November 2019 - Issue #87
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
November is the start of the HOLIDAY seasons,
our small businesses' and communities need your SUPPORT!
The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, is in collaboration with many in the local business in the community, we will promote LOCAL shopping specials and give away FREE donuts and refreshments on Small Business Saturday with official endorsement from the nationally-recognized “Shop Small” campaign. The event will take place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is November 30th this year.
Top Chamber Supporters
Thank you for renewing your membership
A - 1 Toilets
Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home
City of Houghton
Copper Range Historical Society
Crampton Surveying, Inc.
Credit Services, Inc.
Culver's
Finlandia University
Franklin Township 
Great Lakes Accounting, PC
Hannula Agency
Joey's Seafood and Grill
Keweenaw Waterway Cabins
Lake Superior Magazine
Loading Zone II Bar & Grill
McGrath, Inc.
Mine Shaft and Rock House Grill & Tavern
Minnetonka Resort - Astor House Motel
Neuvokas Corporation
Range Lounge
Rukkila, Negro & Associates, CPAs, PC
NEW CHAMBER BENEFITS
We're happy to announce a new partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). Current Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce members are eligible to these benefits below under this partnership agreement.

We encourage you to reach out and take advantage of these great benefits, or let us know if you have any questions, call 482-5240 or email  info@keweenaw.org
Also, did you know Chamber Members have access to these great benefits....

  • Access to Accident Fund Insurance discount (Workers' Compensation 5%)
  • Access to discounted insurance; personal auto, home business, and commercial packages (5-10%)
  • Usage of Chamber bulk mailing permit for large direct mail campaigns
  • Participation in the Chamber’s Keweenaw Cash program
  • Free notary services
  • Free Certificate of Origin
  • Free job postings on our Facebook, newsletter, and website
  • Advertise to thousands of Chamber office visitors with your business brochures
  • Free educational events
  • Two free days at 1Q1 Quincy Coworking in Hancock 
Like us on Facebook
We like to share news, updates, and events of our membership on Facebook. If you have a post that you would like us to share please share it with us and we would love to help spread the word!
Event Recaps
October 9th - Our Keweenaw Alliance Breakfast was held earlier this month, "Building Partn ers for the Betterment of Care", thank you to Randy Neiswonger, CEO,  UP Health System - Portage  and Shannon Richter, COO, Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center f or the great discussion and presentation.
October 15th - THANK YOU to 2nd Sandbar Productions for leading our October Lunch & Learn. Attendees got a chance to learn about how video can be used as a powerful marketing tool for their business or organization.

Thank you to Keweenaw Co-op Natural Foods Market & Deli for the delicious lunch!
October 22nd - Congratulations to Incredible Bank on successfully completing their re-branding at their Calumet location. Well wishes on the new name, serving the same great community and incredible customers.

CLK Food Pantry was the winning charity that received a $1000 donation.
October 22nd - Congratulations to Incredible Bank on successfully completing their re-branding at their Houghton location. Well wishes on the new name, serving the same great community and incredible customers.

The  Copper Country Humane Society  was the winning charity that received a $1000 donation.
October 26th - 🎃Thank you to everyone that came out to Treat Street 2019!
We had a blast seeing all the 👻ghost, 😈witches, 🦄unicorns, and many more AMAZING costumes that came through the Chamber event! Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers, that made this a HUGE SUCCESS!
October 28th - Congratulations to  Village of South Range  on your new Community Park. Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

In case you missed it, here is an article from  TV6 & FOX UP  covering the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming Chamber Events
The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is celebrating SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, on Saturday, November 30th, 2019.
 
We want to promote YOU! The Chamber will host a welcome station in our office and promote YOUR local shopping specials with FREE donuts and refreshments on Saturday, November 30th from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Chamber has official endorsement from the nationally-recognized "Shop Small" Campaign.
 
