September/October 2015 Cadillac Area Business Magazine

7/23/2019 September/October 2015 Cadillac Area Business Magazine

1/16

Cadillac AreaA Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Publicatio

BUSINESS MAGAZINESEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 Volume 21-No. 5

Housing holesArea needs more housing foryoung professionals, and soon

See pages 6 & 7


2/16

The first sentence of our cover story captures a positive. The

Cadillac area has employment opportunities to attract talent and

selling points to match.

The Cadillac area has positive attributes including a small town

feel, diverse economy, abundant recreation, natural resources, and

relatively close proximity to Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, and other north-

ern Michigan locations. The latter is a distinct advantage and very acceptable,

in my opinion, to use as an advantage. You can live, work, and play in our

region, but if you wanted, you can access such things as professional sports

and major concerts within a few hours of travel.Now for the reality, choosing the Cadillac area is not a plug and play move.

Affordable, upscale, or well located workforce rental housing is, at best, defi-

cient, but probably more accurately conveyed it does not exist in any volume

or reasonable accessibility.

Pure economics are in play. I commonly hear a generic take that we need

downtown loft housing or rental options with lakefront views, recreation

access, or reconfigure historical buildings as part of any housing conversa-

tion. More often than not, those conversations fail to understand the type of

investment it takes to make a project workable. Any return on investment is

going to be cued to variables such as property acquisition, existing or new

infrastructure, construction, historical covenants, density, and maybe most

importantly is local government supportive of the needs of the business com-

munity.

The good news, entities like the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce, City

of Cadillac, business, and community stakeholders are engaged, recognizing

the issue, but also cognizant this will not happen with a snap of the fingers.

We must work toward better housing options, certainly desirable rental

properties for young professionals, but beyond that for businesses, entrepre-

neurs, retirees and others. Positive or sustainable growth will be reliant on

improved housing options. The Cadillac area is not uniquely impacted by this

situation, but talented people have choices on where they choose to work or

retire. If a lack of rental options or types of housing in general is an impedi-

ment to any given person or family saying yes to our region and/or staying

long-term than it literally brings the issue home.

2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 - CADILLAC AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mission StatementThe Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce is

a visible business leader that advocates and

drives business opportunities. Through business

alliances, we are a catalyst for our membership

and provide a persuasive regional voice

benefiting our communities.

Kelly Smith, Executive DirectorBaker College of Cadillac

Dave Cox, Vice ChairWexford Missaukee ISD

Trent Mulder, TreasurerBaird, Cotter & Bishop, PC.

Kelly Cater, Past Executive DirectorRec Boat Holdings

Doug DeYoung,Consumers Energy

Don Schepers,Schepers Agency, Inc.Kyle Hogg,Dental Health Professionals

Melody Hurley,Walmart Superstore

Stephen King,Law Office of King & King

Tim Knaggs,Fekete Knaggs & Burr Insurance

Karl Marcusse,PADNOS

Dan Minor,Cadillac Castings, Inc.

Pete Stalker,Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Brian Williams,Blue Heron Caf & Bakery

CHAMBER STAFF

Bill Tencza, [email protected]

Doreen Lanc, Director of Membership [email protected]

Deb Gillies, Leadership Director/[email protected]

Amanda Hamilton, Administrative [email protected]

Kent Wood, Director of Government [email protected]

Mike Acosta, Great Start [email protected]

Website:www.cadillac.org

Printer: Pleasant GraphicsPublisher:Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce

TheCadillac Area Business Magazineis a publica-tion of the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. TheChamber reserves the right to edit or refuse articlesand advertisements submitted to the Cadillac Area

Business Magazineand reserves the right in its solediscretion to accept or refuse inserts and other materi-als to be distributed through the publication.

Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce

222 Lake Street231-775-9776

2015 Board of DirectorsWork needed to create

better housing options

BILL TENCZA,Chamber President

T


3/16

CADILLAC AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

VISIONARY PARTNER

Cadillac HospitalMUNSON HEALTHCARE

AT&T

Belle Oakes Living Center Inc

BorgWarner Thermal System

B&P Manufacturing

Cadillac Area Public Schools

Consumers EnergyDTE Energy

Fekete Knaggs & Burr Insurance Ag

FIAMM Technologies LLC

Fifth Third Bank

ITC

Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Rexair LLC

Walmart Supercenter Store

Wexford-Missaukee ISD

LEADERSHIP PARTNER

A Zhongding Sealing Parts (USA) Inc. Company

JsC EXCAVATING, INC.

