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| March 2011 | Volume 3, Issue 3 | |
The community spirit in Southwest Michigan thrives because of committed and dedicated people like the award winners featured in this newsletter. The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual meetings in March and presented awards to some of the outstanding people in the Greater Niles/Buchanan area. Check out the winners below; because of their involvement in so many community activities, you probably know most of them! Please Forward: This newsletter is published once a month and is meant to highlight all that is good in Southwest Michigan. Every edition is full of educational opportunities, announcements of events, and business news. Take a second and forward this email to your friends and associates so they too can get all the news. (Please use the link at the very bottom of the page.) Thank you! |
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EXPOSING GREATNESS!
Featuring Niles/Buchanan Area Businesses | |
COUNTDOWN - 1 month from today - May 4, 2011
In addition to the great exhibitor booths, prizes, and fine cuisine samples, the 2011 Expo will also feature several business development seminars to bring even more value to this business-to-business event.
Throughout the show there will be 15-20 minute seminars designed to give quick answers to your business-related questions. Seminar topics will include:
Business and personal fraud prevention techniques
Marketing and management tips
Franchising - is it right for you?
In addition, through a partnership with the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, there is also a four-hour, full length QuickBooks seminar offered from 12:00 noon through 4:00 p.m. This professional development seminar is free but registrations are required as space is limited.
 | | Niles Business Expo - EXPOsing Greatness Commercial |
This seminar is the perfect opportunity for staff training or for you to learn more about this time-saving software.
For more information on becoming an Expo Exhibitor or to register for the QuickBooks seminar, please contact the Southwestern Alliance at 269-683-1833 or via email at:
Did you catch the Expo commercial running on Comcast during March Madness? If you missed it, please click on the link above to see the 30-second spot of Expo highlights - you might see yourself or your friends!
The Expo was also featured on "In the Spotlight" with Brenda Layne on WSJM FM 94.9 and AM 1400 last Friday. It was a great opportunity for Ron Sather of the Niles Chamber and Ted Chase of the Buchanan Chamber along with Shelley Klug of the Southwestern Alliance to talk about our communities and the great businesses in our area.
"Friend Us" We're "Exposing Greatness" on Facebook.
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ANNUAL MEETING
Berrien County Manufacturers Council (BCMC) | |
The Berrien County Manufacturers Council held their annual meeting March 7, 2011 at the Orchard Hills Country Club. In addition to members of the BCMC, the Board of Directors also invited community and business leaders who provide support services and partnerships to bring economic growth to Berrien County. Students from Southwestern Michigan College, Lake Michigan College, Niles and Buchanan High Schools also attended as special guests.
Following a short business meeting, U.S. Congressman Fred Upton was introduced as the keynote speaker. Representative Upton has been a long-time advocate of manufacturing as a critical component of the national economy and was able to discuss several points of interest to manufacturers. As the recently appointed Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and member of several other committees, Upton shared his thoughts and insights about ongoing legislative efforts that will impact southwest Michigan and then responded to several questions from the audience.
Michigan Senator John Proos, and State Representatives Sharon Tyler and Al Pscholka also attended the meeting and were available to answer questions regarding recent state legislative actions. |
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AWARDS NIGHT!
Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce | | |
The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner March 3, 2011 at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. In addition to the beautiful location, great meal, and conversation, the evening's highlights included the presentation of the 2010 Redbud Awards. Master of Ceremonies and President of the Chamber, Ted Chase, presented the awards with the assistance of Ben Sadler, the Chamber's new Executive Director.
The Redbud Business Award honors an area business or organization that has exhibited outstanding volunteer support to the community. The 2010 winner of this award was Express-1. The list of events, groups, and organizations that have benefited from this company's generosity is long; suffice it to say that if it happens in Buchanan, Express-1 is more than likely to be involved. The community and the chamber are very grateful for this Buchanan-based company.
The Dale E. Florey Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding volunteer involvement in the community. The 2010 winner of this award was Kevin Barker. Kevin has provided countless pro bono hours of professional and architectural reviews and designs for new business owners and organizations including the new Buchanan Senior Center. In addition to all of the events he has helped support, Kevin has also provided jobs through his various businesses in the community. Kevin was introduced as the perfect example of what volunteerism stands for, a behind-the-scenes, humble gift to the community.
The Redbud Award for Lifetime Achievement Award honors a community member for their dedication to lifelong improvement of Buchanan in the form of community service. The 2010 winner was Bert (Roberta) Garcia. Noted especially for her work at the Lakeland Hospital gift shop and the Meals on Wheels program, Bert's volunteer career in Buchanan has lasted more than 50 years!
