After hours setting
PETOSKEY — Area businesses and their staff are invited to the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on September 22nd from 5-7pm at Odawa Casino. The event has food, door prizes, a cash bar, and more.
This month’s sponsors are Michigan’s Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tip of the Mitt Score. Admission is $10 for him and $15 for all other members.
Elk Rapids Fall Festival
ELK RAPIDS — Elk Rapids celebrates Fall Fest on September 24th from 12pm to 4pm
River Street will be closed to vehicles from Cedar to Dexter Street. Some of the scheduled activities include pumpkin painting, farm and home market vendors, games and activities for kids, live Jazz Cabbage, beer and sausage tents, cider and donuts, art demonstrations, and a scarecrow contest. , and The Return of the Christmas Reindeer.
Companies participating in the Scarecrow Contest will have until September 20th to exhibit. People can vote for the most decorated scarecrow at the Fall Fest.
Virtual Google Ads Workshop
TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City SCORE chapter introduces a virtual workshop, “Learn the basics of Google Ads in time for the holidays,” on September 27th at 9am.
Pamela Starr, Grow with Google Professional Trainer, walks attendees through creating accounts for ad campaigns, creating ads, and the differences between Google Ads Smart Campaigns and Expert Mode.
Sign up for free at https://tinyurl.com/884mj73a.
HBAGTA Scholarship Dinner Schedule
TRAVERSE CITY — The Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area will host a scholarship awards dinner on October 12 at The Hagerty Center, 715 E. Front St.
Northwestern Michigan College President Nick Nisley is a guest speaker. Cocktails are served at 5 PM and dinner is served at 6:15 PM.
Corporate tables are $850 and individual tickets are $75. Please check her attendance by September 27th by emailing Lauren@hbagta.com.
Area shop tour
Berea — Vintage Shop Hop Tour on September 30th and October 1st from 10am to 5pm. Visit The Flying Pig in Bellaire, Pear Tree in Alden, Grace of Alden, Stonehedge Gardens in East Jordan and Whimsical Wit in Boyne City. Vintage Mercantile on Walloon Lake.
If you receive a passport at each store, fill it out and enter, you will win prizes such as gift certificates from each store. Gifts will be given to the first 100 customers at each store. Details: 231-313-1517.
available fuel programs
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is offering a Deliverable Fuels program through September 30th.
Participants may receive energy at their primary residence if their primary heat source is a deliverable fuel such as propane, firewood, fuel oil, or pellets. The program serves low-income families in Grand Traverse, Antrim, Karkaska, Benji, Leelanau, Wexford, Roscommon, Charlevoix, Missaukee and Emmett counties.
Call 231-947-3780, option 4 to get started.
Fitness studio celebrates its 20th anniversary
ELK RAPIDS — Bodywise Fitness and Wellness celebrates its 20th anniversary at 504 Bridge St. The studio offers a free “Health Breakthrough Session” by owner girlfriend Judith Wonacott.
A nutrition coaching program can be combined with a private cooking class. Yoga and Pilates are also available.
For more information, call 231-264-6688 or visit Erbodywise.com.
space summit lineup set
ACME — The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association will host the 5th Annual North American Space Summit October 2-4 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Presenters include former U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Kellogg Jr., Lockheed Martin Space’s Stacey DeFore, and Rhodium Scientific Corporation founder and CEO Olivia G. Holzhaus. The keynote speaker is Lt. Gen. Nina Armaño, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Space Force. Topics include the Michigan Launch Initiative, Space Transportation, and Space-Based Manufacturing.
Register at theass.org. MAMA members can get a discount code by calling 734-478-5533.
Construction training program
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwest Michigan Works!, Team Elmer’s and Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates have partnered to deliver a heavy highway construction training program at Northwestern Michigan College in January 2023.
The information session will begin on October 6 at 5:30 pm at NMC’s Aero Park Laboratories, 2525 Aero Park Drive. Interested students can talk to employers, see construction equipment, and get an overview of the course.
The 12-week program is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has a high school diploma or GED and is authorized to work in the United States. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has awarded the Northwest Michigan Michigan Plant with the Michigan Learning and Education Improvement Program grant! Funds the program.
For more information, please contact Kailey.rubinas@networksnorthwest.org or 231-342-5563.
Brewer Offers Opportunity
TRAVERSE CITY — The Workshop Brewing Company recently completed the first year of its Restaurant Incubator Program. On this show, Archie served the food.
New food truck operators or restaurateurs can apply to start a business within a brewery for one year from January 2023. The workshop management team provides facilities, full kitchen, warehouse, business development and administrative support.
