Business Views 

In this issue:

• Farmers' Market opening day, May 3

• From the desk of the President...

• Monthly Program Sponsor: Brighton Hospital

• Congressman Rogers at GML

• 2009 Livingston Regional Job Fair

• Maximize Your Membership workshop

• Starkey scholarship applications available

• Balloonfest sparkles in its 25th year

• Social networking for business success

• Spotlight on New Member

• Looking for direction? New maps underway

• Meet elected officials at Business After Hours

• Unemployment statistics

• Members Moving Forward

• New discounts with Membership Value Card Program

• Farmers' Market opening day, May 3

  Sunny skies, warmer days, robins chirping and the return of Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market: all sure signs that spring is here. Market-goers are invited to enjoy the array of locally-grown and handmade wares available at the market each week from May through October. Opening day of the 2009 Farmers’ Market season in Howell is Sunday, May 3.

   

  Opening day festivities will include free horse-drawn wagon rides through historic downtown Howell, colorful balloons for kids, courtesy of First National Bank, and free copies of the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus. The market’s live weekly entertainment also returns, opening with the group Houseblend. Partial funding for the weekly entertainment is provided by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area.

   

  Market showcases over 70 vendors

  Throughout the season, the market showcases over 70 vendors including local growers, agricultural producers, artisans and crafts-people. Many of the booths are taken by seasonal vendors who offer an ever-changing selection of produce and agricultural products as the season progresses.

   

  Some of the specialty vendors and products featured at the market throughout the season include heirloom variety tomatoes, squash and melon, a wide variety of garlic and garlic braids and fresh pasture-raised poultry and eggs. Other products include USDA organic grass-fed beef and pork and certified organic raw cheese, in addition to an assortment of handmade products, baked goods, jams, honey and maple syrup sold during each Farmers’ Market day.

   

  Located on State and Clinton streets next to the historic Livingston County Courthouse, the market will run every Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. through the end of October. The season opens with growers offering annuals, perennials and nursery stock for gardeners. As the season progresses, delectable fresh produce fills the market stalls to tempt residents and visitors.

   

  The market is hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Howell and Howell Mainstreet and Downtown Development Authority.

   

  Major sponsor First National Bank and the market’s media sponsor, the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, return this year to help fund and promote the market.

   

  First National Bank has been the major sponsor since the market first opened in 1993. The market fits well with the bank’s position as an independent community bank, with its headquarters in an historic building in downtown Howell.

   

  As media sponsor, the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus does what it does best: promoting the event through regular advertisements and editorial coverage.

   

  Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market is also a successful partner in Project Fresh, a federal WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program that encourages low-income shoppers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.

   

  Featured Business Booth

  The weekly Featured Business Booth provides a chance for members of the community to get to know their business neighbors a little better. Each week a different chamber member company will have the opportunity to meet the community in person and enjoy the chance to promote its business and present promotional items or materials. This face-to-face advertising opportunity is open to one business every Sunday during the five hours of market operations for a nominal fee. Interested members should contact Nick Bitoff at the chamber for more information.

   

  Weekly entertainment returns to market

  While the fresh produce and blooming flowers bring thousands of area residents to the market throughout the season, many enjoy coming to see and hear the weekly entertainment. This year the entertainment continues and introduces several new performers.

   

  Some of the latest additions and returning favorites include Michael May & Blue Infusion, Rich Eddy’s Rockin’ Oldies Band, Rachael Davis, the Kevin Collins Troupe African drum and dance group, barbershop quartet Sharp Attack, contemporary and folk singer Cass Dufrin, and Mariachi singer Gabriel Estrada III. The market also welcomes the Howell Conference & Nature Center for a live animal show.

   

  For more information on Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market, visit howell.org or contact Nick Bitoff at farmersmarket@howell.org or 517.546.3920.

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• From the desk of the President...

  I’m hearing some good news.

   

  OK, yes, we’re still in dire times here in Michigan. Unemployment is at 12 percent for the state. Livingston County’s unemployment stands at more than 10 percent. Both these numbers are unacceptable.

