October 2015 newsletter

Issue #39 October 2015

CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY.

Photos by Chamber Staff

Inside This Issue

Board of Director

NOMINATIONS

NOW OPEN The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for board members for 2016. We have one open position, and two board members up for re-election. Elections will be held at our annual meeting in December All nominations must be members of the chamber and business owners who are interested in helping to make a difference in the business community.

If you have the time and passion to commit to this volunteer board, please fill out the nomination form and return to the Chamber office by Friday, October 30, 2015. Email: info@keweenaw.org, Fax 482.5241, Mail: PO Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931.

Our Superior Partners. Thank You!

Letter from the Executive Director

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Renewing Members

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New Members

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NEW Website

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Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference

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Business After Hours

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HEET Tips

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Events

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Cheryl Fahrner, Executive Director Cheryl.Fahrner@Keweenaw.org CONNECTING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE – HOUGHTON/HANCOCK (OCT 7 & 8) There is still time to register for this great event! It’s a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with many organizations, communities, businesses and those interested in an entrepreneurial communities success and growth by attending the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference. Included will be a selection of breakout sessions on the four tracks: • • • •

Growing Entrepreneurs: Tools & Resources for Communities & Entrepreneurs, Building Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs – Youth as Entrepreneurs Michigan, Our Green and Blue Economy Arts, Ag and Culture

The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference will engage, learn and share tools for local community & economic development through support for entrepreneurship. We have more information on our website at www.keweenaw.org please forward to other communities that should have a team in attendance.

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference - Houghton/Hancock Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8, 2015 REGISTER at http://events.anr.msu.edu/CEC2015 The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is committed to the success of a great business and community environment. We hope by helping to bring the conference to the area, it brings an opportunity to not only highlight the area to many others, but advance the efforts for Houghton/Hancock, the Keweenaw and the Upper Peninsula to others as having a successful entrepreneurial environment. We also have planned a great networking event for those attending the conference. The Isle Royale Queen will be taking participants on a 1 hour ride to enjoy the fall colors and network on the Portage Lake Canal from 6:45-8:00.

BROADBAND (INTERNET/CELL PHONE) The Chamber participated with WUPPDR on the recent ConnectMI Broadband, Connected Community Engagement Program to help our area identify local technology assets. As a community champion the Chamber actively participated in the identification of the community’s technology assets to help garner the Connected Certification Award for Houghton County with an attempt for Keweenaw County. Both counties received a Technology Action Plan with goals, project description, benefits and action items to take us to the next level. If you want to see where area gaps in coverage are and what providers service your home address or business, go to: www.connectmi.org and enter an address to see what’s available. Or, go to Maps/Data and select Access and any criteria to see gaps in coverage areas or other great data/information. WUPPDR also put out an area survey to residents in order to build a business case for providers to consider more service in areas that are expressing a need. Please return your survey if you haven’t already.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Continued on page 6 Executive Director

WELCOME

RENEWED!

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

Leadership Partner!

Finlandia University Community Partners!

A-1 Toy-Lets, LLC Aire Care Associate Member – Horst Schmidt BHK Child Development Center Bill Siler Contracting, Inc. Bob Hager Agency, Inc. Book Concern Printers Community Action Agency Copper World Country Village Shops Dave’s bp Amoco Great Lakes Accounting, PC Hancock Coca Cola Bottling Company InSight EyeCare IR Telemetrics Joey’s Seafood & Grill Jonathan M. Luse SR., P.C. Kemps Four Season Log Home Rental Keweenaw Adventure Company Lake Fanny Hooe Resort & Campground League of Women Voters of the Copper Country Loading Zone II Bar and Grill Keweenaw Gem & Gift, Inc. McDonalds Restaurant McGrath, Inc. Memorial Chapel Funeral Home/Plowe Funeral Home Nicholas Insurance Agency Northern Michigan Land Brokers Pilgrim River Hills and Acres Portage Lake Log Home & Vacation Rentals Quincy’s Restaurant Ronald Fisher, DDS Rukkila, Negro and Associates, CPAs, PC Society of St. John/The Jampot Suomi Restaurant Superior Monogramming Superior Screed Service U.P. Engineers & Architects

MEMBERS

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

Brian Donnelly, Vice President Branch Manager River Valley Bank, Houghton bdonnelly@rivervalleybank.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

Lisa Dunnebacke Associate Member ladunneb@mtu.edu

Lonie Glieberman Owner Mount Bohemia lonieg2@yahoo.com

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

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

Thank you for your continued support!