Interested applicants can email a sample menu, business plan, resume and three references to contact@traversecityworkshop.com.
theater crowdfunding
Sutton’s Bay — The Michigan Economic Development Corporation continues its crowdfunding campaign for the Bay Community Theater.
If the Patronicity Campaign reaches the $50,000 goal by October 31st, MEDC will offer Matching Grants through its Public Spaces Community Places program.
Funds will go toward new seating, repaired and refinished floors, expanded Americans with Disabilities Act access, and floor lighting. The theater also aims to expand its community programs in new spaces. Visit patronicity.com/thebay to learn more or contribute to the campaign.
Regional hospital wins
NOVI — Michigan’s Economic Union recently certified 16 hospitals statewide for improving obstetric care and delivery outcomes. The 2022 awards are part of a maternity care project aimed at reducing infant mortality, reducing unnecessary caesarean sections, and educating new and expectant parents.
2022 Maternity Care Excellence Award winners include Gaylord’s Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital and Traverse City’s Munson Medical Center. These facilities met criteria for caesarean section rate, episiotomy rate, elective premature birth, and obstetric care process. Washington, DC-based Leapfrog Group collected data in 2021.
Drama club looking for sponsors
Gaylord — The Gaylord High School Drama Club invites community businesses to sponsor during the 14th season.
Sponsorship program options include monetary or product donations. The products are used as prizes for the duck race held in February every year. A donation of at least $50 is suggested.
Bring your sponsorship to school or send it to 90 Livingston Blvd. Gaylord, MI 49735. Question: hotellingl@gaylord.k12.mi.us.
high speed internet fund
East Lansing — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for ReConnect program loans and grants to help expand high-speed Internet access in rural Michigan.
Funding comes through the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Approximately $150 million in loans, $700 million in grants, and $300 million in loans/grants available.
The application deadline is November 2nd. For more information on the ReConnect program and forms, visit usda.gov/reconnect.
Employers gain veteran-friendly status in state
Lansing — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has been named a Gold Level veteran-friendly employer by the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to the release, LEO was chosen for its “commitment to recruiting, retaining and supporting veterans.” Employers will be recognized if they retain at least 75% of their veterans hired in the last year, initiate a veterans assistance program, and create a hiring rotation or leadership development program.
Since 2013, the Michigan Veterans-Friendly Employers Program has recognized more than 500 Michigan employers with Bronze, Silver, or Gold status. In addition, the Michigan Veterans Connector Program focuses on healthcare system and community partners that support military personnel, veterans, and military families.
Start of housing program
LANSING — The Michigan Housing Development Authority offers the Missing Middle Housing Program for developers investing in, building, or renovating properties for rent and sale throughout the state.
Eligible properties include residents with household incomes between 185-300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated concerns about the state’s existing housing stock,” said Chad Benson, MSHDA rental development director, in a release. “With the launch of the Missing Middle Housing Program, we are able to collectively address these issues and rebuild housing availability in Michigan through strategic investments. will have access to quality, safe and affordable housing.”
The first funding round includes $15 million. The next round, he said, is for $33 million and is expected to start in the spring of 2023. At least 30% is for rural projects.
Interested applicants can find more information and a link to the application portal at Michigan.gov. Alternatively, you can get assistance with your submission by emailing MSHDA-MissingMiddle@michigan.gov.
A new form of workplace alliance
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan Department of Occupational Safety and Health and the Detroit Association of Mechanical Contractors recently partnered to educate and protect Michigan’s plumbers, plumbers and HVAC service technicians from workplace hazards.
“This partnership is a testament to MCA Detroit’s dedication to workplace safety and we look forward to working together to keep Michigan’s hardworking machine contractors healthy and safe.
The group aims to meet at least three times a year for three years to share information on its activities.
Information on how to partner with MIOSHA is available at www.michigan.gov/alliance.
Federal Funds Support Climate Programs
LANSING — Michigan Community Services Commission and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced federal funding for the Michigan Climate Corps (MICC) AmeriCorps program.
According to the release, MICC aims to “address climate change, protect the environment for future generations, and develop the next generation of climate leaders in Michigan.” Approximately $1.3 million in federal funding is available to Indigenous Peoples, higher education institutions, local governments, nonprofits, and state ministries and agencies to enable MI’s Healthy Climate Plan. The plan aims to make Michigan carbon neutral by 2050.
Interested applicants can submit a Concept Form application at www.research.net/r/MIClimateCorpsIntent. The deadline is October 31st.
Digital resource launch
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Arbitration and Arbitration have released digital tools to help employers address workers who want to form or join a union. .
New resources include information on navigation workplace issues, protecting workers organizing, industrial partnerships, and addressing small business concerns. Access the Digital Toolkit at sba.gov/employee-organizing.