Chamber News | December 30, 2025

December 30, 2025

Economic Forecast Breakfast for NW Ottawa County

Join us for the 2026 Economic Forecast Breakfast. Dr. Isely will share his annual analysis of national, state, and regional economic trends - and what they mean for Northwest Ottawa County. From workforce and housing to inflation and consumer behavior, discover how upcoming shifts in the economy could impact your organization. Dr. Isely will prepare a personalized forecast specifically for our community.

This is more than a forecast - it’s your roadmap for planning ahead. Whether you’re refining your business strategy, preparing budgets, or exploring growth opportunities, Dr. Isely’s data-driven insights will help you make informed decisions for the year to come.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Paul Isely joined GVSU in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics from Purdue University. With research rooted in West Michigan data, his work explores innovation, sustainability, and the forces shaping our regional economy.

Still need to do some shopping?

Purchase Dune Dollars online here! They make the perfect gift for those hard-to-buy-for friends, family, neighbors, coaches, teachers, public servants, and anyone else you can think of. You can buy Dune Dollars online and print them off. If you want the plastic card that is refillable, you can pick them up at Borr's Shoes, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, or Lake Michigan Credit Union on Jackson Ave.

The Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Who inspires us, drives innovation, and strengthens Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg?

We are celebrating excellence in our community at the Chamber Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony! Nominate a business for one of the Chamber Excellence Awards:

Mission in Action Award - recognizing non‑profits that demonstrate extraordinary impact and service.
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award - celebrating small businesses (less than 30 employeese) that embody innovation, resilience, and growth.
Strategic Success Award - honoring medium‑sized businesses (31-150 employees) that balance growth, community impact, and leadership.
Business Innovator Award - spotlighting large businesses (over 150 employees) driving transformation and setting new standards.

Important Notes:

All nominees must be current Chamber members in good standing.
Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS HERE

The Chamber's 2025 Recap

As we wrap up 2025, it's always nice to take a look at all that took place at the Chamber this past year:

Welcomed 79 new members
Hosted over 60 events
Successfully launched the Early Bird Summer Series with 70+ attendees at each event in June, July, August (returning for 2026)
Hosted the Art Festival in June: a sold-out show with more applicants and vendor booths than in previous years
Graduated the 2024/25 Leadership Connect class in May with one of the largest rosters in recent years
Coordinated the Farmers Market for the season from May - October
Welcomed two new faces at the Chamber - Hanna Crouch as Membershp Coordinator and Nicole Deschaaf as Director of Business and Talent Initiatives
Saw two familiar faces move into new roles - April Tripp came back to the Chamber team as Director of Events and Programs and Megan Tobin moved into the office from being the Farmers Market Manager to become our Marketing Coordinator
Continued on our journey to be more accessible to the membership and provide additional business services, resources and support

We at the Chamber are grateful to you, our membership, and our NW Ottawa Community as a whole for the support and partnerships, and we look forward to continued growth in the new year!

The Chamber’s publication of Grand Living 2026 is live and available online. This edition of Grand Living focuses on powering progress, strengthening business, and building community. Read about the Chamber, Chamber Programs, businesses in our community making a difference, community events, the membership guide, and the buyer’s guide. This is a vital resource for our business community! Click here for the digital copy.