Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

- Ronald Reagan
Board of Directors: 2021-2022
We have officially kicked off a new fiscal year at the Chamber. The hopes and dreams of any new board is to build upon the success of the previous years. And boy, was this past 12-months interesting!

Even with the most devastating economic conditions, the Chamber grew its membership by 20%. Why is that? Because the value of membership was never so obvious as it was in 2020. With the information, advocacy, and support from the Chamber, over $5.75 Million in funding came into this community. Some of your favorite small businesses wouldn’t be around today, if it weren’t for the information they gathered right here in this newsletter.

It’s more than information though, it’s also support. The one thing we try to convey in our networking, is that “you can get anything in life you want, if you just help enough others get what they want” …. Who do I know, that you should know? You can find out those answers yourself by becoming a member of this outstanding business association!

We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month - and dozens of times in between. Thank you for your commitment of the most valuable of assets - time!
Special Events
Ribbon Cutting Coldwell Banker Offices at 11752 Belleville Road
June 23rd 4pm - 7pm
Music Lakeside 2021
Starts Next Thursday
June 24th 7pm - 9pm
Do you want to miss any of these events?
Inaugural means 1st, and in the immortal words of Ricky Bobby's Daddy
"If you're not 1st you're last"
Registration ends soon for many Lake Fest Events
We have a sponsor picking up 75% of the cost for 2 teams! Pay $15 and we will put you on a team - Only the 1st 42 people to register
A unique 5K experience awaits you for Sat June 26th
Last week to gather your scavenger hunt items!
Our premier kick off event for the entire festival ... Ribbon Cutting at the new Welcome Center - 0.1K - Medals - Drink Tickets ... and then VIP Area for the Dan Rafferty Concert on 4th Street Square
News | Information | Advocacy
Do you have The Beat?
Many of you have received the first edition of The Belleville Beat since it was published last week. If you haven't, you are missing a high quality, 4-color magazine that is a concise list of all the activities in the area! Here is a PDF Version of the June Edition

The deadline for July's edition is this Sunday, so if you are interested, contact editor@bellevillebeat.com ... They can provide info on rates, and future edition deadlines as well!

This is an events driven magazine that will be coming out monthly. 5,000 are planned to be printed and distributed for free around town. You'll be able to find them at the Library, new Welcome Center, and other places (and did we say they are free?)

If your business would be a great place to distribute these, let them know and we will drop off a box for each edition! It's a great magazine for your lobby, reception area, breakroom, customer service area ...

Chamber MEMBERS. this is yet another way we can help you and your promotions ...
Whitmer: Let Michigan workers collect $300 weekly unemployment boost while going back to work part time
It became quite popular last year in the early days of the pandemic ... Instead of limping along like 2020, let's be creative and use WorkShare to supplement the workforce wages.

Let's stop competing with the high rates of unemployment insurance, and use it to our advantages as small and medium sized businesses! Bring an employee back at 90% and they still qualify for the $300 a week from the Feds ... #workshare #worksforyou
Chamber Supports Bipartisan Childcare Accessibility & Affordability Reforms
June 15, 2021
The Chamber joined a bipartisan group of legislators and the Governor at a press conference announcing major reforms and investments aimed at alleviating the struggles families are having in finding childcare for their children.

Employers across Michigan are in desperate need of workers. While several factors contribute to this workforce crisis, the difficulty in finding affordable and adequate childcare is a significant one of them.

The Governor announced aggressive investments to jumpstart childcare businesses to the tune of $1.4 billion
Majority of MI Voters Believe Pandemic Is Controlled
More than 72% of Michigan voters believe the pandemic is largely controlled, with 75.5% still intending to follow some mitigation efforts for safety as the state approaches the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. 
 
With 47.9% of the state’s population being fully vaccinated as of Monday, polling from near the end of May exhibited 38.5% of voters plan on still wearing masks in indoor public places, 20.2% said they or someone in their household contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic and 20% continue to say they do not plan on getting vaccinated against the virus. 
  
The Detroit Regional Chamber made the statewide survey -- using a 600-person sample and conducted from May 22-26 by the Glengariff Group Inc. -- broadly available at noon Monday. Its coverage included the state’s economy, approval ratings of key elected officials, and the labor market and vaccinations.
Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors
Belleville Area Chamber | bacc2work.org