Companies looking to relocate to or expand in the Grand Traverse region will soon have a new tool at their fingertips: a web-based commercial real estate site selection service created by TraverseCONNECT.  Qualified commercial real estate brokers are invited to submit proposals to design and administer the service by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Access the request for qualifications by clicking here.

The Traverse City Area Chamber is co-hosting a briefing call with Gov. Rick Snyder's Senior Policy Advisor on Energy, Valerie Brader, on April 9. Our members are invited to take part in an update from Brader on Michigan's energy plans and learn how businesses can better engage in creating the state's 10-year economic development strategy on energy. To learn more and reserve a spot in the discussion, click here.

You don't need to leave town to enjoy Spring Break. This month's Business After Hours on March 19 from 5 - 7 p.m. at NMC's Hagerty Center is a special Spring-Break themed event known as Prime Time introducing some of our newest Chamber members and volunteers from the successful Membership Event. You won't want to miss this free beach party guaranteed to chase away the winter blues. Only these new members and volunteers need to register for free exhibit space at the event - for everyone else, just show up and have fun! Learn more...

 

There's still time for nominated companies to apply for the Chamber's 2014 Hagerty Small Business of the Year Award. It's an opportunity to highlight your company, to take a closer look at what makes it special and give your workers a chance to grow and bond as a team. Applications are open until March 31, and to learn more click here.

 

Eleven new members were welcomed to the ranks of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in February. Congratulations to these new Chamber members and thanks for supporting the community:

Asherpark Custom Homes LLC Northwood Fruits URS Corporation U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development

Destination Unknown Trucking SMB Group CHS

Mission Point Web Design TC-RV, Inc. Betsy Coffia 5 to One

You can learn more about these companies and the Chamber's other 2,000-plus members through the recently enhanced Business Directory on the Chamber's website. New upgrades to the directory include expanded contact information, website links, map locations and more. Click here for a look.

The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to boast more than 2,000 members, ranking
among Michigan's largest and most-active business organizations. Members can highlight their Chamber involvement through display of this new virtual membership sticker that can be copied/pasted to your company's website, your signature line or other digital applications. Learn more...

The Traverse City Area Chamber continues to assist its members in navigating changes to Michigan's
Personal Property Tax (PPT) system. We're providing the latest information needed to file for available
exemptions on personal property worth up to $80,000, and monitoring a state ballot proposal coming
up in August to seek voter approval to those PPT reductions.

Small businesses eligible for PPT exemptions can still file the necessary forms at their local Board of
Review sessions coming up next week to realize hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars in tax
savings. Learn more...