Holiday Edition | December 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
To all our Chamber Partners and Investors,

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support of our local businesses and our community, which is the heart of the Chamber’s mission, as well as your Chamber staff.  

This year has been a difficult one that we never could have imagined, but we pulled through and made the best out of a challenging situation. I appreciate and commend all of you for your strength and dedication in pushing through these hard times. 

As this holiday season may look different than our normal celebrations and traditions, please stay safe, healthy, and remember those who may not be so fortunate this year. 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and look forward to a healthy and happy 2021!

Sincerely,
Stacie Bytwork
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Five Star Real Estate - Founded in 1996, Five Star is a family-owned West Michigan based real estate brokerage headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. Five Star is ranked 76th in the Nation of 85,000 brokerages, proving that you don't need to affiliate with a national franchise to experience success. The brokerage has catapulted from 150 agents to over 560 in eight years, with 16 company offices and 20 agent-owned private branch offices. Five Star is currently expanding along the Lake Michigan shoreline from the Holland area to northern Michigan. In the previous 24 months, Five Star opened offices in Whitehall, Ludington, Onekama, and Traverse City. We're excited to be a part of the Greater Manistee area's current and future growth! Website and Facebook Page

Northern Natural Cider House & Winery - Visit us today for your premium organic Hard Cider (bottles & growlers) produced with local apples available in-person and for takeout! We also have a variety of award-winning wines! Northern Natural blends several varieties of Manistee & Leelanau County certified organic heirloom apples that provide clean, crisp, apple flavors with a dash of sweetness. Our apples are fresh-pressed by the Northern Naturals state of the art pressing plant and then brewed to serve you! We offer outdoor seating and two food trucks to complete your experience. Check out our Website and Facebook Page for more details, our current special, and hours.

CELEBRATING ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES!
2020 Business Awards Dinner
& Annual Meeting
While we could not get together this year we wanted to do something fun to celebrate all of YOU! We hope you enjoy the following video which is our attempt at celebrating with a bit of humor!

At our Annual Dinner, a nominating committee of the board is required to present a slate of candidates to our membership for the open board director seats. We are excited to present the following three volunteers and thank each for accepting their nomination!

Lynn Saunders, Little River Casino Resort
Xavier Verna, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts
Dyllan Walker, Packaging Corporation of America

We couldn't meet in person this year, and we ask all members to please cast their vote here before 1/5/2021.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Northern Michigan Policy Conference
January 15, 2021
What is the Northern Michigan Policy Conference?
 
The Northern Michigan Policy Conference is a regional economic development conference led by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of 16 chambers and economic development organizations and over 7,000 member businesses from all across northern Michigan. The partnership exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.
 
Now in its third year as a policy conference after serving as the Alliance's annual agenda-setting meeting for years, the Northern Michigan Policy Conference is designed to leverage diverse strategies to enhance the northern Michigan region's standing as a world-class place for business, residents, visitors, and students of all ages. This year's policy conference will be a collaborative, business-driven experience delivering actionable goals to energize and provide vision. Conference content will focus on the Alliance's four policy areas in the context of economic recovery. Speakers will address chronic issues surrounding business development, talent, housing, and childcare and discuss innovative approaches.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Attention Small Business Owners
Consumers Energy is offering Energy Efficiency Solutions to help your business financially succeed while maintaining safety protocols. Learn more about customized solutions for your business. Contact an Energy Advisor at 877-607-0737 or schedule your free appointment at ConsumersEnergy.com/chamber.

NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT?
Give the gift of manistee county ca$h
this holiday season!
Promote local spending instead of purchasing national brand gift cards that have no benefit to our local businesses community!

For purchases over $500 contact Kristina directly as you will receive a 3% discount. All other purchases can be done via our website ManisteeChamber.com.

Contact Kristina via email Kristina@ManisteeChamber.com or call 231-723-2575
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We encourage you to continually visit our WEBSITE as we now have
a COVID-19 page with resources and links to keep you updated and informed.

We are continually posting and sharing updates on our
 FACEBOOK page, please follow us.
STAY HEALTHY!
MUNSON NURSE HOTLINE
231-935-0951
press 5 to reach a nurse
Monday through Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm