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October 20, 2026

Congratulations to the businesses recognized and honored at the

Business Recognition Luncheon!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Business Recognition Luncheon!


It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating the businesses that help our community grow and thrive. We were proud to recognize five outstanding businesses selected by their municipalities for their contributions to our local economy, along with six businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries of 50, 75, and 100 years!


A special thank you to our sponsors, community partners, and everyone who helped make this celebration possible. Congratulations again to all of our honorees! We are grateful for the lasting impact you continue to make in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg communities.


2026 Business Recognition Award Luncheon Recipients:

Village of Spring Lake - Grand Finale Bistro & Cafe

City of Ferrysburg - Channel Side Storage

City of Grand Haven - Capstone Companies

Grand Haven Charter Township - Rycenga Electric, Inc.

Spring Lake Township - Vanderwall Brothers


Businesses Celebrating a Milestone Anniversary:

50 years - Aeros IT Group

50 years - Russ' Restaurant in Grand Haven

75 years - Consumers Credit Union

100 years - Muskegon Community College

100 years - Spring Lake Country Club

100 years - Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services


For more photos, please click here.

Congratulations to the 2026 Lakeshore ATHENA Award recipients!


The Chamber is proud to recognize two outstanding women whose leadership, service, and commitment to lifting others embody the spirit of ATHENA.


ATHENA Award

Jeanette Hoyer, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan


ATHENA Young Professional Award

Marisela Sierra, Owner of Navarro's Mexican Take-Out

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES

Congratulations to OAM Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon and i'Move Physical Therapy on their ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of their Grand Haven location at 1309 S. Beacon Blvd. The new space brings orthopaedic care, orthopaedic urgent care, and i'Move Physical Therapy together under one roof, making it easier for patients to access the care and support they need.

Congratulations to the Edward Jones Team!



Please join us in congratulating the Edward Jones team on their relocation and celebrating their one-year anniversary at 118 W. Savidge Street in Spring Lake! We love seeing our local businesses grow and celebrate exciting milestones. Wishing the entire team continued success in their Spring Lake location!



To schedule a ribbon cutting, please contact Natalie here.

LEADERSHIP CONNECT

Our 2026–2027 Leadership Connect cohort spent Community Day exploring the people, places, and organizations that make the Tri-Cities such a special place to live, work, and visit!


The day included a visit to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, a walking tour, and a stop at Loutit District Library. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the important role tourism plays in our community, hearing from representatives of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Ottawa County Parks, the Visitors Bureau, Grand Haven Main Street, and the Downtown Development Authority.


To learn more about Leadership Connect, click here.

Paid Member Advertising

Make the Holidays Special with Sam’s Club


Get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas with Sam’s Club, your one-stop destination for holiday shopping! Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering, planning a festive dinner, or searching for the perfect gifts, Sam’s Club makes it easy to prepare for the season with great value and convenient shopping.


For Thanksgiving, stock up on everything you need to create a memorable feast, from fresh ingredients and delicious desserts to appetizers, beverages, and crowd-pleasing favorites. Find bulk essentials that make feeding family and friends easier while helping you prepare for every celebration.


As Christmas approaches, discover a wide selection of holiday decorations, seasonal treats, gift baskets, toys, electronics, and gifts for everyone on your list. Make entertaining effortless with party platters, snacks, and pantry staples that keep your holiday gatherings running smoothly.


Shopping at Sam’s Club means spending less time worrying about preparations and more time enjoying the moments that matter. Whether you’re planning ahead or picking up those last-minute holiday must-haves, you’ll find plenty of ways to make your celebrations brighter.


This holiday season, bring home the savings, convenience, and festive essentials you need to make Thanksgiving and Christmas truly special. Shop Sam’s Club and make every gathering memorable!


Visit Sam's Club here or at their Muskegon location: 1707 E. Sherman Blvd.

For member advertising, please contact Megan here.