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WELCOME

MEMBER Calumet Art Center

“Where art, culture and history inspire and challenge the people of the Keweenaw.” Art class offerings include private as well as Art Immersion Youth Summer classes. There’s always something going on here!

Ed Gray – Executive Director | 57055 Fifth Street, Calumet, MI 49913 www.calumetartcenter.com | info@calumetartcenter.com (906) 934-2228

The Keweenaw Chamber’s NEW WEBSITE will be up and running with in a few weeks!

Coming Soon

We are excited about this new benefit that will be offered to all members of the Chamber. There are some great features we hope you will be excited about as well.

Each member will have login information to change and update their membership listing as needed. Your hours change, want to change you business description, or add additional representatives to your business registry – you can do it at your convenience. *Hot Deals! Members will have the opportunity to post coupons. What is the deal you have going on this week? A buy one get one? A free item with purchase? Whatever it might be you will be able to post these as well. *Job Postings! One of your employees has just put in a two week notice and you need to find a replacement… You can list your opening on the website as well. (*There will be an additional minimal cost.)

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

19 Michigan Broadband Conference October 20, 2015 To register, visit http://www.connectmi.org/broadband-summit.

The 2015 Michigan Broadband Conference on October 20 in Lansing, Michigan. The Michigan Broadband Conference builds on the success of the 2013 and 2014 events by attracting nationally recognized broadband and technology experts to join local leaders and provide attendees with best practices and insights into leveraging technology for improved community and economic development, education, digital literacy, healthcare, and workforce development. Actionable information and case studies will be provided to empower participants to work with local stakeholders and broadband providers in their communities to expand technology access, adoption, and use.

Your Brochures Are Requested!

Bring in your brochures to fill the racks.

Visitors, community members and businesses of our area find useful information from your brochures, and we want Chamber members represented.

What a great way to increase the visibility of your business!

Thank you to those who have sent in your information.

Keweenaw .org

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Executive Director Continued from page 2 NEW KCVB & CHAMBER CARD ARE PRINTED AND AVAILABLE AT BOTH OUR OFFICES!!!

A joint collaboration featuring the new KCVB mobile app and the Chamber QR code for a customer service survey on area businesses. The Chamber will be happy to share customer feedback with a business which might be telling you what an excellent job you and your employees are doing or area(s) for improvement to make your business more successful. The KCVB has a great new app, it features area community events, attractions, and other items that are sure to be great for visitors and locals. It addresses our shortfalls in Broadband availability in the Keweenaw for tourists and others who wish to know what’s going on in the Keweenaw.

The Chamber and KCVB have been asked to be panelists at the upcoming ConnectMI Broadband Conference in Lansing on October 20th, for the breakout session “Technology in Tourism”. So, Amanda from the KCVB and I are traveling down together to participate at the upcoming conference. If you are able to attend, please follow the link for the conference at http://www.connectmi.org/broadbandsummit .

The Chamber and KCVB were also informed that we are one of the four finalists in the Connected Community Project Award competition which aims to find unique, community-led projects from across Michigan that are improving access, adoption, and use of broadband and technology. How’s that for collaboration and working together! We have an opportunity to briefly present our community project – our joint card, the KCVB mobile app and our new websites - at the 2015 Michigan Broadband Conference in a “Shark Tank” –style format.

CHAMBERMASTER DATABASE AND NEW WEBSITE The Chamber has converted our database over to ChamberMaster software and we are very excited for the membership. We are now in the process of creating a new website which will integrate our new membership database and will be going live within the next two weeks. We have added great new features for our members! We’ll share more as we complete the conversion.

