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Celebrating 250 Years of American Enterprise
This Independence Day is especially meaningful as our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. It's an opportunity to reflect on the people, ideas, and determination that have shaped our communities and our economy for two and a half centuries.
Through times of prosperity and periods of challenge, one constant has been the resilience of American businesses. From family-owned shops passed through generations to innovative startups creating tomorrow's solutions, businesses have been critical for our communities by creating jobs, supporting neighbors, and helping our nation adapt, grow, and thrive.
We are also deeply grateful for the service men and women, past and present, whose sacrifice has helped protect the freedoms and opportunities we continue to enjoy. Their dedication reminds us that the benefits of living and doing business in the United States are not something we take for granted.
Here in Northwest Ottawa County, we see that same entrepreneurial spirit every day. Our local businesses continue to invest in their employees, serve their customers, and strengthen the communities we call home.
As we gather with family and friends this Fourth of July, we celebrate not only our nation's history but also the enduring spirit of innovation, hard work, service, sacrifice, and opportunity that has carried American businesses forward for 250 years.
From all of us at the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, we wish you a happy, safe, and memorable Independence Day. Here's to celebrating our past, appreciating the present, and looking ahead to a bright future together.
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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
| | 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. | | |
Leadership Connect is designed to cultivate leaders who want to better understand the broader community, recognize regional challenges and opportunities, and actively contribute to solutions that strengthen where we live and work.
Through this program, participants gain a broader perspective of Northwest Ottawa County, build meaningful relationships across industries, and develop the knowledge and skills to lead with purpose and impact.
Over the course of the program, participants experience each major sector of Northwest Ottawa County through monthly sessions, including:
- Community Day
- Economy Day
- Education Day
- Government Day
- Health Services Day
- Nonprofit Day
- Public Safety Day
Why invest in Leadership Connect?
Encouraging a team member to participate demonstrates your organization's commitment to developing strong leaders while strengthening our community.
Your investment:
- Demonstrates a commitment to leadership development and succession planning.
- Supports the growth of high-potential employees.
- Develops leaders who are engaged, informed, and committed to the future of Northwest Ottawa County.
- Helps ensure Leadership Connect reflects the diverse voices, industries, and perspectives that drive our local economy and civic life.
By investing in Leadership Connect, you're not only developing your organization's future leaders—you're helping build a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
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.
Applications close on July 12, 2026.
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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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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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The Chamber is excited to announce the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Beltone Hearing Center to celebrate the grand opening of their newest location.
Please join us on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM, 17088 Robbins Rd., Grand Haven.
There will be refreshments, tours of the building, and the opportunity to meet our new practitioner.
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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 or 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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