Chamber News | December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

The Chamber's Leadership Connect class participated in Education Day last month at Central High School. This session was informative as they learned about initiatives that both GHAPS and SLPS are working on to create a better environment for students, teachers and staff. Andrew Ratke and Kari Stranberg – STEM Teachers at GHAPS, engaged our class with some fun and educational activities that are also taught to their students.

Mary Jane Evink, Curriculum Director at GHAPS then shared more about her role, and how she is working to shape the next generation of students. She utilizes her experience and knowledge of what is most effective for learning, and helping students to be better prepared when they enter the world after high school.

The Leadership Connect class left that day with a much better understanding of how both school systems work, and the importance of both GHAPS and SLPS plans moving into the future. To learn more about the Leadership Connect program click here, or contact Vicki Ellis, Director of Business & Education Connections.

Going Pro Talent Fund Update

A brief update on the Going Pro Talent Fund (GPTF) FY24 Cycle 1 employer applications. The Business Solutions team with West Michigan Works has been working diligently in recent weeks, reviewing each application for accuracy and maximum scoring. This includes 352 applications for a total of $21,202,614.62.

Below is the comparison across recent years. FY24 Cycle 1 award announcements tentatively scheduled for late December 2023. The Cycle 2 application period is scheduled to open April 2024.

P&THE Manufacturing expanding in Spring Lake, creating 107 jobs. See the press release here: Gov. Whitmer Announces 138 New Jobs Coming to West Michigan

“We are fortunate to have an opportunity to work with P&THE Manufacturing Michigan, LLC as a new investor in Spring Lake Township,” said Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Director of Economic Development Strategic Directions Elizabeth Butler. “The capital investment represents a growth in the local tax base and the opportunity to add new jobs. We are pleased that P&THE Manufacturing Michigan, LLC has selected NW Ottawa County over their existing facilities in Ohio.”

The Chamber of Commerce will be working with the company on an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption application for the two locations in Spring Lake Township. The investment into the community and the jobs that will be created in Spring Lake Township will add to the economic vitality of the region.

Have you started planning for 2024? We have too!

We are beginning to fill our open sponsorship opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring a Chamber event or program, and how it can impact your business positively, contact Heather Solomon at [email protected].

2024 Economic Forecast Breakfast: Learn more here

Introducing the Management & Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Program! This program provides structured discussion groups of no more than 15 business executives, owners, leaders, and professionals from non-competing organizations. The same group of participants gather in person each month in a confidential setting to discuss issues impacting their business with a trusted group of peers. Roundtable groups are for strategy and best practice sharing and are not a platform for promoting your business.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity here

The Chamber's Dune Dollar program exists to keep spending local, to support our local economy and the participating businesses! Consider the gift of Dune Dollars this upcoming holiday season. These gift certificates are easy to order at any time on our website and can be printed or emailed at your convenience.

Click here to visit our Dune Dollar purchase page

Learn more about Corporate Gifting and Dune Dollars here

The new Grand Living is here! Grand Living is referred to as our community profile, and Chamber member business directory.

In this edition of Grand Living, Chamber members reveal how their homegrown businesses have been empowered by the Chamber to grow and succeed and how that success has helped them to support others to create a lasting, vibrant economy.

If you would like copies of Grand Living in your office, reach out to April Tripp at [email protected]

The Jingle Bell parade was held Saturday, December 2nd! Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, Chamber Ambassadors, and special thank you to the City of Grand Haven for helping to make this a great event for our community!

The Chamber Leads Networking Groups are seeking new Leads Networking participants! Leads networking groups are designed to generate business for members by developing trusted relationships through networking. Groups ranging from 20 – 40 individuals from non-competing businesses meet weekly to network and share leads and referrals as well as sales ideas and professional advice from member participants.

We are seeking those interested in participating in Leads Networking. Please contact Vicki Ellis to learn more about how to get started.

We would like to gather your feedback on what your needs, wants, and expectations of us are going forward. If you have not yet completed the survey, there is still time.

The survey consists of 14 questions, and we estimate it should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is very important to us and will be used to help set our goals for the upcoming year and beyond.

Thank you for your participation and being part of this initiative.

SURVEY LINK

Click here to view our most recent New Members!

Learn more here

We are here for you! Our office is open M-F 9AM - 4PM,

call at 616.842.4910, or email a staff member directly.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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