Upcoming Events



November 14 : Ribbon Cutting & Business After Hours, Skin Deep Studio

December 1-3 : Star of Wonder, Journey to the Manger, Cranhill Ranch

December 9 : MCACC Annual Fundraising Gala in "Tinsel Town"

Request your seats today---

Counts are due to the venue before November 25, 2023!

To purchase by credit card, get your tickets here. 

If you prefer to be invoiced, request your tickets here. 

• Table Sponsorship/ 8 seats = $600
• Per Seat = $75

Join us for our Annual Mecosta County Area Chamber Gala on December 9, 2023 , from 5 PM - 11 PM at the Big Rapids Eagles. This year’s theme will be full of sparkles and shine as guests enter “Tinsel Town” for an evening of celebration, fun, and entertainment.

In addition to a fabulous meal, guests will enjoy local celebrity emcees, live music by Hand of Giants with a few guest musicians, activities with a chance to win spectacular prizes, the silent auction packed with a variety of items and services to make your holiday shopping easier, and door prizes for everyone! Happy hour begins at 5pm and a strolling dinner at 6pm. Followed by entertainment and activities.

The Annual Chamber Gala serves to showcase Mecosta County businesses and organizations, a celebration of community accomplishments, and a great way to treat employees to holiday fun! Proceeds are used to support chamber operations and community partnerships.

This is a black-tie optional event, with sparkles and glitter encouraged. 

If you would like to provide an item or certificate for the silent auction, please contact [email protected].

Grand Opening and Business After Hours, Nov. 14th at Skin Deep Studio!

All community members are invited to join the Mecosta County Chamber in welcoming Skin Deep Studio to Mecosta on November 14th. Business After Hours networking will begin at 5 PM with the Ribbon Cutting Celebration at 5:30 PM. We can't wait to see you all there! Skin Deep Studio is located at 9045 70th Avenue, Mecosta, MI 49332.

Fatty C's Dog House Celebrated their Grand Reopening on November 4th!

Members of the Mecosta County Chamber were privileged to join Kasey Thompson-Agee and Bernard Agee, Owners of Fatty C's Dog Hous, as they opened doors to the public in their new location at 121 North Michigan Avenue in Big Rapids. Fatty C's offers an inclusive fun atmosphere to socialize with friends, a singing bartender, and enjoy amazing food!

✨The Salvation Army

Angel Tree Program ✨

Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning.

The Salvation Army - Big Rapids, MI. Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for children in Mecosta County and beyond.

Be sure to spread the word that the application opens October 24th and goes until December 4th for this holiday season.

"Star of Wonder: Journey to the Manger" - A Heartwarming Live Drive-Through Nativity Experience at CranHill

This Christmas season, "Star of Wonder: Journey to the Manger" offers attendees the opportunity to rediscover the heart of the holiday and create lasting family traditions. Admission to this event is entirely FREE, with CranHill welcoming the generosity of attendees in supporting the CranHill Camper Scholarship Fund, which enables life-changing experiences for young campers.



After experiencing the live nativity, attendees are invited to visit the Barn Store to enjoy ice cream, grab snacks, and explore a variety of gift options, making for a complete and memorable evening.

For those who wish to actively contribute to this heartwarming story, CranHill Ministries is actively seeking volunteers for various roles, from parking crews to actors in the live nativity. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Abiah Brown, Volunteer Coordinator, via email at [email protected] or by calling 231.796.7669.

"Star of Wonder: Journey to the Manger" promises to touch hearts and bring the true meaning of Christmas to life in a memorable and engaging way. CranHill looks forward to sharing this meaningful experience with families and individuals alike.



For more information about the event, please visit www.cranhillranch.com/star-of-wonder.

Small Business Saturday is in 3 weeks!

Support the job creators in your community by shopping at small businesses on Saturday, November 25.



Learn more about how you can participate: https://www.sba.gov/saturday

U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA's microloan program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses start up and expand! The average microloan is about $13,000.



Learn how to apply for a microloan through an intermediary lender: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans

U.S. Small Business Administration

Benefits of a Paperless Onboarding

When it comes to onboarding procedures, the transition to a paperless approach emerges as a strategic way to realize ways to cut expenses, enhance operational efficiency, and uphold productivity.

Learn more at: https://www.sbam.org/benefits-of-a-paperless-onboarding/

Supreme Court to hear minimum wage, paid sick leave

case in December

• What’s happening: Oral arguments will be heard Dec. 6-7 on several cases pending before the Michigan Supreme Court (MSC), including Mothering Justice seeking to reverse a January 2023 Court of Appeals (COA) decision supporting the Legislature and its 2018 use of what’s referred to as the “adopt-and-amend strategy” in addressing two ballot proposals: one on minimum wage and the other on paid sick leave.

• Why it matters: If the Court opts to reverse the earlier clear-cut decision, Michigan’s minimum wage would raise to $13/hour in 2024, including for tipped employees. Additionally, employers would need to comply with one of most sweeping paid sick leave laws in the country, forcing nearly every business across the state to make significant changes to their paid time off policies (PTO) and procedures.

• Go deeper: Learn more about what would happen if the court decision were reversed.

How to Pull Your Free Salary Report, hosted by Linda Haun from Salary.com



• When: Nov. 30, 2023 | 11 AM.
• What to expect: Michigan Chamber members can receive three free salary reports to benchmark your industry's compensation data and ace your next salary review meeting.
• Learn more or register now for this free, virtual event.