February 2016 newsletter

Issue #43 February 2016

Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards Dinner!

Siskiwit Reception Hall & Conference Center 26070 Pine Street, Calumet February 11, 2016 5:30 pm Centerpiece Sponsor • Tadych’s Econo Foods

Candy Bar Sponsors • Wal-Mart

Table Sponsors

RSVP TODAY FOR THE AWARDS DINNER! Keweenaw.org/sparkplug-dinner Or 906.482.5240

• Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau • MTEC SmartZone

The celebration will take place at the Siskiwit Reception Hall & Conference Center in Calumet, with Sparkplug awards handed out in six categories.

The dinner is open to the community. Join us and special guest emcee Mark Wilcox and Keynote speaker Bob Jacquart, President Jacquart Fabrics in celebrating our local businesses and community members.

For more information see page 15.

Our Superior Partners. Thank You!

Inside This Issue Letter from the Executive Director Renewing Members New Members Leadership Keweenaw Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Award Nominations HEET Tips Events

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Cheryl Fahrner, Executive Director Cheryl.Fahrner@Keweenaw.org

DON’T MISS THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT OF THE KEWEENAW COMMUNITY SPARKPLUG AWARDS! Make sure you register today, to help us celebrate the businesses and individuals that have been nominated.

Show your support by attending and recognizing their accomplishments in 2015.

All Sparkplug award recipients must be KEDA, Chamber, KCVB or KYP members. Nominations were submitted by the community and the winners were chosen by the Sparkplug Award Committee, made up of board members from KEDA, the Chamber, MTEC SmartZone, KYP and the KCVB. Tickets are $50 per person. Businesses can be Company Table Sponsors for $500 which includes reservations for eight, company name listed in the networking presentation and the Chamber’s monthly newsletter.

Reservations can be made by visiting the Chamber website keweenaw.org/sparkplug-dinner or contacting the Chamber office at (906) 482-5240. Networking and social begin at 5:30 pm, with dinner beginning at 6 pm.

Keynote speaker will be Bob Jacquart at 6:30 pm with the awards ceremony to start at 7 pm. Please RSVP for the dinner no later than Monday morning, February 8, 2016.

It’s fun to look back at last years award winners and remember their excitement as they were announced. If you missed out on last years Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards Dinner you still have time to register and attend.

Siskiwit Reception Hall & Conference Center 26070 Pine Street, Calumet February 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm RSVP TODAY FOR THE 2015 AWARDS DINNER! Keweenaw.org/sparkplug-dinner or 906.482.5240

2014 Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards

MAKE SURE YOU ARE A PART OF THIS YEARS CELEBRATION! Regional Chamber Alliance There is further discussion on a Regional Business Expo...would you like to see and be a part of one?

Please give us your feedback, we will be sending out a link next week in our weekly communication. The survey is to gauge participant interest. *The Regional Chamber Alliance consists of Western U.P. Chambers of Commerce meeting for further collaboration in all six counties (Houghton/Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron). We are working together to further advance the business community as a region. The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce first proposed the Regional Chamber Alliance at the WUPPDR RPI meeting in October 2014. We have formed a steering committee from the six county Chambers and are working collaboratively on a joint effort.

Wishing you all GREAT Business Success in 2016!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

WELCOME

RENEWED!

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize the dedication of our renewed members!

Superior Partners!

City of Houghton Walmart

Developing Partner!

MEMBERS Board of Directors Brian Donnelly, Vice President Branch Manager River Valley Bank, Houghton bdonnelly@rivervalleybank.com

Greg Seppanen, Immediate Past President Vice President, Trust & Financial Services Superior National Bank and Trust gseppanen@snb-t.com

Jan Cole, Vice-President

Northern Hardwoods Lumber, LLC

Community Partners!

Ambassador Chassell Bay Cabins Copper Country Ford Copper Harbor Trails Club – IMBA Chapter Cypress Manor Dapple Gray Bed & Breakfast and Antiques Dirtworks Contracting Ferrellgas Grant Township Hannula Agency Houghton Community Broadcasting Isle Royale Resorts – Rock Harbor Lodge J&A Penegor, Inc. Keweenaw Co=-p Market & Deli Kirkish Furniture Leveque Agency Michigan American Water Company Mike Lahti State Farm Insurance Mine Shaft and Rock House Grill & Tavern Northern Mutual Insurance Northwoods Sporting Goods Onairvoices.com Osceola Township Perterlin Distributing

Thank you for your continued support!