Attention Employers of Teen Workers: Michigan has launched a new Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP) that changes how work permits are issued for employees under 18. Effective October 2, 2026, employers must register through the state portal before hiring minors, and schools will no longer issue work permits. Learn more here: LEO - New Youth Employment Permit Portal Helps Protect Michigan’s Young Workers

GHAPS Innovation Task Force Seeks Community Input

Grand Haven Area Public Schools has created an Innovation Task Force to explore innovative programs, instructional practices, and school cultures that prepare students for success in college, careers, and the community.


We invite business leaders, community members, parents, and students to share their perspectives on today’s learning models and how schools can strengthen skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving.



Stakeholder Interview Session

Tuesday, October 13 | 9:30 –10:30 a.m.

Central Park Place


The session will follow an open-house format, with Task Force members circulating in small teams to engage participants in brief conversations.

Your voice will help shape the future of learning in Grand Haven Area Public Schools.

Please RSVP to Andrew Ratke by email or 616-212-1553.

BONES ABOUT TOWN

Have you stopped by The Chamber to meet our resident skeleton, Ms. Bone-nection?

She's been working herself to the bone, and trust us, the details are worth a visit!



A special shoutout to Natalie for bringing Ms. Bone-nection to life (well, sort of). She did an incredible job with all the creative little details, so be sure to take a closer look when you stop by!


Don't forget to vote for your favorite skeleton around town!

Vote here.


Voting is open through October 23, followed by the Fall Festival on October 24!

The Chamber staff will be attending the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals (MACP) Conference from October 21-23, joining Chamber professionals from across the state for a few days of learning, collaboration, and connection!


We're especially proud of our very own Hanna Crouch, Director of Programs & Events, who served on the planning committee to help bring this year's conference to life!


While we're away, our team will be working remotely whenever possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our response times may be a little slower than usual.

'Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day' is on Wednesday, October 21!


At The Chamber, our work goes far beyond hosting events. Every day, we're connecting people, creating opportunities, sharing resources, supporting local businesses, and working alongside community partners to make Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg great places to live, work, and do business.


Wondering how you can support your local Chamber?

  • Make a connection! Introduce a fellow business owner or professional to The Chamber and the opportunities available through membership.
  • Share your experience! Help others understand the value of Chamber involvement and how it can benefit their business.
  • Get involved! Attend an event, volunteer, participate in a program, or engage with fellow members.
  • Support Chamber members! Shop local, utilize member businesses, and help strengthen our local economy.
  • Stop by and say hello! We always enjoy visitors, especially those bringing coffee, Diet Coke, gluten-free treats, or their dogs!


October is an especially busy month for our team, filled with events, programs, and opportunities to serve our members. It's also a great reminder of why we do what we do.


A strong Chamber helps build a strong business community, and that work is made possible by the businesses, organizations, volunteers, and community partners who choose to be involved. Thank you for being part of it!

Click here to view our most recent New Members!


Affordable Fence Company

EOS / Freedom Builders

Grand Haven Boat Rental

Health Zone Chiropractic

Leading Edge Controls

RezConect Store

Staples

West Williams Advisory Group

October

28 | Chamber Forum on Transportation


November

5 | Chamber Takeover Happy Hour: Mo's Cocktail Lounge

6 | Advocacy in Action: Post-Election Insight

10 | Business Insights Report

11 | Business Growth Series: Elevate Your Leadership

12 | BASH at Bella Maria's Event Center & Teddy Spaghetti's

17 | Networking at Noon: Meet. Connect. Grow

18 | Chamber Forum on HR & Talent Development

20 | Early Bird Breakfast at Spring Lake Country Club

24 | Morning Brew at Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl


December

2 | Holiday BASH at Spring Lake Country Club

9 | Chamber 360: Boost Your Business

18| Early Bird | Insight & Impact Breakfast at Spring Lake Country Club

Learn more about upcoming events by visiting our events calendar.

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, Natalie 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!

Would you like to advertise in our eNews?

Contact Marketing Coordinator, Megan Tobin.

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