Grand Rapids Chamber

You will not want to miss this year’s Tech Week Kick-Off event! The Chamber is excited to be an event partner.

Join us as we celebrate the start of Tech Week with our keynote speaker, Stephen Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics book series and host of Freakonomics Radio.

Register and find more information here: techweekgr.com/events/tech-week-kick-off

Some call it art. Some call it Friday. Here's a look inside our Happy Hour fridge stocked by New Holland Brewing Co. Cheers to our member employees and Chamber staff! All week, member teams worked out of our office on video projects, strategic planning, training, and more. Crack a cold one on us after working out of the Chamber.

To reserve a space, visit: https://grandrapids.org/event-space-rentals/

Last week, Main Event opened their first Michigan location in Kentwood in the Woodland Mall!

Their facility is the go-to entertainment destination for all ages, boasting state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, and a full-service restaurant, bar and snack bar and more.

Congratulations and thank you for choosing Kentwood to make your Michigan Michigan debut!

🎉 What a great way to wrap up a work day! The Grand Rapids Chamber has reached 2900 members! This net increase of 900 members since 2022 showcases our region's thriving business community.

It's great to see so many organizations coming together to drive growth and collaboration. We appreciate all our members and hope you join the march to 3,000!

Join today! https://grandrapids.org/join-the-chamber/

A resounding "yes" with a 16-2 vote by the Kent County Board of Commissioners is paving the way for transformative projects in Grand Rapids, like the Acrisure Amphitheater!

This public-private partnership is key to our region's success and is another step towards building a thriving and prosperous West Michigan.

Michigan business owners, this post is for you.

Your Chamber is advocating for your business and helping navigate the Supreme Court's recent decision that will change labor laws regarding Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage.

We can give you resources and help you understand the changes. There are one-pager explanations and FAQs on our site along with details for a Statewide Town Hall discussing the topic happening on August 28.

Additionally, we 're asking for your input so we can be your voice with lawmakers.

Follow the link to the Save MI Small Business page:

Save MI Small Business - Grand Rapids Chamber Fixing Minimum Wage and Paid Leave The Michigan Supreme Court’s recent decision made a major change in Michigan’s labor laws, requiring employers to update or change their policies and procedures. The […]

Join us in our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable community!

The Institute for Healing Racism, a four-session cohort experience, is designed to disrupt systemic racial oppression and encourage open dialogue. Expand your understanding of racism and its impacts while developing critical consciousness. If you manage others or have an impactful voice in your organization, you have a responsibility to be a part of this transformative opportunity.

Learn more / register: https://grandrapids.org/event/institute-for-healing-racism-fall-2024/

🐝 This ribbon cutting was something to buzz about! We were delighted to share in the excitement of the duo behind Bumble Bee Blinds in front of their newly detailed business on wheels!

AND they have an exclusive deal for Chamber members 🌟 Bumble Bee Blinds of West Michigan is offering $250 off qualifying purchases for Chamber Members until September 30, 2024. You can schedule your free consultation today and let them take the frustration out of selecting window coverings. Choose from a wide range of blinds, shutters, shades, and drapery with the highest levels of customer service.

Find them in our business directory: https://web.grandrapids.org/search

ICYMI: Our Talent and Inclusion team was on eightWest highlighting our inclusion programs that help foster belongingness with the business community.

Our newly revamped Institute for Healing Racism is back this September, and we're eagerly looking forward to our Diversity and Talent Summit where the first Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker Award for Inclusive Excellence will be given to a worthy recipient.

Registrations for fall programs and events are currently open. See the full list here: https://grandrapids.org/events/

Creating inclusive business environments Creating inclusive business environments

We are excited to announce the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2025!

Forty-one community leaders will participate in the Leadership Grand Rapids program, or LGR, which is truly one-of-a-kind. Each year, a committed group of leaders participate in an intense 10-month professional leadership training focused on systems thinking to tackle real issues facing our local community.

The leaders who graduate from this program go on to help create a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for ALL!

See the full list: https://grandrapids.org/news/leadership-grand-rapids-class-of-2025

📢 Calling all past, present and future participants of the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Create Great Leaders programs! We invite you to join us for the Create Great Leaders Annual Party at LMCU Ballpark! This is a great opportunity to reunite with classmates and build new relationships while supporting future program scholarships.

In addition to a great party, there's a great cause! Ticket sales and other fundraising activities will help provide scholarships to deserving participants in Create Great Leaders programs.

We hope to see you there!

Register here: https://grandrapids.org/event/create-great-leaders-annual-party/

The Chamber invites you to join a Michigan Business town hall meeting on the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling on minimum wage and paid sick time.

