 Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce
22 North Manning Street
Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-6401 Fax: (517) 437-6408
www.hillsdalecountychamber.com |
2010 Chamber Associate Members
 
2010 Chamber Partner Member
County National Bank | |
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A Note From Karri
 Dear Chamber Member,
It seems like we just finished the car show a few days ago and now it is already August - where did July go? The Chamber staff is working on the golf outing, member picnic, TUF program and a full color city/township/village and county map. We are also beginning to plan for our fair booth, Meet the Candidates and Annual Holiday Bazaar. The main function of the Chamber is to promote Hillsdale County - daily we answer requests about Hillsdale County and area businesses though visitors, mail, e-mail and phone calls.
Are you participating in the TUF (Try Us First) Shop Local program? If no, why not? The TUF program is a great way to promote your business for FREE - the only cost associated with the program is the discount you provide for the product or service you offer. We are hearing great things about this program and invite you to participate. If you would like to know more about this program, please give us a call. To date, we have raised over $4,000 for area schools and non-profits through this program.
Mark your calendars for August 13 for our annual golf outing. This year we are partnering with the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department and plan to have a "hole lot of fun". This is a great opportunity to take a break from work , enjoy 18 holes of golf, network with other Chamber members, enjoy a great lunch and dinner and win great prizes. A few more teams are still needed - if you can participate, please give us a call.
On August 24 the Chamber Board of Directors and staff will prepare a picnic dinner as a thank you for your continued support to the Chamber. This event will also serve as our annual meeting and feature Hillsdale County grown and produced foods and is open to all Chamber members and their families. Networking will begin at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. A silent auction and 50/50 will also be held. Please be sure and RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
We hosted a very successful Meet the Candidates Night on July 29 with 13 candidates participating from local, state and federal races. We will host another Meet the Candidates Night in October prior to the General Election. This is an important time for Hillsdale County and Michigan and we encourage you to get to know the candidates and where they stand on important issues.
We have a couple of board positions available, if you are interested in learning more about serving on the Chamber Board of Directors, please give me a call. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully,
Karri oty, IOM
President/Executive Director |
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Hello
Hillsdale County
Breakfst
August 26, 2010
7:45 AM
Breakfast Buffet
($10 per person)
Location:
Saucy Dog's Barbeque
Guest Speaker: Scott Dow
Hillsdale County Fair Join us for breakfast, network with other Chamber Membersand learn about the Most Popular Fair on Earth.
Please RSVP for this event by August 25th
Register for this event by clicking this link! Pre-payment or payment at time of breakfast is requested.
An additional $2 fee will be added for those being billed or for those without an RSVP.
Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the event and
no- shows will be billed $12.
2010
Hello Hillsdale County dates & locations
September 23
Lunch
Johnny T's Bistro
October 28
Breakfast
Warner's
Family Restaurant
November 18
Lunch
Saucy Dog's
Barbeque
December 16
Breakfast
Hillsdale Golf
& Country Club |
The 10 Rules of Cash Flow 101
By: Philip Campbell, CPA
Source: About.com
Cash flow is the lifeblood of all businesses. Learn the Cash Flow 101 Rules to free yourself from money worries. Use the basic rules of to help you take control of your cash flow so you can create the business you have always dreamed of.
1. Never Run Out of Cash. Running out of cash is the definition of failure in business. Make the commitment to do what it takes so it doesn't happen to you.
2. Cash Is King. It's important to recognize that the basics of cash flow 101 are what keeps your business alive. Manage it with the care and attention it deserves. It's very unforgiving if you don't. Remember, cash is king, because no cash means no business.
3. Know the Cash Balance Now. What is your cash balance right now? It's absolutely critical that you know exactly what your cash balance is. Even the most experienced person will fail if they are making business decisions using inaccurate or incomplete cash balances.
Read More |
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Where to Get Sustainability Help for Your Business
By: Kelly Spors
Source: Small Business Trends
Where to Get Sustainability Help for Your Business As environmental sustainability takes on greater importance in the business world, it's also getting more complex. Lots of small businesses are looking to conduct life-cycle analysis, recycle more unusual kinds of waste, and install renewable energy.