   

  But here at the chamber, we’re hearing from some of our members that things may be starting to look up.

   

  One company has experienced three straight months of the highest sales they’ve ever had. Another is seeing an upswing in sales after “bottoming out” in late 2008.

   

  A hospitality firm is seeing the best bookings in years. Another firm involved in land development is seeing glimmers of new business that weren’t even on the horizon a year ago.

   

  Here at the chamber, we experienced one of our best March membership months ever—both in renewing and new members.

   

  The Livingston County Home Show was a huge success. Sold out, great crowds and excellent vendor feedback.

   

  Downtown Howell welcomed the film crew for the Betty Ann Waters Story. Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver were filming in the courthouse area. Parker High School is in the running as a location for a television series.

   

  Also on the good news front:

   

  Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market opens on May 3. Come celebrate our growers and our downtown every Sunday from May through October. It’s a great place to stroll, purchase locally-grown produce and bedding plants, enjoy live entertainment and celebrate the onset of nice weather. Opening day will feature free horse-drawn wagon rides as well as balloons from Major Sponsor First National Bank and newspapers from Media Sponsor Livingston County Daily Press and Argus.

   

  This year we’re celebrating the 25^th Michigan Challenge Balloonfest—with fireworks! Friday night will feature a great fireworks display sponsored by Medilodge.

   

  We still have some individual balloon sponsorships available. For only $500 you can get your name on a balloon basket, enjoy other promotional opportunities, hospitality room access all weekend long and two great parties. Call the chamber for more information.

   

  During these difficult times, let’s keep celebrating the good news.

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• Monthly Program Sponsor: Brighton Hospital

  Brighton Hospital continues to grow

  Brighton Hospital, Michigan's first addiction-treatment facility, continues to grow its mission of rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse as Ascension Health System's Center of Excellence for Addiction Medicine.

   

  Recently, trainers from the prestigious Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, spent a week in training the Brighton Hospital staff to become the exclusive Betty Ford drug abuse prevention program site in Michigan.

   

  The hospital has expanded beyond its main campus on Kensington and Grand River Road at exit 151 of I-96. Recently, the facility expanded its Intensive Outpatient Programs, both adult and adolescent, individual and group therapy at its new site, "The Corners" in West Bloomfield.

   

  "Brighton at the Corners" is located at Walnut Lake Road and Inkster Road in an innovative synergy of multi-charity, multi-mission timeshared educational and service center. The building was a former public school and then served as a religious school. It has been converted for community education, recreation and therapeutic use by nearby Jewish congregation Shir Shalom.

   

  Brighton Hospital was involved from the earliest conceptual stages and is one of the first to occupy space and develop programs at that site.

   

  The Betty Ford program offered by Brighton Hospital at the Corners is designed to help children who are growing up in households suffering from the disease of addiction to create safety nets, knowledge and self-help skills. The program is designed to help children grow into healthy, non-addicted adults and enjoy lifelong sobriety while breaking what might otherwise be a multigenerational chain of addiction.

   

  “Betty Ford herself helped to bring this program to Michigan,” said Richard Kramer, president of Brighton National Addiction Foundation St. John Brighton Hospital. “And Brighton Hospital, as the state's oldest and best known addiction treatment facility, is honored to have been selected for this partnership with the Betty Ford Center.”

   

  Brighton Hospital, with local philanthropic support, has opened for the public the "Serenity Recovery Bookstore, Gift & Coffee Shop." The store features a comprehensive collection of recovery support literature, audio tapes and videos available in stock and via online ordering. The hospital is the only authorized distributor for Hazelden Publishing with materials for professionals in the addiction treatment field, in corrections and criminal justice, as well as for educators and prevention specialists, and for individuals seeking or in recovery and their family and loved ones.

   

  A variety of inspirational gifts and jewelry are also available at the gift shop. The coffee shop features daily soup, sandwich and salad specials as well as Brighton Hospital's own "Edna's Gourmet Snack Mix" and the facility’s famous scones made fresh daily. This new addition includes a community area with tables and seating for casual meetings.