STONE & GRAVEL BACKHOE WORK SUBDIVISON &LAND DEVELOPMENT

BASEMENTS EARTH MOVING

GRADING & BULLDOZING FILL DIRT SEWER & WATER

(231) 775-1773(231) 775-0703 FAX9051 E. 48 1/2 Road Cadillac Shop Junction of M-115 & US-131

Craig Johnson, CEO231-878-3550 Bonded & Insured

ConstructionExcavating

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

MarketingConcrete Construction

To discuss a program thats right for your business.

At the Cadillac News, were about nding a variety

of solutions for the marketing and branding of yourunique business.

Our mission is to learn more about your business

goals, trends and long term objectives and to utilize

a variety of promotional options to accomplish them.

Options include: Newspaper Marketing, NicheMarketing, Online Promotions & Services, Classifed

Marketing, Web Design & Development Services and

Commercial Printing.

Providing Your

Complete Marketing Solution

NewsC A D I L L A C

Trusted. Local. Connected.

Call Katheryn Kidder, Senior Sales & Marketing Specialist at (231) 779-4142.

Edward DrachtPresident

DRACHT CONSTRUCTION CO.Design Build Contracting

Serving the greater Cadillac area since 1972.

Butler Steel buildings CONVENTIONAL FRAMED BUILDINGSCommercial Industrial Institutional Agriculture Churches

Ofces Rubber Roofs Concrete Flatwork Complete Turnkey Projects

23350 100th Ave. Marion, MI 49665 ofce: (231) 825-0035email: [email protected] fax: (231) 825-0038www.drachtconstruction.butlersteel.com cell: (231) 357-8718

AMERICAN SOCIETY OFCONCRETE CONTRACTORS

11014 S. Morey Rd., McBain, MI 49657 231-825-8051

Christopher Schepers, Owner

BY ROBERT VAN DELLEN, PH.D.

VAN DELLEN CONSULTING, LLC

We know emphatically that product andservice excellence is not only expected but

demanded by consumers. Quality IS an

Imperative. It is no longer a luxury; it is

expected. This is true for both non-profit

and for-profit organizations. With all of the

options and choices available today, custom-

ers can chose more than ever before what,

when, where, how, and why to buy. Whether

it is a school, hospital, retail store, manufac-

turing company, or service entity, customers

require that their expectations are met. If not,

they will abandon you very quickly and find a

competitor that satisfies their requirements.They have the purchasing power to decide

whether an organization remains competi-

tive, survives, or becomes extinct. It does not

matter whether its Target, GM, or the local

gift shop or community church, the custom-

er controls the future of organizations. That

future is based on consumers perceived sat-

isfaction. Quality is defined by the consumer

and is at the heart of this satisfaction.

To meet and exceed customer demands,organizations have focused over the past fifty

years or so on quality initiatives. Beginning

with the Total Quality Management (TQM)

process and all of its many outgrowths and

offshoots, such as ISO, LEAN Manufacturing,

Six Sigma, and others, organizations have

made concerted efforts to reduce errors and

minimize defects. The march to remain com-

petitive, to build customer loyalty, and to cap-

ture market share have meant that organiza-

tions have gone through major cultural shifts.

At the center of these shifts is the mandate

to control human mistakes. Yet the humanequation remains an essential challenge for

organizations on multiple levels. The harsh

reality is that human beings make errors.

They cause defects; they make mistakes

consciously and unconsciously.

Leadership continues on page 4

Leadership and thehuman equation


4/16


Continued form page 3

The recent Fiat-Chrysler recalls and huge

fine of more than $100 million dollars are dis-

turbing examples, including the more than

75 deaths allegedly attributed to these vehicle

defects. How, in this era of quality-driven pro-

cesses, where most manufacturing companieshave worked diligently to minimize errors,

can this continue to happen? There obviously

is no quick, easy, simple answer. The causes

are many and complex. The on-going require-

ments to create a culture that effectively mini-

mizes human error and reduces defects are

perhaps the central most important challenge

facing organizations today. And this is a lead-

ership challenge.

The cost is not only to the organization itself,

its reputation, but also to the consumers,

who inevitably pay for such costly errors. The

human factors that cause mistakes in prod-ucts and services exist on multiple levels. To

create the right culture within an organization

that addresses all of these levels is not easy.

Indeed, it requires a relentless pursuit of per-

fection, a systematic and system-wide call to

achieve Peak Performance.