ATTENTION Chamber Members , send the details for your FREE ad or coupon to info@keweenaw.org to be included in the coupon booklet for Small Business Saturday by November 23rd. We'll design the ad or coupon for you - all we need to know is what you're offering! (e.g., 25% off All Apparel 11/25 – 12/31). 
 
We recommend making your coupon valid through the shopping season ending December 31st, but of course, it's up to you and what works for your business.
 
Not a retail business? Use your ad to share about your business and thank the community for shopping local!
 
Are you looking to become more involved in YOUR community?

Apply NOW to be on our Board of Directors!

Elections take place at our Annual Meeting, where our MEMBERS vote on who will be a part of our Board of Directors.

Brian Donnelly has been involved with our Board of Directors for the past six years, his term will be up in December 2019. We talked with Brian this month and here is what he had to say about his experience with the Chamber:

“Serving the business community for the past 6 years has been both a great honor and a rewarding experience. I have made valuable connections and great friends, and developed skills that I put to use in my career. I am proud of the work that we’ve done, particularly the increased spirit of collaboration we have fostered with other economic development organizations.“

Please fill out our Board of Directors application  here. If you would like more information, please contact us.

Reminder: RSVP is required to attend our Annual Meeting, please RSVP HERE .
Member Spotlight:
The GrandBridge Business Centre is our area’s first Business Centre, featuring private offices, co-working space and conference room access. The GrandBridge Business Centre is closing in on its first year of providing space for those looking to start up, grow or just focus on their business.

The modern and professional environment within the Business Centre is designed to minimize the back-end operations of owning a business. The Business Centre provides wireless internet access, receptionist support for greeting clients and customers, a full kitchenette with endless coffee and tea, access to photocopiers and faxing, and much more, allowing business owners to focus solely on their work. Imagine having a brand new office to work in- with no thought as to ordering supplies, making coffee, paying equipment leases, utility bills, or even cleaning!

Within the Business Centre there are 14 private offices, 11 open co-working spaces, along with a conference room suppling technology to allow meetings to run smoothly. There are several rental options for the spaces, from hourly, daily, monthly or yearly. We work with each tenant specifically to ensure that we can accommodate your business needs. Members of the GrandBridge Business Centre have 24/7 access so they can work the hours that they prefer.

The Business Centre is available to everyone, providing walk-in access to all amenities, during normal business hours. Whether it’s a quick copy, fax, print or meeting, GrandBridge can provide the resources you may need.

For more information and to book your rental, you may visit our website at https://www.grandbridgeproperties.com/grandbridge-business-centre . You may email gbc@grandbridgeproperties.com or call (906)-481-8100 with any questions on space availability.  


Q: Give us some background on yourself/your business.
A: I started the GrandBridge Business Centre to be able to offer flexible, low priced lease options for people looking for office space- and combine that with my love of a smoothly running office at the same time! There is so much more opportunity to focus on business and profitable activities when all you have to do each day is show up and get right to work.  

Q: How many years have you been in business? 
A: The Business Centre will be celebrating its first birthday on October 29!

Q:What is one thing you're most proud of so far?  
A: One of our members let us know that their business had grown significantly because of the Business Centre services and location. This is the best thing we can hear from our members!!

Q: What are your business's goals?
A: We would love to see more people use our space as a way to start or continue to grow their own businesses. 
GrandBridge Business Centre is hosting a "Business After Hours"
Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Please JOIN US for an evening of networking, tour of spaces, modern atmosphere and light refreshments. More details to follow!
Is your business/organization interested in being in our member spotlight? Contact us for more details!
Utilize this Chamber Member Only Benefit
Your Opportunity to Learn More
Contact the Chamber for free access to Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning platform with thousands of classes in dozens of disciplines — including marketing, design, productivity, software training and more. Classes are suitable for a range of skill levels and are taught in an approachable way with a focus on practical application.