   

  For more information about any Brighton Hospital program, visit brightonhospital.org or call 877.9SOBER1 toll-free. The treatment center is a non-profit hospital, part of the St. John Health System, and is the Addiction Hospital of Ascension Health, America's largest faith-based health system.

   

   

  Brighton Hospital is the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce monthly program sponsor for April.

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• Congressman Rogers at GML

  Congressman Mike Rogers on automotive industry, economy at April GML

  The auto industry and the local and national economy were a focus during the annual address by U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce April edition of Good Morning Livingston.

   

  Rogers spoke at the program held at Crystal Gardens – Livingston in Howell, with a packed house of over 120 chamber members and guests.

   

  Recently back from an intelligence trip to Russia, the congressman compared the U.S. economy with that of the world’s largest country. Rogers noted that although Russia is experiencing struggles with its economy similar to those in America, its leader, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced the country’s corporate tax will be lowered from 24 percent to 20 percent while the U.S. rate stands at 35 percent.

   

  And despite ailing domestic sales, Rogers reported that in countries abroad, including Russia and China, auto companies like Chevrolet and Buick are performing well.

   

  On the home front, Rogers expressed his frustration with the automotive crisis in which General Motors (GM) and Chrysler are currently embroiled. He said he had been involved in a weekly conference call with former GM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rick Wagoner, working on a plan to pull the company from its financial woes, before Wagoner was removed from his post by the White House.

   

  “The car committee wanted a certain timeline for viability, and he had the loans starting to be paid back in 2011,” Rogers said of Wagoner’s plan for repayment of the $2 million it received in government bridge loans, prior to the announcement of his dismissal.

   

  “Half the workforce is gone from the car companies, from the last six years,” Rogers said. “And even though last year GM got car of the year with the Chevy Volt, they have to close one-fifth of their dealerships, lose 20,000 employees and 14 plants, all without the board of directors and CEO who’ve been through it all.”

   

  Rogers also pointed out that of the members of the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, none have automotive or manufacturing experience, and only one-third own American cars.

   

  “This bankruptcy plan may work from a Wall Street perspective, but not for Michigan and the Midwest,” he said of the timeline and economic restructuring criteria set forth by the administration.

   

  Regarding the state’s budgetary outlook, Rogers said “there are some bright spots in the economy.” He noted that Michigan has more automotive research conducted here than in all the other 49 states combined. “Everything we can manufacture here, we ought to do it.”

   

  For more information, click here to read the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus article on the event.

   

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• 2009 Livingston Regional Job Fair

  Local employers showcased at job fair

  Businesses interested in recruiting employee candidates, or educational institutions and non-profit organizations seeking to promote their programs and services, are invited to participate in the 2009 Livingston Regional Job Fair. The fifth annual event will take place Wednesday, April 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Crystal Gardens-Livingston, 5768 E. Grand River Avenue in Howell.

   

  Local employers seeking to fill positions will have a chance to meet and interview potential candidates. Last year the event attracted 1600 job seekers and 72 exhibitors.

   

  The job fair is presented by the Job Fair Planning Committee, a collaborative committee of representatives from more than 15 local organizations including Livingston County Michigan Works, the Livingston County Workforce Development Council, the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, Cleary University, the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce and other community partners. Media sponsors are the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, The Marketeer and WHMI, 93.5 FM.

   

  “The Job Fair is an excellent venue to put companies that are hiring directly in contact with candidates. In this challenging employment market, this event serves as a resource for both employer and candidate, and helps establish that critical connection,” said Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce.

   

  The event will be heavily marketed and as a sponsor or exhibitor at the job fair, businesses will be featured in publicity expected to reach thousands in and near Livingston County. Further benefits available include company name and logo on the Livingston Regional Job Fair Web site prior to the event, signage at the event and space for recruitment, interviewing or promotional purposes at the event.

   

  For additional details on exhibitor or sponsor packages, contact Convery at the chamber at 517.546.3920 or pconvery@howell.org. Information is also available at the job fair link at lcmw.org.