Why it matters: We will discuss the decision, the effort to advance legislation addressing harmful components and how employers can help advocate for a fix. Topics from this event include:

- Overview of the decision
- Significant items and timeline
- Legislative update & strategy
- Advocacy next steps
- How your voice can help

Join us Wednesday, August 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Register: https://grandrapids.org/event/urgent-supreme-court-update/

Our latest Business Growth Workshop, hosted by DWH Managing Partner Ben Borisch and Partner Jeremy Cosby, focused on strategic acquisitions to boost business growth.

Participants learned how to...
- sort pros and cons of growth through acquisition versus organic growth
- identify acquisition targets
- conduct due diligence
- master valuation techniques

The workshop explored various financing options, taught effective negotiation tactics, and talked best practices for seamless integration.

Our next workshop is in October with presenter, Chris Helleman, who is a business coach and certified EOS implementer. If you're a business owner who needs to "get a grip on your business," this is the workshop for you.

Register here: https://grandrapids.org/events/

Welcome to our newest Chamber staff!

Maddy Miller is our new Event Coordinator and will assist with planning and managing the Chamber's 160+ events and programs. Maddy is deeply passionate about crafting engaging events and channeling her creativity into meaningful projects.

Jan Burns joins us as the new Member Relations Manager. With her, she brings 25+ years of experience in marketing and events. Jan is enthusiastic about our community, networking, and volunteering. So much so, that she is a Certified Tourist Ambassador for Grand Rapids!

You can read their full bios on our staff page: https://grandrapids.org/staff/

Please join us in welcoming them to our team!

Earlier this week, we joined ICCF Community Homes to celebrate the start of construction on The Seymour Condominiums in the Alger Heights neighborhood. The project focuses on creating affordable, accessible housing by converting the former Seymour Christian School building into 27 two-story condos.

14 homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the area median income. 13 will be sold to those at or below 120% AMI.

Projects like this would not be possible without strong partnerships and legislative support, including the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program, which funds the creation of more affordable housing for hardworking Michiganders.

The Grand Rapids Chamber was proud to spearhead the brownfield law amendment, along with Housing Next and the Housing Michigan Coalition. It’s through initiatives like this that we can address housing supply and affordability. Together, we can drive solutions forward.

Community Conversation:
AAPI Leaders and Elected Officials Discuss the State of the Community

Leaders from the Asian American Pacific Islander network met with a panel of elected officials to discuss the current state of the AAPI community, highlighting both its successes and ongoing challenges. Congressional Representatives Hillary Scholten (Hillary Scholten) and Ted Lieu (Rep. Ted Lieu), Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (Senator Winnie Brinks), and Grand Rapids City Commissioner Bing Goei shared their valuable insights during the discussion.

Looking to level up your leadership this fall? Consider joining one of our leadership programs. We have programs for leaders from all backgrounds and all career levels.

Want to learn more? Check it out: https://grandrapids.org/overview/

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Yadira Garza-Malone, the Grand Rapids Chamber's Senior Director of Development, to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan. The commission was created to develop a unified policy and plan of action to serve the needs of Michigan's Hispanic and Latino people.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to advocate for the Hispanic and Latino community on a statewide level,” said Yadira Garza-Malone. This appointment also enhances my work at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce by aligning our efforts to develop programs and provide advocacy to empower and support our diverse community.”

Her term starts August 1, 2024, and ends December 10, 2026.

Have you registered for the Tech Week 2024 Kick-Off event? We'll be there!

Stephen Dubner will share his widely acclaimed expertise to inspire us as we embark on a week full of tech and innovation. The early bird pricing deadline is on July 26th, so be sure to register soon!

Find more information here: techweekgr.com/events/tech-week-kick-off

Congratulations to Adventure Credit Union! We were thrilled to celebrate their new Walker location with a ribbon cutting earlier this week. Be sure to check out the beautifully renovated space soon!

Nine incredible individuals and three organizations will be recognized this fall for inspiring a fierce future for women.

Join us at the ATHENA Awards Celebration to hear the award recipients announced live!

Announcing the Finalists of the 2024 ATHENA Awards - Grand Rapids Chamber The Grand Rapids Chamber and ATHENA Grand Rapids are excited to announce the finalists of the 35th Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration.

SUCCESS: We are thrilled to celebrate that Kent County residents voted to pass the Kent County Sports & Entertainment Facilities Proposal. There was strong support from communities county-wide for the Destination Kent campaign. We wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who supported this effort.