Managing Partner Edochi, LLC jancole1663@yahoo.com

Matt Thyer, Treasurer Owner Up and Running Technology Solutions matt.thyer@uartechsolutions.com

Karin Van Dyke, Secretary Vice President for University Relations Finlandia University karin.vandyke@finlandia.edu

Darrell Guitar Agent Century 21 / North Country Agency darrell.guitar@century21.com

Beth Hoy Assistant Director, Business & Program Development Great Lakes Research Center Michigan Technological University elizabeth@mtu.edu

Calvin Larson Marketing Specialists UP Health System – Portage clarson@portagehealth.org

Carrie Richards Dual Career Program Coordinator Michigan Technological University carrie@mtu.edu

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WELCOME Pettibone, LLC Portage Quilt House, LLC Rukkila, Negro & Associates, CPA, PC SEMCO Energy Steve Zutter- Edward Jones Subway, downtown Houghton

RENEWED!

MEMBERS

The Tire Shop Travel Leaders / Superior Travel Waste Management Wells Fargo Bank WLUC TV 6 and Fox UP – Sinclair Broadcasting

Thank you for your continued support!

CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY

WELCOME

MEMBER Walgreens

REMINDER As always, we are continuing to strengthen the core programs of the Chamber of Commerce and have some great committees in place. I would like to encourage all of our Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce members to reach out to other businesses to join and support the areas business community. We welcome Chamber members to be actively engaged in recently identified volunteer opportunities. We would love to engage some retired business people in the community as well. The more involvement and engagement, the more exciting opportunities “Your Chamber” can provide.

Please contact the Chamber office at 482-5240.

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If you're shopping in Houghton for everyday household items such as health and wellness products or beauty products, we have a large selection to keep your shopping experience convenient. To keep you feeling well, Walgreens 49931 offers many over the counter medicines and vitamins. We also stock grocery products and other household essentials. Take one trip to Walgreens and come home with everything you need.

Jillian Schulz, Store Manager 1007 Memorial Drive | Houghton, MI 49931 906.231.8007 | mgr.16254@store.walgreens.com | Walgreens.com

William Hyrkas Plumbing & Heating We are a residential and commercial plumbing and heating contractor.

William Hyrkas, Owner 58675 Traprock Valley Road | Calumet, MI 49913 906.370.9391 | billhyrkas@hotmail.com

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

LEADERSHIP KEWEENAW PROGRAM TO BEGIN AUGUST 2016 The Leadership Keweenaw Steering Committee is launching the Leadership Keweenaw program in August 2016 to give area businesses an opportunity to identify a key individual in their company to send through the program. This will also give companies time to hopefully put the program into their company budgets for 2016. We are encouraging companies to select and send a key employee. Large organizations and businesses may wish to commit to sending two or three individuals each year. Interested individuals may participate in this great new program which will create new, engaged leaders in your businesses and in our community! We are in need of additional financial support for the Leadership Program, please let us know if you can help. If you would like the PDF of the PowerPoint Presentation to learn more about the program, please contact the Chamber office. We had individuals step forward to help form a volunteer steering committee. I wish to thank Marilyn Clark, Devin Leonarduzzi, Dana Johnson, Cathy Lucchesi-Gedda, Kathy Flagstadt, Ruth Archer, Robbyn Lucier and Mary Jane Hatton for assisting the Chamber in bringing an important Leadership Program to the community.

Leadership Keweenaw will be collaborating with many organizations across the Keweenaw to be presenters, for a one-day, monthly session (2 days in August) from September 2016 to May 2017. The following topics and skills may be included for the leadership program.

Monthly session community awareness topics: Opening Retreat – History of Houghton/Keweenaw Counties & Business, Industry & Technology Natural Resources – (Mining, Forestry, Geo-Tourism) Government & Community Human & Public Services Legal System Education & Workforce Development Economic Development & Infrastructure Environment & Stewardship Health, Wellness & Community Service Closing Retreat The following leadership skills: Personal Leadership Styles The Art of Networking Responsibility of Leadership Social Media & Personal Branding Business Etiquette Communication & Difficult Conversations Project Management, Time Management, Event Planning Productive Meetings Negotiation

Valuing Diversity Managing & Resolving Conflict Public Speaking Situational/Strategic Leadership Performing Teams Building Consensus Creative Problem Solving Delegation Boardsmanship Personal Action Plan

The program and registration materials are available online at keweenaw.org/leadership-keweenaw.

We are looking for 20 participants for this new program. If you are ready to be engaged in the Leadership Keweenaw program, please reach out to the Chamber office at (906) 482-5240.

Join our Founding Partners… MTEC SmartZone and UPPCO! Please contact the Chamber to find out how!

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INBUSINESS! We are working on the 2016 Edition of the InBusiness Magazine! Please take a few moments to check out your listing in last years edition. If you see any corrections that need to be made, give us a call at the office and we will get the information changed.