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• Maximize Your Membership workshop

  Maximize your Membership workshop on April 28

  Want to get the highest possible R.O.I. from your chamber membership? These days, every dollar needs to stretch as far as possible and the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce wants to help make that happen with your investment in membership. Learn how to "Maximize your Membership" at this workshop designed to assist all chamber members with getting the biggest bang for your buck.

   

  The event takes place Tuesday, April 28 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the chamber, 123 E. Washington St. in Howell. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served.

   

  The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce is the community's leading advocate and champion for business. Its primary objective is to create a climate of growth and success in our community. At the program, learn more about how your business can benefit from this commitment.

   

  ·        Learn more about chamber benefits and valuable programs.

  ·        Networking ranks high on importance for why members join the chamber – learn how to make new contacts and get the most out of your networking opportunities.

  ·        Hear more about how the chamber is currently advocating for your business.

  ·        Help us help you – the chamber wants to know what issues are critical to the success of your business and how we can provide the tools you need to get there.

   

  Register on-line at howell.org or contact the chamber at 517.546.3920 by Monday, April 27.

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• Starkey scholarship applications available

  Nominate a working student for the Margaret Starkey Scholarship

  Businesses are invited to nominate employees who are also attending college or technical school for the 2009 Margaret Starkey Scholarship. This program is designed to assist “non-traditional” students seeking to advance their skills and standard of living though advanced education or training.

   

  The scholarship is awarded by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and is named to honor Margaret Starkey, who worked for the chamber for 31 years. The foundation will award a total of up to $15,000 in scholarships to worthy students who are nominated by their employers.

   

  In 2008, an anonymous $100,000 donation was presented to the chamber foundation Margaret Starkey Scholarship program. The foundation funds the scholarship through programming and donations.

   

  “Today’s students are facing the challenges of the general Michigan economy and are working to achieve their goals by advancing their education,” said Pat Convery, president of the chamber foundation. “Margaret Starkey was so important to the growth and success of the chamber in its earlier years. This scholarship program is one way of honoring her legacy.”

   

  The scholarship has traditionally been awarded to employees who possess an extraordinary work ethic, echoing that of Margaret Starkey’s. These hard-working and dedicated individuals go above and beyond expectations on the job while making sacrifices to improve themselves through education and training. Many winners have overcome obstacles in life.

   

  Some of the criteria used to evaluate candidates will include self-motivation, creativity, customer service, leadership and self-confidence. Nominees must have been employed with the nominating company since at least September 2008.

   

  The deadline for returning applications to the chamber foundation is May 15. Winners will be announced June 15 and honored at the September Good Morning Livingston.

   

  Applications for the 2009 Margaret Starkey Scholarship are available online at howell.org for any area business wishing to nominate an outstanding employee.

   

  The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation was formed to receive and administer funds for educational, cultural, scientific and charitable purposes and for the public welfare of the Livingston County community. Contributions to the chamber foundation for programs such as the Margaret Starkey Scholarship are accepted throughout the year or upon renewing annual membership dues.

   

  For more information about the Margaret Starkey Scholarship or the chamber foundation, call Convery at the chamber at 517.546.3920.

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• Balloonfest sparkles in its 25th year

  The silver anniversary of the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, June 26-28, will be a celebration of the event, but also of the community that has supported the balloonfest for a quarter of a century.

   

  Guests will celebrate with the MediLodge Fireworks on Friday Night.

   

  “Twenty-five years ago, the Michigan Challenge started with a whimper and a little burner noise,” said Competition Director Dick Rudlaff. “There were only a couple handfuls of balloons that first year, all good friends who flew together often. But we managed to elbow our way into the Howell community with the help of the chamber of commerce and all their volunteers who make this a true community event to be proud of.

   

  “Thankfully, after all these years, we are still coming back some 50 strong to take our annual place in the skies of Howell. We balloonists consider ourselves lucky to be the adopted sons and daughters of such a great community. What a ride it has been! Proud to be on board, proud of the chamber, proud of Howell and all the important volunteers - everyone that make the Michigan Challenge happen,” Rudlaff added.

   

  Rudlaff is a nationally-know balloonist who brought the idea of the Michigan Challenge to the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce 25 years ago.