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 put the program into their company budgets for 2016. We shared information on the new Leadership Program at the June 18th, Chamber Eggs & Issues Breakfast. We are encouraging companies to select and send a key employee and for large organizations/businesses 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 the process of raising funds to support 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, Kathy Flagstadt, Steve Lasco, Ruth Archer, Robbyn Lucier and Mary Jane Hatton for assisting the Chamber in bringing an important Leadership Program to the community.

Continued on page 8 Executive Director

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Chamber Member Opportunities 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. 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, or one of our Keweenaw Chamber Ambassador’s. Our Ambassador’s are listed on page 9.

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!

We Want Your Input We are looking for photos, business news, new hires, open positions or any updates about your business to use in our newsletters. If you have photos or stories you’d like to share, send them to info@keweenaw.org. Please tell us about the photo or story. Include who took the photo, where it was taken, and who wrote the story so, we can give proper credit. Thanks!

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Executive Director Continued from page 6

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.

Although not yet finalized, 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 • • • • • • •

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

The program fees, registration materials and agendas are being finalized. We are looking for a maximum of 26 participants for the program. If you are ready to be engaged in the Leadership Keweenaw program, please reach out to the Chamber office at (906) 482-5240.

CHAMBER PROGRAMS Would your business like to know more about Quickbooks? Is there something else you would like to see? Please contact the Chamber office.

Continued on page 9 Executive Director

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Executive Director Continued from page 8

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CURRENT AMBASSADORS! Brian Donnelly, River Valley Bank - Chair Amanda McConnon, Michigan Technological University / Keweenaw Young Professionals – Co-chair Barb Foley, Country Village Shops Carrie Richards, Michigan Technological University Jack Eberhard, Book Concern Printers George Eakin, D & L Janitorial Scott Dianda, Associate / 110th Representative Laurie Panian, Superior National Bank Bruce Rukkila Tina Nelson, Wells Fargo

A Call For Keweenaw Chamber AMBASSADORS POSITION DESCRIPTION: An Ambassador will be a reputable professional, actively engaged in business in the great Keweenaw area, who is willing to promote and protect the best interest of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce and its members. An Ambassador will also serve as a liaison for prospective, new, and existing Chamber members; sharing opportunities to promote and support their business initiatives and goals. The Keweenaw Chamber Ambassador Committee offers many ways to participate that work with your schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES: • • •

Invite members to Chamber events Attend Chamber events Collect Feedback from members about what they would like to see the Chamber do.

If you are interested in being an Ambassador, please contact Trina at the Chamber office!

Phone: 906.482.5240 Email: Trina.Barrette@Keweenaw.org

REGIONAL CHAMBER ALLIANCE The Regional Chamber Alliance with other Western U.P. Chambers of Commerce are 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. We are forming a steering committee from the six county Chambers to begin working collaboratively. Each Chamber is to identify one or two blight concerns on the highway in their area that affect us all. Something they could use more expertise from a larger group to address, that is too large to address on their own. I recently met with the new Ironwood, MI and Iron County Chamber Executive Director who are excited to be a part of the alliance.

The Ontonagon Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the next Thirsty Thursday in October 22.

Anyone may attend a Thirsty Thursday – (which is undergoing a name change – possibly Regional Roundtable?), if you are interested please RSVP and watch for the information on the upcoming Thirsty Thursday event in next month’s newsletter. The Iron County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the December “Thirsty Thursday”.

REMINDER: As always, we are continuing to strengthening 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 to volunteer your time and further support “Your Chamber” – great things happen, when we all come together!

Wishing you all GREAT Business Success!

V{xÜçÄ Keweenaw .org

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Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Winning Team Bill’s B&B

Thank you to all of our TEAMS! • • • • • • • • • • •

UPPCO Bill’s B&B Bar Portage Health Foundation Tadych’s Econo Foods Michigan Technological University Daily Mining Gazette River Valley Bank GS Engineering Range Bank Finlandia University Superior National Bank

Thank you to all of our PAR sponsors!

• Daily Mining Gazette • Tolksdorf Realty and Forestry

Thank you to all of our Raffle Prize donors.