The old adage that employees are the most

important resource of an organization is

certainly true. The converse of this is equally

true: Employees can be the biggest liabil-

ity. Defects happen often due to innocent

errors in process, methods, procedures, poli-

cies, or practices. To achieve Zero Defects,

a goal of TQM, is virtually impossible as long

as human beings have a role, which inevita-

bly and by necessity they must. These defects

are not conscious efforts to cause accidents,

produce a flawed produce, or deliver poor

service. Human errors on this level might be

categorized as sins of omission. Something

was not done correctly, but not because there

is any malicious intent on the part of the

employee(s). Mistakes happen. Humans are

not perfect. The challenge of leadership is to

involve people at all levels within an organiza-

tion to work collaboratively and collectively to

reduce the human equation of error. Trust isan essential pre-condition to creating such a

culture.

An equally important manifestation of this

human equation is the troublesome reality of

rogue employees. Just as the news carries

almost daily accounts of defects caused by

human errors, it also carries all-too-frequent

accounts of organizations victimized by con-

sciously destructive behavior within an orga-

nization by ill-willed, sinister actions.

These too occur at multiple levels. Fraud is

one clear example. According to an article in

The Economist Magazine (July 25, 2015, p.

53), a 2013 survey discovered that about 70%

of companies had suffered from at least one

instance of fraud, up fro 61% in the previous

survey. That is alarming.

The costs of fraud are enormousAnother glaring reality of rogue employees

is theft. Stealing products, parts, time, tech-

nology, equipment, and proprietary informa-

tion are huge costs to organizations. Selling

trade secrets, bashing an organization on

the internet or barroom gatherings, inflat-

ing expense accounts, conducting personal

matters on company time, and on and on

the examples of stealing from employers are

seemingly endless . . . and so very destructive.

These are two very different levels anddegrees of human error within an organiza-

tion. One is the inevitable result of human

mistakes that are not done consciously with

malicious intent. The other kind is perni-

cious and highly toxic. Although addressing

both kinds require very different systems, the

culture of an organization can inevitably and

inherently breed both kinds.

A culture based on fear, distrust, and com-

mand-and-control management, where there

are departmental barriers and silos and where

backbiting and gossip run rampant is a cul-

ture that is going to yield high degrees of both

kinds of mistakes. To be sure, it is a matter

of degrees. A culture of high trust, mutual

respect, and shared power can, certainly, stillface both kinds of human mistakes, but the

ability to control and reduce such mistakes are

significantly enhanced, as extensive research

shows, in healthy, collaborative cultures.

There are no quick-fixes, sudden-solutions,

or easy ways to eliminate, much less reduce,

the human equation that leads to errors and

defects. In fact, it is impossible to eliminate

completely. Nevertheless, there are signifi-

cant and effective ways to offset the enormous

costs and fallout from such mistakes. To do

leadership must create a culture that empo

ers all employees at all levels within an or

nization to work together to build a comm

nity based on quality. Unfortunately , we ha

a long ways to go. According to the article

The EconomistMagazine quoted above,recent survey by Accenture, a consultan

31% of employees dont like their boss, 3

were actively looking for a new job, and 4

felt that they received no recognition for th

work. The very culture that breeds this ki

of dissatisfaction ensures a high degree

mistakes and errors, both the unintended a

the malicious kinds.

Leadership can attempt to thwart t

adverse impact of errors all it wants, but wi

out building a culture of inclusion, empow

ment, respect, and dignity, the efforts will f

The human equation demands human sotions. Employees hunger for validation,

recognition, for feeling like they matter a

are a part of an organizations success. Th

also want and deserve to be part of the v

solutions required to minimize the net effe

of mistakes. There are plenty of models, exa

ples, policies and practices that work, of c

tures that flourish, of organizations that

distinct and healthy. The toll of errors a

mistakes are significantly minimized in su

cultures. For example, Spectrum Health a

Munson Health, including our own lo

hospital, are undergoing extensive train

in Error Prevention and High Reliabil

Leadership in order to build a culture th

values its employees and reduces hum

errors so as to better serve their patients/c

tomers. Its a model worth examining a

adapting for other organizations.

The old methods of top-down managem

do not work. If leaders are not in touch w

people at all levels within their organizatio

they are ignorant of the gossip, the silos,

fears, and the dissatisfactions of those wh

the leaders depend on to carry out the m

sion and purposes of the organization. Lead

need to do much more than merely mouthe mantra that employees matters, that th

care about them, that they depend on the

To address the human equation, a system

cultural shift that gives employees the vo

to solve mistakes and reduce defects is ess

tial. No less ensures the continuation of cos

errors. Accountability should exist at the b

tom and be valued at the top. Such accou

ability, however, comes from a culture of inc

sion, not mandated dictates from on high.

Leaders need to be in touch with all employee

Accountability should

exist at the bottom and

be valued at the top.


5/16


SUBMITTED BY JENNIFER NEFF

2013/2014 CADILLAC LEADERSHIP GRADUATE

Did you know the Cadillac Area Chamber Leadership

program is an annual nine-month program that begins

with a two-day opening retreat in September?