   

  Of course, the highlight of the Michigan Challenge weekend is the five scheduled balloon launches Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 6 and 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday mornings between 6 and 8 a.m. Site host is Howell Public Schools.

   

  Balloonfest mixes new and favorite attractions

  New attractions include main stage entertainment by Nightdaze on Friday and The BackBeats, a Beatles tribute band, on Saturday night before the balloon glow. Entertainment is sponsored by Krug Ford, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Atlas Home Improvement and American Laser Centers. America’s Best Frisbee Dogs, sponsored by Meijer, perform on Saturday and Sunday. Finally, this year’s Michigan Challenge Classic Car Show is presented by the Kiwanis Club of Howell and sponsored by Pinckney Chrysler Dodge Jeep.

   

  In a year when many special events have downsized due to the economy, balloonfest continues to offer its sponsors a high return on investment and its guests a value for their money.

   

  Major sponsor is National City.

   

  "National City is proud to be the major sponsor of the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest again this year,” said Vicki Hartman, National City vice president. “We are especially excited to be part of the 25th anniversary of this premier event, and hope to support 25 more years!"

   

  Supporting sponsors are Waste Management, Tanger Outlet Center and Citizens Insurance. Pepsi is beverage sponsor.

   

  Business opportunities take off

  For businesses interested in marketing their products and services at the event, the Michigan Challenge has attracted more than 120,000 people per year, and offers networking, advertising, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities.

   

  The event is organized by the Michigan Challenge committee. Chairman of the committee is Trevor Brooks, The UPS Store. Vice chair is Tim McCotter, J K Janiga Architects, Inc.

   

  “Balloonfest is a team effort among the committee, sponsors, volunteers and the community,” said Michigan Challenge Director Michelle Tokan.

   

  Hundreds of chamber members participate in all aspects of balloonfest including leadership roles on the committee, advertising their businesses in the Michigan Challenge newspaper supplement or sponsoring a balloon. 

   

  Balloon sponsors can select either print advertising or a link to their company’s Web site on the pilot page of michiganchallenge.com. In addition, special VIP amenities are included as well as other marketing benefits.

   

  “Balloon sponsorship is an affordable and fun option that offers unique marketing benefits,” added Tokan.

   

  Another marketing option is advertising in the Michigan Challenge newspaper supplement/program. It is distributed to more than 65,000 homes and businesses in Livingston, Oakland and Ingham counties, and includes pilot information, feature stories, event schedules and colorful photos. The supplement is inserted in the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and other Gannett publications in southeast and mid-Michigan.

   

  Community volunteers give and get back

  In addition to chamber members, hundreds of community volunteers contribute to the success of balloonfest.  Working on the parking team is a profitable option for volunteers.

   

  The pay for parking shifts is $7 per hour which is an increase from previous years. . Volunteers for parking positions must be over 16 years of age. Youth groups are encouraged to enlist parents, friends and relatives. Balloonfest parking is sponsored by Art Van.

   

  “We increased the per hour rate for individuals volunteering their time to help direct traffic in order to give back more to the community,” said Tokan. 

   

  For more information about Michigan Challenge opportunities, contact Tokan at 517.546.3920 or mtokan@howell.org. Up to date information can be found at www.michiganchallenge.com.

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• Social networking for business success

  One might live in Livingston County, but attendees at the March Lunch & Learn discovered another house worth exploring.

   

  Sandi Maki and Al Curtis from the InSights Group presented “Social Media Strategies for Business Success” and discussed how online social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn serve as people’s virtual homes.

   

  According to Curtis, participants on these sites are welcoming users to their house, opening the doors and inviting everyone inside.

   

  Both presenters emphasized that today's world and interactions are all about personal branding - marketing you, not your company.

   

  That’s why it’s important to include a photo of you on the sites you sign up for, said Maki. She also suggested putting your picture on your business card so people not only remember the conversation you may have had, but the person on the other end.

   

  The Lunch & Learn program was a sell out. A similar program took place Wednesday, April 15 at the chamber so members can better understand how social media works. The April program was presented by Lauren Hobson and Don Holland from Five Sparrows.