We partner with the Daily Mining Gazette (DMG) to make this publication possible, when the advertising department from the DMG calls let them know you are interested in an add space!

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT BUSINESS TOPIC FOR THE INBUSINESS? LET US KNOW!

The Premium Tax Credit – The Basics If you – or anyone on your federal tax return enrolled in health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for the premium tax credit.

Here are some basic facts about the premium tax credit.

What is the premium tax credit?

The premium tax credit is a credit that helps eligible individuals and families with low or moderate income afford health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Health Insurance Marketplace is the place where you will find information about private health insurance options, purchase health insurance, and get help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs, if you are eligible. Learn more about the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. How do I get the premium tax credit? When you apply for coverage, the Marketplace will estimate the amount of the premium tax credit that you may be able to claim for the tax year, using information you provide about your family composition and projected household income. Based upon that estimate, you can decide if you want to have all, some, or none of your estimated credit paid in advance directly to your insurance company to be applied to your monthly premiums.

If you choose to have all or some of your credit paid in advance, you will be required to reconcile on your income tax return the amount of advance payments that the government sent on your behalf with the premium tax credit that you may claim based on your actual household income and family size.

You must file an income tax return for this purpose even if you are otherwise not required to file a return.

You’ll file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, with your tax return to claim or reconcile the credit. Failing to file your tax return will prevent you from receiving advance credit payments in future years. Filing electronically is the easiest way to file a complete and accurate tax return.

What happens if my income or family size changes during the year? The actual premium tax credit for the year will differ from the advance credit amount estimated by the Marketplace if your family size and household income as estimated at the time of enrollment are different from the family size and household income you report on your return. The more your family size or household income differs from the Marketplace estimates used to compute your advance credit payments, the more significant the difference will be between your advance credit payments and your actual credit.

Visit the PTC Eligibility page on IRS.gov/aca or use our interactive tool, Am I eligible to claim the Premium Tax Credit? on IRS.gov to determine your eligibility.

For more information about the Affordable Care Act and your income tax return, visit IRS.gov/aca.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Member Information Center The Member Information Center is for members only. This is where you update/change any business information, register for events, use as a social networking area, submit Hot Deals, Job Postings and Press Releases, as well as pay membership or event registrations.

One of the most beneficial features for you, our member. is the Reports Tab. It shows you the visibility of your listing on Keweeaw.org. As an example, Century 12 / North Country Agency has had their page viewed over 700 times in the past 2 ½ months. It will also give you this information if you choose to submit a Banner Ad, Hot Deal or list a Job Posting.

If you are interested in how to submit one of the above, please call Trina at the Chamber Office 482.5240.

Feeling unsure if you would like to tackle the changes on your own for the first time? We want to help, please give us a call and we will walk you through it!

Congratulations to all of the NOMINEES of a Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Award!

IR Telemetrics Xeratec Corporation Northwoods Trading Post Walgreens & Keweenaw Gem and Gift ProNav Marine Lynn Eliason, President & CEO of GS Engineering, Inc. K.C. Bonkers Century 21 Marilyn Swift of Swift True Value Hardware AutoZone Stang Decision Systems Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital Auto Pro Glass & Tire The Evergreen Inn Calumet McGann Building Supply Keweenaw Science & Engineering Festival

KEDA – Jeff Rattcliffe Crossfit Hakkapeliitta The Loading Dock Evergreen Technology Neuvokas ProNav Marine Amanda McConnon Glenn Anderson Eli Karttunen Michael Babcock Brian Donnelly Amanda Oppe/Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau Ben Ciavola & Lianna Miller Jamie Puuri Mike LaMotte/Marc Rea-The Fitz/Eagle River Inn Angela Luskin – UP Health System - Portage Keweenaw .org

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Why did you join the Chamber?

Are you taking advantage of your benefits?

Contact Cheryl or Trina at the Chamber office if you have any questions Superior Partner ad. about your membership or how to use your Chamber Member Benefits!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Interested In Getting Involved?

The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce works to attract, support and develop area businesses like yours.

Participating in community events is a great way to network and create visibility for your company in the community.

Watch for your Energy Saving Tips in the Chamber Newsletter. Brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team and their sponsoring businesses.

For more information about upcoming events, check out our calendar: http://keweenawchamber.com/events/cal endar/ Let us know if you have an upcoming event you want included on our calendar or in our next newsletter.

We are looking for photos of people doing business in the Keweenaw, to use on our website and in our newsletters. If you have photos you’d like to share, send them to info@keweenaw.org. Please include information on who took the photo and where it was taken so we can give proper credit. Thanks!

