We are just over a week away from our 141st Annual Meeting which will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 5-8pm in Bay County's Great Hall.

The Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 will be hosting the Silent Auction from 5-6pm with proceeds benefitting their class project with Brian's House. There is still time to donate if you want to support the cause! You can reach out to Annabelle if interested in donating a silent auction item.

We will be honoring several dynamic recipients for the Business Hall of Fame, ATHENA, Leadership Alumni Community Service, Energize YPN, Ambassador of the Year, and our newest award, Heart of the Chamber.

We would love to see you and your team there!

Welcome New Members!

Ability Social Club

The Ability Social Club is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a welcoming, safe and supportive social club for individuals 21 and over who are faced with limited physical and/or mental challenges while allowing them to showcase their abilities and unite with others in our community.

Derek's Certified Home Inspections

Derek's Certified Home Inspections is a locally owned, ICA certified home inspector with Professional & General Liability Insurance in the Great Lakes Bay Region. They follow ASHI standards of practice, and provide honest, high quality home inspections with a state-of-the-art digital Pro Nitro reporting format.

Great Lakes Bay Dining & Entertainment

Great Lakes Bay Dining & Entertainment offers a membership card with unlimited visits of 10%-20% off at local restaurants, entertainment venues, retailers and professional services. A portion the proceeds go to local food pantries and rescue missions. 

Lake Effect Chiropractic

Lake Effect Chiropractic is honored to provide elite chiropractic care with advanced techniques and services to Bay City, Essexville, Hampton, Portsmouth, Kawkawlin, University Center, and the surrounding areas. Their services promote the natural healing of soft tissues, joints, and bones throughout the body. From migraines to spine injury to plantar fasciitis, their clinic is here to get you fully functioning and living life to the fullest. 

Munroe

Munroe is a hair salon offering haircuts, customized color, brow and lash services that uses all natural vegan hair color and haircare products.

Remedy FNMT

Remedy FMNT specializes in treating pain in the body using Functional Neuromuscular Therapy, giving clients results in just the first session! 

Sanctuary Yoga

Sanctuary Yoga is your home for the best yoga + barre classes + finding yourself again. They have created a peaceful, welcoming environment where you can come just as you are.

Please make sure to welcome these businesses and support your fellow Chamber members!

Featured Content

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Announces New Member Benefit!

The Bay Area Chamber proudly announces an enhancement to its member services with the introduction of Certificates of Origin.

Certificates of Origin serve as crucial documentation, attesting to the authenticity and source of products exported by businesses. By offering this service, the Bay Area Chamber reinforces its commitment to providing value and supporting the growth and success of its members in the global marketplace.

Businesses interested in obtaining Certificates of Origin through the Bay Area Chamber are encouraged to visit their website for an application.

Leadership Bay County Learns About Government & History!

Leadership Bay County had their fifth session of the program about Government and History!

The class started the day in City Hall hearing from Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet, State Representative Timmy Beson and State Representative Matthew Bierlein.



They also heard updates from the District Director, Jacob Bennett, Bay County Executive, Jim Barcia and Bay City Manager, Dana Muscott about the federal government, Bay County and Bay City.

The session ended with Sam Fitzpatrick giving a tour of City Hall and the The Historical Museum of Bay County!

Their March session will be focusing on Education.

Bite of Reality Goes to John Glenn and Bay City Academy!

In February, John Glenn High School and Bay City Academy welcomed Bite of Reality, a simulation of real-life financial decisions requiring students to stay in their monthly budget that is determined by their career.

In total, over 150 students from 9-12 grade participated in the simulation! This is a program of our Business and Education Partnership. We welcome all schools in Bay County to participate. Please reach out to Jodi LaMont to schedule a session.

Leadership Bay County Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser

Leadership Bay County Class of 2024 is hosting a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings to benefit their class project at Brian's House.

Support the class by dining in at Buffalo Wild Wings on March 20th and showing this ticket physically or digitally to your server for 20% of your bill to go back to the class!

Wednesday, March 20, ALL DAY!

Buffalo Wild Wings

4050 Wilder Rd

Bay City, MI 48706

Thank you for your support!

Mock Job Interviews

Miss Bay County is hosting a Special Olympics Pageant.

Blue Cross Blue Shield added a cancer Support Program to their health plans.

