www.MackinawChamber.com

The Voice of the Greater Mackinaw City Business Community Since 1955

November 2023

October 13, 2023

October 25, 2023

We had the pleasure of celebrating with the American Legion Post 159 on Friday, October 13th, to commemorate the completion of their exterior enhancement projects. This endeavor was made possible thanks to a generous grant from Enbridge.

On Wednesday, October 25th, we unveiled a new digital community messaging sign in partnership with the Village of Mackinaw City. During the event, we extended our gratitude and appreciation to the many businesses, non-profit organizations, and community members who contributed to this additional communication tool in Mackinaw City. We would like to thank Enbridge, TC Energy, Mackinaw City Public Schools, Mackinaw City Lions Club, Mackinaw Area Historical Society, Mackinaw Woman's Club, Mackinaw City Area Arts Council, and Mackinaw Art & Sign for their assistance and support.

Don't miss out on promoting your business and bringing customers to your doors. If you are a business interested in learning more, contact Amy today!



To purchase MAC CA$H and #ShopMackinaw,

click on the link below.

Have you heard the news? The Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, along with the Village of Mackinaw City, is thrilled to share some exciting news. We have recently been awarded the 2023 Buy Nearby Grant in the amount of $7,500 from the Michigan Retailers Association!

We will be using this grant to further enhance our MAC CA$H Community Currency Program. Specifically, the funds will be utilized to launch an exciting "BOGO" initiative this fall, where buying $50 in MAC CA$H gift certificates you will get $50 in MAC CA$H gift certificates that can be used toward future purchases at any of our participating member businesses.

Be sure to watch our Facebook page and your inbox for all the details and the date and time when the BOGO will launch.

There's never been a better time to participate. We invite all Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce businesses to join us in this program and to help us continue promoting our vibrant local economy. By participating in the MAC CA$H initiative, you'll be contributing to the growth and prosperity of our community. Contact Amy Millard for details to become a MAC CA$H merchant today.

On Friday, December 8th at 6:00 pm, Santa Claus will arrive in Mackinaw City during the Christmas Parade of Lights and Annual Tree Lighting. The parade will take place along Central Ave. to Marina Park, where Christmas trees lining the street will be lit. You can enjoy cookies and cocoa, visit with Santa, and sing along with carols while waiting for Santa to light the tree!

This event is co-hosted by the Village of Mackinaw City and the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, with a special guest appearance from Santa Claus himself. It is a holiday tradition for the entire community and offers a weekend full of festivities for the entire family.

On Saturday, December 9th, you can enjoy Breakfast with Santa at Audie's Restaurant from 9-11:00 a.m. and a Cocoa/Chocolate Crawl from 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. You can also take a horse-drawn wagon ride, sponsored by Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, along the charming snow-covered streets of Mackinaw City and warm up by a crackling fire.

Be on the lookout for all the details coming soon! For more information, please contact the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce at (231) 436-5574. 

Proposals are due by 3 p.m. (EST) on January 9, 2024

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering a competitive grant program to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support improving infrastructure in rural communities across Michigan.    

 “The success and long-term prosperity of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is deeply rooted within our rural communities. At MDARD, we’re committed to providing support and resources to help our rural communities grow and thrive,” said Director Tim Boring. “This grant opportunity prioritizes sustainable practices and infrastructure improvements which will benefit rural communities for years to come.” 

The Rural Development Fund grants are available for projects addressing expansion and sustainability of land-based industries; worker training related to land-based industries; and energy, transportation, housing, communications, water, and wastewater infrastructure to benefit rural communities and micropolitan statistical areas.  

Land-based industries include food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism. Eligible counties include those with a population no greater than 70,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas. For a complete list of eligible counties, visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.  

Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive review process. The maximum limit on project grant fund requests is $100,000. The total allotment for the current year is approximately $1.8 million. All proposals require at least a 30 percent cash match. Applicants for grant funds will be asked to describe how the project will impact and produce measurable outcomes for rural communities around land-based industries. 

Those interested in applying for the grant program should visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants to view the program details under the Rural Development Fund Grants. New this year, all applications must be submitted through the MiAgGrants system. All applicants are required to submit three letters of support.  

MDARD will be hosting an informational webinar on this grant opportunity on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 2 p.m. (EST). More information on the webinar can be found on our website.  