Did you know that past classes and their community part-

ners have accomplished projects that range from develop-

ing the Chamber Spirit of the Community award in 1997,

purchasing defibrillators for all emergency vehicles in

Cadillac and the surrounding townships in 2000, to build-

ing an ADA compliant play structure in 2014?

Here are some other interesting insights and facts about

the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership pro-gram that maybe you did not know.

When did the program start?The 2015/2016 class will mark the 25th anniversary of the

program. In the late 80s and early 90s, programs such as

this were starting up all over the United States. Cadillacs

Chamber program started in 1991, and since then, more

than 400 community members have completed it. Many

of these class graduates are still leading our community

today.

Who can be in the class?Participants who live or work in Cadillac or the surround-

ing region who agree to attend the orientation, retreat and

all monthly sessions. There is no age limit and it does not

matter how long someone has been associated with the

Cadillac area. Participants just need a desire to grow per-

sonally, professionally and make lifelong business associa-

tions and friendships.

Often participants are identified and tuition is sponsored

by their places of employment.

How does the class choose their community project?Leadership project suggestions may be submitted in

writing with a brief description, cost quote and com-

munity partner commitment prior to the class opening

retreat. New class members are encouraged well before

their class starts to research and network to seek out proj-

ect ideas. All submissions are reviewed and selection is

based on the criteria of the Cadillac Leadership ServiceProject Guidelines with final approval of the Cadillac Area

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The goal of the

service project is to identify a community need and come

to a consensus on how to meet that need. Project activities

give participants an opportunity to practice and enhance

their leadership skills.

If you would like any additional information about how

you or your organization can participate in or support this

exciting program, contact Deb Gillies, Leadership Director

at [email protected].

Cadillac Area Chamber of

Commerce Leadership Program:

Did you know?

My vision of Cadillac has expanded so much. I did not

know of all the programs, events or support that Cadillac o

fers to the community until going through this class. Since

didnt grow up in this area, it was great to learn more abou

Cadillac and surrounding areas to support my reasoning

for staying here. My family loves Cadillac and this class ha

supported my vision to stay and grow here.

Stefanie LaRoque 2014-20

The program has increased my confidence in myself bothpersonally and professionally. Ive learned how to work an

accomplish goals with very diverse personalities of people.

Something I think all people learn but forget over time is

how their actions and words affect others. Especially, when

you get into management and decision making, lead by ex-

ample and treat people how you wish to be treated.

Michelle Geiger 2011-20

This program has been a fantastic experience for me. Itreally gave me a new appreciation for how much this com-

munity has to offer and to see what really drives this com-

munity.I think the class has reassured me that Cadillac is going to

be ok. The way that the people and organizations support

each other tells me that there is a bright future ahead. I hav

also gained many new friendships from my fellow class-

mates and I am very appreciative of that.

Nick Kassuba 2010-20

CadillacLeadershipSimply the Best

25THANNIVERSARY


6/16


The Cadillac area has a lot to offer to pro-

spective new hires. But one thing missing

may keep new employees from packing a

moving van and heading to Cadillac.

The Cadillac area needs housing. Nice,

affordable housing for families and young

professionals, said Kelly Cater, Rec BoatHoldings, Director of Human Resources.

As were bringing in new workers there

really is not a lot of rental properties,

Cater said.

A 2014 study by the Networks Northwest,

paid for by the Michigan State Housing

Authority, showed Wexford County needs

125 units per year over the next five years

in a conservative estimate. A more aggres-

sive model indicates the county needs 455

units per year over the next five years.

MICHIGAN

HERE.BANKS

MIBANKSHERE.COM

Chemical Bank has been dedicated to helping people of Michigan

since 1917, and today that commitment is stronger than ever. As

one of the largest banks based in the Mitten State, we know Michigan

Banks Here. For more information, visit MIBANKSHERE.com.

www.DonsAutoClinic.comHonesty and Integrity are the Foundation of Our Business!

1110 N. Mitchell, Cadillac, MI 775-2413

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 AM-5:30 PM, Sat. 8 AM-2 PM, Other by Appt.

Dynamicall Designed. Noticabley Refinied

The All-New 2015

Chrysler 200

StopIn&Checkitout!

36MPG

Cadillac facing housing challenge

Baker College opened new student housing indowntown Cadillac last summer. The Cadillacarea is in need 125 to 455 units of new hous-ing each year over the course of five, accordingto the Michigan State Housing Authority.


7/16


Does your business or

organization need a website?

We can do that!