For more information on the benefits of Chamber membership, visit www.keweenaw.org or call our office at 906.482.5240 to see how we can help your business launch, grow and achieve its full potential.

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce 902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931 p. 906.482.5240 f. 906.482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org www.keweenaw.org

www.facebook.com/Keweenaw.

Chamber

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Chamber Member Opportunities Is your business interested in hosting a Business After Hours, being an Eggs & Issue sponsor or having a ribbon cutting? Contact Trina at the Chamber.

Is there a business that you know of that should host a Ribbon Cutting or Business After Hours to celebrate a milestone? Send us their information and we would be happy to contact them!

Chamber businesses have the opportunity to sign up for Business After Hours, Eggs and Issue sponsors and Ribbon Cuttings to celebrate their grand opening, open house, or ground breaking.

Along with Chamber Members, your staff members and support team, Chamber staff, Chamber Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors attend the event to help you celebrate! A photograph of your event will be seen by many through the Chamber newsletter, as well as the Chamber’s Facebook page and Twitter site.

Leadership Partner ad.

We Want Your Input We need the following for our newsletters: • • • • •

Photos Business News New Hires Open Positions Updates about your Business

If you have photos or stories you would like to share, please send them to info@keweenaw.org.

Please include who took the photo, where it was taken, and who wrote the story, so we can give proper credit.

Thank you!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Leadership Partner ad.

Leadership Partner ad.

Leadership Partner ad.

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Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Safe & Reliable Electricity Customer Service Proud Community Supporter

Learn more about us and how to reduce your energy bills at www.uppco.com Our roots run deep in the Keweenaw, going back to 1884, just five years after Edison’s incandescent bulb put electricity at the fingertips of people. That year, Peninsula Electric Light and Power Company was organized in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Because Peninsula Electric Light and Power was our original predecessor, you might say UPPCO grew up with the electric utility industry. From the Edison bulb to high-tech electronics, our company has been providing energy to the area and U.P. for more than 100 years.

Residential Customer Service 800-562-7680 Business Solutions 800-337-8445 Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Events in the Keweenaw: More information on all of the following events can be found here. http://keweenawchamber.com/events/calendar/ February 1 – Monday Morning Coffee. Join Jason Mack and fellow entrepreneurs to learn what MTEC has to offer and share what you have been working on. Entrepreneurs and friends who like coffee, coffee cake and conversation are welcome.

February 1 – KYP- Food For Thought Book Club. This book club meets quarterly to discuss a new book! The book up for discussion at this meetup is The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

by Oliver Burkeman.

February 3-6 – Winter Carnival!

February 7 – Super Bowl Sunday!

February 9 – Hancock Business and Professional Association meeting.

The HB&PA will host their monthly meeting.

February 10– KEDA Meeting. KEDA will host their monthly meeting

February 11 – Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards Dinner. Hosted by the Keweenaw Chamber, MTEC SmartZone, KYP, KEDA and KCVB February 14 – Valley SnoDrifters 30th annual Spaghetti Dinner. Valley snow drifters to host their 30th annual Spaghetti dinner. Proceeds for maintenance of trail.

February 15 – Monday Morning Coffee. Join Jason Mack and fellow entrepreneurs to learn what MTEC has to offer and share what you have been working on. Entrepreneurs and friends who like coffee, coffee cake and conversation are welcome.

March 4 – First Friday in Calumet.

Submit your events here… http://keweenawchamber.com/events/public-submission

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902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931

p. 906.482.5240 f. 906.482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org Business Hours Monday thru Friday 9 am to 5:30pm

The Chamber is a proud Member of the

www.keweenaw.org www.facebook.com/Keweenaw.Chamber

Visibility Opportunities

The Mission, Vision and Philosophy of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce: The MISSION of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is to improve the community and economic vitality of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The VISION of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is to create a sustainable, diverse, and vibrant economy that fosters excellent quality of life.

The PHILOSOPHY of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is such that we believe we can achieve our vision through effective leadership and collaboration with other organizations, business leaders, and community members while working with integrity towards the achievement of common goals through shared resources, skills, and ideas.

Looking for a way to get your advertising message out to a fresh new crowd? The Chamber newsletter has a printed circulation of more the 120 local businesses. We can accept print-ready ads or build an ad for you…just ask for details. Email advertising is also available and reaches 1,700 email addresses!

Newsletter and email advertising gets proven results – let us help you grow your business today!

The deadline is the 20th of the month for the next month’s newsletter. For example, December 20 is the deadline for an ad in the January newsletter.

Call us with questions!

Ad rates per issue: Full page ½ page ¼ page 1/8 page Email campaign

$100 $ 75 $ 50 $ 25 $ 25