Yet many business owners simply don't have enough time to spend thoroughly investigating all of these opportunities and figuring out what's right for them.
Thankfully, there's plenty of help out there.
Here's a rundown of where small business owners can get help with their sustainability endeavors, and what to expect:
Read More |
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Small Business News: What's Your Story?
By: Small Business News
Source: smallbiztrends.com
What's your small business story? And what are the small business stories of other entrepreneurs just like you? Today's small business news roundup from Small Business Trends looks at the stories successful small business owners can tell each other and what we all can learn in the process. What can your small business story teach others? And what can the stories of other small business owners teach you?
Strategy
How safe is buying a franchise, really? Though it may be safer than starting a whole new business with unknown products, unproven sales potential and little or no support system, starting any business (even a franchise with a track record) is never totally safe. Making sure you've chosen the right franchise is a good step in the right direction.
Read More |
6 Reasons to Stop Charging by the Hour
By: John Warriwillow
Source: smallbiztrends.com
I just received a bill from my lawyer today in which he itemized his time spent on my file last month. He spent
four-tenths of an hour on an
e-mail to a colleague and
one-tenth of an hour leaving me a voice mail.
I have found billing by the hour to be a liability in trying to build a sellable business.
Years ago I owned a small design studio that charged by the hour. We had $750,000 in revenue, of which more than 20 percent was flowing to the bottom line, yet the business was worthless
because we were simply four people hawking hours.
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Did You Know....
The Rental Store now rents Porta - Potties?
The Hillsdale County Art Guild is presenting a Watercolor Workshop open to the public September 8-10 at the Hillsdale Township Hall?
Jay Bearman of Hillsdale Interiors is now a certified Hunter Douglas specialist?
The Chamber is partnering with the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department and together we will be hosting a golf outing on Friday, August 13?
Over 150 businesses are participating in the TUF
(Try Us First)
Shop Local Campaign?
Pene Vandenburg is retiring from Jackson Community College and Marian Burlingham is taking her place?
Nichole Ellis D.O. has joined the practice of Dr. Jon C. Herbener, M.D., P.C.?
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation made a donation to the Hillsdale County Fair to support the purchase of donut making equipment for a donut stand during fair week to use as a fundraiser?
3 candidates running for local, state and federal offices and over 125 citizens attended the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce's Meet the Candidates Night at Davis Middle School on July 29th?
The Chamber is hosting a free member picnic on August 24?
Johnny T's Bistro is in the process of building an outdoor patio for outdoor dining? |
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State Increases Apprenticeship Support to $5,000 Per Apprentice $1 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Help Meet Demand for Highly Trained Workforce
By: Mario L. Morrow
Source: mi.gov/newswire-Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
July 26, 2010 - The State of Michigan's Chief Workforce Officer and Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Acting Director Andy Levin today announced that the State of Michigan will increase support for specific apprenticeship programs from $1,000 to $5,000 per apprentice to better meet the workforce needs of Michigan employers.
The Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot (MRAP) program will boost funding for those employers who partner with their local Michigan Works! Agencies to sponsor new apprentices in the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) registered apprenticeship programs.
MRAP, launched August 2009 with $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), supports the state's efforts to train workers for employment in occupations that meet current and emerging industry needs. Read More |
The views expressed in the Commerce Connection may not necessarily
reflect the views of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce or its staff.
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Get your
TUF band
for $10 at the
Chamber Office or online at
www.hillsdalecountytuf.com
Click Here for August Offers
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WIN THIS CAR!!!!
This Sassy Grass Green 1972
Plymouth Duster will be raffled off at the
20th Annual Car Show & Summerfest
on June 26, 2011.
If your business would like to have this car on
display at your business, please contact the
Chamber at (517) 437-6401 or via e-mail to jon@hillsdalecountychamber.com
Tickets are $10 each, 3for $20,
9 for $50 and 25 for $100
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A message from State Representative Ken Kurtz |
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July 28, 2010
Our state is facing unprecedented times. While the legislature continues to deliberate the important issues for our future our citizens need to as well. On August 3rd the primary election will help to shape who our next group of leaders will be. One third of the members of the Michigan Legislature will be new as well as the positions of Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and many judgeships.
