SPONSOR THE BIZ BLAST
IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION IN NEED OF SOME GREAT EXPOSURE? 
RESERVE YOUR SPOT AS A BIZ BLAST SPONSOR FOR ONLY $50/per wk. 
THE COST IS AFFORDABLE AND THE EXPOSURE IS HIGH.

For more information, call the Chamber office at 231.547.2101 or email fratrick @charlevoix.org
COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing for Area Businesses
Click HERE to see the guidelines for COVID-19 testing through Munson for area businesses. Along with testing guidelines they have also included resources for employers.

Keeping Workers and Communities Safe during COVID-19
In an effort to keep everyone safe during COVID-19, Consumers Energy is following all of the recommended protocols by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are 12 key areas where we have revised or established interim policies, procedures and best practices. We are sharing them to help you ensure a smart start-up as we Power Thru Together. View our Stay Safe at Work doc. HERE.

Bay Shore Food Market

231-437-3797
06012 US 31 North, Charlevoix


Carrie Titus- Edward Jones

231-547-2166
carrie.titus@edwardjones.com
702 Bridge St, Charlevoix
Charlevoix businesses are OPEN, in a different way!

Shops are moving online and can help you shop virtually, outdoor activities are abundant, and service businesses continue to handle your needs by phone and email.
Lite 96.3's Virtual Happy Hour with Jill Jack
Happy Hour on Friday.... virtually, live on the Lite 96.3 Facebook page with music from Charlevoix's own Jill Jack. It's a great way to end the week. Make your cocktail, grab some food and enjoy great music from Jill Jack from the comfort of home. It's Friday night, May 8th at 7pm, live on the Lite 96.3 Facebook page.

Hours of Operation Extended and Brunch Menu Returns
Cafe Sante is excited to announce the return of their fan-favorite Brunch Menu. The restaurant located in downtown Boyne City on beautiful Lake Charlevoix is ready to serve a great selection of breakfast and lunch items for curbside pick up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily joining their Dinner Menu currently available from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Brunch Menu is tailored for the curbside pick up program. Patrons will find many favorites and new items including an expanded selection of wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and sandwiches served on fresh-baked ciabatta bread. See full press release HERE .

The complete menu is available on the Café Sante website HERE .  Curbside pick up orders may be placed by phone at 231-582-8800, or using the new online ordering system HERE .

Virtual Open House
St. Mary is having a virtual open house! Check it out at www.stmaryschoolcharlevoix.com under "Open House." You can take a tour of St. Mary School and visit each classroom with a personal tour by the teacher! St. Mary is enrolling PreK-8th grade for the fall. If you have any questions or want more information, call the office at 547-9441.

OPEN for Curbside Pick-up Wednesday-Saturday 12-5pm
WE ARE OPENING IN A NEW WAY! We will be open limited hours for curbside pickup beginning Wednesday May 6. Curbside Pickup Hours at both Charlevoix and Petoskey Wednesday-Saturday 12-5pm. PLEASE PREORDER YOUR FLOWERS we are only getting one delivery per week and are likely to sell out. Thank you for understanding!

Camp Daggett Cancels Summer Camp 2020
The Board of Trustees of Camp Daggett made the difficult decision to cancel all summer 2020 camping sessions. The board considered the situation currently facing Michigan, the United States and the world, that camp would be unable to serve their mission this summer to the standards that our camping families have come to expect.

The Board of Trustees has established a full refund policy during these difficult times. All camping families have been notified by either email, phone call or mail. All have been given the option of a full refund, or moving their deposit to secure a 2021 camping registration. Camp will be in contact with all camping families to determine their wishes and refunds will be made quickly. If you need additional information, a Frequently Asked Questions page will be maintained and updated on the website .

In additional news, the search for a new executive director has been suspended for the moment. As soon as the Board has deemed the current environment stabilized and safer, a new calendar for Executive Director hiring should be established including interview schedule, procedures, job offer and anticipated starting date. The golf outing, scheduled for Thursday, June 4 has also been cancelled and will not be rescheduled in 2020. The outing will be scheduled for Thursday June 10, 2021 at the Walloon Lake Country Club. Any questions about camp can be directed to Nathan Fleshman, summer camp director, at  Nathan.fleshman@campdaggett.org .

Join St. Michael's Virtual Night Downtown Project
St. Michael Academy would like to invite you to participate in our Virtual Night Downtown project - a one-stop, virtual shopping site/event promoting local businesses up north during the COVID-19 shut-down.