You have a vision. We have the resourcesLet us build a website that works for you...not us

Website Design and Development A fully customized, professionally-designed website that is imaginative

yet highly professional Content Management System (CMS) - This system allows you, if you s

choose, to manage, make changes, add inventory and upload photos tyour website - entirely yourself, without hitting you with extra charges

Mobile and tablet friendly version Search Engine Optimization - We will help you develop SEO Optimize

content for your website, weaving an established list of keywords/phrases into the customized content that we write for you.

CMS Training/Support

Websites starting at $49

Mobile MarketingIf you already have a website, we can take your exisiting site and makeit smartphone functional. Stay connected with customers no matter whadevice they are using.

For as low as $24

CREATIVE CONCEPTS. STRATEGIC MARKETING. EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS

[email protected]

Chris Eastway,Digital Solutions Sales & Marketing

Contact us today to set up your FREE consultation

Affordable workforce housing is an essential component

to having a thriving city and local economy, said Cadillac

City Manager, Marcus Peccia. Professionals, especially

those that are younger and are just starting out, tend to have

the ability to pick and choose where they want to locate.

In most cases, what is needed is quality rental units.

Frequently, young professionals new to the area or trying to

relocate to the area, are not in a position to buy house orcondo.

Having been in the market myself, I can say with certainty

that there is very little available at any price outside of

older, often run-down houses split into apartments, or per-

haps functional but not particularly appealing apartment

complexes, said Lee Richards, President of Avon Automotive

of Cadillac. There is very little that is located directly in the

core downtown.

Peccia said the area needs apartments, condominiums,

townhouses, duplexes and row houses. Cater said prices

should be in the $600 to $700 per month range.

Probably a combination of single bedroom units and

multi-bedroom units, close to or in town, Richards saidabout the type of housing that is needed. Amenities are

important, and style as well there is an increasing popu-

larity everywhere in the U.S. of city loft type rentals, and

there is actually almost no such availability in Cadillac.

The lack of quality, affordable rental housing is raising con-

cern among manufacturers.

The lack of housing makes recruitment of new profession-

al employees (engineers, accountants, management, chem-

ists, technicians, etc) very difficult, Richards said. In

almost all cases, overcoming the housing issue is at the top

of the priority list, and one of the biggest recruiting hurdles.

Cater said the housing issue has not reached a critical stage,

but manufacturers are trying to be preventative.

You hear it is getting more and more difficult to find

housing, Cater said. Speaking with the young profession-

als group one of the things they said is that when they were

thinking about coming to Cadillac it was difficult to find

housing.

Cater served on a panel for workforce housing, focusing on

working families, attended the Northwest Housing Summit

in Traverse City earlier this summer in hopes of drawing

interest from contractors. She said Cadillac is not the only

northern Michigan facing housing challenges. Traverse City

is also facing a shortage of housing, more so for retirees. But

housing for retirees is also a concern in the Cadillac area.

The summit in Traverse City included several contractors,

who spelled out factors in a successful project. Cater said onething all of the contractors agreed on was making sure local

government is on board with a building project.

The group agreed that developers will look at the relation-

ships at the city council and county commissioners level,

Cater said. If they perceive that the group is difficult to work

with or do not get along, they will move to other commu-

nities. Their time and costs become too high when dealing

with internal strife.


8/16


Chamber Calendar

SEPTEMBER

09 Rise Up! Cadillac 7AM Location: Bella Rose Rehabilitation

& Aquatic Center

Sponsor: Northern Michigan Digital

OCTOBER

01 Leadership Learning Series noon-3PM Location: Baker College Student Center Crucial Conversations

Presented by: Tami Milligan, MSN, RN,

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital

08 Great Cadillac Area

Business & Industry Expo 11AM-4PM Wexford County Civic Center

NOVEMBER

06 Women In Business noon-1:15PMLocation: Lakeside CharliesEye disease at every age,

Presented by: Dr. Steffany Straight,

Riemer Eye Center

11 Rise Up! Cadillac 7AM

Location: Anytime Fitness

Sponsors:Cadillac Tuxedo/Cadillac Wine Tasting Room

ToyTown of Cadillac

Wexford Community Credit Union

Online registration and additional information is available

for upcoming chamber programs at www.cadillac.org.

Please contact Amanda at [email protected] if you need

assistance with registration.

DeadlinefortheNovember/December

2015CadillacAreaBusinessMagazine

isOctober9,2015.Shareyour

business/organizationnews!

