Legislative Advocacy Report

Legislative Advocacy Report - February 2020

Chair of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance

I am honored to be the Chair of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, especially as we are at a pivotal point advocating for rural-focused policies.

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is focusing on legislative issues and challenges that face our region. Our priorities will continue to be on the FOUR Pillars of Rural Prosperity: Rural Business Development; Attracting Talent to Rural Areas; Rural & Small City Housing Development; Access to Quality Child Care.

We will continue to advocate your behalf locally, regionally and state-wide.

Alliance Represents Northern Michigan In Lansing For State of the State

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance was once again well represented in Lansing during Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 2nd State of the State address on Wednesday, January 29.

The annual trip - which gives the Alliance a major presence and a voice in Lansing during one of the key events of the legislative year - started by hosting the Governor’s staff to a luncheon and ended with the launch of a rural development coalition, which the Alliance has been working for months to build.

Click here to learn more about the Alliance’s efforts in Lansing.

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Coalition of Rural Community Leaders Launches Effort to Create Cabinet Level Executive within Whitmer Administration

A mounting stack of sobering statistics on the economic and social conditions of rural Michigan is propelling a coalition of rural leaders – led in part by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance - to launch a push aimed at persuading Governor Whitmer to create a rural affairs cabinet position within her administration.

The Rural Affairs and Development (RAAD) Coalition announced the efforts in January and believes the position is necessary to stem the decline of rural Michigan communities, ensure policies benefit them and more effectively coordinate state services needed to sustain outstate communities, families and employers.

Learn more about the RAAD Coalition’s launch here .

Sieloff Joins Alliance as New Director of Government Relations

Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance are excited to welcome Kirstie Sieloff, a seasoned professional both inside and outside of Michigan state government, as the new Director of Government Relations. Raised in northern Michigan, Sieloff will lead the Chamber Alliance’s legislative policy agenda focused on bringing more resources and better business and economic development policy to northern Michigan.