River Valley Bank

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Pat’s / Festival Foods

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Bill’s B & B

A big thank you to all the staff at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for your time and efforts helping us with the tournament!

Keweenaw .org

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Keweenaw .org

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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.

Keweenaw .org

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Mark your calendar for these upcoming Business After Hours

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November TBA – Century 21 North Country Agency

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December TBA – Continental Fire CO

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April, 2016 – Miners State Bank, Ripley Thank you

Superior National Bank & Trust for hosting the September Business After Hours!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Leadership Partner ad.

Leadership Partner ad.

Leadership Partner ad.

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

Downtown Hancock will be celebrating

When: Friday, November 27 from 6-8 pm Where: Quincy Street in Hancock The evening will begin with Santa riding the fire truck downtown and then lighting the tree across from City Hall. Santa will head into City Hall where families will be able to take pictures with Santa.

There will be sled dog rides, and businesses will be open for holiday treats and savings.

Come to see the decorated windows and enjoy the holiday spirit!

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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://www.keweenaw.org/business-calendar/

Ribbon Cutting

October 2-4 – Missoula Children’s Theatre. The Missoula Children's Theatre presents "Aladdin" at 7 pm on Friday, October 2 and again at 2 pm on Saturday, October 3.

October 2-4 – Mont Ripley Fall Color Tours. Experience the Copper Country color from a whole new view! Ride the chairlift on Mont Ripley up above Portage Canal, Houghton, and Hancock.

Saturday, October 3– Houghton Half n Dash. A half marathon run and a 5k walk/run. The half will go from the Dee Stadium and run west along the waterfront trail to the Houghton Canal, and turn around at the Kenner Dome then back to the Dee Stadium.

October 7-8 – Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference. Join other like-minded communities as we learn programs and resources, share best practices and ideas, empower ourselves and others to assist entrepreneurs grow our local communities.

October 10-11 – Mount Bohemia Fall Color Tours. Come enjoy a fall color chair lift ride on beautiful Mount Bohemia. Enjoy the bright array of colors from a whole new view!

October 16-17 – Lake Superior Performance Rally. The Lake Superior Performance Rally is a two-day classic stage rally that takes place during peak foliage season in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which means that this rally is always one of the most unforgettable.

October 17-18 – Keweenaw Cup. The Red Jacket Cycling Team is proud to present the seventh annual Keweenaw Cup Cyclocross Race, a two-day cyclocross extravaganza!

Held in conjunction with the UPCROSS Points Series. The October 17 and 18, 2015, event again brings cyclocross racing to the Keweenaw. Prizes to be awarded to overall weekend champions in five classes.

Thursday, October 22– Regional Roundtable.

Regional Roundtable is a collaborative event of Western U.P. Chambers of Commerce and community members that is held bi-monthly. The event is open to anyone with an interest in promoting and improving the business climate of the Western U.P. This Event will be held in Ontonagon, place TBD.

We celebrated the new location of Crossfit Hakkapeliitta with a Ribbon Cutting. Congratulations to Micah and his team for building a successful business and helping keep the Keweenaw Healthy!

Submit your events here… http://keweenawchamber.sampleorg.com/events/publicsubmission

Keweenaw .org

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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 of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce: SUPPORT BUSINESS: The Chamber supports businesses by providing information and referring inquiries to our local and regional economic development partners such as the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Michigan Small Business Development Center, MTEC SmartZone, Entrepreneur Support Center, or Jutila Business Incubator.

ATTRACT BUSINESS: The Chamber provides information and referrals to people who want to visit or relocate here. If someone inquires about tourism, we coordinate with the Keweenaw Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. When someone is relocating a business or family here, we connect them to the appropriate community resources that meet their needs.

DEVELOP BUSINESS : The Chamber will continue to grow networking and visibility opportunities for small businesses. We will provide opportunities for ribbon cuttings, Eggs and Issues, and After Hours networking events, promotion and advertising opportunities, golf outings, annual membership directory, business referrals, and a monthly newsletter.

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 200 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 1,600 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

BOARD OF DIRECTOR

NOMINATIONS

NOW OPEN

TBD