We're less than a week out from our exciting 2015 Membership Event! The Chamber is ready to close out its 100th year of operations by growing our organization past the 2,000-member plateau to strengthen the voice of business across the Grand Traverse region.

We're looking forward to the return of Jimmy Cusano of Your Chamber Connection and his energetic message about what Chambers of Commerce represent and do in their local communities. We're also grateful for the efforts of our membership chairs who include: Allison Beers, Troy Broad, Warren Call, Stephen Peacock, Sander Scott, Tammy Tarsa, Kevin Schlueter and Lisa Pointe. The chairs and their team captains will head up this 3-day event on December 8 - 10 at the Holiday Inn/West Bay Beach.

Chamber members are welcome to stop by during the Membership Event and get a first-hand look at the energy and enthusiasm generated by Jimmy Cusano and the membership volunteers. If you'd like to get involved contact Chamber Event Coordinator Andi Wagenschutz.

Workforce housing is a major obstacle for growing the region's economy. City commissioners in Traverse City will consider a major mixed-use retail and housing development project at a public hearing this Monday, December 7, starting at 7 p.m. at the Governmental Center.

Plans for the RiverWest project at the intersection of West Front and Pine streets downtown include 167 residential housing units, including 64 rental apartments specifically for workforce housing. Click here to learn more about the RiverWest project. The Chamber urges you to contact your city commissioners to support this project.  

Are you registered yet for the Chamber's Annual Celebration on Friday, January 15, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa? This is a special night for the area's business community, bringing together more than 1,000 members of the Chamber family for an evening of dining, social engagement, special recognition and to present the Chamber's 2015 Distinguished Service Award.

Sign up now. Tickets are $100 a person and corporate tables are available for $1,200.

The Chamber needs help from our members to deck out the Christmas tree in the first-floor Blue Room. Does your business have a Christmas ornament or symbol you'd like to share? Drop it by the Chamber office at 202 E. Grandview Parkway in downtown Traverse City and we'll find the perfect spot for it on our tree. It's a great way to promote your business to the many users of the Chamber's conference rooms and show your support for the organization. Questions? Contact membership assistant Julia Clark at juliac@tcchamber.org.

Thank you and welcome to these area businesses that joined the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in November. We're glad you're part of the Chamber family and we hope that you utilize all the Chamber's programs, products, facilities and services to grow your business. Welcome to:

Entrepreneurs who want to "hit the ground running" may want to acquire an existing business. That's the subject of the next free SCORE workshop entitled "How to Buy or Sell a Small Business" coming up Tuesday, December 8, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library. It will also look at steps to take for selling a small business. Sign up at www.upnorthscore.com