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Questions about participation and/or sponsorship? Contact Mark Allen by email or 616.842.4911.
Apply today and be part of building the leaders who will move our community forward.
The application deadline has been extended to Friday, July 31, 2026.
| | RIBBON-CUTTING ANNOUNCEMENT | |
The Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the grand opening of Brews and Cheers!
Please join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 3:30 pm at 327 N Beacon Blvd., Grand Haven.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are for grand openings, milestone anniversaries, change of location, and more. If you are interested in having a ribbon-cutting, please email Hanna here.
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Be Informed, Be Engaged, Be a Voter
Your Vote Matters: Be Informed and Participate
Voting is one of the most important ways citizens can shape the future of their communities, businesses, and quality of life. Elections impact decisions on economic development, education, infrastructure, public safety, taxation, and many other issues that influence both residents and employers.
As the August 4th Primary Election quickly approaches, we encourage voters to take time to learn about the candidates and issues that will appear on their ballot. Being an informed voter helps ensure that elected leaders understand the priorities and needs of the communities they serve.
Whether you vote by absentee ballot, early voting, or on Election Day, your participation matters. Strong voter engagement helps create a government that reflects the voices and values of its citizens.
To help you prepare, we've compiled several resources below where you can find voter registration information, election dates, polling locations, sample ballots, and candidate information for our region. Also, make sure to visit our page on Advocacy and Public Policy.
Helpful Resources:
Make a plan, stay informed, and make your voice heard by voting.
| | For marketing and advertising, please contact Megan here. | | The Chamber Challenge Golf Outing is more than just golf. It’s a fun business networking event that brings together more than 120 local professionals, business leaders, and community partners for a day of relationship-building and friendly competition at beautiful Spring Lake Country Club. Participants enjoy 18 holes of golf, contests, prizes, raffles, and the Fairway Finale, creating countless opportunities to connect with fellow Chamber members and expand your professional network. Whether you're entertaining clients, rewarding employees, or building new business relationships, the Chamber Challenge Golf Outing offers a memorable experience both on and off the course. | | For marketing and advertising, please contact Megan here. | | |
Chamber Forum Series 2026
Keeping and Retaining Talent in Northwest Ottawa County
Session 1: Childcare & Education
What happens when working families can't access affordable childcare or high-quality educational opportunities?
For many employees, dependable childcare and strong schools are critical to balancing work and family responsibilities. Access to these resources not only supports families, but it also plays a vital role in attracting and retaining talent, strengthening businesses, and ensuring the long-term success of our community.
Join childcare providers, educators, policymakers, and business leaders for an engaging discussion on how childcare and education impact workforce retention and economic growth throughout Northwest Ottawa County.
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Supporting the work of the Chamber is an investment in the future of Northwest Ottawa County. Sponsorship of the Chamber Forum Series helps make these important conversations possible by connecting business and community leaders around the challenges and opportunities shaping our region. Your support enables high-quality programming, encourages collaboration across sectors, and helps drive solutions that strengthen our workforce, businesses, and community for years to come.
Contact Heather here to discuss how you can continue to invest in the work of the Chamber.
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At Sam's Club in Muskegon, our members are more than customers, they are the heart of everything we do.
Every day, families, small business owners, educators, first responders, and community members walk through our doors with different needs, and our mission is to provide them with exceptional value, quality products, and outstanding service. Their loyalty and trust inspire our team to deliver an experience that goes beyond shopping.
Members rely on Sam's Club for fresh groceries, premium meats, bakery favorites, pharmacy services, affordable fuel, and everyday essentials that help stretch their household budgets. Whether they are preparing for a family barbecue, stocking up for a local business, or simply completing their weekly shopping, our goal is to make every visit convenient, enjoyable, and rewarding. Features like Scan & Go™, curbside pickup, and Plus Member benefits help create a fast, seamless shopping experience that fits today's busy lifestyles.
What truly makes the Muskegon club special is the relationships built between our associates and members.
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A warm greeting, a helpful recommendation, or assistance loading a large purchase into a member's vehicle are small acts that leave lasting impressions. These daily interactions demonstrate our commitment to serving every member with respect, professionalism, and genuine care.
Our members also play an important role in strengthening the Muskegon community. By supporting local jobs and choosing Sam's Club as their warehouse retailer, they help create opportunities for growth while encouraging us to continually improve our service and selection. Their feedback helps shape our business, allowing us to better meet the needs of the community we proudly serve.
