Coastline E-News

May 2010

Learning together; growing together

Your Chamber is working to make Muskegon the best place to live, work and play by supporting and developing programs like the “Muskegon Promise Zone” and “Muskegon Opportunity.” These programs are important because an educated workforce is crucial to creating good paying jobs, helping companies grow and attracting new investment to the area.
 
The State of Michigan has designated Muskegon County as a "Promise Zone,” which means we have a structure in place to legally raise money so all children who live here can receive two years of higher education. The money is not available yet, but community leaders are committed to making this happen.
 
Meanwhile, Muskegon Opportunity prepares children to be successful in higher education programs. Research suggests a lack of money is not the main reason many children don’t pursue higher education. The bigger issue is preparation.  Children and adults need the knowledge, skills and motivation to survive the educational challenges they face in today's fast-paced environment. To understand how this works, to volunteer or to become a mentor go to www.muskegonopportunity.org

Both of these programs are committed to  working in unison for the community in an effort to build the workforce needed to sustain this region in the new economy.
 
Chamber benefits: It pays to be a member

The Chamber launched an exclusive member benefit program earlier this month that will save members money on office supplies, janitorial items, furniture and facilities products.

The Smart Solutions Office Supply Program, a Chamber partnership with Integrity Business Solutions of Muskegon, offers deep discounts on high-demand products. The program covers everyday needs like pencils and pens to big-ticket items like printers and office chairs.

Dawn Johnson, vice president of member services, said the partnership with Integrity Business Solutions is just one of the ways it pays to be a member.

“Part of our mission at the Chamber is to helpour members save money and increase revenues,” Johnson said. “We are excited to offer this benefit along with many others.”

The program is easy to use. to sign up, call 231-799-9799.

Attack on Unpaid Internships  

Internships have become a major focus of educational development plans and in many cases, have become a necessary requirement to graduate from college.

Students and employers benefit from the internship experience. By gaining valuable real world work experience, developing professional interpersonal skills and being exposed to different career opportunities, employers often find individuals with internship experience an attractive hiring choice.

Because internships are so important to the development of a quality workforce, it is imperative that businesses and for-profit organizations know the rules of unpaid internships are changing. 

The Department of Labor recently issued guidelines promoting an aggressive stance against unpaid internships. In the past year, unemployment among workers ages 20 to 24 has skyrocketed to 16 percent. In many cases, the best alternative to unemployment is an unpaid internship. For-profit employers who utilize talent from this pool need to be careful not to break the law. Non-profits are not under the same restrictions as for-profit employers.

The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has developed a six-point test for evaluating whether an individual constitutes a “trainee” (intern) for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Click here to learn about the six-point test…

Creating an Entrepreneur Driven Community

The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce is creating a new environment that supports Muskegon as the location of choice for entrepreneurial business activity. The creation of a culture that encourages and rewards entrepreneurial activity places the economic future of this community in our own hands.  Understanding this,  the Chamber launched a comprehensive “Entrepreneur Driven Community” initiative earlier this year aimed at doing just that.

At the heart of the program is a dedicated group of volunteers known as the E-Coordinating Council. The council is a collection of prominent community and business leaders  working to create a culture that encourages entrepreneurial success.

E-Coordinating Council member Bill Lowry said the committee has several goals, including creating a culture where entrepreneurialism is embraced as a “viable economic development strategy and a desired employment choice.”

Current members include: The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, Muskegon Area First, Michigan Small Business Technology & Development Center (MI-SBTDC), Senior Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), The Starting Block, Baker College, Muskegon Community College, Muskegon Heights Downtown Development Authority and the Muskegon Inventors Network. Other appropriate organizations are being invited to participate as the work continues.

These members are meeting on a regular basis to develop a marketing and community engagement strategy to involve all stakeholders in this initiative.  Be on the lookout for more information to come.

Upcoming Events

Summer Celebration
“Chamber Chalet Nights”
Dates: June 24, 25, July 2
ZZ Top, Emerson Drive &
B 52s.
Cost: $100 per four tickets

Chamber Classic
Golf Outing
Date: 8/26/10
Shotgun: 11:30am
Oakridge Golf Club
RSVP your foursome today!
 

Coastline E-News
April 2010

Living on the Lakeshore has been a popular business directory and community profile publication for years – but this year, the Chamber introduces it in a digital magazine format. A link to the digital magazine can be found at the Chamber’s website, www.muskegon.org. 

Chamber E-News

March 2010

Young Entrepreneurs with Big Dreams

Video game enthusiasts Dion Ferrier and Chad Townsend share a dream of launching a gaming bar in Muskegon. Not familiar with the concept? A dozen or so televisions would be connected to X-box and PS-3 consoles with patrons paying an entrance fee to hang out and play the latest video games with friends. The owners would sell energy drinks and soda in what they describe as a “comfortable gaming environment.”

It’s an impressive plan for an adult. But Dion and Chad aren’t even out of high school. They are one of five teams competing for the Young Entrepreneur Award.

The Chamber’s Entrepreneur Advisory Council, in partnership with the Career Tech Center, created the Young Entrepreneur Award as a way to encourage high school students to turn their passions into potential businesses. The teams recently presented their business plans to a review committee; the first Young Entrepreneur Award winner will be announced March 18 at the Chamber’s Entrepreneur Award Luncheon at the Muskegon Country Club.

The students and business names are: Dion Ferrier and Chad Townsend, The Lag Beast; Matt Tarte and Codey Morey, TMT Accounting; Savanna Bankhead, Community Church News; Blake Whittington, Your College Recruiting; and Dequarius White, Dequarius Jewelry.

Each team received training through the SCORE program where retired entrepreneurs volunteer their time to give counseling to help develop business plans. The winner will receive $250 scholarships from Comerica Bank and West Michigan Power Cleaning and a scholarship from Baker College.

“All of the students are incredibly talented, we are proud of all of them,” said Dawn Johnson, the Chamber’s vice president of member services. “The students were well-prepared for their presentations. They did an amazing job.”

Chamber Members Get $71,665 in Cash Back

The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce 57 chamber members have earned over $71,665 in dividends through the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America workers compensation group program.

Since the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce is a designated group, our members receive 5 percent up-front savings on Accident Fund workers compensation insurance rates.  Plus, when the group performs well, participating chamber members are eligible for dividends. 

"It’s a fact – safety pays. A safe work environment is not only great for employees, it’s great for the bottom line," says Theresa Ross, Accident Fund’s group program specialist.  “We’re proud to be able to present the Chamber with this dividend for members in the program.”

Accident Fund’s loss prevention consultants work with policyholders on safe work practices and teach employee safety training. The company also offers an online "tool box" where policyholders can link to federal and state workplace safety websites.

Tough Times… Tough Decisions

 
Just as you are tightening your belts, so is your chamber. Jamie Burmeister, our staff accountant, has been working diligently to find ways to save money in our operational costs. She has revisited every vender contract and reviewed all bills with a fine tooth comb. Her efforts are paying off.

So far she has come up with saving of about $350 per month. We found phone lines that were no longer needed due to technology upgrades; new banking products with lower service fees; changed the terms of some of our office maintenance contracts; and identified lower cost office supplies. 

We want to thank all of our member venders and suppliers for helping us find these savings. Your support is helping us to become a stronger chamber. Any savings we find is put right back into member promotion, training programs and business services.
 

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