I have spent a large amount of time encouraging people to be involved by getting to know who the candidates are and what they stand for. Voting is fundamentally important in our system of government but even more important than voting is understanding who you are voting for and why. Those asking for your vote must have a clear plan to help us move on from the economic times we currently face. I still stand on the fact that increasing debt will not give to us the needed help to get our economy rolling again.
I was honored to be one of three Representatives to be honored by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce as a Champion of Commerce for being on the side of business. I understand that the path to creating more paychecks in Michigan is to let businesses create jobs and for the
government to stay out of their way. Again, I am honored to serve the people of
Hillsdale County in Lansing as we move closer to a better tomorrow.
As always feel free to contact me through my office.
Kenneth Kurtz
State Representative
58th District
Phone: (517) 373-1794
Toll Free: (866) 362-8812
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ABC's of Chamber Membership
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 Featured Member
Alumi-SpanDavid Berlin
4445 South Pittsford Road Pittsford, MI 49271 www.alumispan.com
(517) 523-2444
Dick Berlin started Alumi-Span in 1956 as a division of Metalloy Foundry with the idea of developing an improved dock system that would use aluminum castings and poles rather than heavy, rusty iron and steel supports that were the standard of the day.
In 1961, Berlin developed a new version of the all aluminum dock that was to become the industry standard. Using "F" shaped aluminum side stringers as beams, several interlocking aluminum boards were inserted transversely into these stringers creating an even lighter dock with more strength and the Alumi-Span system was born!In 1964, Dick's cousin Rex Hoover bought the business and owned operated it until an illness forced him to sell the company. David Berlin, the son of founder Dick Berlin purchased the company which continues to operate locally in Pittsford, Michigan.
Today Alumi-Span continues their tradition of being the industry leader in the marine decking industry and their products are distributed throughout the country. Customers can chose from a variety of designs or create a custom dock or marine deck made to their design specifications. Materials range from aluminum, vinyl and traditional woods such as wolmanized pine, cedar and stained cedar. All options allow customers easy installation and removal with low maintenance to no maintenance. Alumi-Span also manufactures over 250 components including flagpoles, dock furniture and underwater stairs to ensure their customers the dock or marine deck of their dreams.
To find out more about the products that Alumi-Span has to offer check them out online at www.alumispan.com or give David Berlin and his staff
a call at (517) 523-2444. |
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Advertising, Email Blast & Insertion Rates
Advertising
3" x 2 ½" ad in Commerce Connection ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) - $25
or 12 ads - one per month - 4 changes per year - $175
3" x 5" ad in Commerce Connection ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) - $42.50 or 12 ads - one per month - 4 changes per year - $410
3" x 7 ½" ad in Commerce Connection ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) - $60
or 12 ads - one per month - 4 changes per year - $510
E-mail blast
E-mail blasts will be sent once per week - $35 per blast
Inserts
Chamber composes & prints - (black print & 1 side) $165.00
(exclusive - no other inserts)
You compose & supply 250 copies, Chamber inserts & mails $125.00
(exclusive - no other inserts)
Chamber composes & prints (black print & 1 side) $115.00 (with other inserts)
You compose & supply 250 copies, Chamber inserts & mails $75.00 - Month
(with other inserts) $25 for ads created by Chamber Color printing - $25
Colored paper - $10 Second side printing - $10 black and white & $25 color
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Chamber Board of Directors and Staff
Executive Board of Directors
Chairperson - Jeff Layman - Layman's Service Center
Vice Chairperson - Joe Sanford - Century 21 Action Associates
Member At Large - Raymond Lee - Raymond Lee Custom Carpentry
Treasurer (Non-Voting) - Jeanne Mills - Bottom Line Business Service
Board of Directors
Scott Phillips - Coldwell Banker
Cyndi Young - WCSR
Michael Lee Thorp - The Plant Nook Florist
Chamber Staff
Karri Doty, IOM - President/Executive Director
Jon Doty - Administrative Assistant
Kathy Spence -Administrative Assistant |
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