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• Spotlight on New Member

  Spotlight in the News – PC Complete, Inc.

  PC Complete specializes in business systems and networking, residential computers, securities, data recovery, quality control and performance metrics.

   

  The professional and residential computer systems and consulting business has been in operation for over 25 years. PC Complete also provides disaster recovery studies and mobile service on PC systems and networks, with free phone support and affordable monthly fee-based remote server and network monitoring. One-on-one or group training is also available for most software and hardware products.

   

  “PC Complete was founded by system engineers who pride themselves on listening to the needs of the customer and clearly communicating solutions that will provide the most practical results for today and tomorrow,” said Chris Barden, president and business specialist at the firm. “In 1995 we were recognized by a major computer publication as engineering the highest performing PC in the nation. We have years of experience in everything from working on robotics used in the Three Mile Island cleanup effort to helping business clients save millions of dollars with lean manufacturing, quality and enterprise resource planning systems.”

   

  PC Complete is a one-stop source for business planning, systems, management controls and performance monitoring as well as residential support and emergency data recovery services and training. For more information on PC Complete, Inc., call 517.449.7425 or visit pccomplete.net.

   

  The Spotlight in the News business is selected from those attending the chamber’s most recent New Member Welcome.

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• Looking for direction? New maps underway

  Plans are currently underway to produce a new Howell area road map including Howell and Fowlerville, as well as a map of Livingston County. The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce has contracted with NovoPrint USA, a firm with a national reputation for producing accurate, professional maps.

   

  The new map will feature all public and private streets in the City of Howell, the Village of Fowlerville and the areas around both communities. Points of interest such as schools, industrial parks, county offices, golf courses and parks will be highlighted as well. A map of Livingston County is included on the reverse side.

   

  Advertising opportunities to be featured on the map are now available to chamber members. Benefits of advertising include:

   

  ·        Over 10,000 full-color maps will be printed and distributed through the Chamber. Additionally, they will be used in the recruitment of new business, relocation programs and marketing by local businesses.

  ·        As an advertiser, the ad design will be done at no charge.

  ·        This map is a direct means to advertise and promote chamber member businesses, products and services to fellow chamber members as well as to others in the Howell area and beyond.

  ·        Advertisers’ business locations are displayed on an interactive version of the map available for public use and viewing online.

   

  Advertising space is limited and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. For details, contact Janie Willsmore at jwillsmore@howell.org or 517.546.3920.

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• Meet elected officials at Business After Hours

  Business After Hours Honoring Elected Officials is a special annual event to honor area elected and appointed officials. Members of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and other county chambers, and elected officials from throughout Livingston County are invited to attend the event Thursday, May 28 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Waldenwoods Banquet & Conference Center, 2975 Old US 23 in Hartland.

   

  There is no cost to attend.

   

  This evening is a great opportunity to recognize local elected and appointed officials for the many hours put into serving Livingston County and its communities. Guests can meet and exchange ideas with these representatives in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying complimentary refreshments and live music. Elected officials at the local, county and state levels are invited.

   

  Sponsors of this year’s program are Cleary University, DTE Energy, First National Bank and Waldenwoods Banquet & Conference Center. Supporting sponsor is Waste Management.

   

  “We encourage chamber members to join us for this chance to thank those who do so much for our community,” said Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. “If you haven’t had a chance to meet your elected representatives, this is the night to do so.”

   

  Business After Hours for elected officials is a joint program of the Howell, Brighton and Hartland chambers of commerce and the Economic Development Council of Livingston County.

   

  For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact the Howell chamber at 517.546.3920 or chamber@howell.org.

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• Unemployment statistics

   

  Unemployment Statistics

  (not seasonally adjusted)

  Local and statewide

   

                                           Jan. 09      Dec. 08      Jan. 08

  Livingston County             10.1%         8.5%          6.2%

  State of Michigan              12.5%        10.5%         7.9%

   

   

  Source: Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth

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• Members Moving Forward

  Anytime Fitness

  Anytime Fitness, located at 1812 North Old US 23 in Howell, recently announced the opening of a second location in Washington Township. Anytime Fitness is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week provides shower facilities, a variety of exercise equipment and personal training. For more information call 810.632.3400.