Applications for the 2024 LPGA Leadership Academy are now open.

Million Girls Moonshot is hosting an 'Ecstatic About Stem' event on March 29th.

ABC Greater Michigan's Regional Fundraiser to benefit Make A Wish is on April 19th.

The Bay Area Community Foundation is hosting their 24-Hour Day of Giving on May 7th.

The Great Lakes Bay Supplier Summit will take place on May 13th.

MyMichigan Health shares importance of Colon Cancer screening.

River Jordan will be hosting a taco fundraiser on March 18th.

Do you have news or events you would like to share with other Chamber members? Email your events to Annabelle to be included in the next Bay Area Chamber Banter, and add them to our 'Community Events' calendar.

Click HERE to read our March Events Notice!

Click HERE to read the Energize March Newsletter

Congressionally Directed Spending - DEADLINE EXTENDED

The deadline for submitting your FY25 congressionally directed spending (CDS) projects has been extended a week and is now due by March 19th, 2024.

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D) and Gary Peters (D) offices have opened the application process for Congressionally Directed Spending for the 2025 Fiscal Year. It is important to note that each office has its own application process and criteria for eligibility, which may include both government and non-profit entities. To learn more about eligible entities and the appropriations process, you can visit Senator Stabenow’s Appropriations Request page here and Senator Peters’ page here. 

If you have questions regarding the FY2025 appropriations process in Senator Peters’ office, please reference the handbook and if you still have questions, please contact appropriations@peters.senate.gov. Please CC Quentin_Groce@peters.senate.gov on all questions.

If you intend to apply for Congressionally Directed Spending, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is interested in helping with any requests that align with our mission. We would be happy to review your project and the potential for a letter of support.  

Applications for Match on Main are Now Open

Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program, provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.  

The focus of Match on Main is to support place-based businesses as they seek to launch and grow on main street. Small businesses are the cornerstone of what makes Michigan’s downtowns unique and authentic. This program aligns to the MEDC’s strategic focus areas, including the continued effort toward developing attractive places. 

Gov. Whitmer Urges Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow to Apply for Available Federal Funding

As Michigan continues to face record high winter temperatures, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michigan small businesses impacted by lack of snow to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Amid the warmest winter on record, with days in February and March topping 60 degrees, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 42 Michigan counties.

To read more, click HERE.

Pure Michigan Campaign

The Governor’s proposal remains flat in comparison to the current fiscal year at $15M for the Pure Michigan campaign, which includes the successful commercial campaign with actor Tim Allen’s voiceovers. For background, the Pure Michigan campaign received no funding for several years before returning two years ago with $40M allocated the state’s travel office, then saw a significant cut in last year’s state budget. 

An analysis of the investment in tourism found that the industry supports $3.2B in tax payments to state and local governments and generates an $11 return for each $1 invested. Based on this impact, the Michigan Hospitality and Tourism Alliance is currently advocating with the Legislature for a $50M investment in the final budget.

Going Pro Fund



The Governor has proposed an increase 36% over last year’s budget for the Going Pro Talent Fund. While the $74M proposal falls short of fully funding last year’s applications, this is a significant increase for a proven program that provides direct grant assistance to businesses for training dollars for employees to receive U.S. Department of Labor recognized credentials. 

The Chamber will continue to advocate for this funding increase and for full funding of the program in the future as a benefit to our businesses and their employees.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

A ribbon cutting is a ceremonial opening of a new business, a recognition for newly renovated business, a celebration of an anniversary, or recognition for a major milestone. Ribbon cuttings are a great way to bring attention to your business!

In February, Ribbon Cuttings were done for MadlySoftSkin & Esthetics, Princess and the Hound, Bay Realty Michigan, The Center for Emotional Health & Empowerment and United We Go.

Madly Soft Skin & Esthetics

Princess and the Hound

Bay Realty Michigan

The Center for Emotional Health & Empowerment

United We Go

Brick Awards

The Brick Award was developed by the Bay Area Chamber Ambassadors to recognize the investment a Bay County business makes to the community when it expands, renovates, or improves its facility. The award for February was presented to the following business: Sombreros Mexican Restaurant.

Presented by Ambassador Beth Gehoski.

In Case You Missed It!

Thank you to all who attended our February Eye Opener Breakfast and Business After Hours!

Please visit our Facebook Page to see photos from the events.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!