In 2018, as a way to give back to local businesses who are always there for our community's schools and other non-profits, St. Michael Academy (SMA) developed the Shop Local First So Local Lasts public service campaign. SMA's Virtual Night Downtown is an extension of this program to inspire people to shop Northern Michigan's local businesses NOW.

Please visit  www.shoplocalfirstupnorth.org.  Here you will find more information on the event and how to participate as a merchant.  

We are preparing to launch our initial participating vendors and will bring other businesses online as "inventory" arrives. Your participation in this event would be a blessing. Please contact me with any questions you may have regarding this event.Virtual Night Downtown is a new direction for St. Michael's Shop Local First So Local Lasts program. We welcome your feedback.

May is Trauma Awareness Month
May is National Trauma Awareness Month. McLaren Northern Michigan urges the public to practice safety when enjoying northern Michigan activities allowed under the Stay Home Executive Order.

As a verified Level II Trauma Center, McLaren Northern Michigan sees an average of 950 traumas each year. The following tips and guidelines will help our community to stay safe. Click HERE To see the safety tips for wearing a helmet, water/ boating safety, sun safety, vehicle/ driving safety and home safety.

Friske Now Open Six Days a Week!
Now open six days a week! Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday-Saturday 9am-6pm.

Our take-out menu increases daily with some of our offerings being, Lasagna Rolls, Cabbage Rolls, Chicken Meatballs, Mac n’ Cheese, Handcrafted Pizza, Homemade Soup & Chili, Cherry Pecan Chicken Salad by the pound or in a wrap, Herb Roasted Potatoes, Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Tortellini Pesto Salad along with staples such as locally-grown pesticide free greens, local farm eggs, bacon, Farmer’s Creamery milk, Bay Bread, Purple Beet Smoothies and Michigan-grown frozen fruit…..and don’t forget about our scratch-baked goodies! Everything you need in one stop! Please call ahead to place your take-out order for pick-up or curb-side service. 231-599-2604

Raven Hill Updates
The danger of COVID-19 remains foremost in the minds of the Raven Hill Discovery Center Board of Directors. After much discussion, the Raven Hill Board has made the difficult decision to “hibernate” for 12 months, so that everyone can stay removed from one another and the Center can safely open a year from now. Opening for this 2020 spring and summer season would be difficult in this time of “social distancing”. Opening this coming fall or winter doesn't make sense, because it is Raven Hill's hardest time financially. Opening in the spring of 2021 in time for spring field trips, discovery camps and summer visitors, seems to be the best option for the Center. The Center’s staff is working behind the scenes and Raven Hill's Board will continue to reassess the situation as future Executive Orders for Michigan are released.
 
If you have any questions or need more information, please email me or call me on my cell: 231.675.6025. I will be sharing updates on a weekly basis. If you are not interested in receiving them, let me know and I will remove you from the list.

Consumers Energy Small Business Tool Kit
Consumers Energy understands that small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and that’s why our company has been working to provide resources to support small businesses during the coronavirus crisis. This link, D elivering Support for Small Businesses , includes information on the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and more. A new feature in the document is called the Small Business Survival Kit and it provides a small business owner with a practical, step-by-step guide to secure financial assistance including spreadsheets to track budget, cash flow, and unemployment benefits. This toolkit is a great resource for business owners and is available for free, just click on the Small Business Survival Kit and get to work. 

Extra Trees Available!
Many thanks to everyone who participated in our tree sale this year! We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation amidst the COVID-19 Executive Orders that created a different approach to our annual fundraiser, and a few inconveniences. Overall, we had a great sale & it ran very smoothly...thanks to you! 

Click HERE for a list of our remaining tree seedlings and shrubs and discounted prices. Trees will be sold first come, first serve. Please call our office Monday morning between 8am and 4pm to reserve the remaining trees. Calls/Messages before 8am will not be honored, sorry!

Pick Up Options: Stop by our office M-F between 8am-4pm. If unable to make it during our hours, let us know & we will make other arrangements with you over the phone. 

Payment: Cash or Check only - Make payment when you pick up your order, or mail check to the district office: 303 North St., Boyne City, MI. 49712

National Infant Immunization Week
Join the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and communities around the nation in recognizing National Infant Immunization Week April 25 – May 2, 2020. The purpose of this annual observance is to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunizations.
 
National Infant Immunization Week is a time to remind and bring attention to the critical role that vaccinations play in protecting the health of our children, families, and communities. Many see vaccine prevented diseases as a threat from the past, however, children can still get and spread these diseases. In recent years the U.S. has seen the return of vaccine preventable diseases, that were once considered eliminated, such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough.

To see the full press release and all information click HERE.

