One of the most anticipated Business After Hours of the year is the annual Legs Inn gathering of the area chambers on Wednesday, Aug. 22nd. Join Cheboygan Area Chamber, Petoskey Regional Chamber, Harbor Springs Area Chamber , and Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce for the breathtaking view and great food!

Sponsor space is VERY limited, so contact Polly or Scott for more details, call 231-627-7183 or email info@cheboygan.com 

"Wow, we can do that?" That is a statement that we hear many times from Members. It usually comes after we, as Chamber Staff, help them solve a problem they are having in their business, by offering them a solution through one of our Member Advantages. That is why a Chamber of Commerce exists, to help Members solve problems. We do that through a whole list of Member Advantages or some people call them Member Benefits. These are tools, programs, resources and strategies that are designed to help give a business a competitive advantage or just make life easier. And they are exclusively available to Chamber Members. That is why businesses pay dues to be a Member of the Chamber of Commerce. That annual dues payment gives them access to all those Advantages. But it is a pretty big list and different parts of it can be forgotten. To help members keep these advantages fresh in their mind we are once again holding a "Make the Most of Your Membership" session a couple times during the year.

Our next sessions will be on Wednesday August 1st at 8:00am, Noon and 5:30pm.

  8:00 am Class - Click here to register

12:00 pm Class - Click here to register
5:30 pm Class - Click here to register

Click here to read the full article with more information about this valuable program....

Once again Cheboygan will be hosting between 400 and 500 cyclists for the annual Michigander Bicycle Tour sponsored by the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance. Most of the cyclists will be camping at the Cheboygan Area High School. which will also be the jumping off spot for both the Two Day Ride and the Six Day Ride.

You can expect riders to be downtown the evenings of July 13, 14,15, and 21 and in the late afternoons of July 14, 15, 16, 21. Look for the riders to be shopping, seeking entertainment and looking for refreshments.

Top of Michigan Trails Council is on the move! The adoption last year of our new mission statement has expanded our focus: we Advocate for new trail connections, Maintain the trails on the ground, and Promote the use of trails for the health and enjoyment of Northern Michigan residents and visitors. We exist to AMP up our trail network!

 

McLaren Northern Michigan officially dedicated and named its Heart & Vascular Center in honor of Robert W. Considine on Monday, July 16.  The dedication was made after Mr. Considine made a lead gift in honor of the care provided to him by Louis A. Cannon, MD, Intervention Cardiovascular Specialist; Senior Program Director, Heart and Vascular Center; and President, The Cardiac & Vascular Research Center of Northern Michigan.  "Dr. Cannon and saving the lives of cardiac patients at this hospital have been very important to me," Considine said. "I've made gifts in the past to fund equipment and further the life-saving work performed by Louis and his team. For this donation, I wanted to leave a legacy and honor Louis who once told me I would 'not [die] on his watch."  Mr. Considine's donation will fund a new catherization lab and equipment, as well as the purchase of new Robotically assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention technology. It will also create the Robert W. Considine Heart and Vascular Program Endowment Fund to build on the program's strength and reputation as one of the nation's 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases as determined by Truven/IBM Watson Health.  "I am truly moved by the generosity of Mr. Considine," Cannon said. "His gifts have literally helped save the lives of hundreds of cardiac patients. Our program is strong because of his commitment and support."  "The dedication of Robert W. Considine Heart & Vascular Center will impact patients for generations to come," added David Zechman, President and CEO of McLaren Northern Michigan. "We are grateful to Mr. Considine for supporting the work of Dr. Cannon and his team, as well as our vision to impact the lives of the patients who rely on McLaren Northern Michigan for their care."  If you would like to learn more about the Robert W. Considine Heart & Vascular Center or to make a gift, please visit mclarennorthernbuilds.org or call (231) 487-3500.

 

Is your garage overrun with two-wheeled vehicles? A used bicycle sales event (aka Bike Swap) will take place at the Trail Center, 1687 M 119, on July 21 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Proceeds will benefit maintenance of our local trails!  Bike Swap bicycles MUST BE IN RIDEABLE CONDITION! Drop off bikes for sale at the Trail Center between 7 and 10 AM on July 21. Pick up unsold bikes between 3 and 5 PM on the day of the sale. At least 40% of all sales will benefit Top Of Michigan Trails Council trail maintenance costs. Of course, you may choose to donate 100%! All donations will be acknowledged with a tax receipt. What an ingenious way to clear out the garage!  This event will be held rain or shine. Call Bill Prall with questions: (231) 838-0741

The Cheboygan Area Public Library Board of Trustees have approved a proposed increase to the library millage. The proposal will now be put forth on the August 7, 2018 ballot. The millage provides operational funding for the library. The increase, if approved by votes, will increase the millage rate by $0.35 per $1,000 of taxable value, meaning those living in a home with a taxable value of $50,000 will see a $17.50 increase in their annual library taxes. According to the new millage's ballot language, $194,000 in additional library funding will be collected when first levied in 2018. Library Director, Mark Bronson, has said the additional funding is needed for library improvements including maintenance of the building, updates of technology and furnishings, increased staffing and additional hours of operation. People interested in helping with the millage campaign or making a donation to the campaign can use the email address: CAPLMillage@gmail.com send donations to Emily Claire at Purple Tree Books 323 N. Main St. Cheboygan 49721.

Picture a soapbox derby on water running for two days, and you get some idea of the Top O' Michigan Marathon. Streamlined boats - big enough for only one rider - zip over 80 miles in two days through the Inland Waterway that links Cheboygan on Lake Huron southwest to Crooked Lake, just east of Petoskey, via Mullett and Burt lakes, and Indian and Crooked rivers.

This year's event, its 70 th anniversary, takes place Aug. 11 and 12 and is expected to draw a record 100 entries.  Click here to read the full article.

The Cheboygan Economic Development Group is a private sector organization of Cheboygan County business people, community leaders, and volunteers who care deeply about helping create economic growth and educational opportunities for our citizens in this unique and wonderful corner of northern Michigan.

Helping to build sustainable economic growth is our mission. A future of good paying jobs for residents of all ages is our passion.   Click here to visit their web site.

Michigan Chamber members receive an exclusive weekly review of legislative & political news in its Michigan News & Capitol Report e-newsletter. This newsletter is FREE to Chamber members.

To Read This Week's Capitol Report Click On The Following Link (Or Load Into Your Web Browser Address Window):

www.michamber.com/mirs-weekly-report

The Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce is an Associate Partner with the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance who advocates for our members to Michigan State Government as a collective Northern Michigan voice.  If you would like to find out more about the Alliance and what it is doing for Northern Michigan please go to their web site by clicking here .