Any additional communications concerning this Request for Proposal should be sent to [email protected]. Proposals must be received at the email provided by 3 p.m. (EST) on January 9, 2024, and those received after 3 p.m. (EST) will not be considered. 

The Nonferrous Metallic Minerals Extraction Severance Tax funds the Rural Development Fund grants. The Rural Development Fund was created under PA 411 of 2012. Revenue from the severance tax is in accordance with PA 410 of 2012. 

We are pleased to welcome the following recent new members to the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce! If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about being part of this fantastic group of businesses, contact us at (231) 436 - 5574 today!

• Cabins of Mackinac
• The Beach House
• Great Lakes Marine Charters
• Double Trouble Entertainment
• Pharaoh's Family Fun Center Arcade operated by Enterprise Vending Inc
• Beavers on Drummond Island Inc
• Fox's Pizza Den
• Lem's Paradise

The Beach House

Nestled just opposite the beach, within walking distance to shops, restaurants and entertainment options, The Beach House Lakeside Cottages offer great views of Mackinaw Island and Mackinaw Bridge. Non-smoking guest rooms feature cable TV with movie channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee maker, refrigerator, and air-conditioning. Heated indoor swimming pool and BBQ facilities are available. Free public parking is possible on site. Pets are allowed upon approval. 

Address: 11490 US-23, Mackinaw City

Phone: 1 231-436-5353

The Cabins of Mackinac

The Cabins of Mackinac are located in downtown Mackinaw City directly across the street from two Mackinac Island Ferry Docks with a gorgeous view of Lake Huron. Our private two-story cabins include two bedrooms, a jacuzzi bath, a kitchenette, and a living area. Enjoy hotel quality amenities including indoor & and outdoor pool access, a whirlpool spa, and unlimited access to the indoor waterpark Pirate's Adventure located right next to the property. The Cabins of Mackinac are the perfect place to relax and enjoy your Mackinaw getaway!

Address: 712 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City

Phone: (231) 436-5777

We appreciate our members, organizations, and individuals who have recently renewed their membership. Your renewal is a testament to the positive impact that can be made as a collective membership to build a stronger community and enhance the overall well-being of our area. Thank you!

*We will continue to update this list as renewals are received. Make sure to send in your renewal soon, or contact us to join today!

** Members listed in blue have committed to renew their membership at a premier partner level or higher for the 2023/24 membership year.

If you want to learn more about joining businesses like these and making a difference in the Greater Mackinaw business community, we welcome new memberships! Contact Amy Millard at 231-436-5574 or by email.

This is your place to share upcoming news and information about your business, milestones, successes, and accomplishments. Please notify the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce office of any updates that you would like us to include in the next bi-weekly e-newsletter.

The deadline to submit information is the 25th of the month prior, to include information in the monthly e-news, or the 10th of the month to submit information for the mid-month e-news.

Or consider one of the following for even greater visibility:

• An exclusive email for your business - $100
• Display ad with a web link at the top of this newsletter - $50

Contact Amy for more details.

15 new maple trees have been planted in the street green space across Mackinaw City. The effort was a collaborative success, bringing together residents of Mackinaw City, the Village of Mackinaw City Department of Public Works, Consumers Energy, and the Michigan Forestry and Park Association (MFPA). The tree plantings were funded through Consumers Energy Community Street & Boulevard Tree Planting Program, administered by the MFPA. The Village had solicited requests for tree locations from the public in June. These requests, and other locations strategically

picked by public works staff, were approved by the Village Tree Board in late June. The Village of Mackinaw City was awarded the maximum grant of 15 street trees in July, for the second year in a row!

The trees - varieties of Red, Sugar, and Japanese Maples - have been placed in both commercial corridors and in residential neighborhoods. “We are beyond appreciative that Consumers Energy and the Michigan Forestry and Park Association decided to invest in Mackinaw City yet again,” stated

Community Development Director Dean Martin. “Plantings from this initiative will create a more intentional built environment and contribute to our small-town aesthetic for years to come.”

Read the full article here.

Coming to the Cheboygan Opera House this Friday, November 3, 7:30PM is “Face 2 Face,” an amazing tribute to superstars Elton John and Billy Joel. Featuring Elton Lammie as Billy Joel and Les Smith as Elton John, the two singers (backed by full band) present a high energy, interactive show with funny performance bits, sing-a-long parts and spontaneous humor.

