5 Tips to Help Adults Manage Their ADHD

The Science Behind Kindness: How it Helps You

Join Noon Networking!

Noon Networking is currently accepting applications!

This group offers a dynamic platform for professionals to engage in relationship marketing and share valuable business information. With approximately 15-25 members participating, this roundtable provides an intimate setting to promote your products and services to fellow local businesses.

Click HERE to review the group's policies.

Please reach out to jodi@baycityarea.com for questions and to submit an application.

Member Anniversaries

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

Share our Membership Application with them!

Dow Credit Union

STEM in the Great Lakes Bay Region has a full calendar of events for November.

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance will be accepting RFPs for their website redesign until December 1.

GM’s Bay City Plant drives local impact with $60,000 in Community Impact Grants

to three area nonprofits.

Michigan Cream and Sugar has extended their hours until the end of the year, now being open for full service Thursday-Sunday.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade Queen Scholarship Pageant will host Queen's Tea on December 8th.

The City of Bay City is soliciting sealed proposals for: Bigelow Park Playground Bid #25-1204 and Residential Roof Replacement Bid #25-1205.

Chippewa Nature Center will be hosting a Full Moon Stroll on November 15th.

CAN Council's Superhero Hockey Night with the Saginaw Spirit returns on Saturday, December 7 at the Dow Event Center.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has launched a statewide media campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness among parents and guardians about best practices in literacy. Through November 15, parents and guardians of children ages 0-10 across the state are invited to participate in an online survey.

The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation will host a 'Celebrities Celebrate Autism' Christmas Giveaway Dinner on November 14th.

Securatech is looking to sell office furniture as they move out of their office. Please contact abbie@securateach.com for more information.

The United Way of Bay County is seeking volunteers to assist with their VITA program.

Bangor Township Schools’ Matthew Schmidt named 2025 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.

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.

The 2024 election results are in!

• Despite state Democrats spending at least $37 million this election cycle, which has been reported as a 3-to-1 spending advantage, Michigan Republicans took control of the State House, breaking the current two-year Democratic trifecta. Come January, Republicans will hold 58 of Michigan’s 110 House seats.

• Democrats gained ground on the MI Supreme Court on Tuesday night, holding the court by 6-2 advantage with the reelection of Justice Kyra Bolden and election of Kimberly Ann Thomas.

• Republicans now hold seven congressional seats and Democrats hold six. Republicans picked up a seat in the 7th Congressional District with Tom Barrett prevailing over Curtis Hertel, Jr. and Democrats maintained a competitive seat in the 8th with current State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet garnering the win after the retirement of longtime Rep. Dan Kildee.

• At the time of publishing, the open U.S. seat is still too close to call with Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and former Congressman Mike Rogers at 48.5% to 48.4% of the vote respectively.

What we’re saying:

“We look forward to putting the divisive and polarizing November elections behind us and focusing on the work important to our state’s shared future – starting with the impending Lame Duck legislative session.”

• Read the Michigan Chamber’s full statement on the election results.

Go deeper:

• Read more for the full list of election results.

Click HERE to read our November Events Notice.

Click HERE to read the Energize November Newsletter.

Featured Event

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 October, Ribbon Cuttings were held for: Children's Dyslexia Center, Great Lakes Bay Region, Prema Rose Wellness Suite and the Linwood Scenic Access Site.

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 events in October!

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

State of Education

October Eye Opener Breakfast

Chamber 101

October Business After Hours