The Chamber will continue working with Grand Action 2.0, the Kent County Commission, and other partners on the next steps to successfully support the Acrisure Amphitheater and proposed soccer stadium.

These projects will generate $1.2 billion in new economic growth, create hundreds of jobs, and drive West Michigan’s growth for the next generation. The public and private investment will add to our magnetic community and improve the quality of life for current and future residents.

Additionally, Kent County residents will continue to invest in successful futures through the Kent District Library Millage and the Ready By Five Early Childhood Millage.

Together, we create a thriving and prosperous West Michigan!

Last Friday, the Grand Rapids Chamber hosted a virtual update on the Michigan Supreme Court's decision to overturn the "adopt-and-amend" strategy, resulting in higher minimum wage, elimination of the tip credit, and expanded paid leave. Employers across the state will face significant impacts, particularly in industries heavily reliant on tipped workers.

Olivia Lanctot, an attorney at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge (), provided a comprehensive overview of the ruling and its implications. Olivia recommended that employers:

- Identify all employees and their current wage rates.
- Determine positions that may need to be modified.
- Assess short- and long- term budgets to ensure compliance with the timeline.
- Include Paid Time Off and Sick Time in budget analysis.
- Involve your CPA and HR teams if applicable, assess your systems and capabilities.

Get the recap or watch the full webinar here: https://grandrapids.org/news/recap-supreme-court-decision/?utm_source=fa9eee4c-190d-40e1-8dea-81186d6e5878&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

What's next: The Grand Rapids Chamber is working in partnership with various allies to lessen the impact and find solutions to potential challenges, particularly for small businesses and the service industry.

Recap: Legal Briefing of MI Supreme Court's Decision - GRC Last Friday, the Grand Rapids Chamber hosted a virtual update on the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the “adopt-and-amend” strategy, resulting in higher minimum wage, elimination of the tip credit, […]

Make sure you get out and VOTE!!

As of last week, almost 50% of Kent County absentee ballots had not been returned. Make sure your vote is counted and drop your ballot at an official drop box location by 8:00 p.m.

This is our last friendly reminder to vote YES on all three ballots proposals if you live in Kent County: The Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal, KDL millage, and Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage.

Subscribe to our newsletter for an election recap: https://grandrapids.org/chamber-newsletter/

3 Benefits of a Chamber Membership:

- Access to a collaborative office space
- Over 100 networking events
- Cost saving benefits and programs that will save your company thousands
.. and so much more! Learn more: https://grandrapids.org/join-the-chamber/

As you prepare to head to the polls in the morning, we want to remind you to vote YES on all three proposals on the ballot:

🎤⚽ Destination Kent: The Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal is critical to support the soccer stadium and amphitheater. It is not a millage and will not affect property taxes. Vote yes to support the public financing component of transformational assets and enable $1.2 billion in new economic impact. It's on the back of many ballots, don’t forget to look!

📚 Kent District Library has proposed a one year millage to provide funding for 2025. If residents vote yes, the library will be able to continue operations during 2025 and prevent closing branches, laying off team members, and reducing programs and services.

🖐️ The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage will help thousands of children in Kent County enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn and succeed. Vote yes to renew the current millage of 0.25 mills for an additional 5 years.

Not sure where your precinct is? Here's the link to voting and absentee ballot drop off locations:

Polling Locations - Kent County, Michigan Through responsible budgeting and thoughtful planning, Kent County government is committed to providing resources and services that promote a high quality of life for the entire community.

MVP Sports Clubs just celebrated the grand opening of their new pickleball facility at their Crahen location!

The new 17,000 square foot pickleball facility features six indoor courts, six outdoor courts, and a turf area for playing yard games.

Through their premier facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and various programming, they are committed to building healthy communities that change lives.

Check out the new facility at https://mvpsportsclubs.com/pickleball-facility.

Don't miss our next Chamber Issues Forum!

The Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness joined community and business leaders to announce an upcoming effort to house 100 individuals in 100 days.

Join us to hear from leaders of this effort on the what, why and how behind this effort as well as other innovations that are improving outcomes.

RSVP: https://grandrapids.org/event/issues-forum-2024-08-16/

OTC Industrial Technologies celebrated their move to a new and larger facility with a ribbon cutting among its local customers, vendors, and executive leaders.

Driven by decades of industry experience, OTC is a trusted, one-stop-shop supplier for comprehensive industrial and manufacturing solutions.

With outstanding engineering and service capabilities and a nationwide network of industry-leading vendors, OTC is invested in customizing the right solutions for our customers in virtually every industry.

Join us in congratulating on their big move as the business continues to grow to meet the demand in our region.