Elton John and Billy Joel dominated the charts through the 70s, 80s and 90s selling millions of records with mega hits such as Saturday Night, Crocodile Rock, Yellow Brick Road, Candle in the Wind, Piano Man, Big Shot, Just the Way You Are.

The two artists of “Face 2 Face” promise a high-energy, interactive Rock ‘N’ Roll show that has each performing a solo set before a finale where the two piano men play together on separate pianos while sharing lyrics on each other’s songs.

This event will include a cash bar, serving wine and beer. 

Tickets to the performance are $30 for Adults, $25 for Veterans and $15 for Students. Tickets are available online at www.theoperahouse.org/tickets, by phone (231-627-5841), or at the Box Office (current hours Tu-Fr, 9:30-12:30; also open 3 hours prior to show time). 

On Saturday, November 4th Odawa Casino is hosting their Holiday Gift & Craft Show from 11 am - 5 pm in Ovation Hall, Petoskey.

This is the perfect opportunity to get in early Christmas shopping!

Do any of your employees have children (0-17 years old)? If yes, we want to hear from you!

Networks Northwest is currently leading an effort to create a regional plan to address child care gaps in the 10-county region. We are currently looking at issues of state and local policy, new partnership models and other approaches aimed at improving access to high-quality, affordable child care for families throughout the region.

As an employer your perspective is invaluable to this process. We want to hear from as many employers in northwest Michigan as possible using the Employer Child Care Survey to learn how the lack of child care impacts employers and their employees.

The short survey should take no more than 5-8 minutes to complete and seeks to understand:

• Impact of child care on employee recruitment, retention, and reliability, as well as productivity;

• Policies and practices businesses engage in to support the child care needs of employees; and

• Resources and policies that are necessary for businesses to better support their employees child care needs.

Participation is voluntary and the findings from the survey will only be reported in aggregate. No individual employer responses will be reported. Survey results will inform policy recommendations for an improved child care system, to help keep Michigan competitive as one of the best places in the country to do business.

Click here to take the survey!

Please complete the survey before Friday, November 17th.

Thank you for your participation!

Our Straits Area Community Foundation affiliate's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is accepting grant applications for youth projects in their service area.

SACF Youth Advisory Council (SAYAC) is a group of students from Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City. Working with an adult advisor, the members learn about philanthropy and how to improve their communities through the grant-making process. Using funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the students award grants to local non-profit organizations that are supporting projects and programs that benefit youth under the age of 18 in the Straits Area.

Qualifying nonprofits can find more information and apply for funding online here. Grant applications are due December 15!

The sun sets on the Straits of Mackinac. Fires crackle in stone hearths. The smell of treats and warm beverages fills the crisp winter air. Laughter, conversation, and more can be heard emanating from inside the palisaded walls. It’s ‘A Colonial Christmas’ at Colonial Michilimackinac, where the traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries are alive for all to explore. 

Lanterns light the path in Michilimackinac where storytellers recount the various traditions of historic residents, a retelling of the first Christmas at Mackinac in 1679, and the church at Ste. Anne’s prepared for Christmas Mass as it would have been in the 18th century. Create crafts to take home and bring the family out on the Parade Ground for historic games. All the while, enjoy delicious holiday snacks located throughout the fort.

Tickets are available online by clicking here! Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

Conway Professional Services offers a Mobile Welding Service that directly brings top-tier welding and fabrication expertise to your location. Whether you need repairs, custom welding, structural work, or specialized welding services, our skilled team can handle projects of various sizes and complexities. We understand the value of convenience and adapt to your production schedule, ensuring that your welding needs are met efficiently and effectively. With a commitment to quality work at competitive prices, we take pride in providing on-site welding solutions that save you time and deliver exceptional results. You can trust Conway Professional Services to bring the workshop to you for all your welding requirements. You can find us at ConwayProWash.com or call (231) 487-9300. 

If you or someone you know is looking for employment, check out the link below for a listing of our businesses looking for you!

If your business is hiring, email a brief job description including contact information to Kelly or Amy to include on our website employment link. 

Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground

Thank You to our current Membership Partners for your continued support of the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce and the greater Mackinaw community! Contact us to find out how you can join these businesses and become a membership partner at 231-436-5574 or by email.