It's crunch time for the Top 10 finalists in the 2014 Small Business Celebration! The SBC judges team is touring the finalists this week for an up close look at these dynamic operations to learn what makes them go!

What's Next? The Small Business Celebration Award Ceremony on May 29. Click here to reserve a seat at this special event from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at NMC's Hagerty Center to celebrate these special companies and see which one will be hailed as the 2014 Hagerty Small Business of the Year.

Congratulations to our SBC Top 10:

• BrightStar Lifecare of Northern Michigan

• Captain's Quarters

• Celtic Transport Logistics

• Culver Meadows

• LochenHeath Golf Club

• Mad Mike's Computer Services

• Northwest Michigan Surgery Center

• Oryana Natural Foods Market

• Short's Brewing Company

• Williams & Bay Pumping Service Inc

The Traverse City Area Chamber and its affiliates closed nearly $1 million in local business loans financing a variety of projects across the region, with several more deals in the pipeline. It's time to start telling folks about it!

TraverseCONNECT's new Access to Capital Update is a quarterly digital newsletter highlighting various Access to Capital programs available here. This report from Senior VP of Finance/Administration Laura Galbraith includes the latest information on Access to Capital programs, updates on quarterly transactions and cumulative financial data from various loan funds.

To view the Access to Capital Update click here. To be added to the distribution list for the report, contact Kathy Bussell at kathy@tcchamber.org

In less than a year the Chamber's Sub Micro Loan Fund assisted seven local businesses with more than $40,000 for working capital, inventory and equipment purchases and more. Does your company need a short-term infusion of cash to boost its bottom line? Learn more about the Chamber's Sub Micro Loans and other business capital resources by clicking here.

Another Leadership Grand Traverse class is nearing the end of its educational journey, with the Spring 2014 LGT graduation ceremony set for May 20. It's been an enlightening few months for the group, as the Chamber's signature leadership development program generates another class of engaged individuals ready to make a difference in the community.  Learn more about Leadership Grand Traverse including how to register for the Fall 2014 semester.

LGT participant Betsy Coffia also provides an inside look at the program through periodic blog posts over the semester. Click here to read her latest entry from Health and Human Services Day.

April brought showers - and a host of new Traverse City Area Chamber members. Thanks to these businesses for supporting their community:

Support these fellow Chamber members by shopping for their products and services. Thank them for joining you at the Chamber to strengthen Northern Michigan's business sector, and welcome them to Chamber events and programs to stay involved in the community. Learn more about the benefits of Chamber membership.

Effort from the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is helping the region gain traction in the state budget, including additional funding for K-12 education. Read more in this state budget update from Govt. Relations Director Kent Wood. He's also heading Alliance efforts to restore state funding for obstetrics (OB) services in rural hospitals. For an update, click here.

Plus, a possible state ballot question on a hydraulic fracturing (fracking) ban has been put off for at least two years. Click here to learn more.