A Word From Our President

With the warm weather upon us, I'm excited for all the great things the Bay Area has to offer this summer!

From shopping at our local retailers, outdoor dining at our unique restaurants, numerous concerts, outdoor recreation, festivals and so much more, there is something here for everyone!

I encourage you to take a hometown tour this summer and discover something new.

I look forward to seeing you out and about this summer!

Magen Samyn

President & CEO

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Welcome New Members!

Biggby Coffee Bay City (JCon Coffee LLC)

C3 Construction

KJ Fitness

O'Donnell's Earthworks LLC

The Center Avenue Neighborhood Association

Tri-City Business Services

Featured Events

June Business After Hours

Thursday, June 15th, 5-7pm

The Wanigan Eatery & Pub

1905 S Wenona Street

Bay City, MI 48706

No RSVP Needed

June Eye Opener Breakfast

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Doubletree Hotel Bay City Riverfront

Breakfast & Networking: 7:15-7:45 AM

Program: 7:45-9:00 AM

Please RSVP

Mark Your Calendars!

June Business After Hours - No RSVP Needed

Thursday, June 15th, 5-7pm, The Wanigan Eatery & Pub

1905 S Wenona Street, Bay City, MI 48706

Energize Coffee Social- No RSVP Needed

Friday, June 16th 8am-9am, Populace Coffee

810 Saginaw Street, Bay City, MI, 48708

*Coffee socials are for Energize members only*

June Eye Opener Breakfast - Please Register

Wednesday, June 28th, 7:15-9 AM, DoubleTree Hotel Bay City - Riverfront

Three-Hour Sunset Cruise- Must Purchase Tickets Ahead of Time

Thursday, July 13th, 6-9pm, Wenonah Park

801 N. Water Street, Bay City, MI 4878

Tickets: $50 per person or $90 per pair

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Foster Families Navigation and Resource Center

Tuesday, June 20th at 4:00pm

1501 W. Thomas Street

Bay City, MI 48706

All Chamber members are invited and encouraged to attend!

39th Annual Chamber Golf Outing

Play to win or play for fun! Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Stick around after golf for the Appetizers & Awards Reception. Visit our hole sponsors for fun games and great networking!

Monday, July 17th, 2023

Maple Leaf Golf Course

158 N. Mackinaw Rd, Linwood, MI 48634

8:00 a.m. - Registration

9:00 a.m. - Shotgun start

For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please visit our website.

Click HERE to Register!

Download our 2023 calendar of events and make sure to add them to your calendar so you don't miss out! Please send it to all your colleagues as well!

Download 2023 Calendar HERE

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health and Well-Being Programs

As a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member, you enjoy comprehensive coverage and access to a large network of doctors and hospitals. But that’s not all. As one of our valued members, we’ll help you improve your well-being through our Blue Cross Health & Well-Being programs.

All Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan health care plans include a variety of programs designed to help you improve your well-being. These programs are available at no additional cost to you.

Grant Opportunities

Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund

"Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund is a grant program to distribute $50 million to new and expanding early child care education providers across the state of Michigan in order to renovate and upgrade their child care facilities to accommodate additional child care slots, especially in geographic areas with limited providers

The Facilities Improvement Fund grant is open to licensed early child care providers located in the State of Michigan who are one of the following:

Newly licensed providers whose licenses have been issued on or after May 1, 2022
Existing providers who have expanded their licensed capacity as of May 1, 2022
Existing providers who are currently in the process of expanding their licensed capacity

Licensed family child care homes or group child care homes with an approved capacity variance from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)"

Please submit applications by March 30th, 2024

Click HERE to Apply for Facilities Improvement Fund Grants

Leadership Bay County Class of 2024

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Leadership Bay County Class of 2024. Click HERE for more information on the program.

Applications to join Leadership Bay County are due August 11, 2023.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking Project Proposals for the 2024 Leadership Bay County class project.

Your proposal should explain an unmet need in the community.
Your agency must be willing to partner with approximately 20 class participants and must provide a variety of roles for each class member to participate in the project.
Project budget can be up to $25,000 (unless applying for a Patronicity matching grant)
Project must be completed by June of 2024.

Project proposals are due September 15, 2023.

Welcome Annabelle!

Annabelle Schweiger has joined our team as the new Marketing & Membership Manager. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a Minor in Marketing from Saginaw Valley State University.

Annabelle most recently worked at SVSU in the Office of International and Advanced Studies. She also has experience in the sales industry as well as an honors internship at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Annabelle will lead marketing initiatives for the Chamber and support all aspects of membership engagement. She will also be the staff liaison for Bay Area Energize Young Professionals Network and Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Neighbors of the Bay Recognizes Marlana Cork!

Neighbors of the Bay highlighted our very own Director of Workforce Development, Marlana Cork in their 'Faces of Bay County' article.

Marlana was recognized for being active in the Bay City community in a personal and professional capacity. She has ties to serval volunteer organizations, the Hey, Bay City! initiative and enjoys having fun with her family in Bay County!

We are so glad to have Marlana on our team!

MEMBER NEWS

The Bay County Library System to host Summer Reading Program Kickoff Parties.

Bay City Boat Lines plans Free History Tours Series.

SVSU finished second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Presidents Trophy.

Essexville-Hampton Public School's Garber High School track team breaks 54 year old record in 4x200 relay.

United Financial Credit Union donates 125 books to K- 2nd elementary students.

A Spencer Gellise Salon is collecting broken hot tools and empty aerosol cans.

Bay City Bridge Partners announces Liberty Bridge to begin tolling on June 16th.

Summer Hours

Ambassador Highlight

Brick Award Presentations

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 May was presented to the following business:

Bay Veterans Foundation:

On May 11th, 2023 the Bay Veterans Foundation Workshop and Learning Center celebrated their Grand Opening!

The facility will provide support, camaraderie, and opportunity to veterans as they transition back into the community.

Our Ambassador Team recognized their investment into renovations of the building and presented them with a Brick Award.

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 May, a ribbon cutting was done for the following business: Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Olivia Zwetzig.

Olivia Zwetzig is located at 617 Washington Ave

Bay City, MI 48708.