Ambassador ClubRibbon Cuttings

Home Helpers & Direct Link8834 E 34 Rd #201

Real Estate One, Inc.1027 North Mitchell Street, Ste 3

Stahl Event Barn9421 South Lucas Road, McBain

WEMOVED!CADILLACTUXEDOLLC

NewLocation: 209NorthMitchellStreet


9/16


JULY 2015

Rise Up! Cadillac

Hosted by:

Evergreen Resort

AUGUST 2015

Rise Up! Cadillac

Hosted by:

The Lakeview of Cadillac

September/October Health Tip:

What you may not know about watermelonIn addition to being a tasty summer treat and a

picnic favorite, watermelon is widely considered to

be one of the healthiest fruits. Watermelon is full of

important antioxidants, providing sources of both

Vitamins A and C. It is free of fat and cholesterol. It

is also a cleansing fruit, allowing effortless digestion

to occur and your body to easily absorb all of its

minerals and nutrients. Read on to discover some

interesting facts about watermelon that you probably

dont already know.

Natural moisturizer Watermelon can actuallywork wonders for your skin, acting as a natural

moisturizer and toner to keep skin cool and glowing. Perfect diet food- Replacing a high calorie dessert

with a big slice of watermelon can help you to lose

weight this summer.

Body nourishment - Watermelon is nourishingbecause of its high water content. The fruit is also

rich in electrolytes like sodium and potassium. On a

hot day the electrolytes that are lost through sweat

can be nourished with a slice of watermelon.

Stress reliever- Watermelon is the fruit of choice

for people who are looking for to relieve stress. It

contains high amounts of vitamin B6, which is

used by the body to produce the brain chemicals

that relieve stress, anxiety and panic attacks;

watermelon is the best fruit of choice for relieving

stress.

Fat burner Watermelon can make your metabolismwork more efciently to ultimately burn fat because

of its high water content.


10/16


2015 Presenting Sponsor:

Register on line at www.cadillac.org orcall the chamber 231-775-9776 for assistance.

23rd Annual

Wexford County Civic Cente

Thursday, October 811am until 4pm

Chamber Marking Opportunities!

$355 | Exhibitor Package Includes: Exhibitors break area

Exhibitor Expo Brainstorm Session

Expo Connection Newsletter

Wireless Internet

www.cadillac.org Expo Exhibitor Listing

E-vite

$155 | Food Exhibitor (must be a restaurant)

Whether you are a business owner, employee, customer, or just want to check outwhat is happening in our region-the Greater Cadillac Area Chamber Business & Industry Expo 2015

is for you! We look forward to seeing you Thursday, October 8.

We encourage our members to stop by the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce exhibitors area. Chamber staff

will be available to assist members with online login features, such as membership news, submittals, jobs link, andthe Member2Member Advantage Program. In addition, learn information on Chamber involvement with Cadillac

Arwea Silent Observer, Cadillac Area Young Professionals, Wexford-Missaukee Great Start Collaborative, and

Cadillac Leadership a program of the Chamber.


11/16

CADILLAC AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 1

As your businessexpands, so does

your need forproactive advice.

Follow the latest market trends

@firstmerit_mktMember FDIC

2544_FM15

Comprehensive Services for

any size business from FirstMeritIncreased demand for eco-friendly solvents meant

exponential growth for Lisaand a conversation with

FirstMerit Bank. With their Treasury Management,

Payroll, International Services and more, Lisa not only kept

up with increasing demand, but also created a new model for

order fulfillment. Now, thanks to the help of FirstMerit,

Lisas business no longer qualifies as small.

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT:

John Alef, Vice President, Business Banking,

at989-344-4003 [email protected].

www.thelakeviewofcadillac.org | (231) 775-0101460 Pearl Street | Cadillac, MI 49601

Gracious Rehabilitation, Memory Careand Skilled Nursing Services

by Lutheran Social Services of Michigan

We are very fortunate to have a placelike The Lakeview in our community.Highly skilled medical professionals,

caring upbeat attendants, and committedtherapists make the facility one I would

recommend to anyone. I cant say enoughabout the terrifc care I received.

~ Don SamardichLongtime Attorney & Cadillac Resident

Little Ceasars Love Kitchen provided more than 70 pizzas at the

Shepherds Table at First Baptist Church in August.

A pizza kitchen on wheels, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen travels

across the continental United States and Canada meeting the needs of

the hungry, the homeless and disaster survivors.

The more than 70 pizzas were donated and severed by local Little

Caesars store employees.I applaud the staff and volunteers that support people in need, this

is what helps us make a strong community, said Leigh Gifford, owner

of Little Caesars of Cadillac.

Little Caesars Love Kitchentravels to Cadillac

Tim Fekete and Tim Knaggshave earned a (TQA) designation

Total Quality Agency is a yearlong program offered through the

Michigan Association of Insurance Agents designed to enhance the

agencys operation by training its leaders in all aspects of insurance

agency management. Topics covered included training new leaders,

financial management, information technology, marketing, and car-

rier relationships. Tim Fekete and Tim Knaggs, are principles of the

Fekete Knaggs & Burr Agency.


