Chamber News | October 21, 2025

October 21, 2025

How are our schools and training programs shaping the future workforce—and are they keeping talent here?

There is still time to sign up for the second installment of our four-part Chamber Forum Series as we take a deep dive into the role of education in workforce retention across Northwest Ottawa County.

This session brings together a dynamic panel of education leaders who are preparing our region’s future workforce—and who understand the real challenges in aligning talent development with employer needs.

Featured Speakers for the October Forum on Education:

Ken James – Muskegon Community College
David Searles – Careerline Tech Center
Jason Reinecke - Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Kristin Perkowski - Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Dennis Furton – Spring Lake District Schools

Our panelists will explore education’s critical link to talent retention, offer practical insights, and engage in open Q&A with attendees. Start your morning with complimentary coffee, juice, bagels, muffins, and fruit while networking with local leaders and professionals.

Do not miss out on Grand Haven's Jingle Bell Parade with thousands of attendees! To register a float, please click here. To sponsor this community delight, contact Heather Solomon here.

The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg proudly announce Henrietta Hadley as the recipient of the 2025 Lakeshore ATHENA Award, recognizing her outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to empowering women across West Michigan.

The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg proudly announce Samantha Scott as the recipient of the 2025 ATHENA Young Professional Award, honoring her exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to empowering others in the community.

To learn more about Henrietta Hadley, please click here. To learn more about Samantha Scott, please click here.

Business Recognition Luncheon

Celebrating Local Excellence! ⁠

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We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Business Recognition Awards! These outstanding businesses and organizations are making a lasting impact in Northwest Ottawa County through growth, innovation, and community commitment.⁠

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2025 Award Recipients⁠

• Village of Spring Lake – El Mesquite Mexican Bar & Grill⁠

• City of Ferrysburg – CC’s Market⁠

• City of Grand Haven – Off the Chain Brewstillery/Loose Spokes⁠

• Grand Haven Charter Township – JOST⁠

• Spring Lake Township – Sintel⁠

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Milestone Anniversaries⁠

• Automatic Spring Products Corp – 75 Years⁠

• Fricano’s – 75 Years⁠

• Bekins – 50 Years⁠

• Harbor Transit – 50 Years⁠

• Downtown Development Authority – 50 Years⁠

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Join us in celebrating these incredible businesses whose vision, dedication, and hard work help our community thrive!⁠

If your business will be celebrating a milestone birthday in 2026 (50/75/100 years, etc.), please let us know so we can help celebrate you next year!

Chamber President and CEO, Mark Allen, was recently recognized as one of the 200 Most Influential Leaders in West Michigan in 2025. To read more about the recognition, click here.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized among Crain’s Grand Rapids Business 200 Most Influential Leaders. To share this space with so many notable leaders who are driving change and making a lasting impact across our region is truly humbling. I’m grateful to be part of a community that values collaboration, progress, and meaningful growth.” - Mark Allen, President and CEO

BOOMERANG 2025

On Tuesday, October 14, over 750 junior and senior high school students from across Northwest Ottawa County visited Boomerang at Grand Haven High School and learned about post-graduation career opportunities close to home. Representatives from 45 businesses and organizations were available for conversation, to give students a glimpse into their industry, and to provide advice for entering and succeeding within their field. Students had the opportunity to have their resumes reviewed and to participate in short mock interviews, both popular with a consistent line throughout the day.

The Chamber is looking forward to offering more opportunities to make connections between the classroom and our local business community in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information or contact Nicole DeSchaaf for ways you and your company can get involved.

Our 2026 Leadership Connect Cohort spent the day diving into some of what makes the Tri-Cities so special during Community Day, hosted by the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. From exploring Grand Haven’s rich history on a walking tour through town, to learning about the many resources available at Loutit District Library that make it a valuable community hub, hearing about festival traditions and updates from the Executive Director of the Coast Guard Festival, and gaining insight into how Ottawa County Parks and the Visitors Bureau are working to attract tourism to our beautiful region; it was a day filled with pride, purpose, and inspiration.

Are you motivated and interested in learning more about yourself and the community in which you live and work? Are you ready to create connections to learn how to work collectively for the common good of our region? Then Leadership Connect is for you. The waitlist for the 2026-2027 Cohort is open, if you'd like to learn more about it, and add your name to that list, contact Nicole Deschaaf here.

Lakeshore Business Growth Expo

On November 5th, the Chamber will be participating in the Lakeshore Business Growth Expo. This free event provides access to 20+ Business Support Organizations plus 3 breakout sessions and 1-on-1 consultations.

Mark your calendar for November 5^th from 4pm - 7pm at the Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University.

Ribbon Cutting

Grand Haven Foot and Ankle welcomed their new addition, Dr. Katie Lyons, to the team with a ribbon cutting and reception last week.

Dr. Lyons joins Dr. Robbi Young in serving Grand Haven and the surrounding communities as well as many tourists throughout the year in all of their foot and ankle needs.

Grand Haven Foot and Ankle is available for same-day appointments and conveniently located in the heart of Grand Haven in a beautiful and modern office. They are the only locally owned, full-time foot and ankle practice in the Tri-Cities area and have been serving our community and West Michigan for over 14 years.

Welcome to Dr. Katie Lyons and congratulations to Grand Haven Foot and Ankle for continued growth and service!

You can reach Grand Haven Foot and Ankle by calling 616-846-3400, by visiting them at 600 Park Avenue, Suite 3, Grand Haven, MI 49417, or by clicking here.

Grand Haven Farmers Market

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Ambassador Spotlight

Dave Zappa, Owner and President of Bin There Dump That Dumpsters, has been a Chamber member for 6 years and a Chamber Ambassador for one year.

Bin There Dump That specializes in residential-friendly dumpster rentals. Their team provides clean, green, well-maintained bins with two rear walk-in doors. They use a unique driveway protection system that ensures the dumpster never touches the homeowner's property, eliminating any chance of damage. They are committed to punctual service, making it easy for homeowners, contractors, and businesses to handle cleanups, renovations, and projects without the hassle.

“I enjoy being an ambassador because it gives me the opportunity to build relationships, support new members, and contribute to the Chamber’s mission of strengthening our local business community,” said Dave. “When not serving our community with dumpsters, I enjoy riding motorcycles, spending time on the water, and being active in our local community.”