| Meet the 2016 Chamber Board of Directors |
We are excited to welcome three new board members to the Chamber Board this year. Amy Heisser of Alcoa Howmet, Angie Nelund of Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts, and Jim Rudicil of the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex.
 Amy Heisser has been the Director of Human Resources at Alcoa Howmet
for nearly 20 years. She's also a member of Alcoa Power and Propulsion's HR Leadership Team with accountability for plants in Acuna, Mexico; Wichita Falls, Texas; and Morristown, Tennessee. She has been recognized by many for her accomplishments and contributions including winning the 2005 ATHENA Award and one of the Chamber's Agents of Change awards in 2008. Amy and her husband are lifelong Muskegon County residents and have two children.
 Angie Nelund, along with her brother Troy, are fifth generation owners of Muskegon's oldest family owned business, Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts. Angie is a Mona Shores and Michigan State University graduate. She was born and raised in Norton Shores and still lives there today with her husband Gary Nelund and their two children.
Jim Rudicil is at the forefront of Muskegon's fast growing sports tourism industry. He is the Executive Director of the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex and under his leadership, the complex has emerged as a major attraction bringing thousands of visitors to the Muskegon Lakeshore each winter. Rudicil has been a lifelong Muskegon County resident, currently residing in North Muskegon with his wife Pamela and their three children.
Larry Hines, Chair, Hines Corporation
Lee Coggin, Vice Chair, Baker College of Muskegon
Brenda Jacobs, Treasurer, Brickley DeLong, PC
Andy Price, Secretary, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc.
Chris Baker, Betten-Baker Auto Group
Ed Garner, Muskegon Area First
Tom Godfrey, Fifth Third Bank
Michelle Harris, Harris Hospitality
Amy Heisser, Alcoa Howmet
Angie Nelund, Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts
Steve Olsen, Northern Machine Tool
Jim Rudicil, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
Tom Schultz, Tyler Sales Company, Inc.
Rex VanderLinde, Executive Air Transport, Inc.
Bill Vanderweele, Weber Lumber
John Workman, Eagle Alloy, Inc.
A special thank you to outgoing board member, Gary Allore of Mercy Health, for his six years of service on the Chamber Board of Directors, including two years as the Chamber Board Chair.
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Each year, Chamber members are surveyed to determine the business issues most important to the local community. The survey results guide the Chamber's positions and Government Affairs Committee activities throughout the year.
Results of this year's survey showed continued interest in all areas of workforce development, environmental quality, economic development and health and human services. The Government Affairs Committee will continue to build positive relationships with local government leaders to assist with current issues including crime, community image, Port of Muskegon development and more. Look for committee members out in the community as they represent Muskegon in Lansing and D.C., invite elected officials to Chamber events and monitor municipal activity that could deem GEE! Award worthy.
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| PPT Reform brings big changes in 2016! |
The Personal Property Tax (PPT) was eliminated in 2014 and is being phased out with a new, smaller tax called the Essential Services Assessment (ESA) which will continue to support local government units.
During this phase out, equipment originally placed into service before 2006 or after 2012 will be eligible for exemption under the PPT and begin being taxed under the ESA. Some manufacturers will find themselves paying the PPT on some equipment, and the ESA on other equipment depending on when the equipment was originally placed into service.
The Department of Treasury has created a new form to report your equipment (form 5278) which is due to your local assessor by February 22nd. Due to the complicated nature of this situation, if you work with a tax preparer, you should begin having conversations with them as soon as possible to avoid any penalties for late filing.
If your business has less than $80,000 in personal property, it is exempt from either the PPT or the ESA if you remember to file form 5076 no later than February 10th of every year with your local assessor.
For additional information, visit the following websites:
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| FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT: Membership ADDS Credibility |
reveals that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community.
When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. Showing off your Chamber membership gives your business credibility, so be sure to display your member plaque proudly, include your membership association in press releases, email footers and most importantly your website! Please use the decal shown above to t ell others that you are a reputable business that cares about your customers and the community. Click here to download the electronic membership decal.
Please note that because Chamber members are known to be credible businesses, you may be contacted to donate to a cause or invest in a project. If you are unsure of who is contacting you or whether or not we are affiliated with a particular project, please make us aware of the contact and call our office any time with questions.
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Date: Friday, January 29, 2016
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Holiday Inn & Conference Center 939 Third Street
Topic: Join us for an engaging dialogue with Mitchell Stapley, Chief Investment Officer for Fifth Third Asset Management, for an overview of 2016 Economic Forecast strategies for local decision-makers.
Price: $25/member
$300/corporate table of 10
EVENT SPONSORS: The Lakes Mall, Nichols Paper & Supply and Manpower
EVENT PARTNERS: Muskegon Area First, Employers Association of W. Michigan, West Michigan Works and Fifth Third Bank
Date: March 25 & March 26, 2016
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Fricano Event Center
1050 W. Western Ave
Topic: Exhibitors showcasing the latest in home, garden and remodeling trends and products along with DIY and educational sessions.
Price: $3 admission with free parking
EVENT SPONSORS: Shepherd Shoreline Gutters & Garage Doors and Keene Lumber
REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS CAN BE MADE ONLI NE. CLICK HERE.
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 These members have made a commitment to support the Chamber 110% this year! Thank you for your investment in our organization and this community!
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American Grease Stick Company
Apple-Mill Motors
Batteries Plus LLC
Bob's Roofing Co. Inc.
C.W. Marsh Company
Capstone Real Estate
Chalet Floral
Cofessco Fire Protection
Colliers International
Community Foundation for Muskegon
Custom Service Printers, Inc.
David Bowen, Attorney PC
ESCO Company, LLC
Ever Rest Funeral Home & Chapel
Federal Express
Fleet Engineers, Inc.
Genesis Design Technology, LLC
Grand Valley State University
Hackley Public Library
Harbor Hospice
Harbor Steel
Hazekamp Transport
Holiday Inn & Conference Center
Hooker/DeJong
Hunt Orthodontics
Inter Dyne Systems, Inc.
Jerviss-Fethke Insurance Agency
Keene Lumber Company
Kirksey Investment Corporation
Lakeshore Carpet One
Lakeshore Tavern, Inc.
Lamar Advertising
Lange Moving & Storage
Langlois Store, Inc.
Manpower
McKenzie-Price Agency Inc.
MD Instruments Inc.
Midstate Title Agency
Mid-West Spring & Stamping
MiPhotobooth North, LLC
Muskegon Area District Library
Muskegon Awning & Fabrication
Muskegon Surgical Associates, PLC
Newkirk Electric Assoc., Inc.
Nichols Paper & Supply
Nugent Sand Company
Orchard View Community Education
P.W. Services, Inc.
PADNOS - Shoreline Recycling Division
Port City Group
Radium Photo
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
RE/MAX West
Redi Rental
SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
Shoreline Insurance Agency Inc.
Source One Digital
Toast 'N Jams Restaurant
Transnation Title Agency of Michigan
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
VanDyk Mortgage Corporation
Wallace Chiropractic Center
Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts, Inc.
Webb Chemical Service Corp.
West Michigan Dock & Market Corp.
White Lake Golf Club
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Set a Networking Resolution!
It's a new year. Now's the time to set some networking goals for yourself as your out and about promoting your business this year. Perhaps your goal is to attend one networking event each month or exchange at least one business card at every event you go to. Whatever they may be, setting goals and following through will have guaranteed results!
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