12/16


TM

LIEUTENANT TODD GOLNICK,

CADILLAC AREA SILENT OBSERVER

BOARD MEMBER

Late last spring we messaged about the his-

tory of Silent Observer and highlighted some

of the crimes that Silent Observer has assistedin solving in the past 25 years. We also gave

you a brief glimpse of whats to come for the

future of Silent Observer. In this issue we

would like to briefly tell you about our new

initiative with the implementation of technol-

ogy.

Its fair to say the strong community reac-

tion to the recent Lakefront Park vandalism

in our city park has launched the technology

initiative with Silent Observer at warp speed.

This initiative required an investment unlike

any the Silent Observer board has dealt with

before. Our goal was to obtain three-years ofoperating funds upfront to ensure the stability

of the program. Those funds were raised from

the community in a mere 8-weeks! Business

owners and citizens clearly have had enough

and are taking a stand against crime in our

communities. A line has been drawn in the

sand and the partnership with law enforce-

ment is sending the message that crime is

going to stop here.

As Community Safeguard Partners, year

one funds were granted by the Cadillac Area

Community Foundation. Year two funds

were donated by Cadillac Casting, Inc. andyear three funds were split between Baker

College of Cadillac and 9&10 News / Heritage

Broadcasting. Because of their generous sup-

port, Silent Observer has the operating secu-

rity necessary to move forward in the future

and start to build annual investment commit-

ments from other area businesses.

The technology consists of three parts. Web-

based tip reporting, mobile-app tip report-

ing and a new dedicated call center for those

that still wish to phone in tips. This should

not only significantly increase the amount

of tips received, but the quality of them aswell. Investigators looking at these tips will

have the capability of dialoguing with tipsters

while still being able to maintain the tipsters

anonymity. The old way never allowed any

follow-up with tipsters.

So where does that leave us? The Silent

Observer Board believes in the mantra If yo

build it, they will come. It is expected th

awards given to tipsters will propagate exp

nentially. This will create a significant nee

for award funds. To address this need and th

continued operating costs a new membersh

drive has been launched.

There are so many ways a business or ind

vidual can help. By becoming a CommuniSafeguard Partner, a Business/Organizatio

Member or an Associate Member we can a

be Standing Strong in Crime Prevention

Contact Amanda at the Chamber to lear

how you can help at [email protected]

231-775-9776.

Standing Strong in Crime Prevention


13/16


Cool Logic

K-Series

Viscous

Thermal Shutte

Cadillac Plan

Our products lead the commercial diesel industry

www.borgwarner.com 231.779.750

At Autumnwood of McBain...

Get Well. Go Home.

231-825-2990220 Hughston St., McBain

www.cienahealthcare.com/michigan-facilities/autumnwood-of-mcbain

Pam Hunsaker, Northwest Regional Director

for Dolly Partons Imagination Library, had one

question for attendees at the August Lecture

Luncheon on the importance of childhood

reading.

Why start early? Hunsaker asked.

Hunsaker said the answer lies in early brain

development and family-relationship building.

Hunsaker spoke to a room full of parents,

business and community leaders about the

importance of early childhood reading on

brain development. She presented research

and data supporting the influence reading has

on both childhood and adult learning.

The brain is the only unfinished organ at

birth in a full-term baby, Hunsaker. By age

five, your childs brain would have grown to

about 90 percent of its eventual adult size.

She said parents should read age-appropriate

books to their children as early as in utero to

promote literacy.

During her presentation, Hunsaker asked six

volunteers to review the effects early childhood

reading has on school dropout rates, teen preg-

nancy, violent crime rates and socioeconomic

status. Audience members guessed the per-

centages as volunteers held signs displaying

the possible figures.

Hunsaker also discussed promoting child-

hood literacy through the Wexford-Missaukee

Imagination Library.

The Imagination Library is a free book pro-

gram that sends high-quality, age-appropriate

books directly to homes.

The local Imagination Library began in

June of 2013 and has served 2,295 children,

delivering more than 35,000 books within

the Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School

District.

The program is currently mailing an estimat-

ed 860,000 books monthly in the U.S., Uni

Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

She said a goal for the Imagination Library

to increase the percentage of children parti

pating in the program across the country.

Hunsaker said she hopes her presentati

encourages parents to read to their childr

daily.

I want people to know that its importa

to read, Hunsaker said. Reading is the m

important thing a parent can do for the bra

growth and development of their child.

