Chamber members identify legislative priorities - Health Care tops the charts!
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Cost of health care trumps workforce development as the number one priority on the Chamber's 2013 advocacy agenda. Both in 2011 and 2012, our members identified workforce development as the number one priority of the Government Affairs Committee. With the changes coming with health care reform, the cost of health care now tops the advocacy agenda. See what else our members thought was a priority...
2013 - Top Priority Issues
(% of members who thought this issue is a priority)
1. Cost of health care - 90.60%
2. Attracting/Retaining an educated workforce - 89.80%
3. Developing educated/qualified workers - 89%
4. Prevention of invasive species into Great Lakes - 89%
5. Promote Muskegon Co. as a place to live - 87.50%
"These results reinforce the Chamber's annual theme to Build Community Through Health + Commerce," says Cindy Larsen, President of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. "Although health care is a major focus for us, we will continue working on issues regarding workforce development as well," Larsen added.
The Annual Government Affairs Survey polls Chamber members on issues from taxation to tourism and education to the environment. A representative portion of Chamber members responded to the survey offering their opinions on which issues they consider a high priority to the Chamber. These results help prioritize our legislative agenda and serve as the voice of local businesses.
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Entrepreneurs Run... not walk!
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is this year's keynote speaker Chris Lampen-Crowell, Co-founder of Gazelle Sports.
This entrepreneur has Gazelle Sports locations in Holland, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and has created, led and organized hundreds of fitness related events in West Michigan.
New to the event will be the presentation of the Young Entrepreneur Award winner. The program, managed by e-merge Youth Entrepreneur Subcommittee, was offered to high school students throughout the West Michigan lakeshore.
17 students met with SCORE business counselors to review draft business plans. This is a record number of entries for the award! The top 10 semi-finalists present their plans to a panel of five judges on March 27. The top 5 will be honored at the Entrepreneur Award Luncheon.
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Safety pays off for Chamber members!
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45 member businesses are receiving dividend checks totaling $95,200 thanks to safe work practices and their participation in a workers compensation group program from Accident Fund Insurance Companies.
The 11% dividend amount returned is based on each participant's premium costs and ranges from $45 to over $8,000, with an average dividend of over $2,300. Since 2004, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America has paid participating Muskegon Chamber member's dividends in excess of $1.1 million dollars!
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Supporting Entrepreneurs is still a top priority for your Chamber. Recently, President Cindy Larsen, Board Vice Chair Larry Hines, and member Jim Fisher joined a group of West Michigan business leaders on a site visit to Connect in San Diego CA. Connect is an organization that provides services to start-ups and small businesses looking to expand.
"We learned about innovative practices that we can fold into our local E-merge network," said Larsen. e-merge is our local entrepreneur support organization which is just 3 years old. Connect is 30 years old and has grown into an organization with hundreds of volunteers mentoring small businesses to help them grow and find funding. e-merge is considering these new models which help small businesses become more attractive to investors.
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Chamber Coalition partners to produce Women/Minority Owned Directory
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The West Michigan Chamber Coalition, which is made up of your Chamber, The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Holland Chambers has released the 2013 West Michigan Regional Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Directory that features more than 1400 local businesses. The directory lists businesses that are at least 51 percent minority- or female-owned, both alphabetically and by business category. It is designed to help these segments of the West Michigan community gain exposure and grow their companies. It's also a tool for companies looking to diversify their supplier base and those seeking to develop new business.
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Date: 3.22.13
Time: 7:30 - 9 am
Topic: Legislative Update!
Where: Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor
Cost: $16/member, $26/general admission
EVENT SPONSORS: Accident Fund Insurance Companies, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy
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Date: 3.21.13 - 3.23.13
Time: Thurs & Fri from 5 - 9 pm and Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Where: The Lakes Mall
Cost: $500/member booth, $750/non-member booth. FREE To attend!!!
GOLD SPONSOR: Keene Lumber
SILVER SPONSOR: Redi-Rental and Weesies Brothers Garden Center and Landscaping
Date: 3.27.13
Time: 5:30 pm Ribbon Cutting
Topic: Join us for the grand opening of West Michigan Law!
Where: 900 Third Street, Suite 203
Cost: FREE to attend!
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Date: 4.9.13
Time: 8 - 9:30 am
Topic: Addressing Objections (Rescheduled event from February)
Where: Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
Cost: $20/member, $35/general admission
EVENT PARTNER: e-merge Entrepreneur Network
EVENT SPONSOR: Parmenter O'Toole
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Topic: Entrepreneurs Run, not walk!
Cost: $40/member, $50/general admission
EVENT SPONSORS: Parmenter O'Toole, Fifth Third Bank, GoodTemps, Bank of Holland, Eagle Alloy, Hines Corporation, Muskegon Intermediate School District and NeXt I.T.
Time: 10 am Ribbon Cutting
Topic: Join us to celebrate the business expansion of Lakeshore Federal Credit Union!
Where: 2182 Lakeshore Drive
Cost: FREE to attend!
Where: Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor
Cost: $16/member, $26/general admission
EVENT SPONSOR: GoodTemps
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Use your Go Muskegon! mobile app for easy event registration.
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4 Seasons Home Crafters
Coffee House and Cafe
Comfort Keepers
Crump Communications, LLC
Douglas H. McPhail
Ground Control Property Management
High Praises! Creations
J Lohman Career, Life and
Performance Coach
Lake Woods Nursing & Rehabilitation
Center
Mango's
Northpointe Jewelers, LLC
ProTemp Inc.
Shepherd Shoreline Gutters & Garage Doors
Sprint by Basic PCS
Things We Love Boutique
Unity Home Improvement
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