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Upcoming Events
June 25MYPros Luncheon June 25Ribbon Cutting - BodyBrite Midland June 26Ribbon Cutting - United Way of Midland County: Born Learning Trail July 1Ribbon Cutting - WhichCraft Taproom July 3Ribbon Cutting - BIGGBY COFFEE July 9Issues & Answers July 16Chamber Connection - Wells Fargo Advisors, Century 21 Signature Realty & Styron, LLC July 25Ribbon Cutting - River Rock Animal Hospital
Follow the Chamber on social media:
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Welcome New Members
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Midland Area Farmers Market
Open Every Wednesday
and Saturday
 The Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.; some vendors may stay until 1 p.m. The Market is located at the end of Ashman Street in Downtown Midland.
While the cold winter has put the produce season a bit behind, the Market still offers plenty from which to choose. While not all vendors attend every market, you'll now find strawberries, bok choi, asparagus, rhubarb, radishes, honey, maple syrup, hand-press oils, pasta, baked goods, fresh Michigan fish, local meat, eggs, cut flowers, plants, hanging baskets and more!
New this year, we even have a food court area where you can enjoy hot food. Some of those vendors may stay until 1 p.m. To keep up on Market updates, please follow the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/midlandfarmersmarket
The token program is still up and running so you may use your credit/debit/EBT card at the Market by visiting the Wolverine Bank booth.
Thank you to our Market Sponsors: |
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From the President's Desk
by Bob Stafford
A Happy Place
I happened to be out for my morning run last Saturday morning and at the end, couldn't help but notice the throngs of people bustling around the Farmers Market; so I decided to stop in and see what was happening at the Farmers Market. First of all, I was amazed at the sheer number of people. I know lots of people are not always a good thing, but in this case, it created the sort of community togetherness that we all seem to only see in the movies. I saw children laughing and having a great time while grandparents, parents and others were all smiling and crowding around a vendor with fresh strawberries (my favorite)! I saw rhubarb, fresh rolled oats, asparagus, and a long list of other veggies to please the eyes and taste buds. I felt like this was a scene out of the movie, The Truman Show, where the bubble community seemed almost surreal and life had a positive spirit that many communities would really love to have.
All this in the backdrop of our very own downtown. The Tridge, the green space, the rail trail for walkers, bikers, and runners. It was really cool, and I was proud to be living in a community with the values I saw demonstrated last Saturday.
The term place-making has been written about as 'ways to make a community attractive to visitors and prospecting residents alike' and seems to be all about places like our Midland Area Farmers Market. It is a great attraction and also is one that will excite literally all the senses. I saw the beautiful blue sky, green grass and the colorful summer outfits of the shoppers. I heard the bustle of commerce happening at the market with the sounds of laughter from children and discussions of the vendors peddling their treasures. I smelled the fresh herbs and Michigan made soaps with fragrant blasts of an assortment of scents. This twice-weekly event draws people from many miles away who come to visit our wonderful community and see it in all its glory. The Market itself is off to a bigger and better season with a 40 percent increase in daily vendors and a higher-than-ever attendance.
If you could just bottle this warm, fuzzy feeling and send it to other places, the world would be a much nicer place. If you haven't been down to the Market, I encourage you to check it out. The market opens at 7:00 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, and many of our vendors will be there two hours in advance to set up. I hope you will check it out. You will be happy you did.
You can reach Bob Stafford at rstafford@macc.org.
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Chamber Building Limited Parking
Over the next three weeks, the Chamber building is undergoing some repair work. As a result, parking will be limited in the parking lot. You will find additional spaces on the road along Ellsworth, and there are metered spots open in the parking garage across the street from the Chamber building. We apologize for any inconvenience. |
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Issues and Answers:
Decoding Personal Property Tax Reform
 | Lt. Governor, Brian Calley
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Our next Issues & Answers will host Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley. He will explain the Personal Property Tax ballot issue, which will go before Michigan voters on August 5th. We expect a great turnout for this event, so early registration is encouraged!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn
Early Bird Registration: $15
(after July 2, registration is $20)
Event Sponsor:
Speaker Sponsor:
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Golf Outing Sponsorships Now Available
 Mark your calendars for the 2014 Mulligan Masters, the Chamber's premier golf outing. Registration for foursomes will begin in late July, but now is your opportunity to get involved through a sponsorship. This has traditionally been a sellout event with 144 total golfers, including both business and community leaders.
While generously supported by our title Sponsor, CBM Services Inc., we offer many other proven ways to gain fabulous visibility with potential customers. A number of different sponsorships are available, and pricing is very affordable. Click below for all of the details.
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Do You Know a Young Entrepreneur?
Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Now Enrolling Students
 Applications from creative, determined, and enthusiastic middle and high school students interested in social or business entrepreneurship are currently being accepted by the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)! Youth entrepreneurship training has consistently proven to be extremely effective in improving student performance in the classroom and in their community. YEA! takes students through the entire business creation process - brainstorming ideas, writing business plans, pitching to potential investors, registering with government agencies - all the way to actually launching and running their businesses or non-profits. Our inaugural class received $7,500 to start eleven business ventures and involved over 75 business professionals. YEA! is looking for young people with an entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed. The program is for students who have demonstrated creativity, academic effort, enthusiasm, an ability to communicate, a good work ethic, and an interest in business. Applicants should be responsible students who will enter grades 6-12 in the fall and pursue goals with tenacity. Prior business experience is not required. Students are urged to apply by July 1 for early consideration; however applications will be accepted until the class is filled. For additional information, contact Tina Lynch at (989) 839-9901 or email tlynch@macc.org. Transform Ideas, Create Value, Be Entrepreneurial! |
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Marketing Opportunity:
Midland Area Street Map
The Midland Area Chamber is pleased to once again be working with Target Marketing to publish a new, up-to-date, full-color Midland Area Street Map and Resource Guide. You will be notified by Target Marketing about advertising opportunities. If you receive a call from them on behalf of the Chamber, it is a legitimate call. |
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