To find out more about the exciting events and festivals scheduled in Buchanan, check out the Chamber website at:
Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce Website |
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AWARDS NIGHT!
Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce | | |
The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner at the Orchard Hills Country Club March 10, 2011. The keynote speaker of the evening was State Senator John Proos. Prior to introducing Senator Proos, Ron Sather, President and CEO of the Chamber presented several awards to business men and women in the Four Flags area. A short biographical sketch describing the accomplishments of each winner was read just before the name was announced.
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
Woman of the Year - Peg Williamson of Williamson Employment Services
Man of the Year - William Haslett of Haslett and Gaynor
Business of the Year - Schilling's Auto Wash
Industry of the Year - Packard Industries, Inc.
Service Club of the Year - Berrien County Civitan Club
Lifetime Achievement Award - Bill and Mary Kelly of Kelly Real Estate
Ambassador of the Year - Linda Lenox
Past Chair Award - John Jarpe
In addition to the awards given by the Chamber, each of the winners also received a certificate from Senator Proos on behalf of the State of Michigan to express appreciation for their commitment and support of the community.
For more information about what's happening in the Greater Niles Area, please visit the Chamber's website at:
Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Website |
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MANUFACTURING ON THE RISE!
"Find and Successfully Market to New Customers" | | |
Michigan Manufacturers:
- Are you seeing your revenues declining?
- Have your sales channels become ineffective?
- Are you missing targeted accounts?
- Are you seeing a lack of new business?
The answer for far too many manufacturing businesses today is, "YES". In partnership with the Berrien County Manufacturers Council, (BCMC) the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, (MMTC-West) would like to invite you to a two-hour learning session on April 29, 2011 that will show you how you can use web marketing to increase revenues, make sales channels more effective, hit targeted accounts, and see new business.
Join us and learn how to "Find And Successfully Market To New Customers"
You will learn about:
- Developing and mapping new strategies for success
- Establishing metrics to measure success
- Targeting ideal customers
- Making a GREAT website
- Driving more traffic to your website
- Generating sales from your website
REGISTER TODAY:
April 29, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Lake Michigan College - Bertrand Crossing Campus (1905 Foundation Drive, Niles)
Amy Winkler:
(616) 771-0561
or winklera@rightplace.org
Or by calling the Berrien County Manufacturers Council at 269-683-9965 or southwesternalliance@gmail.com |
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PTAC PRESENTS:
"Accounting Requirements for Federal Contractors" | | |
Kevin Grimes explains the role of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the expectations of a contractor's accounting system. Many federal contract awards are contingent upon finding that a contractor's accounting system is sound. This includes having specific written accounting policies and an accounting system that can perform certain cost, timekeeping, and billing functions. Topics within the seminar include:
- Segregation of Costs
- Unallowable Costs
- Direct/Indirect Costs
- Allocation Pools
- Timekeeping Requirements
- Financial Capability Audits and SBA Certificate of Competency
There is no cost to attend; however, registration is required due to limited seating.
Contact: Kim Bourner
Phone: (269) 381-2977, ext. 3210
Email: kbourner@kazoochamber.com
Use the PTAC Code: ARFC
Date: April 7, 2011
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce
346 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
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CUSTOMIZED TRAINING - LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE
Community and Business Services | | |
Employee training helps businesses operate more competitively and efficiently. We can develop a training program tailored to the needs of your business and deliver the latest in workforce training taught by industry-recognized professionals. We have the tools to help your business or organization succeed and the resources to help it grow.
To schedule a Lake Michigan College training coordinator to visit your company, contact Russ Philip:
Phone: (269) 926-4086
Email: rphilip@lakemichigancollege.edu |
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CITY OF NILES EVENTS
Michigan Main Street/DDA Calendar of Events | | |
April 20, 2011 - Michigan Blood Drive at Lakeland Community Hospital (Niles) from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
May 7, 2011 - National Train Day at the Historic Amtrak Station
See More At: Niles Main Street/DDA Calendar of Events |
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The mission of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance is to promote and support the retention and expansion of existing industrial businesses, to attract new businesses, and to encourage the diversification of the economic base in southwestern Michigan.
Shelley Klug, Executive Director
Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance
1950 Industrial Drive
Niles, Michigan 49120
269-683-1833
Southwestern Alliance Website
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