   

  AT&T

  AT&T has announced plans to invest up to $565 million across the United States to deploy and replace existing gasoline-powered company vehicles with more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles over the next 10 years. The plan represents the largest U.S. corporate commitment to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to date. Over the 10-year deployment period, the new vehicles are expected to save millions of gallons of gasoline and reduce carbon emissions by over 200,000 metric tons.

   

  Boss Engineering

  Thom Dumond has passed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED) exam and obtained his LEED AP certification. Boss Engineering has over 40 years experience and specializes in serving the engineering, surveying and planning needs of both private and public sector clients. For more information call 517.546.4836 or visit bosseng.com.

   

  Chem-Trend Limited Partnership

  Devanir Moraes has been named president and CEO of Chem-Trend Limited Partnership. Moraes brings a global perspective to the company with 20 years of experience in all facets of company operations domestically and abroad.

  Bret Miller has been appointed vice-president and general manager, North America. Miller has over 19 years experience with Chem-Trend and has managed across all industry segments. Chem-Trend is a Howell-based global manufacturer of release agents and process chemical specialties for the die casting, general rubber, polyurethane, tire, thermoplastics and composites industries. For more information call 517.546.4520 or visit chemtrend.com.

   

  Express Employment Professionals

  Express Employment Professionals was recently awarded a Workforce Training Grant through Livingston County Michigan Works. The program provides funding to cover books and tuition costs at accredited vocational, community or four-year college institutions. The firm provides staffing solutions to businesses in the greater Livingston County area in a variety of fields. For more information call 517.546.5627 or visit expresspros.com.

   

  Heritage GMAC Real Estate

  Carole Smoter, associate broker, has earned the Certified Foreclosure Specialist (CFS) designation. Heritage GMAC Real Estate is located at 502 East Grand River Avenue in Howell. For more information call 810.923.3444 or visit carolsmoter.com.

   

  Lindhout Associates Architects

  Heather Buffone, has recently passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination and earned her NCIDQ certification. Buffone is involved with all phases of design, programming, space planning, project interiors and furnishings, and has been with the firm for over eight years. For more information call 810.227.5668.

   

  Livingston County Convention and Visitors Bureau

  Barbara Barden, executive director of the LCCVB, has been elected president of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM). Barden is past president of the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau and has served in numerous leadership positions in tourism industry associations. She has been director of the LCCVB for 17 years. For more information call 517.548.1795 or visit lccvb.org.

   

  Livingston County Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere

  The Livingston County Drain Commissioner’s Office is sponsoring a Livingston County Solid Waste Program on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Electronic equipment will be collected for recycling including old computers, televisions, cell phones and other related items The event is open to all area residents and businesses, and takes place at the Livingston County West Complex, 204 S. Highlander Way in Howell. For details, call 517.545.9609 or visit co.livingston.mi.us/SolidWaste/specialEvents5.htm.

   

  Manpower/Manpower Professional Search

  Manpower/Manpower Professional Search will host a complimentary webinar session entitled “5 Biggest Mistakes Businesses Make When Times Get Tough,” presented by Mel Kleiman. The webinar takes place Wednesday, April 29 from noon to 1 p.m. To register visit us.manpower.com/webinars.

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• New discounts with Membership Value Card Program

  Membership Value Card savings

  The chamber’s Membership Value Card program offers discounts on everything from lunch to auto repair at nearly 100 companies throughout the area. Just show your card and claim your discounts. A complete listing of participating businesses is available by visiting the Member-to-Member Discounts page at howell.org. To enroll in the program, contact Kim Esper at 517.546.3920 or kesper@howell.org.

   

   

  New participating chamber members:

    

  J. Charles Associates Inspections

  John Pesek

  517-552-3211

  10% off all inspections: home, condominiums, commercial, mold, radon

   

  Premier Designs Jewelry

  Joan Hartwick

  517-404-1010

  10% off any item

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