Additionally, many of the classes are taught by some of the best-known practitioners in their respective field (e.g. renowned designer Aaron Draplin teaches logo design, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk teaches social media strategy, TED Talk sensation, Simon Sinek teaches presentation skills, etc.) or in conjunction with some of the leading companies in a particular discipline (Mailchimp teaches email marketing, Atlassian teaches how to build a high performing team).

Each Skillshare class has an associated project to allow students to practice what they learn, and customized class recommendations based on individual interests and engagement will help give each participant a personalized experience tailored to their specific needs.
Accident Fund Insurance Discount Program
Upcoming Events
Ladies Night Out 2019 | Thursday, November 14, 2019 | Houghton, MI
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly will be hosting Thanksgiving Dinners with all the trimmings in 9 locations. Dinners will be in Hancock, Houghton, Calumet, Tapiola, South Range, Ontonagon, Baraga, Mohawk, and Marquette at 2:00 PM. Elderly friends who have no family or are alone are invited!
Call 482-6944 for a reservation.
We also deliver a hot meal if you cannot attend the sit down dinners.
The 22nd Annual Home for the Holiday Gift Mart
November 30, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Rozsa Center .
Is your business or organization having an upcoming event? Send us your flyer and we will include it in our newsletter - Email: info@keweenaw.org . Also - be sure to post your events on our community calendar!
Keweenaw Cash
The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer Keweenaw Cash: a gift certificate program that can be used at more than 300 Chamber member businesses. Since its launch, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce has issued over $341,000 worth of Keweenaw Cash. That money goes right back into local businesses!

Keweenaw Cash can be purchased in any denomination, allowing the recipient more flexibility and enabling them to use the certificates at numerous businesses.

In addition to making great gifts, businesses can purchase Keweenaw Cash as bonuses, prizes, at fundraising events, as employee incentives or awards, retirement gifts, to mark a milestone, or as part of a welcome package for new hires.

Certificates come with an envelope and a list of all the participating businesses.
Please note we require at least a 24 hour notice when placing orders. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen certificates.

If you are a business and would be interested in being able to redeem Keweenaw Cash, please look into a   becoming a member   with the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information about Keweenaw Cash, to purchase certificates, or how you can accept Keweenaw Cash, call  906-482-5240  or email  info@keweenaw.org
We need your Business Cards/Brochures
Board of Directors
Karin Van Dyke, President
Vice President for Advancement
Finlandia University

Mary Myers, Vice President
Account Executive
WLUC TV6

Angela Luskin, Secretary
Health and Fitness Manager
UP Health System-Portage

James Desrochers - Treasurer
Director of Advancement
Michigan Technological University

Morgan Impola
Regional Engineer
UPPCO
Jan Cole
Managing Partner
Edochi, LLC

Todd Gast
Marketing Manager
Keweenaw Co-op

Brian Donnelly
VP Director of Retail Banking
Superior National Bank

Carrie Richards
Partner Engagement Program Manager
Michigan Technological University

Mary Sears, KEDA Representative

Brad Barnett, CVB Representative
Your Lansing Contacts
Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Contact your legislators! 
 
Governor 
 
U.S. Senators
 
U.S. Representative
 
State Senate District: 38
 
House of Representative District: 110 
Our roots run deep in the Keweenaw
Upper Peninsula Power Company was created in 1947 through a merger of three utilities. One of them, the Houghton County Electric Light Company, earlier acquired the interests of Peninsula Electric Light and Power, which began operating in the Keweenaw in 1884 – just five years after Edison invented the light bulb.
From the Edison bulb to high-tech electronics of today, you might say UPPCO has been providing “ U.P. Power ” for more than 130 years. 
Customer Service
( 800-562-7680 )
24-Hour Electric Emergencies/Outages
1-800-562-7809
Outage Updates
@UPPCOstorm
News @uppcopower
Safe & Reliable Service
Renewable Hydroelectric Generation
With Public Recreational Opportunities
Proud Community Supporter



Learn more at
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
902 College Ave, Houghton, MI 49931