DCL at Annual Award Banquet

The Northwest Michigan Industrial Association’s Annual Safety Awards Banquet was held Thursday, March 5 at the new EJ Foundry in Elmira. Nearly 40 manufacturers throughout northwest Michigan compete for these annual coveted and prestigious awards recognizing safety in the workplace. Nine members were selected for awards in three categories. 

DCL of Charlevoix won of the six Outstanding Achievement Award. The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes those employers with zero lost time, zero injuries and zero restricted days by their employees. 

The association that began as a safety alliance in 1974 holds safety practices and awards with great esteem. The recipients of these awards are to be commended for their efforts in creating a safe workplace. For more information on the Northwest Michigan Industrial Association, visit nwmia.org . | dclinc.com
Mary Bickley of PMP Services Recognized for Positive Impact

Mary Bickley is a senior account executive for PMP Personnel Services in Gaylord, and she has spent nearly four decades as an active community member, always eager to make an impact.

Bickley moved to Gaylord in 1979 with her family and has enjoyed the generous nature of Northern Michigan. She raised her four children in the area and said she has been grateful to come to know many of the incredible people that help shape the city. “We were so fortunate to be in Gaylord,” Bickley said.

In addition to raising her kids, Bickley has had a long-stretching career in Northern Michigan. She explained that she changes up her career path about once a decade, and as a people person, she enjoys being able to help others.

In Onaway, Bickley started out as a nurse before she transitioned to providing auditory testing for local schools with the health department.Eventually, she worked for ABC Medical Supply and went on to work with her husband at their granite store in Gaylord. During her time at the granite store, she was the president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association and always looking to do more for her community. When they closed their granite store in 2008, Bickley took a break for a year before beginning her next career venture.

A friend recommended her for an office job at PMP Personnel Services. As the only certified staffing specialists in Northern Michigan, it is a major resource for the people and businesses of this area. Bickley went in for an interview with a little apprehension. When she met with the owner, Dr. Gilbert Mosher, she told him she might not be a good fit. “I told him, ‘I am not office material,’” she said with a laugh. While he was looking for an office staff, Bickley managed to negotiate a role in marketing for PMP, and she has been there for nearly 11 years.
Working to bring people and businesses together, she enjoys the fast pace and meeting with people from all walks of life. “I reach out to businesses and speak with human resources and CEOs to see what we can do to help facilitate employment,” Bickley said.

PMP provides services to Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City, Gladwin, Charlevoix and Grand Rapids to help businesses find employees who are a good fit. Bickley said she orders her business cards by the thousands because she is always reaching out to just about everyone to see if she can help in some way.

Her favorite book is the “Butterfly Effect” by Andy Andrews, and she believes the smallest of actions can create a ripple effect, and it is a philosophy she lives by. “I believe any little thing you do for anyone has a great impact,” Bickley said.

She has found it rewarding to be able to help people and businesses while supporting the local economy. It is a role that she is more than happy to stay in for the foreseeable future. “I am not looking to retire anytime soon,” Bickley said. “As long as I can be productive and make an impact, I will continue my journey with them.”

Because of her hard and exceptional work, Bickley was also named the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year for 2020. Interacting with people has been one of the best parts for Bickley, and she feels it is where she belongs. While she enjoys working with people, she says her true passion is kids, and she lives to spend time with her 11 grandchildren.

She takes great pride in the summer camps she hosts each year for her grandchildren where she has scavenger hunts and even hidden pots of gold for them to find. It is a special bonding time for the family, and one of her greatest joys to be able to bring them all together. Bickley is an energetic force in Gaylord, and she continues to be a major part of the city and its livelihood. pmppersonnel.com | Petoskey News article HERE
Have a business or member success story? We want to hear it! Hitting a growth landmark, meeting a personal or financial business goal, being awarded industry certifications or recognition's… we want to share that accomplishment. Member Success is a new section in our Biz Blast where we will highlight stories of member businesses and employees. Submit your information for the newsletter on our website submission form.  
The easiest way to find jobs in the Charlevoix Area! Click below for a list of jobs with our chamber members.
Auto Painter

Stylist

Customer Service- Project Coordinator
Designer

Full & Part-Time (Seasonal) Staff for All Positions

Experienced Servers

Production: Full-Time, Year-Round

Resident Services Associate, Caregivers, Housekeepers, Servers & Nurses

2nd Shift Caregiver
For more information on these openings view our Jobs page by clicking the link below! Is your business hiring? Send us the position information and we will post it!
Please visit the below resources for other job opportunities in our area.

VIP Members
Platinum Members
 Would you like to become a Premier Investor?
call the Chamber at 231.547.2101 or chamber@charlevoix.org for more information