Every member who visits our club has a story, and we are honored to be part of their everyday lives. From celebrating milestones with custom cakes to providing quality products for family dinners and community events, Sam's Club is committed to helping create meaningful moments. At the Muskegon Sam's Club, our success is measured not only by what we sell but by the trust we earn, the relationships we build, and the positive impact we make on every member who walks through our doors.
| | For marketing and advertising, please contact Megan here. | | |
Michigan Unemployment Rules Change In Mid-July
Michigan unemployment rules change in mid-July, affecting claims, appeals, and employer experience with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Employers should prepare for increased system activity and tighter reporting requirements.
What’s changing:
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Work search requirements increase: Claimants must report 3 work search activities per week, up from 1. (Effective July 19)
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Domestic violence protection added: Workers who leave employment due to domestic violence will not be disqualified from benefits. (Effective July 17)
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Appeals process streamlined: Multiple approved issues can be combined into one hearing, reducing duplicate proceedings. (Effective July 17)
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More access to hardship waivers: Claimants can apply for up to 4 hardship waivers per year (up from 2). UIA will not count unemployment benefits as household income when reviewing eligibility. (Effective July 17)
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Workshare expanded: Employers can reduce hours from 10% to 60% (previously 15%–45%), helping avoid layoffs while employees receive partial benefits. (Effective July 19)
Why it matters for employers: Expect more UIA system traffic, increased employee questions, and greater emphasis on weekly work search documentation.
Learn more here: LEO - New Unemployment Law Changes
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Housing & Workforce Impact
Housing continues to impact talent attraction and retention across the Lakeshore region. Lakeshore Advantage is seeking input from area employers on how this challenge is showing up in the workplace. This brief poll is designed to better understand current employer perspectives, identify areas of interest or readiness for action, and help inform future regional strategies and partnerships around workforce housing. Your feedback is important and appreciated.
Please click here for the Housing Survey.
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Through our Business Education Partnership, the Chamber had the opportunity to collaborate with Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) to showcase a new middle school curriculum to local manufacturing leaders.
Manufacturing and Engineering Education Re-imagined For All (MEERA) is a competency-based manufacturing and engineering education program designed to inspire and train the next generation of manufacturing workforce for the industrial base, starting in grades 6th-8th. MEERA is a catalyst to expose students early on to education and career opportunities aligned to our region.
GHAPS will be implementing MEERA at Lakeshore Middle School in the fall of 2026 for 7th and 8th grade students. In our area, 33% of jobs in our region are in manufacturing and 44% of all wages are generated by the manufacturing sector. The Chamber is excited to promote the MEERA program and build exposure for business support of the program for GHAPS.
Interested in learning more? Contact Mark Allen at The Chamber here or Mary Jane Evink at GHAPS here or by calling 616.850.5075.
MEERA thrives on collaboration between education, industry and community stakeholders.
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BOOMERANG continues to play a vital role in helping students explore career pathways while showcasing the incredible opportunities available right here in our community.
Through hands-on interactions with local employers, students gain insight into in-demand careers across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, skilled trades, technology, construction and more. Just as importantly, they learn that there are multiple pathways to success, whether through college, certifications, apprenticeships, or a direct path from high school into the workforce.
By building awareness early, BOOMERANG helps strengthen our local talent pipeline and encourages students to return home after completing their education. When they do, they bring valuable skills and fresh perspectives that support the continued growth of our region.
Together, we are helping the next generation discover that a successful future doesn’t have to be found elsewhere, it can be built right here.
Contact Mark Allen here to learn about opportunities to engage in BOOMERANG and connect with high school juniors and seniors from various school districts within Northern Ottawa County.
Date: October 13, 2026
Location: Grand Haven High School Field House
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Member-to-Member Coupons are an exclusive Chamber benefit designed to help members connect, save, and support one another. Through this program, Chamber members can offer special discounts, promotions, and incentives exclusively to fellow members.
It's a valuable way to increase visibility for your business, generate new leads, and strengthen business-to-business relationships within the Chamber network. Members can browse available offers on the Chamber website and take advantage of exclusive savings on products and services from fellow Chamber members.
To offer a Member Coupon, please follow these instructions for loading them through your member portal.
For any questions, please contact Hanna here.
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Have an event that you want to add to our calendar?
It's easy to submit an event!
| | From the Chamber homepage, go to 'Calendar,' and then you will find 'Submit Your Event' in the upper, righthand corner. After you submit it, Hanna will approve it and then it will appear on our calendar as a Community Event. | | We would like to recognize our Premier Partners | | |
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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Would you like to advertise in our eNews?
Contact Director of Marketing & Communications, Megan Tobin.
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