Welcome to Gratiot County

Greetings!

As I sit here writing this letter, I am just about to celebrate the six-month mark of being the Chamber Director. Today is a blustery day with sporadic snow flurries. The Chamber office is decorated and ready for Santa to visit during Come Home to Alma for the Holidays. Tomorrow we celebrate the holidays in St Louis, followed by Ithaca, and then Breckenridge. Throughout the month, the small village of Ashley hosts their Country Christmas celebration as the Polar Express train visits. It truly is a magical time here in Gratiot County.

But isn’t that true of Gratiot County throughout the entire year? Spring brings us the Highland Festival and as the grounds continue to thaw out, our Farmers Markets come back to town. A flood of golf outings and summer block parties begin. We gather to celebrate our Farm Family of the Year and Agriculture Business of the Year at Rural Urban Day. There are fireworks, parades, car cruises, the DALMAC, and lots of ice cream. The sidewalks bustle with people walking and kids on bikes. The fairground is filled with the sounds of animals and people laughing. Soon we enter into the Fall, where we have our schools’ homecomings, the Agri-Fit Challenge, Fall festivals, and downtown Trick-or-Treating.

Behind all of these events are hundreds of volunteers and businesses that donate time and money. We have unique stores and restaurants, talented salons and barbers, and skilled locally-owned manufacturers and automotive shops. We have selfless non-profit organizations that improve the lives of so many. We have an ever-evolving healthcare system that is Gratiot’s largest employer. We have a community-minded higher education institution that offers year-round educational and recreational activities for the community.

Yes, Gratiot truly is a magical place.

Use this Guide to learn more about this wonderful place so many of us get to call home. And if you’re ever by the Chamber Office, stop in and say “Hi!”

Warmly,

Sara Bonacci Executive Director