March 24, 2015
Chamber Stays Netural on Proposal 15-1
The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors took no action last week regarding Ballot Proposal 15-1 which will appear on the May 5th ballot across the state.  The proposal will ask voters to raise the sales tax by 1%, eliminate the current gas tax and sales tax at the pump, and replace them with a wholesale fuel tax that will generate the necessary funds to repair Michigan's roads and bridges. Rather than support or oppose the proposal, the chamber board agreed to focus on educating our members about the issue.

 

We have placed two power point presentations on our web site to help you better understand the ballot proposal. One power point is provided by Kent Wood of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, and the other by Brian Gutowski of the Emmet County Road Commission. You can find the power points here. Chamber President Carlin Smith outlined the proposal in his latest From the President message, you can find it here.

 

The ballot proposal will be the topic of an event hosted by the chamber on Friday, April 10th at 11:30 a.m. at Stafford's Bay View Inn. This will be the chamber's inaugural Hot Topics: Conversations on Today's Critical Issues program sponsored by Comfort Keepers. The program will feature an informational presentation on the issue by Kent Wood of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance followed by a moderated conversation with key players on the subject including Brian Gutowski of the Emmet County Road Commission and representatives of the City of Petoskey and the Public Schools of Petoskey. The cost to attend is $20 and lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required and available here, or by calling 347-4150. The event is open to chamber members and the public.

 

Also, the Emmet County Road Commission is hosting a Public Educational Forum on the issue on Thu. March 26, at 7 p.m. at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. This forum is free and open to the public.
New Chamber Website - Check Out New Features!
In This Issue
Be sure to check out our new and improved website! This new website is user-friendly, intuitive and responsive, and offers new features for members to promote their businesses. Take advantage of the new special features to attract new customers and share information with our community, region and even across the county as visitors explore our beautiful area.

 

Hot Deals - you can create your own coupons or special deals that any visitor to the website can access. Perfect for driving visitors to the area to your business

* Super Deals already listed!
 

Job Postings- you can submit job openings at your business or organization

* Great Jobs in our area already posted!

 

Member to Member Discounts are back- encourages approximately 760 Chamber members and their employees to support other Chamber members when making buying decisions. 

* New Savings for Chamber Members Only!
  

The chamber will be setting up webinars to walk members through how to make the most of the new features you see above and many more. In the meantime, check out www.petoskeychamber.com and explore all the added benefits of your membership!
Go Grants Help Support Girls Summer Activities -  Applications Now Available
Connecting Women in Business (CWIB) proud to announce the launch of its summer 2015 series GO Grants for Girls. 
These Go Grants are for activities June 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015. 
Download the application here.  
Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2015.
GO Grants, or Girls Outreach Grants, reach out to young girls in our area who have an idea and passion to try something new. Grants will range from $100 to $500, and can be used as resources in any field of endeavor.
Spring Break Starts Thursday!
Petoskey Schools Spring Break begin this week. Schools will be closed from Friday March 27th through April 7th. 

Not able to get away for spring break this year? Downtown Petoskey and Stafford's Perry Hotel have you covered! The last weekend in March, Friday the 27th through Sunday the 29th, you can book a one night's Staycation Package at the historical Perry Hotel.

A staycation is a trendy way to make the most of your hometown. Usually life happens: work, school, driving the kids to afterschool activities, and weekends pass in a blur of to-do lists and early alarm clocks. So instead of expensive plane tickets and a week away, a staycation encourages you to enjoy the town you're usually too busy to take advantage of and save money while you do it!

Find out more at www.petoskeydowntown.com 
Save the Date for Expo from 5-8 p.m. Apr. 16th @ Ovation Hall, Odawa Casino 
This weekly email product is produced to inform members about
community and Chamber related news, specials or events. Members looking to share something to the membership may do so in our Friday edition email periodically for FREE. Items are run for up to two weeks. If have something you want to share with the membership, you can e-mail it to nikki@petoskey.com.  Please keep event, special offer & business news submissions to 125 words or less. Deadline for Friday email content is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Any questions contact Nikki at 231.347.4150
Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce | 231-347-4150 | www.petoskey.com
401 E. Mitchell St. Petoskey, MI 49770