Reading is key to a childs brain development

During her presentation, Northwest Region

Director for Dolly Partons Imagination Library, Pa

Hunsaker asked six volunteers to review the affec

early childhood reading has on school dropout rate

teen pregnancy, violent crime rates and socioec

nomic status. Audience members guessed the pe

centages as volunteers held signs displaying t

possible figures.

August Lecture Luncheon


14/16


>>>

2015 CADILLAC SRX CROSSOVER

CHALLENGE YOUR PERCEPTIONS.

EXPERIENCE A CADILLAC FOR YOURSELF.

South End Business US-131, Exit 177, Cadillac www.HighpointAuto.com

(231) 775-1222 1-800-828-9852

2015 CADILLAC SRX

THE BARN HALL

Molly Shepler

3888 U.S. 131Manton, MI 49663

231-394-0311

BOWKER RENTALS

Mike Bowker

9345 West 8 Road

Mesick, MI 49668

231-885-2228

INTEGRATEDSYSTEMS

CONSULTANTS

Camille Johnson

333 Cass Road, Ste ATraverse City, MI 49684

231-995-3705

LOVE INC OF

WEXFORD & OSCEOLA CO.

Diane Wood753 Sunnyside Drive

Cadillac, MI 49601

231-779-1888

SPEEDCONNECT LLC

Chris Natzel

455 North Main Street

Frankenmuth, MI 48734

866-297-2900

WESCO INC.

Laurie Brunk

1548 North Mitchell StreetCadillac, MI 49601

231-775-5788

WALKLEY AGENCY

OF CADILLAC

Renee Walkley919 North Mitchell Street

Cadillac, MI 49601

231-468-3559

Welcome Back:________________

CUSTER WORKPLACE

INTERIORS

Susan Britten

538 Three Mile Road SouthTraverse City, Mi 49686

231-421-5443

WelcomeNew Members


15/16


Local Faces.

Local Commitment.

www.mercbank.com

Mercantile Bank

Michigans Community Bank

Community to some its just a word, but to us its

a way of life. Thats why almost anywhere you go in

Cadillac youre likely to see a member of our team.

Working, Serving, Volunteering. Whether it is Habitat

for Humanity, Rotary Club, The Community

Foundation or our local schools; were there,

making a difference.

Member FDIC

It is just part of our commitment to your community, because its our community too.

Makingadifference!

Data track 2014-2015

Wexford County Jan. 15 Feb. 15 Mar. 15 April 15 May 15 June 15 July 15 Aug. 14 Sept. 14 Oct. 14 Nov. 14 Dec. 1

Labor Force 14,613 14,603 14,575 14,523 14,979 15,003 14,850 13,533 13,317 13,255 13,193 13,27

Employment 13,379 13,483 13,465 13,628 13,891 13,990 13,830 12,504 12,224 12,258 12,242 12,29

Unemployment 1,234 1,120 1,110 895 1,088 1,013 1,020 1,029 1,093 997 951 98

Rate 8.4% 7.7% 7.6% 6.2% 7.3% 6.8% 6.9% 7.6% 8.2% 7.5% 7.2% 7.4%

Missaukee County Jan. 15 Feb. 15 Mar. 15 April 15 May 15 June 15 July 15 Aug. 14 Sept. 14 Oct. 14 Nov. 14 Dec. 1

Labor Force 7,131 7,140 7,226 7,014 7,344 7,400 7,337 5,938 5,769 5,742 5,713 5,81

Employment 6,534 6,583 6,666 6,560 6,856 6,915 6,862 5,480 5,358 5,373 5,366 5,38

Unemployment 597 557 560 454 488 485 475 458 411 369 347 42

Rate 8.4% 7.8% 7.7% 6.5% 6.6% 6.6% 6.5% 7.7% 7.1% 6.4% 6.1% 7.4%

For more information go online to www.cadillac.org/discover/about_LaborActivity.htm

Jojo Allen joinsFekete Knaggs

& BurrJojo Allen joins Fekete Knaggs & Burr

as a Personal Lines Insurance Account

Manager. Allen has 12 years experience

as a Licensed Insurance Agent. She has a professional designa-tion of Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR). Jojo is

a 2015 graduate of Cadillac Leadership, a program of the Cadillac

Area Chamber of Commerce.

Did you know your child could be receiving afree age appropriate book each month?

A free book by mail to children birth to 5within the Wexford Missaukee ISD.

Sign up at: usa.imaginationlibrary.com, if you need assistanceemail [email protected]


16/16

Cadillac Area

Chamber of Commerce

222 N. Lake St.

Cadillac, MI 49601-1874

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE

PAID

TRAVERSE CITY

MI

PERMIT #96

Documents

September/October 2015 Cadillac Area Business Magazine