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KAREN GOODMAN: Women I Saw as Influential for Manistee County

KAREN GOODMAN: Women I Saw as Influential for Manistee County It is already March, the time in our Michigan season that brings snow, rain, warmth, and mud. By this description, I believe I have described this past winter. March is a time that we start to consider moving from our winter hibernation (if you are…

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SHERRI PROTASIEWICZ: Winter Adventures: How to Get Involved in Manistee in the Chilly Months

SHERRI PROTASIEWICZ: Winter Adventures: How to Get Involved in Manistee in the Chilly Months Manistee County is known for its 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, incredible fishing, river paddling, hiking, and everything an outdoor enthusiast could ever want. We enjoy all four seasons here, so when snow is unpredictable in the colder months, we…

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BLADE GATES: New Year, New Opportunity to Invest

BLADE GATES: New Year, New Opportunity to Invest While it may be too late for me to say “Happy New Year”, it’s great to be writing the first Chamber column of 2024. I don’t know about you, but ever since the spring of 2020 when so much of our world was flipped upside down, time…

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BLADE GATES: What Makes Small Business, Small Business?

BLADE GATES: What Makes Small Business, Small Business? ‘Small Business Saturday’ has become a national phenomenon. As a new employee with the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, I am always hearing the phrase, ‘every season is small business season’… and for good reason! When any business joins the Chamber of Commerce, they invest in the…

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CASSIDY JESSUP: Where are the untold stories of women in our business community?

Each story is only as good as the author who tells it, and this month especially, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing women’s stories in advocacy and business.  Did you know, according to statistics highlighted by author Sarah Hollenbeck in Incfile.com, women-owned businesses account for 42% of all U.S. businesses, and are responsible for employing…

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OPINION: Businesses, individuals went above and beyond in 2022 

For each of the five award categories, the Awards Gala Committee has selected the top three finalists to choose from in a live vote during the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Awards Gala, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Each of the finalists is a business or business leader that has demonstrated outstanding…

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DYLLAN WALKER: Winter provides downtime to enjoy Manistee’s amenities

It’s a great time to be a local in Manistee, Michigan. Following a busy summer and packed holiday season, we have a perfect opportunity to take some time for ourselves and embrace our community’s winter wonderland. From January to March, we see lower traffic, reduced business hours, only very little sun, and a lot of…

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CASSIDY JESSUP: Shopping locally in Manistee County has great impacts

It’s always Small Business season in Manistee County! Don’t miss out on the magic of traditional Christmas shopping – and the small businesses across the county have you covered.  Not only is there a gift for everyone, but you’re also supporting your friends, neighbors, and community by shopping locally. When they thrive, we all thrive.…

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STACIE BYTWORK: Housing, incentives make business easier in Manistee County

Making Business Easier in Manistee County: Housing and Incentives The demand for housing in Manistee County has continued to grow, and if we want to see action, there are many incentives and opportunities available.  The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a non-partisan City Council and County Commissioner Candidate Forum last week, highlighting the issues…

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TED FRICANO: The process of bringing Fricano’s to Manistee

Everything was a fight.  Opening a new business, Fricano’s Manistee River, would not be possible without the support from the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, the City government officials, realtor and Chamber Ambassador Gini Pelton, and the Downtown Development Authority.  Four years ago, in 2018, I began scouting locations in Manistee. Initially, I was interested…

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